Interactive Documentary -Following a sequence when being film, responds to questions asked in a interview.
Reflexive Documentary -When the film maker acknowledges their presence in front of the camera.
From the overall types of documentaries I feel our short matches a Observational type due to the conventions of observing people's lives, for example the Farmer's life on the day to day farm, clearly addressed to the audience. I feel the documentary is a Interactive Documentary type also, due to the use of interviews and asking the Farmer questions to address to the audience about the farm, gaining more knowledge.
I researched this video to help me create a storyboard as I'm not a born artists I found it hard to draw an initial Storyboard. Therefore I used this video to get some key tips of creating my own storyboard.
As I completed my Media AS coursework creating an Opening to a film, I worked in a pair as I found it easier to complete the task with a second opinion and someone that as the same experience and mind set as me. I chose to work with Megan Fulham due to the fact we have the same mind set and ideas as one another. It will also be practical due to the fact the location will be rural therefore own transport is essential for the production side of our project. Due to the fact she has her own car is perfect and will make it easier getting to and from location. She also has lots of media equipment which will be useful when shooting the Trailer to ensure we gain the highest quality shots possible that we are both happy with. Megan also has skills in Photography and editing so she can help and support me in the editing and shooting process, helping us improve our film further for our target audience. Check out her blog here- http://meganfulhama2filmtrailers.blogspot.co.uk/
From the research I have gathered I feel I'm ready to move on to the planning change of creating my trailer. Looking into the genre type I want to base my trailer around and the type of elements I could include to connecting the audience with the genre and narrative. Due to the research gathered I can now begin the planning stage of creating my trailer. Looking into Storyboarding, Locations shots,Costumes, Props, Casting, Health and Safety, Call sheets and Shot schedules.
We decided to create a questionnaire for our audience to select the title they thought was most effective for our trailer. Linking to the genre and stereotypical connection of a farm location. This will help us when producing our title in the production stage-
Results-
The deciding title that the audience chose was 'Farm Life'. We felt this title was simple yet allowed the audience to understand the genre and basic narrative before watching the trailer. Connecting to the conventions of a farming documentary. Instantly making the audience clear on the topic and genre the trailer is about.
Non- diegetic sound is sound that is added and played over the top of a film. This isn't sound coming from the actual film but added sound to create an atmosphere and emotions for the audience. The sound used helps the audience to understand the narrative and genre of the film more easily.Non-diegetic sound also creates tension in films, making the audience watch more.
As my genre is Documentary and the narrative is based around farming I need to ensure I connect the non- diegetic sound to the conventions. I decided to research into and analyze trailers which use certain non- diegetic sound with the genre of documentary. This will help me when adding my own sound to my trailer as I will understand the type of sound needed to fit the genre of documentary.
I decided to research certain sound to match my genre of Documentary and my target audience. I wanted to research into country music as I feel it connects to the narrative and genre and helps make the audience connect with my intentions of creating a message and meaning behind the trailer of emotion and belonging.
I wanted to look into indie music and countryside music as I want to create an atmosphere and mood of happiness and allow the audience to see the journey and represent of the character being loving and "free" due to the location of a surrounding area being rural and away for people, linking to the representation of carm and peaceful place for the audience to connect with.
We Bought A Zoo soundtrack is an example of the type of music I want to include in my trailer as it connects to a narrative of a farming lifestyle and connects to the genre of Documentary, showing the representation of the characters and location. The music will make the shots flow more and allow the audience to follow the trailer more, creating more interest and encouraging them to watch the film.
