Researching Existing Products
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Mode: Expository
Audience appeal: emotional, uplifting story, gripping and interesting to watch, makes the audience want to know what happens in the end
Tone: motivational, inspirational
Elements: Pieces to camera from the rowers, graphics + maps to illustrate progress, actuality footage of rowing, studio interviews
Genre conventions: uplifting background music, no direct involvement/interference from the filmmakers
Effectiveness: I found that this documentary was quite effective at getting an audience gripped and hooked on the story. It used pieces to cameras as direct addresses to the audience, as well as some archival footage to pack an emotional punch
Sound design: emotional background music, some of the audio is a little rough, especially in the hand held piece to cameras on the boat, but overall the sound quality is high and used effectively.
Narrative: This documentary followed an all-women crew attempting to row across the Pacific Ocean. It began by introducing each rower individually, as well as their family and motivations. Then, it showed them as a crew, and documented their successes and their downfalls throughout their journey.
Interview styles: this doc used both handheld piece to cameras and studio interviews. This allowed us to see the characters before, during and after the ordeal, making it more personal
Characters: each of the four rowers were the main characters of the documentary, focusing in their teamwork and trust in each other throughout their experiences​
Mode: Expository
Audience Appeal: Focuses on a small number of people, known athletes, motivational and inspiring. Could encourage other athletes to get to a higher level.
Tone: calmer, less dramatic, more reflective on their relationship as rowers and teammates.
Elements: formal interviews (both lit and shot the same), graphics to provide more information, lots of B roll of them rowing
Genre conventions: lots of action footage, lots of slow motion footage of the sport, and formal interviews. No direct intervention from the filmmakers
Effectiveness: This doc was good at giving information and creating tone in a short amount of time, but there is less of a structured narrative, and more reflection on a narrative we don't get to see.
Sound design: clear, high quality audio of the interviews, with background music. Some J and L cuts with the B roll sound, also high quality, but slighter quieter than the interviews.
Narrative: this short documentary reflects on the careers and goal of two Olympic level athletes. There is not a strong narrative, and focuses more on the lull between tournaments for rowers.
Characters: the two rowers were the only characters in this documentary, making it quite exclusive and focused on a specific point.
Interview styles: formal, traditional interviews were used for this doc, and it cut to and from the B roll, with the audio of the interview playing over the top.
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Researching Job Roles and Responsibilities
The roles required for my doc will be a director, cinematographer, producer and sound recordist.
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The necessary skills from the producer will be organising time and equipment for shooting, as well as getting involved with pre production to ensure that everything runs smoothly. The producer will be responsible for getting everything to the right place at the right time, as well as scheduling the day to day process of shooting. This will require good organisation skills and communication with everyone else involved to make sure the filming doesn't get in the way of the actual sport.
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The director will be the driving creative force of the documentary, and have a large amount of creative control over the filming, narrative and style of the doc. The director will need to come up with and clearly communicate their ideas as well as rethink things on the spot that may end up not possible on the day. They will need to be a fast creative thinking and clear communicator to get ideas across quickly and effectively to direct the filming around the rowers.
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https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/film-and-tv-drama/technical/sound-mixer/
The sound recordist will need to record all the sound in the documentary, from interviews and sound effects to atmospheric noise, all to be used in the edit. They will need to be able to change plans quickly, as well as be well versed in the equipment to get it set up in time to get quick shots, and out of the way of the camera. They will need to be a quick thinker and be able to move equipment while staying out of the way of the sport and races.
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Finally, the cinematographer/camera operator will need to record all the footage, and be familiar with all the equipment they need to get steady, visually pleasing footage that fits with the style of the documentary. They will need to be efficient and quick with the equipment to get quick action shots, as well as be able to set up equipment for formal interviews.
