However, I would like to take this opportunity to remind of some basic filming rules that you must observe to achieve a good mark/grade;
- Hold a shot steady by using a tripod at all times.
- When filming interviews, consider the rule of thirds and leave a little 'headroom' and 'talking space'. Don't place your interviewee in the middle of your shot!
- When filming interviews, have the interviewee looking at the interviewer off camera (Placed the interviewee on the right? Have them looking slightly to the left of the camera. Placed the interviewee on the left? Have them looking slightly to the right of the camera). Don't have the interviewee looking directly at the camera during interviews!
- Take notice of what's happening in the background. You should consider the mise-en-scene and not just focus on your subject!
- Collect appropriante B-roll. Consider some camera movement too (smooth pans, etc).
- Don't use the zoom button! If you want to get closer, move the camera!
- Consider lighting. Is the room well lit? Don't film into the sun!
- Use the clapperboard to label your shots; it will save you a load of time afterwards! (You will need a DRY WIPE pen to write on the clapperboards).
- Consider background noise. Don't film interviews in noisy locations!
- Don't break the 180 Degree Rule!
- Get the interviewee to include the question in the answer!
Consider the feedback you received from the mock interview filming task and watch our Lego Documentary example again too.
Out of Hours Learning (including Half Term)
- Collect some more of your documentary footage.
- Maintain your Production Diary, summarising the events of each shooting session.
- Address any weaknesses identified on your class's Progress Grid (improve earlier research documents).
- Complete the 'Research Into Existing Products' page in your Production Log (see below)
Research Into Existing Products (to be completed over half-term)
You have to demonstrate that your own work is modelled on investigations into similar products. I would expect to see a 2-3 page document that reviews other documentaries. The documentaries you review can be professional products or documentaries made by other students.
We have a post on the Production Portfolio blog that gives advice on constructing a review and poses questions that should be answered in your review. You can present your review in any way that you like; an essay, a Q&A format, a table, a structured mind map, etc. Click here to go directly to that post.
You can review any documentary (TV or Film). I would imagine that your need to review 2 or 3 contrasting products (including at least 1 commercial & 1 student product). Here are some links to some existing products but, of course, you are free to use any documentary (you could use YouTube to find a documentary on a subject that really interests you);
Mr Hood's / Mrs Macey's Lego Documentary
Bowling for Columbine (this page has additional information about this documentary too)
Touching The Void (this page has additional information about this documentary too)
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Inside the Post Office (contains additional information)
Planet Earth (this page contains additional information about this documentary too)
'Litter' Documentaries (filmed by last year's Year 12 students)
'Litter' Documentaries (filmed by last year's Year 13 students - contains documentaries & feedback)
BFI's 50 Greatest Documentaries
Professional Documentary Reviews
