Final Major Project
(DOCUMENTARY TEST)
Client: CREATE24 | 2024
My final project created at Gloucestershire College, shown at the CREATE24 festival.
featured in:
£300
RAISED
26.2
MILES
*the FMP brief requires me to create either a music video, documentary or a short film (fiction or no non-fiction) for Hidden in Plain Sight Media (HIPS). HIPS is a new, local arts company offering a variety of digital media content to their target audience of young aspiring creators with the aim to inspire them to acknowledge the world around them whilst showcasing the work they can create, the products I create should encourage them to engage with their own creative processes. Their mission is to educate and entertain viewers and reveal things in life that are hidden in plain sight. They will host a competition for young, local content creators to develop, pitch and produce a range of digital content types that reflect their online brand identity and company values. The winning entries will be screened at an arts festival scheduled for June 2024 alongside other creative exhibitions. I have 9 months to make a test documentary, music video and short film and finally develop a final, professional and unique video which will inspire other young creative minds to create their own work and notice the things in life that are hidden in plain sight.
CLIENT: CREATE 24
EDIT:
three point lighting
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film lighting is all based on light source intensity and angles:
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source of light — refers to the physical origin
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angle of light — refers to the path of approach
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intensity of light — refers to the amount/brightness
what is 3 point lighting?
3 point video lighting is all about creating a three-dimensional look. By placing three light sources at strategic points around the subject, each light source illuminates a separate dimension of the subject and creates an image with greater representation of height, width, and depth.
documentary test footage
-testing b-roll
-testing lighting research
-types of b-roll
-camera angles and movements
ideas
1) FRED WEST
pros:
cons:
-could go to the house/street
-a lot of information online including footage
-who could i interview without a budget?
-multiple documentaries about fred west have been done
synopsis:
English serial killer, who committed at least twelve murders between 1967 and 1987 in Gloucestershire, the majority with his second wife, Rose West.
idea rating:
ideas
originality
difficulty
2) EUNICE SPRY
pros:
cons:
-story has many hidden mysteries
-a lot of information online including footage
-who could i interview without a budget?
-Have to be careful with topics including children
synopsis:
From Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, a Jehovah's Witness who was convicted of 26 charges of child abuse against children in her foster care in April 2007.
idea rating:
ideas
originality
difficulty
3) PHOENIX NETTS
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pros:
cons:
-very local to my area
-no current existing documentaries on this case
-who could i interview without a budget?
-not much information online
synopsis:
A murder victim whose body was found hidden in two suitcases in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, near the England–Wales border in May 2020.
idea rating:
ideas
originality
difficulty
these ideas were okay but as a group we decided on a different idea
4) ALIEN OF THE DEAN
pros:
-would be fun to record
-lighthearted, no deep topics
cons:
-hard to pull off
-could be 'cringe'
-i want to use a more serious topic
synopsis:
A group of film student enter a forest looking for the infamous 'Alien of the Dean'
idea rating:
ideas
originality
difficulty
pitching the idea
-We had detailed research
-Explained the kit, lighting and props we're using
-Clear idea and intentions
-Introduced the cast/crews roles
-Well presented slides
-Spoke clearly and conveyed our idea
-Fits the target audience
-Showed inspiration including visuals
-Unique and original
-Comedic and got some laughs
-Talk more about techniques and how we're going to do things
-Less laughing, keep composure and be professional
-Making sure to the audience that they know its a mockumentary
-Too much text on slides
ebi:
www:
main feedback
-Be more professional when presenting ideas
-AC3: Technical Skills, could've gone into further detail about use of equipment, using the correct terminology
-When pitching use more pictures rather than large bodies of text to engage your audience
-Define the target audience and explain why the idea is aimed at that audience
evaluation:
i don't think the pitch went well, i want to create a new idea on my own, this is my last year to prove i can create great work and i don't think this project allows me to show my potential.