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Getting other people to work as part of my crew in this project will be difficult due to very early start times and travel, as some outings start at 8 in the morning, and some end at 8 in the evening. Additionally some events and regattas go over multiple days, so that includes travel and overnight costs for that event. Therefore, I hope to cover all or most of the roles myself, using lap mics while recording footage and sound at the same time. For sound effects and atmospheric sound, I plan to record sound effects separately from the footage and use it as Foley when editing, as well as atmospheric sound. This will mean that I can record action footage and sound by myself, while also directing creative control and organising myself and the equipment.
Action Research
For action research, I am going to test editing techniques to experiment with graphics with names when interviews play or to provide more information. I would also like to improve my skills with transitions and test it with some footage. I am also going to research how to animate some basic graphics to make it more interesting and technically advanced. I think that this will improve my documentary because the final edit with be more interesting and there will be smoother cuts between scenes.
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I am also going to test lighting, both simulated and natural. Because I will be shooting action footage outside and in busy environments, setting up lighting equipment may not always be possible. Therefore, I would like to test the camera and ISO settings in my intended locations so that I know how to set up my equipment when it comes to shooting.
In terms of interview lighting, I am going to research three-point lighting and how to make a subject stand out from their background.
This will make my documentary look more professional and will help it create and adhere to the tone I create in the final piece.
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Thirdly, I am going to test different equipment in moving shots, as I would like to have steady action footage and to reduce shaking. This will make the footage and scenes easier to follow and nicer to watch in the final product. I will compare and contrast different equipment set ups to see how effective they are at this.
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I am also going to to microphone tests to evaluate how different set ups and equipment record different levels of sound. I would like to test the mics in interview and action footage settings to find the best equipment for Foley, interviews and atmospheric sound to get the highest quality of sound that I can. This is important because it will ensure that the interviews are clear and crisp, and that I can build a soundscape in editing with what I record.
I am going to add onto this by testing different audio effects in premiere pro, and testing to see how to edit my recordings to get crisp and clear audio that helps to create tone and atmosphere.
Testing Established Lighting In Intended Locations
I knew that the boathouse had artificial lighting already, and I wanted to see how I could use this to my advantage, or if it changed the tone of the shot. I also wanted to understand how the natural lighting changed through an outing and how to adapt the camera settings to compensate.
To test this I went on location to the Cambridge City boathouse to get a clear idea of the lighting in the area during an outing. This was helpful because I experimented with ISO settings and collected evidence for future reference when I get to shooting. it also showed me potential shots and angles and provided practice for filming in a busy environment without getting in the way of the rowers.
Potential interview background
Different ISO settings when looking into the boat house
Potential shot, and testing camera settings throughout the evening as natural lighting changed
Lower and higher ISO settings in the same location/same shot. Helpful for testing the tone of the shot as well as lighting
Higher and lower ISO settings in the same location. Also good practice for manual focus and shot composition when getting closeups of equipment
Testing the lighting in the gym in the boathouse, as bringing in lights to a crowded area would not be possible. Helpful to see how the lighting changed the tone, combined with the ISO settings on the camera
Overall, I think that this test was successful, because it gave me a clear idea of the natural and established lighting and and around the boathouse. It also gave me a chance to focus on how the lighting changed throughout the evening, over the course of an outing. I have learned more about the camera settings and had practice at quickly changing ISO settings to get the right shot, as well as gaining experience filming around the boathouse.
I did initially struggle with changing the ISO settings quickly enough to get the shots I wanted, but after some practice it became muscle memory. Additionally, some of the lighting is quite stark and hard to manipulate to fit the tone, such as the fluorescent lights in the gym, but with some colour grading it could fit the rest of the lighting and tone quite nicely. Additionally, I want to capture the rowers in the most natural way possible, so having more lighting would make this difficult.
I am going to use this research to plan how to use the camera settings on location and use the experience to influence my planning leading up to production so that the lighting doesn't get in the way of my ideas, and so I can prepare to work around it.
