- How do I film a talking heads interview?
- What is B-Roll?
- How do I connect B-Roll to the primary storyline in FCP X?
- How do I use cross-dissolves to move from one still image to another?
- How do I use key-framing to drop the volume of a soundtrack so that we can hear dialogue?
- How do I connect lower-third titles?
- How do I reverse or alter the speed of a clip?
- How do I add effects, including flash-back & CCTV effects, to my clip?
- How do I correct the ratio of still images to avoid pillar boxing?
- How do I add scrolling credits to my completed documentary?
- How do I use the 'video animation' option to reduce opacity at the end of a clip (create a fade effect)?
- How do I use 'handles' to fade audio?
- How do I use the range selection tool to automatically add key-frames to the soundtrack?
- How do I record a voice-over?
In today's lesson you will work in your B324 groups and attempt to film a very brief interview sequence, including B-Roll footage. I will then demonstrate, using screenshots from this page of the Production Portfolio Blog, how to edit your footage to construct an effective interview extract from a documentary. We will also consider other editing techniques used in documentaries.
Your completed documentary extract must include;
- Footage of a coherent interview
- Connected B-Roll
- A soundtrack (underscore) that uses key-framing to adjust volumes
- A voice-over introduction, identifying the focus of the project (but not the interview questions)
- Lower-third titles to identify your interviewee(s)
You don't have to include;
- Still images
- Historical archive footage
- Credits
- Effects
- Title
You must not include;
- Footage or audio of your interviewer (we don't want to see or hear the questions)
- Any footage that is not original (other than historical archive footage)
The total length of your documentary extract must be less than 1 minute.
Your Brief
As young documentary makers, you are seeking advice from professionals to improve the standard of your coursework. Shoot a talking heads interview(s) with a documentary maker(s) that addresses the following issues.
You may rearrange the order of the questions to construct a more coherent narrative. At least one member of your group must play the part of the experienced documentary maker (maybe more). Select appropriate locations and consider the framing of your interview(s) carefully. Think back to the conventions you observed in the Lego documentary! You may wish to present your interviewee(s) with the questions in advance so that they have time to prepare answers. You will need appropriate footage or stills to accompany your voice-over introduction.
You can seek additional advice from the Documentary Making Guru (that's me folks) but you only have 2 talk tokens for each group, so use them wisely! If you have successfully completed last week's OHL, there will be little need to ask any questions anyway! Of course, there's always the Production Portfolio Blog; it has all the answers!
Out of Hours Learning
As young documentary makers, you are seeking advice from professionals to improve the standard of your coursework. Shoot a talking heads interview(s) with a documentary maker(s) that addresses the following issues.
- How and why should you encourage an interviewee to include the question in their answer?
- Why is it important to include B-Roll footage in an interview sequence?
- What is the importance of soundtrack in documentaries?
- What other advice would you give to young documentary makers?
You may rearrange the order of the questions to construct a more coherent narrative. At least one member of your group must play the part of the experienced documentary maker (maybe more). Select appropriate locations and consider the framing of your interview(s) carefully. Think back to the conventions you observed in the Lego documentary! You may wish to present your interviewee(s) with the questions in advance so that they have time to prepare answers. You will need appropriate footage or stills to accompany your voice-over introduction.
You can seek additional advice from the Documentary Making Guru (that's me folks) but you only have 2 talk tokens for each group, so use them wisely! If you have successfully completed last week's OHL, there will be little need to ask any questions anyway! Of course, there's always the Production Portfolio Blog; it has all the answers!
Out of Hours Learning
- Complete the editing of your documentary extract in preparation for exhibition and assessment at the start of next week's lesson. All group members must be able to demonstrate a contribution!
- Update the Lesson Evaluation Document
Next Week
- Assessment of your documentary extract
- Assessment of your individual contribution to the documentary extract
- Start of B324 Controlled Hours (identifying roles and a focus)
