Documentary Unit - Scripting and Storytelling

Looking at our workshop footage:

Sound (Look for levels and Listen for quality)
White Balance
Exposure (Use Zebras - 80%) (Keylight and fill light)
Focus
Framing

Extra shots to cut away to in interviews are important, out of focus, close ups, different angles

If filming in a home, make sure you look around each room to see which room is best, maybe look for a natural light or interesting backdrop. Make sure you always ask before you move everything.
Take your time setting up the shot to make sure that it is right, and if it's not spend more time setting up.

Scripting and storytelling:

Make the title something interesting that people want to watch.
"Sells" your film
Encapsulates what your film is about
Adds meaning to the film

1 page synopsis for Tuesday 21st March "Treatment"
- Transmission time and channel

Sequences
Interviews
Reconstructions
Actuality
Cutaways/GV's
Sync
Commentary
Music
Archives
Graphics

Script written prior to filming, this forms a template for your finished film

Pix on left, Sync/Comm on the right Maybe even duration far right. (How much is a shot worth?)

Explore picture opportunities through your script

ALWAYS write to pictures - they shoudl work together

Write COMM or v/o FOR commentary
SEQ Sequence
ACT Actuality
C/A Cutaway
SYNC Interview clips
SFX sound effects
PTC Piece to camera

Do the commentary right at the end - Out and the in words are going to change before editing.
Line and a half spacing - makes it easier to read

Find a narrative for your documentary is essential
A central thread which holds the story together
Narrative influenced by characters, locations, period

Reasons for commentary:
1. Guide and explain the story
2. Information
3. Intro characters
4. Corner turn
5. Tension

Simple questions in actuality interviews

Actuality (Observational) vs Sequenced (Polished/Cleaner)
The filmmaker might also have their own views on this based on preferences

By 9th May you need to have transcribed all of your interviews

Keep changing version numbers and include the date so you know which is the latest version easily