Documentary Seminar

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Documentary Seminar www.ricedocumentaryclass.info
Doug Killgore 832-868-3166 killgore_at_rice.edu
NOTE This is the most recent version of a slide
show Doug uses to help guide him through part of
the class lectures. It isnt very detailed or
comprehensive and it stops before we get into the
real production phase, but some students have
requested that it be added to the website, so
here it is.
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Course Plan

• Watch some documentaries
• How documentaries are made
• Script development
• Obtaining source material
• Putting it together
• Production - camera sound
• Post-production
• Produce a Class Documentary

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• Watch some documentaries
• Where can you watch documentaries?
• DVDs
• Feature Films - Michael Moore
• Extra Features
• Television
• AE Biography
• News - 60 minutes, etc.
• Discovery Channel / Science Channel / History
  Channel
• Sundance Channel
• IFC, KUHT - The Territory
• Internet

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1. What is a Documentary?

• Nanook of the North
• Robert J. Flaherty
• Released in 1922

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1. What is a Documentary?

• Content
• Elements
• Approaches
• Style
• Purpose

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Content

• Presumably non-fiction
• Show and Tell.

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Elements

• Archival Materials
• Film/video clips
• Photographs
• Documents
• Interviews
• Subjects
• Witnesses
• Experts
• Footage shot for the Documentary

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Approaches

• Poetic
• Expository
• Participatory
• Observational
• Dramatic

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Style

• Overall look
• Titles/Layout
• Lighting
• Tone and Pace
• Degree of Consistency
• Organization - how you tell the story

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CLASS PROJECT
Whats your Passion? 1-2 Minute video
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CLASS PROJECT
Get a Partner
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CLASS PROJECT
Consider resources - photos, video, objects,
music, props, wardrobe
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• Work Flow
• Select subject/topic
• Shoot Interview
• Transcribe Interview
• Write/Edit Script
• Acquire additional source material
• Capture into computer
• Edit
• Score
• DVD

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2. Lights, Camera, Lens

• .Whats the difference between film and Video?
• Audio
• Feedback
• Cost
• Quality (resolution)
• Camera Formats, Quality
• VHS, 8mm, DV, DVCAM, BetaCam, HD

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2 The Camera (FE)

• Light
• Color Temperature
• F-stop
• Depth of field
• Soft and hard lighting
• Sensitivity - gain
• Auto/Manual Controls

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2 The Camera

• Lens
• Auto-focus Advantages, Disadvantages
• F-stop
• Depth of field

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2 The Camera

• Lens
• Telephoto v. Wide-Angle
• Focus, Perspective, Steadiness
• Zoom and electronic zoom
• Pick focal length for effect
• Dolly/zoom combo

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2 The Camera

• Lens
• Exposure
• F-stop, shutter speed
• Auto vs. Manual
• Background Brightness
• Mood
• Color Balance

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2 Camera Support

• Tripod
• Video/film not still
• Fluid Head
• Monopod
• Steadicam
• Elbows
• Shaky-Cam
• Image Stabilization

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2 The Camera

• Use a tripod unless you have a good reason not
  to.

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Sound

• Microphones
• Built-in/detachable
• Shotgun
• Lavalier (clip-on)
• Hand-held
• Wire/wireless

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Sound

• Stereo sound
• 2 channels to work with
• Program for auto/manual level control
• Microphone is different from the ear
• Always use headphones

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Sound

• Get best possible sound in the field -
• Dont rely on fixing it in the mix.

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Light

• Natural vs Studio
• Soft vs. Hard
• High Key, Low Key
• Color Temperature
• Sunlight, Tungsten, Fluorescent
• Mixing sources

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Light

• Get the best image you can when you shoot dont
  rely on fixing it in the computer.

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Interview Techniques

• Learn about your subject (Person, Extablishment)
• Source materials internet, programs, brochures,
  vitae? Save for reference.
• Inform Interviewee about process at the beginning
  put at ease
• Use complete answers
• Be redundant tiny part will be used

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Interview Techniques

• Position the camera at subjects eye level
• Wear headphones
• Sit (or stand) very near camera, encourage
  subject to talk to you and forget camera

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Interview Techniques

• Roll as soon as you can - Dont let the subject
  tell you important info while youre setting up.
• ID interviewer, date, location, subject
• Instruct Subject to introduce him/herself spell
  name if necessary
• Get job title, if relevant

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Interview Techniques

• Dont ask most important questions first get
  the conversation going with easy questions set
  comfort level
• Steer, dont lead
• Act ignorant (not stupid)
• Ask questions that will elicit complete answers

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Planning Our Doc

• Raison dêtre
• Look
• Approach

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3 Editing

• Film Editing
• Cut and splice film and sound
• Make sound-striped prints on film
• Analog Video Editing
• Play on one deck, record on other
• Loss of quality with every generation

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3 Editing

• Digital Video Editing
• Capture video and audio in computer
• Manipulate picture and sound
• Little or no loss of quality

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3 Editing

• Jump Cuts
• Match action
• Screen Direction
• Transitions cuts, dissolves, etc.
• Clouseau cut

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Editing Software

• PC
• Adobe Premiere Premiere Pro
• Apple
• i-movie
• Final Cut Express Pro

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iMovie
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Adobe Premiere Pro
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Adobe Premiere Pro

• Start New Project

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Adobe Premiere Pro

• 1. Start New Project
• 2. Use Fire Wire device to capture video to
  computer
• 3. Select to work in Storyboard or Timeline mode

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