Diegetic sound is the sound from the filming itself, where no sound as been inserted over the top. As I'm filming my trailer in a countryside environment therefore I will record the audio of stereotypical elements heard in a countryside to connect the audience with the location and the narrative. I found a piece of music which links to the sound I'm considering including in my trailer but my own version. Here is the example of the type of countryside sound I will include:
Elements such as tractors are stereotypical in a farm and allow the audience to connect with the narrative and location. The sound of a tractor allows the audience to become more involved with the story and connect to the mise en scent more. It represents a element of power and control towards the character from the loud machinery noise. Here is an example of the type of Diegetic sound I will be using:
Another type of sound I want to include in my trailer is the sound of animals. As I will have a location of a farm I need to ensure I connect the audience with the location and genre of documentary. Showing the audience realistic animal sounds to make it look more realistic and professional to the eye. Here is an example of the type of animal sounds I might include:
In order to get an idea of the type of camera techniques to include in my Documentary. The techniques I have research will help me to captive the audience and develop my knowledge of camera techniques matching a perspective which links to my genre and where the audience can relate with.
I looked at this video to help me understand certain camera shots and techniques when creating a Documentary:
Simon Hook's Background-
On the 7/11/14 Director and writer for shorts, Simon Hooks came to our media class. He has been creating and writing films from a very young age, featuring in many different shorts and series such as Hollyoaks and MI5 from the BBC. He has worked as a director for 20 years, learning and developing skills such as shooting the film and certain special effects. He also writes and directs plays for a youth theatre, working with young actors. He then wrote and directed award winning Shorts. "Knit your own Karma, won the sci-fi shorts competition and Best British Short at Britspotting. It had the biggest theatrical release of a short film since the 70s supporting Tim Burton's "Planet Of The Apes". Then in June the short got nominated for the Best British Independent Film Award. He has won many other awards for his shorts at festivals and ceremonies in Britain. His TV successes has lead him to direct in Hollyoaks, M.I High, Rivercity on BBC Scotland. He is also currently working on a Comedy feature film for Masses Entertainment.
Learning new Techniques-
He came for an hour tutorial lesson where he taught us about effective camera angles and shots in a scene and certain rules to remember when shooting a film. He got us involved by the class taking it in turns to change the angle of the camera to cover a whole scene known as 'coverage'.
Getting the actors comfortable with the script- We started off with the scene, two actors following a certain script making a realistic scene and learning camera shots with that certain scene. We chose a basic location that linked to the scripted with basic props of a table and chairs not to over complicate the focus of using the correct shots in the scene and to show the simple storyline to the audience (the class). This method helps the actors to relax and feel comfortable with their characters and the narrative. This technique of getting the actors prepared and relaxed for the scene is a good method to consider when shooting my trailer as I want the narrative to flow more easily and natural.
Equipment used- The equipment we used was a high definition Canon camera enabling the camera to connect with a certain software on the Apple Mac that allowed us to see what the camera was shooting on the screen. This helped with establishing what shots work and what didn't for the scene. This also helped with getting the shots in frame with the screen and allowing the audience to give feedback when recording, as the shots are more clearer and locate problems quicker than viewing on the camera itself. We also used a light pointing at the ceiling to enhance the lighting and gave the whole shot more lighting and enhances the quality of the shot as the room was quite dark as the weather wasn't sunny on that day. I need to consider lighting when shooting my trailer as the filming period will be in the Winter season therefore the lighting will be dark. I need to enhance the lighting to improve the quality of my shots to the audience. The Tripod used was stable and had grip of the camera this allowed the shots to be smooth and stable without shakes. I need to ensure I use a tripod when shooting my trailer as it allows me to get smooth shots for the audience and enhances the quality, allowing the storyline to flow more easily.
Coverage-
This means shooting a scene with just one shot. This is done several times with many effective shots appropriate for the scene. This allows the director to see the whole scene from different angles to see the more effective one that shows the message they want to communicate to the audience such as emotion by a close up of the actor's face. This also helps the director to see all the detail and to see how effective the main focus to the audience, allowing them to take parts out which isn't important to the main message of the scene, ensuring they don't miss anything important. Directors feel doing separate shots for one scene takes to much time. After this process the director can choose the best shot for that scene.
We tried this technique with the scene we were going to shoot with the director. We did a range of different shots to cover the scene and then chose the best shot that was most effective for the scene to show a message of emotion and meaning, connecting the audience with the narrative.