i thought and planned a new idea alone
idea research
The story is told in first person, in an interview format. The woman is talking about past experiences with her kids. B-roll footage related to the topics she is mentioning is playing including timelines. They have also used re-enactments to paint a picture in the viewers head what they situation looked like, this is because they don’t have archive b-roll footage of all the events that took place, only some. During the re-enactments the screen is blurred to make it seem like more of a memory rather than what’s happening now. Archive footage is used in the form of pictures in a ‘picture book’ to make sense of what happened. 3-point lighting is used to get the ‘professional interview’ look so commonly used in interview style documentaries. The editing style is very typical for Netflix with starts with building a story and slowly builds tension with dramatic music and effects. The story is about a mother whose children were kidnapped by her ex-husband, the person tells the story to try raise awareness and try to locate and get information about where her children are. The story follows the timeline of effects from her relationship to the divorce to the kidnapping. The documentary also features an ex-police officer who worked on the case, a family friend and the Mum who all tell the story from their experiences. The story is worth telling as it is very interesting and informative but also can help others who are going through similar situations. The overall message of the documentary is how the corrupt and cruel the world can be. Two different single parents were blindsided when their children were abducted by their non-custodial parent. They cannot and will not stop searching for their children, who could be anywhere in the world. The mum is unable to travel to the country she believes her children are in due to safety issues and the crime isn’t illegal there, so she feels trapped and helpless. The film is trying to convey how kids can be used as a weapon to enable abuse in failing relationships. The call to action of the film is to give attention to a real-life mystery and feature detailed components to try and solve the conspiracies.
6.8/10
interview research
what are open and closed questions?
​A closed question is one that the participant can answer 'yes' or 'no' to (for example, “do you like football?”). An open question requires far more detail and invites the person responding to provide information into how they feel and what they think about a subject, allowing the person to share experiences simultaneously (for example, “why do you enjoy playing football?”.
what do you need to plan for interviews?
For interviews you need to plan your equipment (camera, lighting, and audio), location (including background) and questions (what you’re going to ask and when). Creating shot lists, risk assessments, lighting diagrams etc will help plan and be ready for the interview.
why do an interview?
It allows people being filmed to speak directly about events, prompted by the questions asked by the filmmaker. It gives valuable context that is vital to the story and adds depth to the film. Without an interview the documentary can get boring and bland.
documentary narratives
POETIC
1)
Poetic documentaries focus more on mood and tone of imagery. Their main aim is to show experiences, images, and the world from a different viewpoint.
They are often original with loose narrative, and their goal is to create a feeling rather than find the truth. Poetic documentaries are often considered both unconventional and experimental.
example:
Salesman
(1968)
EXPOSITORY
2)
Expository documentaries aim to inform the audience on a specific topic or issue, often through a narrator or expert interviews. Expository documentaries are carefully researched and written with the intent to educate and persuade. In contrast to poetic documentaries, the expository mode seeks to persuade the audience by making a compelling case for or against a certain point of view.
The Blue Planet
example:
(2001)
PARTICIPATORY
3)
Participatory documentaries are defined by the interaction between the subject and the filmmaker. The cinematographer must capture both the subject and the interviewer as he is the interviewee. These interactions will often support the filmmaker's point of view or prove the film's intent.
Participatory documentaries often present the filmmaker's version of the truth by focusing on direct engagement with subjects and capturing their reactions.
The Most Hated
example:
Family in America
(2007)
OBSERVATIONAL
4)
Observational documentaries attempt to discover the ultimate truth of their subject by observing the subject's real-life without interrupting - this is done by acting as a fly-on-the-wall.
In observational documentaries, the cinematographer attempts to be as not interfere as much as possible to catch their subjects in a raw, real state.
At Home With
example:
The Furys
(2023)
REFLEXIVE
5)
Reflexive documentaries focus on the relationship between the audience and the filmmaker. The subject matter is often the process of documentary filmmaking itself.
The cinematographer will shoot behind-the-scenes style footage of the entire film production process, including the editing, interviewing, and post-production processes. As such, they do not seek to explore an outside subject but instead on themselves and the act of making the film.
Biggie & Tupac
example:
(2002)
PERFORMATIVE
6)
Performative documentary films focus on the filmmakers' involvement with his or her subject, using his or her personal experience or relationship with the subject as a jumping-off point for exploring larger, subjective truths about politics, history, or groups of people.
Fahrenheit 9/11
example:
(2004)
the three act structure
ACT 1
setup
The beginning of the documentary needs to capture the audience's attention. This is where you set the tone for the whole movie and create curiosity in the viewer's mind to make them want to keep watching. You want to set up some kind of conflict, problem or unusual situation that keeps the audience mesmerized to the story wanting to know more. The beginning is more or less a teaser for the whole movie. It sets up the questions that the rest of the movie will answer.
who are they main characters and what problems do they face?
what stands between them and their goal?
ACT 2
confrontation
This is the main guts of your story. The middle section is divided into numerous scenes that build on each other to reveal your story. These segments don't necessarily go in chronological order.
"Going back in time" is an effective filmmaking technique that can keep the audience guessing.
Each scene often has it's own beginning/middle/end. These mini-scenes, patched together, create your story.
what are the complications?
what goes wrong and what goes right?
