For the rest of the semester, I would like to work on documentary things in a loose fashion. Ideally, I would like to create a documentary/montage type of video with some snippets of the participant, places they like, but I would also like to add some footage of places that I associate with whatever they are talking about. So although the participant is going to be heavily involved in the content, I’m also going to be interpreting what they say visually.
In the next week or two I would like to meet up with participants from the starnow callout, and just get to know them. Our meeting will be filmed, so all the footage that I take on the day will contribute to my reflections and research.
On the day, I will just talk to them and get to know them. I do have some questions prepared like: Are you involved in any studies or work right now? What’s your best friends name? How would they describe you? What’s a recent thought you had, or a thought that keeps coming back to you? How does a normal week in your life play out? What was your childhood like?
I will also get them to do some tasks – I’d get them to write, walk, read, adjust their clothes, sit etc well as any unique mannerisms or habits they have.
After meeting with all the participants, I will choose one (or even two if I think I can pull it off) of the participants who I felt were interesting and made me curious about them. I would probably ask them some more specific questions about what kind of production style they like (lighting, colour, background music), and do some pre-planning with them before we start shooting for the montage.
In the montage, narration will make up most of the dialogue, with some shots of the participant talking, “other” footage will make up the rest of the montage. The “other” footage may consist of different spots and locations the participant frequents. Also, their fashion/style would be a strong visual indicator of their personality, so I would ask them to wear something that they think really defines them, and get some detail shots of that.
From this project, I’d like to improve on my directing, casting, editing, cinematography, and location/set-hunting skills. Also, as I’m going to be meeting and working with strangers, I hope that I can improve my social and communicating skills. It’s not an everyday thing to meet up with a stranger and interrogate them about their deep thoughts on life so it’s probably going to feel uncomfortable for both parties. I just hope that my project is convincing enough that they won’t decide to pull out at the last minute.