RECORDING PLACE | w1, p2.1

ROHAN’s INTERVIEW TIPS

Rohan spent a good portion of class discussion how to approach a recorded interview. His advice is immeasurably invaluable, especially given we are soon to approach our subjects (perfect strangers) for our own films and we are mostly novices when it comes to documentary filmmaking.

First tip was to survey the area for good, flat lighting for the interviewee. Also taking into account composition and ‘art direction’ for the shot. Second tip was to have a series of questions prepared (no more than ten) and to demonstrate to the subject how they should answer the questions (including the question). The questions should begin with open phrasing, such as:

  1. Tell me about….?
  2. Tell me how…?
  3. When did you…?
  4. Can you tell me about?

HOT TIPS

  1. Start with Hope or Aspiration…. And idea of the “DESTINATION” and shape the interview questions around this.
  2. No more than TEN questions
  3. Capture images that best serve your interview
  4. NEVER Interview someone with STRIPE SHIRT/DRESS

ARRIVAL ON SET:

FIND SOFT LIGHTING… STUDY FACE… LOOK FOR SHADOWS on face, EVEN LIGHTING, ITEMS IN THE ROOM THAT TELL THE AUDIENCE WHERE THEY ARE SET UP (allude to character background)… DETAILS OF DEPTH… BUILDING A SHOT WHERE PARTICIPANT IS FLATLY LIT, ITEMS THAT TELL US WHERE WE ARE + APPLYING RULE OF THIRDS…. RECORD ROOM NOISE… with every MIC. SHOW EMPATHY FOR CHARACTER and STORY, and KNOW THEIR BACKGROUND.

DEMONSTRATE to SUBJECT to START TO TALK IN PARAGRAPHS… allowing them to delve into their story. To REHASH and RE-ITERATE their answer if it is CONFUSED or MISSING INFO YOU NEED, pretend to readjust the sound (fake and error) THEN INTRODUCE THE QUESTION AND HOW TO ANSWER IT AGAIN.

TELL THE SUBJECT THEY CAN PASS ON A QUESTION… “but I dont think theres anything here…/but I’m sure you won’t need to…”/ MAKING THE SUBJECT FEEL THEY SHOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE.

PUT QUESTIONS ON IPHONE! LISTEN WITH YOUR FACE, DO NOT RESPOND!

“IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT…?” (to finish, and allow them to roll out a bunch of experiences of emotions).

RECORDING PLACE | w1 p2

The top contenders post the observational exercise were:

Flower Delivery Man
Flamenco Dancer
Punk Vegan
Old Man Cannot Count Change 
Donut Van
Female Willy Wonka

 


MY THOUGHT PROCESS


10 people in my class raised their hand to be involved in producing the Punk Vegan concept. Looks like I am going ahead with it. Next step will be to approach the Punk Vegan and hope he will accept my offer to document him/his life.

I am nervous about this exchange, but I am more passionate about making a great short doco than I am worried about rejection or embarrassing myself. Worst case is he will decline and that’s really not that bad a situation. Though with the time constraints of the studio it will make things difficult for myself and the students who have attached themselves to this project.

RECORDING PLACE | w1 p1

PB#1 Observational Exercise.

Week One task was to:

  • Describe where you are, what you can see, smell, hear.
  • Consider the people you can see milling and working around you. Describe them as a collective. Focus in on three who take your interest. Describe three in detail.
  • Without speaking to any of these three, imagine where they could conceivably have come from and be going to from here.
  • Without speaking to any of these three, imagine how or why they could conceivably feature in a documentary.

Before even attempting this task my world as an aspiring filmmaker opened up… suddenly I felt I understood some key formula to creating interesting ideas for documentary cinema. Everywhere I look now I see a story… or at least I imagine there is one.

I discovered three potential documentary subjects. 1)  A tattoo-covered woman with a butch appearance and demeanour working at a New York inspired hot dog stand. 2) A three-generational Indian family running their own QVM-situated cafe. And 3) A hardcore punk working at an organic food stall.