documentary in a foreign country

[aureliokiddo]

Hi indietalk members

I think about traveling to thailand a few months and do a documentation on a muay thai camp. The documentary should be usable for applying at a film school. It should constist of scenes from thailand, the camp, interviews and backing one fighters life there, fights (maybe you do also have other ideas what would be interesting)

I can afford a 500 euro (about 650 dollars) hd camcorder with a tripod. For the light I would use the sunlight.

What do you think? Will there be any useful material with a camcorder? I would film alone thats another problem.
Are there any tricks to get a film look with one of those new camcorders?

Thank you very much
Aurelio

 

[directorik]

Welcome, Aurelio!

Do you really need the film look for a documentary? Do you really
need the film look for when applying to film school? It seems to me
the content and execution of a documentary is way more important
than "film look".

To be honest, I don't know any video camera in your price range
that will give you the look of film.

 

[aureliokiddo]

Thank you directorik

no, your right I dont really need the film look...what other problems could occur? maybe with the light? Do I need a permission to shoot in public?


ok besides camcorders, whats about the canon eos 500d? do you think this would be good for shooting a doc?

 

[directorik]

Thank you directorik

no, your right I dont really need the film look...what other problems could occur?

There are hundreds of problems that could occur. I'm sorry
but this question is too broad for me to attempt to answer.
Shooting a documentary alone in a foreign country will be
very challenging.

maybe with the light?

Light is one problem. There will be places and times when
it will be a challenge to get a good image. With ANY camera.

Do I need a permission to shoot in public?

This, too, is a difficult question to answer. For the most part
no. But there might be cases when you need permission.

ok besides camcorders, whats about the canon eos 500d? do you think this would be good for shooting a doc?

I can't imagine using a DSLR camera for shooting a documentary.
I know that camera has a mic input - does it have a built in mic?
Is that mic any good? If it doesn't where will you mount the mic?

One of the great things about using a video camera for a documentary
is the automatic controls. I never use full auto when making a
movie, I always use full auto when shooting a documentary. I haven't
shot a doc in a long time, but I shoot a lot of "behind-the-scenes"
footage and reality shows.