Shots-
The first shot we tried was an over the shoulder shot that showed the characters emotion and meaning towards the narrative. He taught us how to create the over the shoulder shot in the most effective way. I decided to write it in steps to help understand the method better to get this effective shot when filming:
Step 1- Ensure the camera is eye level to the character facing the camera to have the characters in frame.
Step 2- Once the camera is eye level to the character facing the camera, move the camera back to ensure both characters and perhaps the mise en scene in the background is in frame. Then zoom in to the characters in order to show emotion. Use a long lens to capture the quality better. Important Rule- Never zoom in when filming as it looks low quality and unprofessional towards the audience. Always adjusted zoom before or after shot by cutting or doing the zoom before filming begins.
Top Ten Rules for Directors, for film and TV-
Simon Hooks taught us the 10 rules for directing a film and I manage to find a YouTube video of Simon Hooks explaining the 10 rules for directing a film to Oxford Digital Media company -
This will help me to improve my directing skills when I have to film my trailer. I feel the rules give me a list and structure to follow as a director and helps me to develop the standard of filming. This will hopefully improve my knowledge and skill to make my trailer the best I can.
The chosen target audience for the Farming documentary is young adult+ as I feel they link to the interest of where food comes from and although not stereotypically connected with documentaries they are the audiences which have interest in the genre. I feel the music and the aim of the trailer showing hardwork and dedication appeals and links with this audience as they can relate with the topics and characteristics of a farmer from a stereotypical student at school to an audience that work hard with their jobs, relating to the Farmer's traits.
I decided to create a presentation to present to my media class in order to get feedback from my peers and improve my ideas for my trailer. I feel this is a great way to share my ideas to the class and gain helpful feedback to progress my planning and research further.
Here is my presentation I pitched to the class:
Video of my pitch to the class:
Feed back:
The class gave me feedback from my pitch and my ideas. A few said I had to think about the weather when filming as the time period when producing the trailer will be in the Winter season therefore I need to consider lighting and health and safety elements as the documentary is a Farming Documentary so a lot of filming will take place outside so I will need to consider appropriate clothing and filming equipment for that day. The class also gave me feedback on the type of audience agreeing with my age range and stating the genre will be aprotire for the age range I have considered aiming towards. They also stated that I need to ask for permission from the Farmer to use his land for filming and to be able to film him otherwise I need to reconsider my location for my trailer which will put my ideas and narrative in a complete other perspective.
When film companies produce a film before allowing the audience to see the film it has to be checked with the British Board of Film Classification. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), before 1985 known as British Board of Film Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, founded by the film industry in 1912 and responsible for the national classification and censorship of films within the UK.
I have researched into perspective BBFC Certificates that may be in the genre of Documentary. This will help me decide a target audience for my trailer, the following Certificates maybe used for Documentaries:
U Certificate:
U symbol means Universal. A U film should be suitable audiences for age four and over. However, it is impossible to predict what might upset a particular child. The BBFC rate films and videos aimed at very young viewers, such as Chuggington or Tinga Tinga Tales, U. However, they give them special BBFC insight stating they are ‘particularly suitable for pre-school children’. Films or videos with this BBFC insight should raise no significant issues in terms of discrimination, drugs, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, threat or violence.
15 Certificate
A 15 means that teenagers over the age of 15 are allowed to watch the film. This is because the issues raised moderately in the 12 film's are stronger, therefore being unsuitable for people under the age of 15. The types of films that fall in this category is Documentaries with strong language and scenes not appropriate for under 15s.
PG Certificate
PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive, children.
12A and 12 Certificate
Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them decide, we recommend that they check the BBFCinsight for that film in advance.
The 12A requires an adult to accompany any child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. This is enforced by cinema staff and a cinema may lose its license if adult accompaniment is not enforced for children under 12 admitted to a 12A film. Accompanied viewing cannot be enforced in the home, so the 12 certificate remains for DVD/Blu-ray, rather than the 12A. The 12 is also a simpler system for retailers. It means they cannot sell or rent the item unless the customer is over the age of 12. These two certificates will be perfect for my trailer because children can view the documentary however with an adult this allows me to put certain elements into my trailer.
