Documentary

1. What are the four goals of a documentary? To document a subject in order to preserve knowledge To reveal something about the subject To allow the viewer to experience what it's like to be the subject (whether it's someone diving out of an airplane or a homeless person) To advocate on behalf of the subject
 * What is a Documentary?**

2. According to the website what is some of the appeal for the viewer of a documentary? It puts the viewer into a whole other world, there is not script or plot so unlike a movie a documentary can be complex and not always present answers. Just like real life, documentaries don't dress up a situation and can open up the viewers mind to new ideas they might have not otherwise considered.

3. Briefly summarize the 6 modes of the documentary The 'stereo-typical' documentary, usually with a narrator to interoperate what the viewer is watching. Maybe used to make a statement or imply a point. //Cinema vérité//: Taking advantage of portable cameras and sound recording, filmmakers take their cameras to social situations, often where conflicts are brewing, as in potential labour unrest or communities in crisis.The directors record the observations of the people in interviews, hearing from all sides in the conflict, and wait for events to supply the kind of dramatic footage that makes a powerful film. //Cinema vérité:// similar to direct cinema in that both place the camera directly in the social setting and let people speak for themselves; When the camera stays out of the situation and merely observes. Nature documentaries for example are reflexive documentaries, when the animals or scenery are lft untouched, unchanged by camera presents. Widely used on television, in this documentary filmmaker uses the documentary form to examine his or her own situation, as an instrument of self-revelation or self-discovery. Unlike expository documentaries poetic documentaries rarely are meant to make a point. They are more commonly used to reveal something extraordinary about the world. They emphasize the creative and artistic sides of film! When fictional film or TV directors want to create an illusion of gritty realism, they will often use the hand-held camera and unsteady motion of observational cinema, even though they are filming professional actors in highly scripted scenes. For example, Reality TV shows as opposed to TV drams or soap operas.
 * Expository documentaries**
 * Observational documentaries**
 * Reflexive documentaries**
 * First-person documentaries**
 * Poetic documentaries**
 * TV Hybirds**

1. How do documentaries "...reflect the attitudes, ideas, interests, even the prejudices of the filmmakers." The music, film style, sound effects and the narration will all show a general theme, what the filmmaker wanted to show the audience, what the film maker added stress to. Often, although it is not always flat out, the filmmakers own prejudices may show through depending on how they utilize these aspects.
 * The ABC's of Documentary Cinema**

2. Give five examples of types of shots that refer to the size of the subject within a frame.
 * Wide Angle** (WA) shows the entire scene, like a landscape photo.
 * Master shot**, For the audience to see the whole action.
 * Establishing shot** (Estab. shot), establishes the scene, shows the audience the entire scene.
 * A Long Shot** (LS) Taken from a distance usually with a telephoto lens.
 * Close shots** (CS) or Close-ups (CU) are even tighter, framing the head and maybe the shoulders of a person.

3. What is the difference between a cutaway and a cut-in? A cut in is a close-up detail within a longer shot. It's meant to give the mind a subject or concept to focus on. A Cutaway shot takes the viewer away from the main action. For example in an interview subject may be talking about something and the camera will cut away to a scene within regards to what he/she is speaking about.

4. Decribe the relationship between an over-the-shoulder shot and a complementary shot. When the camera looks over the shoulder of one person to look at another, it is called an Over-shoulder and when the camera reverses its is called a Complementary shot. 5. What does the audio term "MOS" mean and where did it originate? MOS means silent and originated from the German phrase "mit out sound"
 * Preparing to FIlm**

//"It is extremely important for us to be clear about what we're trying to say, why we're trying to say it, and then work out a way to say it. Half of what a documentary is can be more about your attitude to the subject than the subject itself."// (Michel Grigsby and Nicholas McClintock, "The State We're In." Dox. 6, 6-10)

1. How will your attitude about a subject contribute to the content of the film? The filmmaker must decide on a topic that matters to then, that way they can convey their passion for that subject through the film. If the filmmaker has a bad attitude about the film it could very well show.

2. Why might it be important for a filmmaker to be clear about what he/she is saying and why he/she is saying it? So they can present a documentary that is solid in its statement. If the filmmaker is unsure of what they are saying it could show through the film and the documentary becomes messy, unfocused, contradicting and confusing for the viewer.

3. Why is it effective to show people in action and interacting with each other? It makes the film seem more real. If the whole documentary is only of a man talking in front of a camera it might as well be a radio show or speech. Video gives directors the freedom to express their points in multiple ways.

4. Why is it important for a good documentary to have a clear perspective? Having a clear perspective makes the film easier to watch. The viewer should be formulating their own ideas and realizations, not trying to figure out what is going on.

5. What kinds of things can a documentary filmmaker do to research a topic? Reading and studying to topic, scouting areas they will want to shoot within, taking notes on the people they interview/pre-interveiw and might have an expert weigh in on the subject.

