During these weeks, we discuss ‘What is documentary?’ and ‘How to make a documentary?’. Actually, classmates have some good examples. Also, I had already read the Week 1 readings. From the Week 1 tutorial, Joey was my partner. We thought about a topic for our documentary. Because of more and more Chinese students go to Australia and want to get high education. In China, maybe they live with parents and they do not care about living problems. However, they live in Australia, they should to take care of themselves. Different people have different lifestyles. So we want to make some interviews and record some students’ daily lives, and then combine them to make a complete documentary. Of course, we can make a contrast. Comparing another countries’ students with Chinese students. It is only an idea. We need to record a lot of materials.
I want to say thanks for Mr. Robin. During the week 2 to week 4, we learnt how to use new camera and recorder (Zoom F4). He is a kind and patient teacher. In addition, we have some exercises. First, I made a 50 seconds’ shot. I chose the street and the pedestrians. Unfortunately, I did not have copy. But it was similar to PB 1 work. Second, I was so happy to learn the new equipment to shoot videos.
During these week, I learnt some new knowledge. For example, the different types of documentaries. At first, I only knew documentaries about nature and animals. Through the reading, I know another types of documentaries. It is change my mind. I think the documentary not only get more educational, but also express truth. It is necessary. Some documentaries’ materials come from life. For example, we can make a documentary about the poor people. We can record their daily lives. On the one hand, documentary like a mirror, people can see who they are, find a reality themselves. On the other hand, documentaries can reveal some unknown secrets, such as the history. Some people like watching documentary, because it is truth. It has knowledge, people can learn a lot of knowledge. I think documentary looks like a long news. Because news need real materials too.
For this PB 2 work. I think I have a lot of disadvantages. First, I need to learn how to shoot a video. Because I do not know which is the best angle to shoot. I should develop my shooting skill. At the same time, I am not good at editing. I want to try my best to edit a great video. Through the video to express my purpose, so editing take an important part.
Finally, I want to learn more and make a complete documentary for me. So in next few weeks and exercises, I will continue to study how to make a documentary. Fighting!!!