Brief
- For this brief I can make a short form documentary
- observational, showcasing a sport or hobby
- expository - creating a narrative around a team?
- participatory - getting involved with the hobby for a day/learning a sport/craft
or craft - could include short interviews over B roll of the hobby
- length could be around 5-10 minutes
- I need to research editing and camera techniques, as well as specific documentary techniques, e.g., interviews
- I need to plan my documentary and film it in good time
- I need to edit my short documentary, being mindful of a potential narrative
- I want to improve my editing and utilise more transitions between scenes rather than just cutting
- I would also like to develop my skills in time management and scheduling, to have a more structured plan when going into filming
- purpose to showcase the hobby or spread awareness or more uncommon activities
- purpose is to entertain and to be interesting
- audience could be people who don't participate in the hobby, or who like watching it e.g., a sport
- my initial thoughts are to create a documentary around an unusual or interesting hobby, while keeping in mind how the elements of film impact how the viewer interprets the film
- sport, art - could link the two and compare them
- experience - interview discussing what it's like to do the particular hobby or be part of a team/community - potential for a narrative surrounding a tournament, competition, etc.
- I would like to work primarily by myself, as I prefer having sole creative control over a project. This will also allow me the freedom to make last minute changes without heavily affecting other people in the project
Mind Map
Inspiration
I would like to try getting wide, high-angle establishing shots in my own work
I'd like to get similar, close up shots of equipment
I liked the way this documentary used brief clips of interviews from the whole team to establish a general tone for the scene
Casual interviews with both coaches and team members - mostly brief clips but some longer segments
Wide, distanced shots of coaches, getting behind the scenes for the sport/team
Real time coaching/training footage - good sound to hear what's going on during a real training session
Dynamic shots during training - getting a close-up sense of what it's like to participate
Clear colour palette throughout the documentary - reflects the team colours somewhat and establishes a theme throughout
More extreme wide shots - dollying backwards, showing the scale of the sport
Close ups of equipment - movement in the background, but the focus is on the equipment itself
I want to get footage of the actual action, trying to get a feel for what it's actually like to participate
Participants preparing themselves/equipment - more close up shots to get detail into the hobby
More actuality footage - I'd like to get lots of different angels and shot types of matches or sequences in a sport
Different angles for the same interview - floating camera. I like the more dynamic shots paired with static ones to keep the cinematography interesting
Simple, more artistic shots. Not necessarily while the hobby is playing out of while participants are preparing or engaging with each other. Personifies the characters more
Ideas
IDEA ONE: PAINTING
A short documentary following the process of an artist. Set the scene by introducing the artist and their working environment, the go into more detail using interviews and B roll to follow each step and each personal quirk in their process to create their pieces. At the end, a brief discussion of their inspiration and how to come up with their ideas, as well as showcasing their art.
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Equipment needs: 2x cameras, tripod, microphone for interviews ad sound effects, lighting
Location: at artist's studio or home
Timing: a few weeks to follow the process from beginning to end
Contributor needs: someone willing to document their artistic process
Budget/other: limited budget required, but may need to cover travel expenses
Audiences: aspiring artists or potential customers/supporters of the featured artists - showcases the art and could inspire new techniques in other artists
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Advantages: - one location, don't have to travel far
- easy to find people to film, e.g., friends
Disadvantages: - difficult to create a narrative
- limited time frame for one painting
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Overall, I think that this idea is decent, but lacks in narrative or original ideas for cinematography. While it would be possible, I don't think it would be that interesting.
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IDEA TWO: FENCING
A short, artsy documentary showcasing the equipment, technique, time and training that goes into a fencing club and its matches. Brief interviews with members and coaches to get a deeper understanding of how and why people get into the sport, and the pros and cons that come with it. Overall aim is to get an insight into how the club runs, and why its members take part in an unusual sport.
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Equipment needs: 2x cameras, tripod, microphone for interviews and sound effects (boom mic or lap mics for get real time footage of a match and/or coaching), lighting for interviews
Location: at the fencing club (Netherhall)
Timing: two to three weeks to attend the weekly sessions to capture match footage as well as interview people
Contributor needs: Will need permission to film at the club, and permission from the individuals involved. Need to film a training/sparring session and a match.