Jon Ronson was born on 10 may 1967 and brought up in Cardiff, Wales where he studied a degree in Media Studies at the Westminster university. He left uni and studied journalism at the Polytechnic London Central. When he was 20 he became the entertainment manage of the Students Union. The first ever series he made was called The Ronson Mission where he got approached by Polytechnic where he use to study to be asked if creating TV series were ever in the question. The London Academy contacted BBC 2 and Ronson created his first series.
Jon Ronson is a Welsh journalist, documentary filmmaker, radio presenter and nonfiction author, whose works include The Men Who Stare at Goats in 2004. His work has appeared in the Guardian newspaper, City Life and Out Time magazines. He has made several different documentaries shown on Channel 4. As well as being a writer he creates documentaries with a strong meaning to the audience and gets his message across to show a connection to the narrative and conventions.
Ronson's Documentaries-
Loving- Brainwashing (PART 1-4)
This documentary is created in a way to allow the audience to become more involved with the narrative. The fast cuts allow the audience to pay attention and focus on the topic and meaning towards the documentary and the message Ronson is inppling. The voiceover is powerful and addresses to the audience in a formal and strong way. The short shots used gives the audience more information about the topic of documentary and stores more information for the audience to understand and back up the voiceover. Several different shots and angles are shown in just one scene to allow the audience to see the narrative from different perspectives to give more information on the location. Ronson's documentaries are mainly social realism based as his budget is low and it is a easy topic to address towards the audience in the different angles and mise en scent of documentary.
Reverend Death- (PART1-9)
I like how Ronson's documentaries go straight into the topic without an introduction to allow the audience to become instantly engaged with the narrative. The non- diegetic sound is calming and not too heavy. Its relaxing and allows the shots to flow more with the music being gentle and soft. The voice overs is sharp and powerful suggesting Ronson's is addressing an important message to the audience. The interviews Ronson completes are done with no back drop, just the normal location to make it more realistic and allows the audience to understand the representation of person through the location behind them. The picture on the right is an example of an interview with a backdrop of a book case, showing the mise es scent of a religious cross and books. Inppling he it powerful and knowledgable, allowing the audience to understand and support the person with his opinion. The mise es scent of the cross links to the religious beliefs and connections to the narrative topic.
When audience is mention in the film industry film companies have to decided what audience best suits the genre of their film in order to maintain audience appeal. Companies are careful about making sure they have a accurate target audience to sell that media product to them. This makes the audience actually interested in the film if its pitched to their age group, creating views and profits for the film. If a film company chose the wrong target audience for their film the result is they will have an unsuccessful film with low views and little profit for example; you wouldn't aim a chick flick genre film to elderly men because it doesn't maintain their interest you would aim it toward young women aged 12-20.
I decided to research into different Farming documentaries, establishing the different target audience in each to understand the type of audience that would appeal to my trailer. The following documentaries conventionally link to the traits of a Farming documentary, instantly connecting the audience with the genre; appealing to the trailer and understanding the conventions needed to but in my own trailer-
Farmland-
Looking at this trailer I instantly linked the target audience of young adults due to the characters relationship of happiness and love within the stereotypical family. It showed the characters of different generations which creates interest for the audiences of this age as the trailer relates to the audience. Sowing messages of risks, love, power and family. Making the trailer conventional for a documentary and follows the traits of the audience, perhaps linking to the same interests or personality as their own.
I have found a review on the trailer from a Blogger focusing on the conventions and the connections towards the audience chosen. Deciding the plot to the page viewers. Linking to a young Farmboy as a main focus of the film. This relates to audiences this age as it allows them to understand the same characteristics and traits, perhaps understanding differences from one another's life, creating interest for the audience. http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/blog/farmland-great-documentary
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