How to Make a Documentary Short by jfrost https://padlet.com/jfrost9/1mxj9u5i6q45 Hot tips on how to plan and shoot a documentary Film en-us 2017-01-31 10:30:31 UTC 2017-01-31 11:25:48 UTC hello@padlet.com Making a 'factual' documentary is not a lot different to shooting a 'fictional' film. The principles are similar, but in a documentary you are recording 'reality' or at least a version of it. You MUST research carefully, using reliable primary sources when possible. All secondary sources should be verified. Think of your audience and like a film, you are telling a story that should reveal a truth, despite the fact many of your potential subjects will only be interested in their version of it. Be balanced, fair, not prejudicial or biased. Watch this clip. jfrost9 https://padlet.com/jfrost9/1mxj9u5i6q45/wish/150475437 2017-01-31 10:32:38 UTC https://padlet.com/jfrost9/1mxj9u5i6q45/wish/150475437 Watch this short film by a professional; documentary film maker. jfrost9 https://padlet.com/jfrost9/1mxj9u5i6q45/wish/150477374 2017-01-31 10:42:58 UTC https://padlet.com/jfrost9/1mxj9u5i6q45/wish/150477374 You might think that doing an interview with someone is easy - after all it is only a conversation isn't it? NO! You must research your interviewee and the subject matter thoroughly. Find out as much as you can about them, research and plan. THINK about the structure of the interview. What are your AIMS? How can you make this interview interesting for the viewer and make it flow? Consider your OPEN questions carefully. How do you get over difficult moments if the interviewee is uncooperative - it happens! jfrost9 https://padlet.com/jfrost9/1mxj9u5i6q45/wish/150477905 2017-01-31 10:46:16 UTC https://padlet.com/jfrost9/1mxj9u5i6q45/wish/150477905 Since we do not have multiple cameras to shoot this documentary and many documentaries are often shot with a single camera - you need to understand how it is done. Reality is never a rehearsal; with documentaries you sometimes need to improvise to catch the 'moment' - take risks while trying not to compromise your safety or that of your crew. jfrost9 https://padlet.com/jfrost9/1mxj9u5i6q45/wish/150479305 2017-01-31 10:54:20 UTC https://padlet.com/jfrost9/1mxj9u5i6q45/wish/150479305 When conducting an interview you MUST always be polite and courteous, even if your interviewee isn't. Whatever happens you need to stay calm and in control! Yes - be forceful when appropriate - watch a few interviews with Politicians, who always try to avoid giving straight answers, and you will see what I mean. But often the interviewee has agreed to give you an interview on certain conditions, or have given you their time possibly at their inconvenience, so, look after them! jfrost9 https://padlet.com/jfrost9/1mxj9u5i6q45/wish/150480421 2017-01-31 11:00:55 UTC https://padlet.com/jfrost9/1mxj9u5i6q45/wish/150480421 Watch this interview with Jeremy Paxman - a presenter and senior Journalist on the BBC's Newsnight with Nigel Farage, leader of UKIP - the United Kingdom Independence Party. jfrost9 https://padlet.com/jfrost9/1mxj9u5i6q45/wish/150482923 2017-01-31 11:17:45 UTC https://padlet.com/jfrost9/1mxj9u5i6q45/wish/150482923 There are also some really terrible, ill informed, embarrassing interviews out there. Here is one from some poorly briefed, ignorant CNN presenters. jfrost9 https://padlet.com/jfrost9/1mxj9u5i6q45/wish/150484063 2017-01-31 11:23:50 UTC https://padlet.com/jfrost9/1mxj9u5i6q45/wish/150484063