Research & Planning - Codes And Conventions Of Documentary

During my research, I found a video which included the codes and conventions of a documentary. This has helped me when filming to ensure that I include the codes and conventions of a documentary.

Research & Planning - What makes a good short film?

I have conducted some research on short films and what makes a good, effective short film. The below website I found very useful and I know it is from a good, reliable source (BBC) so I will take some tips from here. The top tips from this website on what makes a short film is:

• An Exciting & Original Idea
• A Strong Script
• Good Acting
• High Production Values
• Make It Short
• A Strong Beginning
• Avoid Repetition & Punchline Twists
• Exciting New Techniques & Style

http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/filmmaking/guide/introduction/what-makes-a-good-short

Research - Short Films

I have conducted some research on short films. I found this particular video very good. I like the fact that there is no dialogue used in this film and the narrative is shown to the audience just by music and film. I am considering using just background music in parts of my short film/documentary.

I have also found the above short film which is very different to the previous video yet is still very effective. This short film has won three awards and two different festivals. 

Research - Focus Group

Research - Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man

I set out to run 27 marathons in 27 days as a tribute to Nelson Mandela and his 27 years spent in prison.

Having completed 4 marathons, unfortunately, I have had to put my attempt on hold due to unforeseen medical complications that have arisen due to a multitude of factors including severe terrain, humidity and altitude. But I wish to say that my attempt is not over and I will return to South Africa and run the 27 marathons and finish this story.

I owe that to Nelson Mandela who has inspired the world to struggle and succeed no matter what obstacles are thrown at us. - Eddie Izzard

As the marathons are run, we will be filming a documentary about Nelson Mandela's life and I will be talking to people who know him and who struggled with him over those 27 years. This documentary will be broadcast on Sky TV in the UK and is being sold to countries all around the world" - Eddie Izzard

Research - Documentary Research

Research - Treatment

Research - Learning About Film

It was recommended that I looked at the learning about film website to help me with my filming. Click here to visit this website. From this website, I learnt that:

• I shouldn't try and fit everything into one shot. Use different shots to show different things.
• Sound is as important as pictures. Unless you’re making a silent film, you should pay at least as much attention to sound as you do to the images.
• There are lots of ways to use sound. You can use sound to help show where and when the film is set, draw attention to important things, create an atmosphere or set a mood, depict a character, warn that something is about to happen.
•  I should show something new with each shot. Show something different, or show a different view of the same thing.
• I should get the pace right. Don’t make your shots too short so that they just flash by, or so long that the audience gets bored.
• I should shoot in one direction, then in the opposite direction. If you do this, it makes the editing look less obvious. It also means that you can show a person and what they’re looking at, or two people together, using closeups. This gives the film more impact.

This research will help me with the filming process, as well as editing.

Research & Planning - First Look At Footage

In today's lesson, I uploaded my footage which I recorded over the summer onto iMovie. I started to sort out what clips are suitable and clips that aren't.

My footage that I have recorded were taken at Hockley Woods and at my address. The image below shows where this is located.

Research & Planning - Story Boards

These story boards show my initial idea. The story boards have helped me consider different shot types and angles as well as the length of different shots before actually starting any initial filming.