shoestring dox, lecture notes, class 03

Toby Younis

Producer and Director

Videotero, LLC

Documentaries on a ShoestringA Course in Low Budget Field Production

Lecture Notes: Class #03

04/12/2023 2Documentaries on a Shoestring. Copyright © 2011. Videotero, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Planning (#1)Scripting (#2)Collecting Content (#3)Editing (#8)Publishing & Repurposing (#9)Film Festival (#10)

Documentary-Making Steps

Discuss “Home” Template Review: “Documentary Title, Logline and Treatment” Template Review: “Documentary Planning” Template Introduction: “Required Equipment and Other Resources” Discussion: Collecting Content Discussion: Equipment Discussion: Setting Up an Interview Discussion: Homework Assignments Open Q & A


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What/Who is the story about?

Who was the intended audience?

What was the objective of the documentary?

How well did it achieve its objective?

How did the documentary make you feel?

What would you say to a prospective viewer?

What would you have done differently?

Documentary Critical Analysis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU&feature=player_embedded



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Template ReviewDocumentary Title, Logline and Treatment

This template enables you to envision your documentary. It is a form of “planning” document. Written correctly it can be used to solicit funding or underwriting for your documentary.

If you can’t complete it, you probably don’t have a story to tell.


Template ReviewDocumentary Planning

This template enables you to build out a time-driven plan for making your documentary.



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Template IntroductionRequired Equipment and Other Resources

This template enables you to plan your resource requirements for each shooting day, scene, and/or setting for your documentary.




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Editing Layers


Panning – Think “No”Tilting – Think “Yes”Craning – Think “Up an’ Down”Zooming – Think “In an Out”Tracking – Moving With/Around the Action

Camera Movement


Video Outside

Start with Wide Angle and Narrow it Down - Progressively Zoom from Wide to Narrow then Reverse Pan from Right to Left then Reverse Action or Activities

Inside Start with Wide Angle and Narrow it Down - Progressively Zoom from Wide to Narrow then Reverse Pan from Right to Left then Reverse Action or Activities

Audio – Collect at Least 60 Seconds of Silence/Ambient Still Images

As Many as You Have Time For Documents

Collecting Content: Setting



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Lights and Light ModifiersTripodCamera

VideoStill

MicrophonesOther Equipment

Equipment


Quartz Halogen Minimum: 1 Optimum: 4 Maximum: You Can Never Have Enough

500 Watts or More per LightLight SoftenerAvoid On Camera Lights

Low Wattage Batteries Unflattering

SPARE BULBS

Lights and Light Modifiers


Avoid Handheld Shots (AMAP)Made for Video

Heavy, but LightFluid Head for Smooth Panning and TiltingBubble Level

OptionsMade for Photo – No Panning or TiltingMonopodBean Bag – Shooter’s Supply Store

Tripods


Avoid Tape – Go to Solid State or DiskShoots HD

16:9 FrameMinimum 720x406

12 Megapixels or 3CCD or 3MOSExternal Microphone SocketHeadphones SocketAt Least 10x ZoomOptional Full Manual Control

Camera - Video


Digital Solid State Single Lens Reflex (SLR) Capable of Shooting 16:9 Format 4mp + At Least 10x Zoom Tripod Socket Self Timer Optional: HD Video Capable Optional: Small Tripod

Camera - Still


Connection Wired Wireless

Position Handheld Lavaliere Shotgun Boom

Audio Pattern

Type Condenser – Sensitive and Expensive Dynamic – Rugged and Inexpensive

Microphones

Omnidirectional Cardiod Shotgun


Power SuppliesExtension CablesSurge Protectors

Gaffer’s TapeClapboardBackground Materials and StandWire Tie WrapsMulti Tool

Other Equipment



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Setting Up an Interview

Key Light

Fill or Fill Light

Step 1: Shoot AnswersStep 2: Shoot QuestionsStep 3: Shoot Over the Shoulder



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Review Lecture Notes Class #03 Complete the “Required Equipment

and Other Resources Template” for Your Own Documentary

Revise your Other Planning Templates as Required

Link to, View, and Be Prepared to Discuss the Online Documentary “Iranium.”

Optional: Download and Complete a “Critical Analysis Template” for the Above Documentary

Homework Assignments



Class #03

shoestring dox, lecture notes, class 03

Documents

documentary title

treatmenttemplate review

hometemplate review

resourcesthis template

treatmentthis template

wide angle

panning think notilting

timedriven plan