Shooting a Documentary
Now that you have completed the preliminary steps of pre-production, it is time to learn how to actually film/shoot your documentary. Students taking this course will have varying levels of expertise in shooting, including those who have never filmed anything previously. The primary goal of this course is not to teach you to become a superior cinematographer, but rather, to plan, capture and edit a documentary, which tells a great story. In this context, we will introduce you to a few major topics related to cinematography and sound recording below.
First, you will watch a short video about Framing and Composition. Practice these tips using even the most basic cameras you have access to, such as one on your cell phone or a point and shoot still camera. Framing and composition is something you can practice with a still camera.
Second, you will watch a video that focuses on capturing sound on location. Recording sound is challenging and the best general tip is that you should shoot all interviews inside, in a naturally lit area of a room (near a window). Therefore, you will have natural/available light and also have a completely quiet environment (try to turn off the fridge and any air conditioner).
Regarding lighting, if you are shooting near a window, remember that you will have to ensure the subject is not back-lit, either through setting the exposure on your camera for the subject's face or ensuring you bounce your light off of a white surface onto your subject's face. We do not recommend that you rent lights for this project, as you should aim to keep the documentary as simple and low-budget as possible. We recommend not seeing this as an obstacle, but rather as an opportunity to be creative.
Third, you can watch a documentary about using a DSLR on location. This video provides good field tips for using a camera such as this, and emphasizes the need to keep the camera steady.
Lastly, we highly recommend watching the video on using your iphone as a camera. This video opens many doors, if you are able to use your iphone along with an audio input. Please note that we do not recommend you rewire any electric/sound cables unless you are a professional and have knowledge and experience with this.
In watching these videos, think about your equipment needs. Please research what you can afford or what you already own and how you can make this work for this project.
Equipment list:
- a camera (DSLR, video or iPhone)
- tripod or a way to prop your camera in such as way that you can capture a completely still shot during an interview
- sound recording device (Minimum you will require a lavaliere microphone which can be imported into your camera)
- reflector (round/ white Flexfil or large white foam board)
First, you will watch a short video about Framing and Composition. Practice these tips using even the most basic cameras you have access to, such as one on your cell phone or a point and shoot still camera. Framing and composition is something you can practice with a still camera.
Second, you will watch a video that focuses on capturing sound on location. Recording sound is challenging and the best general tip is that you should shoot all interviews inside, in a naturally lit area of a room (near a window). Therefore, you will have natural/available light and also have a completely quiet environment (try to turn off the fridge and any air conditioner).
Regarding lighting, if you are shooting near a window, remember that you will have to ensure the subject is not back-lit, either through setting the exposure on your camera for the subject's face or ensuring you bounce your light off of a white surface onto your subject's face. We do not recommend that you rent lights for this project, as you should aim to keep the documentary as simple and low-budget as possible. We recommend not seeing this as an obstacle, but rather as an opportunity to be creative.
Third, you can watch a documentary about using a DSLR on location. This video provides good field tips for using a camera such as this, and emphasizes the need to keep the camera steady.
Lastly, we highly recommend watching the video on using your iphone as a camera. This video opens many doors, if you are able to use your iphone along with an audio input. Please note that we do not recommend you rewire any electric/sound cables unless you are a professional and have knowledge and experience with this.
In watching these videos, think about your equipment needs. Please research what you can afford or what you already own and how you can make this work for this project.
Equipment list:
- a camera (DSLR, video or iPhone)
- tripod or a way to prop your camera in such as way that you can capture a completely still shot during an interview
- sound recording device (Minimum you will require a lavaliere microphone which can be imported into your camera)
- reflector (round/ white Flexfil or large white foam board)
Framing and Composition (skip forward to 3:05 mark)
Focus on sound recording on location
Using a DSLR camera for documentary filmmaking
Using your iPhone to film documentaries
Please skip forward to 1:15min to begin watching segment on using your iphone to record documentary footage. We do not recommend you attempt to create your own wiring as demonstrated unless you have experience with this. This video is an excellent reference for how effectively using the iphone to capture professional-grade documentary footage. The key is that you stabilize the iphone and that you are able to record audio.
Interactivity
Post a journal entry on conducting a TEST SHOOT. Provide a list of the equipment you selected, the locations you filmed in and the quality of the sound. Ensure that you shoot in a location that is similar to your proposed shoot. Capture shots that you plan on shooting, such as interview mode, b-roll, etc. Describe your process and results.