6. How can your audience enfluence your approach to your documentary?

7. Why must a filmmaker clearly organize his/her approach before filming? Depending on the filmmaker they may have a time restriction, dead line, alloted time slot per day, budget. Planning ahead will also help if the filmmaker runs into problems or unseen events. To ensure they can film everything they need to they must lay out a recipe for the film so that when they begin to shoot they waste no time.

//"By creating a plan, the filmmaker organizes his/her general vision, using ideas suggested by research, to formulate a more precise structure for the filming - even a list of sequences to be shot.//"

8. When might a documentary filmmaker use storyboards? To give their team and themselves a better idea of just what exactly they will be filming. Documentary that includes re-creations, like a docu-drama, where the filmmaker may use a storyboard just like a fiction filmmaker to ensure that the sequence comes out exactly as planned.

9. What is a shooting plan? What must be considered in creating a shooting plan? A shooting plan is a rougher version of a story board. A vague sketch of what the director wants to achieve in his film. Since documentaries are not scripted the director should also work in strategies they can use if the shooting does not go according to plan. if they can manipulate the film how they want it.

1. Describe the following jobs with regards to documentary film making: Director Typically the director will be the person who comes up with the concept, researches and supervises the filming. Now a days however the director may shoot the video themselves and do the editing as well. Assistant Director The assistant director combines the functions of on-set production manager and script coordinator. The assistant director also writes down the shooting schedule, in collaboration with the director, and insures that various aspects of the production are taken care of, from food to equipment and studio rentals. Production Manager The production manager draws up the detailed budgets and the shooting schedules and manages them for the duration of the filming. The production manager, line producer and producer keep in touch to make sure that budgets and schedules are followed. Camera Operator The camera operator sets up the shots under the director's supervision. Sound Recordist The sound recordist does the taping and either operates the boom or directs the boom operator to manoeuvre microphones to capture the sound. Gaffer Gaffer fixes the lighting for the shot while the Best Boy assists in positioning cables. Grip The grip moves equipment on the shoot. This specialist also builds scaffolds, does other carpentry duties and lays the track for a moveable dolly, when necessary. Picture Editor The editor reviews all of the footage, carefully selecting the best shots and builds the film from the many pieces. The editor creates the rhythm and movement of the film, builds the scenes into a complete 'story,' and generally makes the most out of the footage that has been shot. Foley Artist. A specialist who creates sound effects in the studio for anything that's not recorded on location. The crunch of footsteps in studio "snow" may be more realistic sounding than the real thing recorded in a mushy field.
 * Essentials**

1. What is a shooting schedule? A shooting schedule is an outline of what will be shot where. Like movies, documentaries are not always shot in order, a shooting schedule puts the shots in the order of convenience 2. What is the purpose of a pre-interview? Used as an audition of sorts, the interviewer will ask general questions (saving the meaty, controversial topics for the real filming) to see if the interview subject has a lively on-screen presence. This will determine what subject is the most engaging to listen to. 3. How can location contribute to the impact of an interview? in a place that makes the subject comfortable, or one that is significant to the film's content. The filmmaker may actually want to use the location to create a mood for the interview subject 4. What can an interviewer do to avoid having their questions appear in the documentary? filmmaker may have to ask the subject to repeat and rephrase answers to create workable takes. 5. What is considered common practice in frameing the interviewee? It is also common practice to frame the interviewee at the third right of the screen for half the interview and at the third left for the other half to create some variety in the final edit. 6. What other shot should a filmaker gather during an interview? The camera operator will want to move between subjects so they appear to interact even more and the audience doesn't become confused.
 * Shooting The Documentary**

1. What is the purpose of the Shot Log? Having a shot log helps the editor to locate individual shots in the confusion of footage 2. What is the benefit of making transcriptions of all the interviews? The editor can note shots that will come between interview sections, show where cutaways can replace the talking head, and begin to visualize the use of the rushes to tell the film's story. 3. What is a "problem-solution" structure? "problem-solution" structure that presents an issue, outlines various approaches or angles on it, then resolves on some kind of answer. 4. What is the purpose of the Rough Cut? The editor assembles the footage in the most effective way to structure the message so that it is understandable and dramatic. 5. Typically, what types of shots are cut from the final product? hots and sequences that did not contribute to the entire effect eliminated. 6. What are some elements of good and bad narration? Good narration lets the viewer make decisions for themselves. Bad narration will get in the viewers way and begin to influence the viewers opinion. Well-written narration can help to bridge the gap between scenes, adding to the speed of the transitions.
 * Putting It All Together**

Excellent, thorough responses to the questions. Your documentary proves your understanding of these concepts. 30/30 hots and sequences that did not contribute to the entire effect eliminated.