I have decided to go back to the basics, looking more closely at advice and tips on how to make a documentary. Following my first very rough draft of my product I decided to watch tutorials and research conventions of a documentary in order to improve how I film my interviews. I have found several useful sources of information. The following have allowed me to see more in the eyes of a documentary maker - giving me more of a sense of direction in what I want to achieve with my product.
From further research I also gained terms such as Cinéma Vérité or Direct Cinema - the idea that the camera is becoming the lives that it is watching - creating quite personal shots and revealing the character. Although I hope to get across the information and opinions of those going through the post 16 education system, I would also like to reveal the different characters of those that I interview. This allows the viewer to start to empathise (if they are in a similar situation/age etc) or sympathise with them if the interviews reveal feelings. The website also says 'Cinéma Vérité depends on the reality of true unrehearsed answers.' This idea fits in well with the changes I have made to my interviewing technique.
I also decided to look at advice to create a handheld camera documentary - as I am working on my own I am more likely to use the handheld look rather than a tripod. I wanted the personal documentary feel.
Main tips that I found were:
- shoot everything in Wide Pan
- don't zoom simply move closer/further away
- tilt the camera to reveal what the subject may be holding/doing with their hands
- keep all movement slow
It would be good if you can get some documentary images of your making your documentary. Ask a friend to take a couple of snaps.
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