Y11S2 - Documentary Production

A public screening of all student films will be held in i23 at the end of semester, and students will submit a written reflection shortly afterwards.  Late submissions will be penalised according to College policy.

Documentary Film Production 

For this screen production task, you will create a documentary that aims to produce positive change in society. This task challenges you to engage with a significant issue or topic that you care about and use the power of media to raise awareness and drive action. By creating a documentary that promotes positive change, you will not only develop your filmmaking skills but also become an active citizen and advocate for social justice.

You may choose to focus on any issue or topic that you feel passionate about and that you believe could benefit from greater public attention. Some examples of issues that you might choose to explore include:

Feedback
An essential part of any film production is feedback.  While it takes some humility to accept feedback, every successful filmmaker learns that it is central to their success, and goes out of their way to ask for feedback - they even pay people to give them feedback.

Not all feedback is positive.   In fact, the most instructive feedback is negative; that is, suggestions for improvement.  This is why it's important to ask not only friends and family, but others who might be more inclined to give us frank comments on how our work is progressing.

If someone gives you feedback, it is polite to respond - let them know how their feedback helped.  It will be beneficial to start practicing this kind of etiquette, especially those who hope to enter the screen industry down the track.
Etiquette

noun:  the customary code of polite behaviour in society or among members of a particular profession or group.

If you take a few minutes to read some professional feedback I received a few years ago, you'll get an idea of how professional readers give feedback on a screenplay in an industry context.  See the first one here, the second one here, and the third one here.  We carefully considered both positive and negative aspects before  redrafting after each feedback.  This won my screenwriting partner and I recognition by Warner Brothers and talent scouts around the world... then Covid hit :(

Documentary Styles to Consider - See most of them on Clickview for FREE!

Participatory documentaries - These films involve the filmmaker as an active participant in the story they are telling, often using personal experiences to shed light on a broader issue.

Super Detox Me and A Guide to North Korea are both early films from an excellent Perth filmmaker, Josh Lee.

"Super Detox Me" (2006) - filmmaker, Josh Lee, goes full detox with some mates.  Hilarious, confronting, sobering.  Language warning.

"A Guide to North Korea" (2018) - travel with Josh Lee for a tour of North Korea.

"American Movie" (1999) - a documentary about a filmmaker trying to make a horror movie on a shoestring budget.

"Super Size Me" (2004) - a documentary about a man who eats only McDonald's food for a month and examines the impact on his health.

Expository documentaries - These films are typically narrated by an off-screen voice, and use interviews, archival footage, and other forms of evidence to present a particular point of view or argument.

"Planet Earth" (2006) - a documentary series that explores different ecosystems and the animals that live in them.

"Food, Inc." (2008) - a documentary that examines the food industry and its impact on the environment, health, and society.

Observational documentaries - These films aim to capture reality as it unfolds, often using long takes and minimal editing to give the audience a sense of immersion in the story.

"Grey Gardens" (1975) - a documentary that follows the daily lives of two reclusive women, a mother and daughter, who live in a decaying mansion in the Hamptons.

"Hoop Dreams" (1994) - a documentary that follows two African-American high school students in Chicago as they pursue their dreams of becoming professional basketball players.

Poetic documentaries - These films use visual and auditory elements to create a lyrical, poetic tone, often exploring abstract themes or emotions.

"Koyaanisqatsi" (1982) - a documentary that explores the relationship between humans, nature, and technology through stunning imagery and music.

"Baraka" (1992) - a documentary that uses stunning imagery and music to explore different cultures and the interconnectedness of all things.

"Samsara" (2011) - the visually stunning poetic documentary sequel to Baraka.

Reflexive documentaries - These films acknowledge the documentary process itself, often commenting on the role of the filmmaker, the subject, or the audience in shaping the final product.

"Fahrenheit 9/11" (2004) - a documentary that examines the events surrounding the September 11 attacks and their aftermath, as well as the media's role in shaping public opinion.

"Exit Through the Gift Shop" (2010) - a documentary that explores the world of street art and the blurred lines between art and commerce.

If you are modelling your film on Peacock Visuals documentaries like the ones you can view below, the following process may help.

1. Shoot a short interview with a person who has an interesting story tell.  Make sure you choose a suitable location, frame up carefully and ensure there's not too much interfering ambient sound.

2. Do a Radio Edit.  A radio edit is where you edit for timing of the spoken interview, remove umms and ahhhs etc.

3. Add b-roll.  B-roll consists of images and video that help tell the story by complementing the interview.  

4. Add music and sound effects to help tell the story.

5. Add any slow zooms or animated reframes.

6. Colour correct and grade.

7. Add titles.

8. Fine tune and deliver.

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