Initial Proposal Presentation
- An inquiry into the lives of top tear classical violinists in Melbourne.
- How does the high level of practice effect their lives.
- It’s a good group to focus on because it reiterates how much dedication is required to commit to something so skilfully demanding. It would be a chance for musicians to express themselves to people outside their own classical community.
2. Online Dating. Is there too much pressure to find “the one”?
- I’m not quite yet ready to throw in the towel on this idea. While my outreach attempt via online media only got a few bites, people are willing to talk about their experiences. Or maybe it’s me who’s interested in talking to people more about why they are on the sites? What are their fears about being or not being in a relationship? What are their main drives in their search for love?
- If Online Dating itself isn’t the right way to tackle, this conversation about love and dating, then maybe I could start with the question; “what do you think about when you hear the word love”…perhaps online dating experiences will become a much more interesting byproduct of this conversation. Over email and online chat, I feel like people are reluctant to put forward stories. This is because (and a few people said this to me), they were worried about it being recorded and not respecting the people involved.
- I would start with the singles within my social group.
- There are also a lot of groups in Melbourne that revolve around activities (essentially piss ups) with other singles, divorcees or “it’s complicated” type people.
- http://www.meetup.com/cities/au/melbourne/
- There are a lot of people out there, rebelling against the dating apps and sites. It would be a great chance to give voices to some of these frustrations and fears. But it is a face to face process I’m realising.
3. Camberwell Markets:
- Some of the stalls have been there for over 20 years. I’d like to have the opportunity to explore this area more and see if there are changes to the markets over the last 5 years, whether stall owners have felt the changes of retail decline or online marketing.
- Stall owners are often hobbyists and might enjoy the opportunity to share their experiences about how and what they do. The markets are social places where people communicate and share with each other.
Inspiration
BLACK BACK WEEK
A Documentary about bikers in South Carolina – Snippet Street interviews and a lot of colourful footage. Collectors/ hobbyists make very interesting subject matter because we don’t get to see that everyday.
As kim said, it’s really engaging because the subjects are really passionate about what they’re talking about.
https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2013/12/23/black-bike-week/
American Jugglalo
https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2011/09/29/american-juggalo/
Again it’s another way of life, where people want to express themselves and want to be understood.
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Ross McElwee approaches all kinds of different thematic material by his mode of documentary, involving himself in the story and writing it as he goes along.
- Participatory Notes – Bill Nichols
Participatory mode
This mode emphasizes the interaction between filmmaker and subjects. These films usually take the form of a series of interviews or other forms of even more direct involvement from conversations to provocations. Archival footage to examine historical issues is also included.
Examples: the films of Wernor Herzog, Errol Morris, and Alex Gibney, Exit through the Gift Shop, Man on Wire, The Cove.
- Documentary made easy with the use of portable and smaller recording equipment. Made interactive and participatory interaction possible and easier.
- The filmmaker exists face to face with the participator or subject of documentary rather than a narrative or authoritative voice describing information or events.
- Sherman’s March, Hotel Terminus, The Chronicles of Summer
- It’s an argument about the world and role of the filmmaker and subject alike rather than a statement
- New Ethical issues how far can the filmmaker go in his/her participation
- What other ways apart from interviews can you extract information from people
- What are the principals or ethics around historical or factual accuracy?