Budget/other: not much needed, maybe some materials for more artsy shots such as coloured chalk. Travel expenses, i.e., train tickets.
Audiences: could appeal to those interested in trying out fencing, or looking for a local club, could also be interesting to other fencing clubs and members. Could also serve as publicity from for the club.
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Advantages: - cool opportunities for cinematography
- friend does fencing - can go to her club
Disadvantages: - need permission from other people to film (club owner, other members)
- no upcoming events or competitions, so no narrative
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Overall, I prefer this idea to the first one, but while it has more opportunity for creative shots and editing, it still lacks in a narrative and could be difficult to get 5 minutes worth of film.
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IDEA THREE: ROWING
A short documentary following a rowing team on their way to summer races and regattas. Capture the team training together and improving their skills leading up to tournaments and events, and get interviews from different perspectives, e.g., coaches, rowers, coxes. Document the difficulties managing and participating in a rowing team, as well as the silver linings. End the documentary with the outcome of their races/regattas and comparative interviews about their feelings while training compared to after the event.
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Beginning: meeting the team, introducing the audience to the world of rowing
Middle: training for the races, rigging and derigging boats, etc
End: races and their results + feelings of the crew
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Equipment needs: 2x cameras, tripod, microphone for interviews and sound effects (boom or lap mics for real time coaching/rowing footage), lighting for interviews
Location: rowing club/boat house, on the river, at the regattas and races
Timing: three+ weeks to document training as well as the upcoming races
Contributor needs: Will need permission to film at the boat house as well as individual permission from the rowers + coaches + coxes to be in the documentary. Need to film training sessions and regattas/races.
Budget/other: travel expenses
Audiences: could appeal to experienced or retired rowers, or to those looking to get into a sport. Could be a good insight into the community and the sport for those otherwise unaware. Could also serve as publicity for the club.
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Advantages: - lots of opportunities for cinematography and sound
- upcoming regattas and races - narrative
- both dad and sister row
Disadvantages: - have to get up very early for footage of training and races
- need permission to film, especially junior team
- need permissions to film at races
Overall, I think this is my favourite idea, because it has the potential for a more structured narrative due to the upcoming races, and provides opportunities for creative and visually appealing cinematography.
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We discussed our ideas as a group and got feedback. From this discussion, I have a stronger idea of which theme would be more interesting to do my documentary on. Additionally, I have more ideas about the potential for each hobby and how strong the idea is. This was helpful, because my own thoughts were reflected in the discussion, as well as new points, which has helped guide me towards a decision as to which idea to choose.
I have also discussed the requirements for each idea, and this detail has been very helpful in understanding which ideas would be possible or achievable, and which might be too easy and becoming boring.
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Reflection
Viability
I wanted to see how viable my ideas actually were before I continued developing them. For my second idea, I emailed the fencing club that my friend attends to see if I could be granted permission to film during a session. this was helpful because the interaction was overall positive, and made me more confident that my idea would be possible.
I also contacted the Cambridge City rowing club through my dad, to ask about permissions for filming. This also got a positive response, so I am confident that the idea will be doable, and I can develop it further with a stronger idea of what I'll be allowed to do.
Selection
After discussing and evaluating each of my ideas, I have chosen to do my documentary on rowing. This is because with permission to film the rowers at training and races, I can get a lot of good footage with creative shot types and interesting sounds (blades in the water, for example). I also think that this idea has more potential for a narrative, and that I can manipulate the footage to tell a story rather than just showcase the hobby. For these reasons, I think that this idea will be the most interesting and enjoyable not only to make, but to watch from an audience perspective.
Photography Examples
I wanted to develop my idea by going out with a camera, and getting some test footage and photos. This was helpful, as it gave me an idea of what filming would be like, and practice for shooting and race. It has also helped me to develop my idea and get a clearer sense of the aesthetic and tone I want to apply in my work.