Documentary+Questions

__**What is a Documentary?**__ //To document a subject in order to preserve knowledge// //To reveal something about the subject// //To allow the viewer to experience what it's like to be the subject (whether it's someone diving out of an airplane or a homeless person)// //To advocate on behalf of the subject//
 * 1. What are the four goals of a documentary?**

//It lets the viewer participate in another world.//
 * 2. According to the website what is some of the appeal for the viewer of a documentary?**

__Expository documentaries:__ //Standard documentary format// //Uses narrators to guide and interpret// //Presents information// //Uses persuasion (similar to an essay in a sense)//
 * 3. Briefly summarize the 6 modes of the documentary.**

__Observational documentaries:__ //Allows the subjects to speak in their own words// //Less interpretation/narration// //No direct interference from the filmmakers// //Opinions demonstrated in how the filming is done//

__Reflexive documentaries:__ //Shows the process of filming.// //Constructed around the making of the documentary itself// //The audience is aware there is a film crew/production process//

__First-person documentaries:__ //Used to examine the filmmaker's own situation// //Chronicling a journey or self discovering process//

__Poetic documentaries:__ //Aims to reveal something extraordinary about the world// //Empathize the creative aspect of film// //Camera and editing suite are the artistic tools// //Allows the audience to see the world with new eyes//

__**The ABC's of Documentary Cinema**__ //Because they are created by people!//
 * 1. How do documentaries "...reflect the attitudes, ideas, interests, even the prejudices of the filmmakers."**

// __Close shots (CS)__ or __Close-ups (CU)__ tighten the frame more. // // __Long Shot (LS)__ is taken some distance from the action, often using a telephoto lens. // // __Wide Angle (WA)__ uses a wide-angle lens to achieve the effect. // // __Extreme Close-up (XCU)__ frames extremely tightly on the subject. // // __Medium Shot (MS__) is closer to the subject. //
 * 2. Give five examples of types of shots that refer to the size of the subject within a frame.**

// __Cutaway shot__ takes the viewer away from the main action momentarily. // // __Cut-in:__ close-up detail inserted in a longer shot. //
 * 3. What is the difference between a cutaway and a cut-in?**

// __Over-shoulder (O/S):__ camera looks over the shoulder of one person to show another. // // __Complementary shot:__ camera reverses from the point of view of a character to the person or object being observed. //
 * 4. Decribe the relationship between an over-the-shoulder shot and a complementary shot.**

//Silent -- from German directors in early Hollywood, who said “**m**it **o**ut **s**ound.”//
 * 5. What does the audio term "MOS" mean and where did it originate?**

__**Preparing to Film**__ //It will show in the final product, as your point of view, or in what you are trying to say/show.//
 * 1. How will your attitude about a subject contribute to the content of the film?**

//So that the documentary has a purpose, and that the purpose of the final product is clearly evident.//
 * 2. Why might it be important for a filmmaker to be clear about what he/she is saying and why he/she is saying it?**

//Viewers enjoy watching people they can identify with.//
 * 3. Why is it effective to show people in action and interacting with each other?**

//The documentary's perspective or the filmmakers point of view should make the audience want to weigh the evidence on the screen and make judgments//.
 * 4. Why is it important for a good documentary to have a clear perspective?**

//Read about their subject, watch films on related subjects, question experts and others who can offer insight on their subject.Some filmmakers live with their subjects to understand on a higher, more intense level.//
 * 5. What kinds of things can a documentary filmmaker do to research a topic?**

//Imagining the audience and the conditions of viewing will help the filmmaker clarify the approach.//
 * 6. How can your audience influence your approach to your documentary?**

//By deciding on the approach, the filmmaker begins to plan shots, interviews, and the kind of script necessary.//
 * 7. Why must a filmmaker clearly organize his/her approach before filming?**

//When the director has a very particular vision -- in documentaries: during say, historical recreations of scenes or events, to ensure that the sequence comes out exactly as planned.//
 * 8. When might a documentary filmmaker use storyboards?**

//A shooting plan describes the sequences as a preliminary guide for shooting.// //In creating the shooting plan, the filmmaker considers the arc of the film.//
 * 9. What is a shooting plan? What must be considered in creating a shooting plan?**

__**Essentials**__ //__Director:__ The person who comes up with the concept, visualizes the plan, conducts research, and supervises the filming.// //__Assistant Director:__ Maintains order on the set and make sure actors are present if there are recreations or other dramatizations.// //__Production Manager:__ Draws up the detailed budgets and the shooting schedules and manages them for the duration of the filming// //__Camera Operator:__ Sets up shots under the director's supervision// //__Sound Recordist:__ does the taping and operates the boom or directs the boom operator to manoeuvre microphone to capture the sound// //__Gaffer:__ Placing lights// //__Best Boy:__Assists the gaffer by positioning cables// //__Grip:__ moves equipment on the shoot// //__Picture Editor:__ postproduction editor - reviews all the footage, carefully selecting the best shots, and building the film from many pieces.// //__Foley Artist:__ creates sound effects in the studio for anything that's not recorded on location.// //^^In the movie Titanic, the sound effects of people's hair freezing in the water was made by the foley artist snapping celery!//
 * 1. Describe the following jobs with regards to documentary film making:**

__**Shooting The Documentary**__ //Plots out when and where the different pieces of the documentary will be captured.//
 * 1. What is a shooting schedule?**

//To refine questions for the interview, and give the subject a sense of preperation.//
 * 2. What is the purpose of a pre-interview?**

//To create a mood for the interview subject (tension) or a location that makes the subject comfortable.//
 * 3. How can location contribute to the impact of an interview?**

//Work with the interview subject to repeat and rephrase answers to create workable takes.//
 * 4. What can an interviewer do to avoid having their questions appear in the documentary?**

//To frame the interviewee at the third right of the screen for half the interview and at the third left for the other half to create some variety in the final edit// //Closeups on expressions and hand gestures may contribute to the final production.//
 * 5. What is considered comm****on practice in framing the interviewee?**

//Filming the setting of the interview in order to establish the location for the viewer and to plan for cutaways.//
 * 6. What other shot should a filmaker gather during an interview?**

__**Putting It All Together**__ //Helps the editor to locate individual shots in the confusion of footage.//
 * 1. What is the purpose of the Shot Log?**

//The editor can note shots that will come in between interview sections, show where cutaways can replace the taking head, (B-roll) and begin to visualize the use of the rushes to tell the film' story.//
 * 2. What is the benefit of making transcriptions of all the interviews?**

//Presents an issue, outlines various approaches, or angles on it, then resolves on some kind of answer.//
 * 3. What i****s a "problem-solution" structure?**

//The first test of the movie -- it is the first of the product that a close circle of viewers get to see and evaluate. Allows them to use the feedback from the test audience and modify the rough cut//
 * 4. What is the purpose of the Rough Cut?**

//Ones that did not contribute to the entire effect, ones that weren't necessary or caused the process to drag on. (Deleted scenes)//
 * 5. Typically, what types of shots are cut from the final product?**

__Bad:__ Gets between the viewer and what is on the screen, and tells them what they should feel. __Good:__ Allows the viewer to make decisions for him or herself, but focuses attention on what is important in the film.
 * 6. What are some elements of good and bad narration?**

Thanks for a well crafted response to these questions! 30/30