I have been confused as a potential filmmaker as to which route I want to take. This semester was an amazing eye-opener and ultimately made me realize that documentary and non-fiction is the highway I should be on.
I have learned that it takes patience, knowledge, hard work, teamwork, lack of sleep, creativity, and most importantly PEOPLE to succesfully complete a film. This semester really allowed me to get a hands on lesson with pre-production, production, and post-production that was provided me with important skills that I will elaborate on.
Pre-Production: When I picked my topic, I instantly found out how important researching your subject until the point you almost lose interest in it is. Building the connection with everything directly and indirectly involved with your doc and gaining a great relationship with your subjects makes the experience and the final product better. If I wouldn't have spent evenings out on Harley's Ranch working on the farm, listening to his stories, and just hanging out, I stronlgy believe I would have been pulling my hair out when it came to actually filming and trying to get what I wanted on tape so that my post-production wouldn't be forcing me to go rent the camera again spend all day getting info I could have got before. I also learned that you should be concstantly thinking about every possible scenario you could film that involves your doc's subject matter because you will be even more relieved when you sit down in post and realize what all you have to work with. I most importantly learned that you can never prepare enough in pre-production....because the more you have thought about...the more likely you are to be able to handle any situation that might be thrown at you.
Production: I learned that you need to become intimate with the equipment you will be using. Also know enough about your equipment so that when complications come about, you know different options to take in order to make your day of filming not a waste of time. SOUND IS IMPORTANT. IT IS A BITCH IF YOU DONT GET GOOD SOUND! I learned to be aware of your surroundings, weather,natural and artificial lighting, and your subjects level of feeling comfortable around the camera. Good Idea to get a good creative amount of B roll as well. I learned that we should all know the little details like 9v batteries, camera chargers, blacking tapes, marking tapes, and making sure your crew is comfortable and treated with well respect because you couldn't do it without them. Treat Production like a football game: Leave nothing on the field.... give it your all. You pumped your self up in practice and in the locker room (pre-production) and you should leave the game going home satisfied and ready to positively reflect on your efforts (Post Production).
Post-Production: I learned that if Final Cut Pro skills = ninja skills, Kim Hall would be able to kill us all without any of the world knowing. She is a straight gangsta at that program and has taught me a lot this semester with my first time using it. I transcribed all of my interviews which is as much fun as nailing your arm to a table, BUT it helped me in the end and can see exactly why professionals go through the process....I just hope one day I have a little slave doing it for me! I learned that it is important to take a break for a while before you edit your work and take some time in between editing sessions because as a filmmaker you can become so engulfed in some of your footage that you sacrifice a clear story because you are so fixed on putting that one shot in the film when really the best thing is for it to be cut out. I think it is important to have different people watch your cuts of your work as you go because outside feedback is important because sooner or later there are going to be different people watching your work. So take all of the different feedback, look for similarites and differences between those opinions and use that information to mold your work to create a great piece that will satisfy as many as possible.
Ultimately I learned that you never finish making your documentary. There are endless routes you can go and you shouldn't let it bother you when you get upset at times with the direction you are going. Choose one and be happy with it. Be happy you have the coolest job in the world....telling stories. It is a human activity that has been going on since the creation of humans. Everyone has human expereinces....but few get the privelege to produce and recreate it in the manner we do. Be kind to your subjects. Be Kind to your equipment. Be kind to peoples feelings and experiences and know when not to cross the line and make sure you know when you intentially cross the line..it is for the right thing in the end.
One Love,
Fitch
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You worked consistently and creatively from Day One on your project and it showed in the end result. You chose a topic (and people) that you cared a lot about and because of the effort and time you devoted to it, you allowed your audience to care too, even if they thought they did not. That is the highest achievement you can reach with a documentary. You also worked very resourcefully and skillfully with natural light and you allowed your interviewees the space and comfort zone to speak openly and confidently so that you revealed layers of depth.
ES
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