Class feedback 06/09/17

To this stage I had cut together a short collection of b-roll footage and on Friday I finally presented it. Here were some responses to the footage.

Class feedback:

“Overall well filmed, really liked the gardening shots. The gardening shots were really powerful and I think as a morning routine purely, it probably isn’t as interesting compared to things your subject enjoys doing. Focus on the things that she is good at, making her terrariums, doing her gardening, even her flamingo fascination target those particular parts of her personality rather than a drab morning routine. Morning routines are probably seen too often, do something unique and a little different.”

“The shots are really well lit, however I was distracted when the shot of Julie tying her shoe laces came up. The shot was really well lit, that was great naturalistic lighting but the shot was hand held and way to shaky. It takes away from the quality of the shot and the action taking place within the shot. Re-film that shot and maybe use a low angle and a tripod to achieve this.”

“The gardening shot was amazing, definitely use that shot in the final product.”

“Maybe film some more shots of her terrariums, her constructing her terrariums, her putting little figures in her terrariums.”

“Re-film her tattoo on her wrist so we are able to read all of the tattoo and a shifting one in and out of focus could possibly work.”

“The puddle shot is incredible, just make sure you put some context or even like a reflection part of the narration in there or else I don’t reckon the audience will connect or make much sense out of it.”

“Hand in Hand the name is a good play on words but if you do decide to do it on Julie you may want to simplify the name”

“Looking forward to hearing the interview, I quite like the footage, maybe get some more shots of her garden, I like those blossoms”

“Maybe too much what you’re trying to accomplish with three micro documentaries, focus on Julie”

My response

Overall I think the advice was very constructive. I will re-film parts of the footage where there is too many hand held shots but also focus now on my subject Julie and film my other two subjects separately in future to progress the series of the Aussie Hands Micro Documentaries. The morning routine as a base idea had its positives and although everyone really liked the hand in focus shots they believe the morning routine won’t be that compelling and probably too well known. Uniqueness is what everyone liked and wanted more of, the gardening shots were well received and I will re-film many of those to make sure I highlight Julie’s love for gardening and constructing terrariums. Also pointed out was the lighting, I will continue more processes in naturally lighting with some aid from a backup key light but some shots will need to (in future) be filmed on a tripod. Overall very satisfied with the response. Plenty to work on.

Michael Serpell