Researching and Testing Interview Lighting
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KEY NOTES:
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Key Light: brightest light source, used to give the subject dimension and depth and the set the tone of the scene
Fill Light: fills in the shadows, softening them. Can be used/not used to create low or high contrast between light and dark
Back Light: creates a sense of depth, 'pushing' the subject away from the background by lighting them from behind
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I want to use this knowledge to create more professional lighting for my interviews, so that the focus of the scene is clear, and the backgrounds aren't too distracting.
Set Up
Key light only
Key light with fill (reflector)
I started by setting up my lights, and using them individually to get an idea of what each section of the set up what achieving. This made it easier to adjust the lights and understand what made three point lighting successful
Back light only
Key and backlight
Three point lighting
I continued to experiment with the fill light. Because I was using a reflector for this, I wanted to be sure it was doing what I wanted. I also gained insight into how affective it was, and how removing it changed the tone of the frame.
without fill
Three point lighting
with fill light
without fill light
Rembrandt lighting
Rembrandt with fill
Rembrandt with back light
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I am going to use this research in my doc, by using more profession lighting set ups to pull the subject away from the background and keep the focus on them. I am also going to put more focus into using lighting for tone.
I then experimented with Rembrandt lighting. I played with the angles of the lights to get the right affect and used it with and without the fill lights to get a sense of the tone, and how to use contrast tomy advantage.
Overall, I think my experiments and researching into lighting were successful, as I learned from hands on experience, how to set up the lights and how to make it look good. I also learned more about fill lighting and how to use shadows and contrast for dramatic effect.
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I like the Rembrandt lighting, especially without the fill light, as it is more dramatic and tense. However, three point lighting is also very good for general interviews.
Testing Camera Equipment
First, I tested using a fly cam to get steady, handheld shots that could be used in action footage
I found that it was difficult to keep it steady and to get the weight ratio right to keep it balanced. As a result, it often span out of control, or rocks when I moved the camera side to side. While it did work for some of the slower shots, the shots that I want to get in my doc will likely be much faster, and for that reason, I don't think the fly cam is suitable.
I also tested a shoulder mount. I preferred this because it was easier to control, and I personally like the slight shake to handheld footage. I think that this would work well with the style of my documentary, especially in the action footage, as I want to get faster paced shots. I also found that I had more range with the movements of the camera in terms of tilting, panning and tracking. This would be beneficial for filming outings and races. I also preferred this piece of equipment, as the movements felt more natural and it was eaier to do what I wanted with the camera.
Finally, I tested using a GoPro.
I liked this piece of equipment because it reminded me of the handheld footage in Losing Sight of Shore, one of my inspirations. I like the fish eye effect, and I think it could fit really well into my documentary style due to its connotations around sport. Furthermore, it is convenient, as I can attach it to a bike, or to my head with a mount, so that I can get footage while moving along with a race or outing.
Through testing this equipment, I learned that the shoulder mount is effective and fits with my intended style when stabilising camera movement. I like the control I have over the camera movements with this equipment more than with the fly cam. I think that this would be best in my documentary, as the fly cam would not be so effective in quicker camera movements, whereas the shoulder mount would be.
i also found that the Go Pro is another suitable piece of equipment for my documentary, as it would be helpful in getting action footage, and it fits with the aesthetic of my doc.
Researching Editing Techniques
I wanted to improve and refine my editing skills so that my final doc can be visually interesting and edited in a way that keeps the viewers attention. I want to achieve this through transitions and graphics.
INTERVIEW IDENTS
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Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6mX5S5HpYs
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Test:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TVlHQgdDNbC-qZzRWfJJQAYXC5SGhxx2/view?usp=sharing
I learned how to create a title or name card that could come up during my interviews to introduce the characters. While the original source that I used in my research used this technique for titles, I adapted it to work on a smaller scale. I like this because it is simple and effective, I would like to use this technique in my work.
TIME REMAPPING
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Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDdKWaVk9vE&t=15s
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Test:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sPNvnKwEj_3jJYgSaR6tynD_5616O73c/view?usp=sharing
I also learned how to slow and speed up clips to have it go from normal speed, to slow motion then to normal speed again. I like this technique, because it allows me to focus on one part of the clip and to draw the viewers attention to something important. I think this would be better in close up shots.