ACT 3
climax
The ending of the documentary usually brings some kind of resolution to the questions and conflict established at the beginning of the film. It is often helpful when writing your documentary script to consider how the documentary will end before trying to write the beginning and the middle. This may seem counter intuitive, but a good way to think about this is to imagine you are getting on your bike. You need to know your destination in advance to know which roads to ride to get there. Otherwise, you will be lost.
what did they achieve or fail?
whats the conclusion?
proposal
Proposal for Documentary
Title of Documentary: 2 Week Marathon Training
Logline (description of film): Running a marathon with no prior experience and only 2 weeks of training.
Overview: Documentary which can be used to shine light on chairty work and mind over matter.
Themes: Mental health, charity, fitness, well-being, struggle
Character Breakdowns (who/what is the doc about): Taylor Griffin
Character Relationships (what are the goals and obstacles): Taylor Griffin running the marathon.
Cast and Crew Requirements: Family and friends.
Detailed Synopsis:
Following the journey of a young man, looking to push himself to the limits. Marathon training is usually a long, extensive prtocess but Taylor is looking to prove that you don’t need training and you just need motivation. His main motivation is the charity in which he is fundraising for, CLAPA. His brother was born with a cleft lip and palate and the chairty helps family with equipment needed.
idea approved
pre-production
final video + feedback
PERSON 1
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Good intro to documentary, bit over exposed when outside
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Good set up (I can't do it), cut back to the beginning, very effective
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Some of the effects on screen are good, good search bar and music
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Don't like the framing with you talking to the camera but we see the back of your head!
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good mind map animations
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Good vloggy aspects, makes us form a connection to you! Quick and upbeat
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Good narration
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Montage bits could be quicker, but the pace is decent, with a good injection of humour
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good charity bits and motivation, like this
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Good personal angle in to the documentary, your family
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I like the day countdowns
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some audio is a bit quiet, could do with some tweaking
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framing of the worry talk is a bit iffy, would be nice to have your face, or the person you are speaking to, to be interviewed "do you think taylor is doing well?" see what they say
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dog walking idea is good, but seeing your faces would be better
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morning shots are good idea when you wake up, but a bit dark
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washing montage could be cut down or removed
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some other interviews would have been great to include, maybe your brother if comfortable
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great use of dogs
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the history lesson should have come sooner on
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good use of other people filming you, but would be good to get their input too
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good stuff with the locals at the lake, but would be good to interview your mother too
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good "heroes journey"
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mic tapping noise is a bit annoying
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good interview with nan, more of her would be good, her running journey etc...
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more establashing shots would have been good between locations
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ending was good but could have been more conclusive, what did you learn, how has your views on running changed etc...
Very good doc, not too much problems just some technical stuff. You should be very proud of it, i could see you making youtube videos, if that is something that has interested you before.
Keep up the good work, and sorry it took so long to get back to you, its been hectic the past few weeks with personal stuff and work, but glad I got to watch it finally!
PERSON 2
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I really liked the style and the feel of it. The use of audio (soundtrack) was really strong to add to the B roll.
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Some really good use of montage and the training sequences give an insight into your thoughts.
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Some of audio of you talking at start is a little quiet and has feedback (hissing) in the background, plus tapping of the camera in a couple of places.
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When you are talking (in room in front of computer) it might have made more sense to have you talking to the camera, as we often see the back of your head. You do this afterwards, but I’m not sure what the purpose is of the shots of the back of your head in the bedroom.
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I liked the footage of you running/training, gives us a good vlog style feel.
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Could have added something if you had some interviews of friends/family members talking about whether they thought you could do it, or the reasons why.
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Maybe could have finished with you talking about how you felt afterwards/what you felt you had learned…. Do you still hate running?
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Overall, it was a really strong piece of work which was engaging and made me want to watch to the end. Most of the points above are minor things as on the whole this works really well.
evaluation
Reflecting back on the project, it's safe to say this is by fair the most ambitious project I've created. Despite the struggles I still managed to fight through and complete the marathon and documentary on my own. But it wouldn't have been possible without my friends and family who were so supportive throughout the process. The idea first stemmed from me being unhappy with the groups initial idea so I decided to create my own project, I wanted to start the year by doing something way out of my depth as my biggest goal was to build on my confidence and this project did this for me. During the project I had many challenges, one of the main ones was the actual recording, as I was the 'character' in the documentary it mean't I had to find someone to record which I realised could mean a drop in technical quality of the work, to try and overcome this I taught my family and friends how to use the camera and hired out a shoulder rig to help stabilise the footage so that the documentary still looked good, I also recorded as much as I could using my phone as well. Overall, I think the documentary turned out okay, but I still have so much to improve on and I am definitely considering using a documentary as my final major project!