A Mini-Doc, An Homage, A Portrait...
Whatever you call it, this project turns a laser-like focus onto a singular, interesting topic and follows it through a typical day. This will involve some careful selection and planning on your part, since you will be recording footage throughout an entire day (or at least, make us think you did).
Need some inspiration? Look at some examples on my PLAYLIST!
Need some inspiration? Look at some examples on my PLAYLIST!
Choosing a Topic
You want to make sure you choose a topic that you are familiar with, that you can create a compelling, interesting story line around, and that actually has a plausible narrative arc for an entire day. Use the links below for some quick tutorials.
Here's a guideline from a guy who needs help with lighting. Check out THIS approach---start with writing the story. THIS GUY begins with the end in mind. Not a bad idea, actually! |
Choosing a Technique
Interested in TimeLapse using your cell phone? Start HERE and then search for your phone type in tutorials.
Going for a rough, edgy Hand-Held Feel? Watch THIS tutorial first! Want to play with a Dolly? Jeez, you're kinda old for that sort of thing, but OKAY. Who wants to use the Glidecam? Start HERE! Feeling crazy? Want to use the Jib Arm? TOO BAD! You can't follow somebody around with that thing, you'd kill people! Shoot with our Nikon D5100 DSLR for a professional, cinematic feel! Learn how NOT to break this very expensive camera, and get Pro results, HERE! |
If it looks like a Doc, walks like a Doc, talks like a Doc....treat the project like a Doc!
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Yeah, yeah, yeah, so admit it---this project is a mini-documentary. So you've never done one? NO big deal.
Read this article, by a woman who did a "Day In the Life" documentary on a barbershop. Then you'll answer some questions that you can use in Assignment #2. Click on this link to get started: "What's Your Story? Developing the Story in your Documentary."
Read this article, by a woman who did a "Day In the Life" documentary on a barbershop. Then you'll answer some questions that you can use in Assignment #2. Click on this link to get started: "What's Your Story? Developing the Story in your Documentary."
Plan Your Shoot and then Shoot Your Plan!
Seriously, you cannot just "wing it" and expect to get anything more than messy amateur video with this project. It's going to require planning--and I don't mean just scheduling a day and location to shoot. You've got some tricky logistics to cover, like multiple locations, private property restrictions, permissions for any identifiable person(s) in your project, managing time changes, and choosing appropriate equipment for a variety of scenarios. **Sigh** It's almost like you're a Professional. Careful!! You might learn something here.
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Assignment #1 & 2: Learning to Plan, and Planning to Learn
Go to Blendspace to get your Documents for this Assignment. Click HERE.
Document #1: "Planning Your Shoot". Open & Download. Document #2: "A Day in The Life" Planning Worksheet". Download, complete, SAVE, and Submit your Assignments using the Upload window to the right....... |
Submit the completed Reading Assignment (Document #3 in Blendspace) and Planning Worksheet (Document #4) to me using the submission form below. Looking for the easy way out? This won't help.
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