SPLIT TRANSITION
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Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snm79fGz4yo&t=2s
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Test:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18XXWcYG1U8fuUKGcsWza4Oztoi3RyXPC/view?usp=sharing
I wanted to improve my editing by using transitions in my work. I used a split transition, which is effective and clean, however I think it feels too cliché, and not subtle enough, as it draws too much attention to the editing. However, this research was useful, as I now understand more techniques that would be helpful in creating other transitions in my final piece.
Overall, this research was helpful, because I have developed my knowledge and competence with Premiere Pro, and have more skills regarding masking techniques and graphics. This will be incredible useful when editing and making my doc look smooth and professional. I will also apply this knowledge in making more interesting transitions between scenes.
Testing Microphones
SHOTGUN MIC
With the shotgun mic, I found that the wind was less of a problem in the audio. It was also easier to get specific noises for Foley in a bust environment with lots of other sounds. However, because it is larger, it was harder to hold it and control the camera by myself
ZOOM MIC
The zoom mic was significantly easier to control and to hold the camera at the same time. However, it was less effective at blocking out the wind, so a lot of the audio was difficult to hear or understand.
TASCAM
The Tascam had a little more depth than the zoom mic, but it was a little harder to hold with the camera. Additionally, it picked up the wind a lot, decreasing the audio quality. It was also harder to pick out individual sounds rather than the general atmosphere.
By conducting this research, I have learned that the shotgun mic is best for recording outdoors. This is because, despite difficulties with set up, it has the best audio quality in terms of noise and wind, and can pick up specific sounds from a distance, which is good for filming on location.
For indoor or less busy environments, I think that the zoom mic would be good, as it is easy to handle, and the audio quality is good aside from the wind. This could be helpful in interviews or in the boathouse when on location.
Preproduction
Script
I have written a brief outline of what my final documentary will look like. This will help me because I will have a more solid idea of what I need to film/record, and I will be less likely to miss things when shooting. Additionally, it gives me a chance to think about what I want to ask in interviews, and the overall tone of my doc.
I have kept it brief and purposefully vague to allow room for change. Because I don't know what will happen in training or races yet, I have to allow wriggle room for changes or additions to my narrative.
Storyboards
I have created storyboards to get a clear idea of the visuals that I want to capture. This will help me when shooting because I will have an idea of what angles I want to get, and how to shoot a scene the best way. It also helps me organise my thoughts and communicate what I'm looking for through visuals. While it is not necessarily in order, it offers visual representation of my ideas for when im shooting on location.
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Location Recce
I used location recces to set out some of the potential issues with filming on location. This was helpful because it put into perspective how problems could occur, and allowed me to think about how to come up with solutions. Having this written out is helpful for communication and reminders during filming to keep personnel and equipment safe.
Risk Assessment
I did a risk assessment for filming on location so that I could plan ahead and be aware of potential risks to both me and the equipment. This is helpful for my doc as I can communicate confidently what needs to happen to ensure everyone's safety. Additionally, it has made me think more in depth about what could go wrong, so now I feel more prepared and certain of the possibilities when filming on set. Things could still go wrong, but I am more likely to have a solution in mind.
Test Scene
I wanted to create a test scene to practice forming a narrative with in-the-moment footage. I also wanted to get some experience with the editing skills that I researched, such as transitions.
I used the dissolve transition preset on Premiere Pro. This gave me and idea of how the preset transitions work and how to use them effectively.
I also used my research into editing sound. this was useful for reducing background noise and making the dialogue in the audio crisper. I also used this to improve my Foley sound effects, adding an echo after it cuts off so it doesn't sound artificial or out of place.
Overall, I think that this went well, as I have had practice in creating a narrative and using voice over interviews in my work. additionally, I've gotten more familiar with Premiere Pro preset effects and transitions, which will help me when editing my final product.