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My First Documentary

S

stumpy

My First Big Project (planning)

I have always loved watching videos of people doing odd challenges. AKA not sleeping for 10 days, or being homeless for a week. ive also always loved the stories behind the people of shows like "the buried life" or "no reservations". So i thought... Hell, lets do one myself. :)
I am an avid freerunner, so i decided id try to travel the country (usa) and hit up large FR and parkour spots and interact with not only the FRers themselves, but everyone me and my 2-3 freinds meet along the way.

i have a few issues i need to figure out first however.
1. how should we move across the country. i could do everything from buy a big van, or hoof it. hitchhike and or walk the entire way.
2. i have very little buget so i was thinkin i could actually incorperate that into the idea. aka work odd jobs for all our cash ect.

ok i have more questions but my class is over so i gotta finish later. any answers to my q's would be awesome, plus i am brand new to doc making, so any general advice is welcome too.
i have two sony handycams, but i am not sure the models, ill post em later. thx guys :)

EDIT: Just so everyone knows, this is not going to be my first project ever. I am going to do A LOT of practicing first. I am just starting the planning stage on this one now :)
 
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stumpy said:
ok i have more questions but my class is over so i gotta finish later.
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Perhaps you should pay more attention in class, you have a lot to learn about capitalization and punctuation. You come off as illiterate, lazy or not giving a damn. That may seem very trite to you right now, but none of those qualities will get you the job as my intern, nor would you work for (or get in to see for funding) some of my producer clients.

The best way to start planning is to figure out what you want to say. The budget will determine everything else to some degree - your mode of travel, what gear you need, etc.
 
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Alcove Audio said:
Perhaps you should pay more attention in class, you have a lot to learn about capitalization and punctuation. You come off as illiterate, lazy or not giving a damn. That may seem very trite to you right now, but none of those qualities will get you the job as my intern, nor would you work for (or get in to see for funding) some of my producer clients.

The best way to start planning is to figure out what you want to say. The budget will determine everything else to some degree - your mode of travel, what gear you need, etc.
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I have no idea where to start. I'll try to say this without being rude because, honestly I am a little irritated that someone who has read only one post of mine can come to the assumption that I am lazy, do not give a damn, and above all illiterate.

First thing's first, the only reason I was posting in class was because I was finished with all my work and my teacher let me "free surf" as he loves to put it, so please do not act like you are looking through the window and have caught me slacking off.

Now I do admit I was using an informal "texting" style of writing, and I apologize. I (as you probably have noticed already) will change my writing style so it conforms with the professionality of this site. I spend a lot of time on message boards where I do not need to worry about small things like crossing my T's and dotting my I's. But again, I have no idea how a one-hundred word post could have gave you such an insightful look into my personality. I am a very intelligent person, with several years of writing under my belt, so I apologize if i come off rude, but I take attacks on my work etiquette very personally.

As for laziness, the only thing I can say is that if you knew me what-so-ever you would laugh at the thought of that statement. I am a full time student while working thirty to fourty hours a week. I have been working at my new job only three months and I was chosen to recieve a promotion over other employees that have been there for two years or more. So I would have to strongly disagree with you that I am "Lazy"

Maybe this just proves how important first impressions are, but I can assure you that you made just as bad of one on me, as I did on you. Now I am perfectly willing to let all this go, as I have no intention of turning someone who obviously has much more experience than I (based on your posts anyway). All i want is for you to let it go as well. Deal?
 
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I didn't say that you were lazy, et. al., I stated that your post came off that way. It was not an attack; as you said, first impressions, and that is the way your post read. You may be as bright and diligent as you claim, and your follow up post was well stated. The entertainment business is highly competitive and many times the only chance you get is a first impression, so you have to take full advantage of those opportunities even when participating in something as seemingly innocuous as a web forum. Another lesson learned is to provide complete information. If you had stated in your initial post that you were finished with your work and "free-surfing" the subject would not have come up.

Those of us with lots of experience will be brutally honest in our critiques and criticisms; that's the way things are on this forum. I was fortunate enough to have had some mentoring from some amazing people and the best thing they did was to politely rip me to shreds on both my work and my presentation of myself. After bridling at it at first I realized that it was all meant to help me succeed and I'm now very grateful. It would be churlish of me indeed not to do the same for others who are willing to work hard at their craft. It's not personal, it's just business. There's nothing worse than having people blow smoke up your skirt.

Just wait until critics or clients go after your work; you can't take it personally or let it deter you. Accept and learn from the constructive criticisms, ignore the lame attacks and keep on moving forward with your passions.

So are we friends now? :)

Peace,

Uncle Bob
 
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Pilgrims, Indians, please! :D

As for the documentary (aka the issue at hand), it sounds like an interesting idea. I'm going to go ahead and presume that you already have camera and mic, so that can be factored out of your budget.

