Documentary As Action – Playground Sequence

These video sketches were experiments related to a playground, the playground in sections from the eyes of a younger observer, the equipment from high angles and abstract looks at the space.

As many of the subjects will be young adults and children with hand differences in the micro-documentary, therefore visual (b-roll) footage relating to the interview, those themes are important.

These exercises explore the world through the eyes of a younger person and with the micro-documentaries this perspective will be effective in the documentary as action miniature stories.

Documentary as Action – Breakfast Sequence

These video sketches were experiments related to a breakfast routine, the breakfast routine although seemingly simple is different from everyone and different from all aspects.

As many of the subjects will have hand differences in the micro-documentary, I want to explore how different or challenging a morning routine would be for those with hand differences and the beauty and intrigue in how they use their hands in a simple morning routine.

This exercise explores a morning routine which may be one of my focuses for a member with a hand difference. I want to normalise the routine but outline the differences and the possible challenges faced with their routines. How they have had to adapt and adjust. But for starters this was a good opportunity to explore a morning routine in an abstract manner, small rituals from different angles and perspectives.

Documentary as Action – Office Sequence

These video sketches were experiments related to the offices and engine room of my chosen non-for-profit organisation, the work of the members is inspirational but when interviewing the administration part of the organisation it is important to show the work that goes into running a non-for-profit.

As many of the subjects will have hand differences in the micro-documentary, I wanted to show how one of the key volunteers work with her hand difference and how she has adapted to doing everyday tasks with ease.

This exercise explores the office of my non-for-profit organisation, the office block is significant as many of the members work there and produce inspirational work. It is important to capture their work and what they stand for from different aspects and angles.

Documentary as Action – Movement Sequence 

These short pieces of footage were experiment shots with my Canon Compact Point and Shoot camera, not known for its video, can take some very good high quality footage.

I wanted to investigate movement in relationship to spaces and objects. How those factors interrelate in a small space and how to best capture this quick moving world in the most powerful way.

This will be important in the micro documentary as the camera will be taken to events run by the non for profit organisation I am following. Through these gatherings actually interacting with members seeing how they use their hand difference to their own advantage by participating in activities and interacting with other members who are similar to them, will help gauge how and what I film for the micro documentaries.

Their relationship to the space and place through movement will be an important aspect of the micro documentary series. Through filming in Vietnam I have learnt how to capture the fast moving world and slow it down, an aim for this upcoming series of micro documentaries.

Practice Micro Documentary

Another exercise explored in project brief two was an array of different interview styles. Through making a short micro documentary about my Dad being a teacher, I was able to explore different interviewing styles. For example I casually interact with my Dad asking him to give a tour of his classroom and show me where he favourite spots to teach are. This is known as an informal interview as the interviewer and interviewee are in full contact and the interviewers presence and existence is made aware to the audience. Some interviews can keep the pre-interview methodologies in the final cut, I ask my Dad in the micro documentary about schoolteaching the question and react to his response, that is kept in the final cut as it is important, showing the relationship between the interviewer and the subject, not completely alienating them. An interview which is free flowing capturing a live event was also explored as when my Dad gave me a tour of his classroom I followed him around the room, no cuts just a natural and unscripted event unfolding. Metal and Melancholy (1993 – Heddy Honigmann) captures their subject in full participation describing to the camera and to the interviewer their methods when coming to creating an unstealable car. The interview is free flowing also and it through the explanation you see the subjects true self, the subject in their true element, which is important in documentary because it gives the interview and what they’re saying context.