Documentry: 2nd Lecture

Documentry: 2nd Lecture

3 things I learned so far about shoot preperation:

1. Cast early, as soon as you have a completed idea/script and be  sure to keep your actors regularly informed.
2. Contact as many locations personally as possible and scout them out before the shoot.
3. Get risk assessments completed and checked a few days before your shoot.

There are other things that are worth baring in mind. 
Phone your actors as well as emailing to keep a personal touch. 
Have a plan B location and ask them to help you before explaining anything else. 
Allow extra time for setting up and traveling, and check your equipment. 
Check locations for lighting, power space etc. 
Remain proffecional and ensure you have relevant permissions and access.
Network and establish as many contatcs as possible. 
Know the background, and fully understand your story, and have some diea/research in to locations BEFORE calling actors. 

When planning your documentry for commission, make sure it is in theory at least, acheivable and you can gain access to the topic. 
Make sure you have an original idea but you can make references to similar examples. Don't pick an idea that has already been done to death. 

Look for an interesting story, what is your angle. Find your USP.
Be sure you can answer the basic questions of who/what/where/why /when/how. 

When representing people in your project think about.
Disability
Income/class
Values
Ethnicity
Religion
Sexuality/gender
Issues
Tokanism
Youth/middle aged/old aged

Ensure your idea and project fits within the standards and guidlines of extrnal regulatory boards like OFCOM, as well as networks own regulations. Is it likley to cause distress or offence to particular groups or is it touching on a sensative topic. 

Ensure the people you feature are:

• A fair representation of the wider context.
• Fairly treated and represented honestly. 
• Avoid Stereotypes and try to remain ambiguouse about a topic where possible.

Try to keep everyone happy, not just the people in your project, but your investors, audience, contacts etc.
Ensure concent forms have been signed so that you have full copyright and creative control over the project. you may offer to show those in the documenry, a private screening before it airs however once they have signed the forms they can not ask for the project to be changed.

When meeting people at a location there are certain things you should take along:

• A contact number for them.
• A pen and paper, with a lust of key questions to ask.
• Your Student ID
• Also ensure you have relevant concent to film them.
• A sign that indicates your filming.

Concent forms don't have to be handed in to a staff member, just put on your blog.