If you were willing to walk cross country that could work as a USP. Indeed you may be able to pull it off as a Cross Country FreeRun- so that the travel and the subject matter would be linked from the start.

As for working whilst you're, well, working, then I would say that if that's the only way you can fund the project then you should, but if not it would be better to focus. I don't know how good you are at parkour, but you could put on/arrange shows which could earn you some dosh and also be part of the documentary.

There are a couple of brothers who are on this forum who are awesome freerunners, I saw one of their vids and it, figuratively, blew my mind. I can't remember their username but if you search you should find them. They could help you out. I don't know.

Anyhow, back to class!
 
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stumpy,

Alcove is possibly one of the most if not the most helpful people who frequents this board.

I personally agree with him. Having worked in the entertainment business for 8 years I have seen my share of shred-ripping by execs and even well-known celebrities ripping co-workers, co-actors and personal employees for being sloppy and unprofessional.

This is a professional site nonetheless, though we do get comical at times. It's all in fun.

But on the business side of things, please figure out more data on your equipment and use it a bit before asking questions on how to use it because we do get those questions here a lot "What is a camera?". I don't know how to answer your original question for "General Advice" which is why I didn't answer it because I personally would have said "Figure out what kind of camera you do have, shoot with it a bit, and then come back and re-post your questions professionally".
 
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ROC said:
This is a professional site nonetheless, though we do get comical at times. It's all in fun.
.
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ROC- Whilst I have enormous respect for you and Alcove, you are the Dons of Audio after all, I have to disagree with what you're saying.

This isn't a professional site. This is somewhere that experienced professionals, like you and Alcove, can mix with enthusiastic newcomers and amateurs, like Stumpy and me.

Clearly he can write with correct spelling and grammar, as evidenced by his subsequent posts, but when you're just typing in a quick message on an internet forum it's not the same as writing an application letter for a job, or anything like that.

This forum shouldn't be exclusive to people working at a professional standard, or even to people who are particularly articulate or educated. As long as you can understand what's being said then we might as well do our best. Peace.
 
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This is a site where beginners and up-and-comers come for advice, share their ideas, their successes and their heart-breaks. There are a few of us more experienced folks who try to offer encouragement, advice and honest critiques. One of the things that we stress is the need for a professional attitude which goes a long way to off-setting inexperience; it needs to become as natural and easy as breathing. Stumpy should go far as he seems to be willing to work his tail off at whatever he takes on. As regulars here should know, and as Stumpy will find out, I never take negative swipes at anyone. First, I wasn't raised that way; second, it's not professional. And, of course - and this is not a swipe at anyone on this forum - you don't burn bridges because todays a$$hole is tomorrows executive producer.;):lol:
 
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stumpy said:
I have always loved watching videos of people doing odd challenges. AKA not sleeping for 10 days, or being homeless for a week. ive also always loved the stories behind the people of shows like "the buried life" or "no reservations". So i thought... Hell, lets do one myself. :)
I am an avid freerunner, so i decided id try to travel the country (usa) and hit up large FR and parkour spots and interact with not only the FRers themselves, but everyone me and my 2-3 freinds meet along the way.

i have a few issues i need to figure out first however.
1. how should we move across the country. i could do everything from buy a big van, or hoof it. hitchhike and or walk the entire way.
2. i have very little buget so i was thinkin i could actually incorperate that into the idea. aka work odd jobs for all our cash ect.

ok i have more questions but my class is over so i gotta finish later. any answers to my q's would be awesome, plus i am brand new to doc making, so any general advice is welcome too.
i have two sony handycams, but i am not sure the models, ill post em later. thx guys :)
Click to expand...

Wow, that is some horrible English!

I'm just messin' with ya, man. I couldn't care less. ;)

If you were applying for a job? Yeah, uhhh, no. On this forum, ahh, who cares? You should note, however, that it's not just Alcove and ROC who might make assumptions, based on your style of writing (or whatever info they have) -- that's pretty much how the human brain works, and we all do it.

ANYWAY, let's finally get down to your questions. I'll be straight-forward -- it doesn't matter. How to get around? Whatever you would enjoy the most. How to pay your way? Have you ever worked in a restaurant?

The reason I say they don't matter, though, is because I think this is WAY too big a project to take on for your very first documentary. It sounds like a sweet project -- could be a lot of fun. But dude, talk about jumping into the deep end. And you haven't even started to learn how to swim, yet.

My advice -- start small. Make a one-minute documentary. Then, make a five-minute documentary. Then, make another five-minute documentary. Then another, and another. This isn't just an art, but a skill, and you're not just going to be naturally skilled, instantly. It takes practice, and dedication. When you've built up some confidence, and a set of skills that you think are enough to tackle your big project, then you can finally start packing.
 
