The Media 1 workshop helped us to present our project briefs to each other in small groups, then we choose the best to present to the class briefly (as explained in my previous post). We then received a task to combine what we have and what else we can produce to create a proper 1 minute video by the 30th of march, which I look forward to completing.
The lectorial was the more interesting session. We first got a presentation from Anne Lennox ( Senior Coordinator Copyright Management + Digital (University Library)) about licensing agreements, most of which I already assumed (e.g. don’t steal anything or you might be sued). We then got a visit by an experienced documentary filmmaker, Kyla Brettle (a lecturer for Media), who has been in many inhospitable areas to get her stories (such as war zones and the wastes of battery-farms). She advised us to try and find anything difficult and uncomfortable to get through in order to get a story and notice everything around.
She gave us the following advise:
- explore something you don’t know
- observe on location
- observe yourself
- become one with the technology
- let a story and subject evolve
- question motivations and assumptions
- remember that it is a live relationship
Paul Ritchard, a lecturer in Media, spoke to us about pre-production when making a film. One needs release forms, permissions, and insurance (to avoid certain legal action). These forms and certain software and equipment is required, as well as casting and audition/rehearsal spaces. He mentioned getting an RMIT location release form and the personnel release form in order to build a relationship with the owner of certain properties. However, these do not hold up in court as the plaintiff could argue they signed it under duress. It only specifies that a conversation took place. Mr. Ritchard informed us that RMIT would help us out if we got into legal trouble (if only to protect their public image).
The best advise we got was to ask all the cast and crew how long they need to get ready on set, then add an hour. As someone who has worked in group projects, I can attest to that.