“The Heat” is on – Documentary As Action (Week 6)

This week in class we discussed our plans for our documentaries and what were the best strategies at plotting out the documentaries, planning them strategically so they could be to the highest of quality.

With strategies of forming the plans for a documentary comes carefully considering how we will go about filming the documentaries and what sort of interview style we will incorporate. The documentary I looked at the closely this week to begin the chain of thought and start some inspiration was ‘The Heat’ the story of Heather ‘The Heat’ Hardy. The female boxers story is a compelling one, the strong American accent arising from her rough upbringing is unique and carries as a sole narrative voice for the entire piece. This story is Heathers, many of the shots could be interpreted from her point of view or a omniscient perspective across the film is important in getting her side across. The hand held, at times low angles symbolism this vulnerability from Heather, this gritty movement and angled views gives more atmosphere and emotion to her perspective. It is beautifully shot and I will look to show life from Julie’s angle in my micro documentary about Julie. An idea potentially is showing Julie look in a mirror, puddle or anything that shows a reflection. I would be intrigued to see how she see’s her reflection and hand, whether in the puddle she gets crafty making silhouettes, whether in the mirror her wide smile is present or whether she looks and burrows her hand away. That human examination, that personal insight that closeness with camera and the audience to the subject is what I think makes “The Heat” such an emotionally powerful film. You literally feel like your in Heather’s corner, that is a powerful perspective to be right beside Heather as she takes and lands the blows, on and off the boxing ring.

“The Heat” is a short documentary about Heather “The Heat” Hardy, a single mother and professional boxer who was displaced by Hurricane Sandy. Heather uses fighting to provide a living for her and her daughter, Annie, while simultaneously pushing the sport of women’s boxing into the mainstream.