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Alcove Audio said:
I didn't say that you were lazy, et. al., I stated that your post came off that way. It was not an attack; as you said, first impressions, and that is the way your post read. You may be as bright and diligent as you claim, and your follow up post was well stated. The entertainment business is highly competitive and many times the only chance you get is a first impression, so you have to take full advantage of those opportunities even when participating in something as seemingly innocuous as a web forum. Another lesson learned is to provide complete information. If you had stated in your initial post that you were finished with your work and "free-surfing" the subject would not have come up.

Those of us with lots of experience will be brutally honest in our critiques and criticisms; that's the way things are on this forum. I was fortunate enough to have had some mentoring from some amazing people and the best thing they did was to politely rip me to shreds on both my work and my presentation of myself. After bridling at it at first I realized that it was all meant to help me succeed and I'm now very grateful. It would be churlish of me indeed not to do the same for others who are willing to work hard at their craft. It's not personal, it's just business. There's nothing worse than having people blow smoke up your skirt.

Just wait until critics or clients go after your work; you can't take it personally or let it deter you. Accept and learn from the constructive criticisms, ignore the lame attacks and keep on moving forward with your passions.

So are we friends now? :)

Peace,

Uncle Bob
Click to expand...

Not a problem Alcove. And I hope you did not take what I said to harshly either. When I was writing that I definitely was being firm and straight to the point, but I did not mean for it to sound a-holeish either. As for critisism, I have been a photographer for a few years now, so trust me, I can take critisism hahaha. After a few 2 out of 10 ratings on your photos, you figure it out extremly quickly ;)
and yes, freinds :)

So I am not quite sure of who wrote what over the next few posts, so I am going to lump it all in by question instead of person.

#1 I need to clarify, this is NOT going to be my first documentary. Im going to do a LOT of practicing first. Ill fix the title to read "My First Big Documentary" or something. This will be my first big project, but I am starting the planning now, because it will take some time, plus it will give me something to look forward to when I am having a hard time with my current project.

As for my camera, do not worry, I was not really asking for a lot of advice or anything pertaining directly to the camera. I have been using this camera for a while to make my parkour compilation videos, so I know most of the basics, if not it's every in and outs. I just put it up more for a quick "oh yeah! That camera is great"or "Get something with better sound quality..." kind of thing. Just a few quick remarks. No one needs to send me a pdf of its instruction manual ;)
btw its a Sony Handycam DCR-SR47 for anyone who is interested. It has 60X optical zoom (200X digital) and 60gigs of memory.

As for funding I was just meaning, should I set it up where my group has to do odd jobs and things like that just to get from city to city. It would be tough, but I was thinking it may add a little bit of interest to the film, plus it would allow my group to interact with some more people. experience other lifes but my own, that sort of thing. See the parkour aspect is only on small part of the film. I want it more to be about the experience. Am I voicing my thought clearly? Or am I jumbling it all together again?

thx for the tips everyone!
 
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ROC said:
I don't know...

I do everything I do from a mindset of being a professional.

Otherwise you wind up with an amateur life.
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Just a though you may consider. Some amatuers can see much more learly than the professionals ;)

I know ive seen a few times where some kid just picks up a camera and does something I though was ridiculous and produced a surprisingly good picture :)
 
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stumpy said:
Just a though you may consider. Some amatuers can see much more learly than the professionals ;)

I know ive seen a few times where some kid just picks up a camera and does something I though was ridiculous and produced a surprisingly good picture :)
Click to expand...

I honestly don't understand what you're saying. No offense.. What does Learly mean?
 
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ROC said:
I honestly don't understand what you're saying. No offense.. What does Learly mean?
Click to expand...

Oops, sorry about that roc. I meant "Clearly." Typo.
I just mean that I always keep a close eye on the new guys in anything I do. Parkour, Photography, Photo editing, ect. because quite often they can bring new ideas to the scene and occaisionally can even change the sport/activity as we know it.
btw I do not mean me hahaha, I just mean new people in general.
 
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Well, in that case, check out this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlko9hSVK6Q&ob=av2e

Cool parkour,

and I taught the bass player how to play bass. Well, helped anyway.

His name is Steve Avery, from Sacramento. Played little league baseball with him and taught him how to play the bass and he went on to make it big.

Pretty cool.
 
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Yer I agree with Cracker and Murdock.

Start off by doing, maybe five minutes on you and free running. Then post it up here, we can all take a look, give advice, criticise spelling, tell you what works and what doesn't...

Then if it's good and you get a taste for that sort of work you can incorporate that into a longer production. The first five minutes of your road trip documentary would be explaining your life back home anyway, so that's a good way of learning productively....

:D
 
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