Documentary Unit: Exploring Actuality

Documentaries do not just 'happen'
To justify why we use sequencing, (based of careful research)
Same principle as with any sequencing
Should be interesting, creative and relevant  and properly set up for light and sound
When dealing with members of the public this is potentially more tricky.
When dealing with paid talent you can usually ask what too do whatever you creatively want for the film (within reason)
Ensure you have talked through your plans with them prior to the shots you know they're happy with arrangements.
Gaining trust is key to dealing with 'real' people
Your research should highlight potential actuality and relevant sequences which will 'tell the story in pictures'.

  1. Close Ups
  2. Repeat action-Wide/Medium/Close Up
  3. 6-10 second hold
  4. "Peak Moments"
  5. 3:1 W:CU
Get good coverage- shoot to edit 
i.e. shoot lots of different angles which will cut together for continuity 
Remember the Rule of 3 Cloe ups for every wide shot
-Break each shot into action
To ensure that you can always "cover" your edits its essential to shoot cutaways 
Be able to move 180 around subject- ensure each shot matches the rest 
Looking for perfection; this includes costumes, props, lighting and color 
Don't forget basic film grammar 
Actuality is a type of documentary filming which captures events and does little if anything to control them- realism.

Really difficult to edit if we don't control camera
with actuality everything is animated 
Control is key
Let things enter a frame and let things leave a frame
Keep creating edit points 
Apply the rules of sequencing by controlling what and how you shoot
Filming plenty of reaction shots 
Work out sound 
Wildtrack/buzz 

Aileen 

Archive footage
Court footage
Returning to her past (locations)
Interviews
Tracking her life

Case Study
Death Penalty good or bad- States without death penalty had lower murder numbers
The hypothesis about this case is linked to mental health, a vulnerable adult? Had a traumatic past.
Nature vs Nurture- are we born to kill or is it learnt behaviour
Been on death row for years and has had enough 
Treatment of prisoners 

Characters- Represent different things in the hypothesis 
Self reflexivity- How and why used? What role did Broomfield play in the film and how did this affect storytelling and angle of the film.

Interviews - Where conducted and by whom?

Sequences- Filmic devices. Cutaway shots of general prison cells 
Actuality- Not in real time
Pace- Sustained interest without being faced paced 
Music, archive/stills



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