DOCUMENTARY RESEARCH
Mac Premo - Stuffmaker
https://vimeo.com/basberkhout/macpremo
This short documentary by Bas Berkhout is real profile of Mac Premo as he delves into the different aspects o art making films, photography, abstract art and all types of destruction. Berkhout uses a very fast paced editing style as he uses a range of close-ups, time lapses and photographs to tell the un-organized lifestyle of Mac Premo.
A lot of sound design was used in this documentary, especially foley with the use of power tools linked to the time lapse and change of photographs on screen. With the use of power tools, no soundtrack was used as it blended in nicely with Mac Premo's voice being put over the top.
The interview was very personal, Premo discussing the way in which he loves to make art which is somewhat pointless and doesn't bring him revenue - "Oh shit now I need to make some fucking money". This is something he continues throughout showing the contrast between all of his passions creating different things and trying to provide for his family.
This short documentary by Bas Berkhout is real profile of Mac Premo as he delves into the different aspects o art making films, photography, abstract art and all types of destruction. Berkhout uses a very fast paced editing style as he uses a range of close-ups, time lapses and photographs to tell the un-organized lifestyle of Mac Premo.
A lot of sound design was used in this documentary, especially foley with the use of power tools linked to the time lapse and change of photographs on screen. With the use of power tools, no soundtrack was used as it blended in nicely with Mac Premo's voice being put over the top.
The interview was very personal, Premo discussing the way in which he loves to make art which is somewhat pointless and doesn't bring him revenue - "Oh shit now I need to make some fucking money". This is something he continues throughout showing the contrast between all of his passions creating different things and trying to provide for his family.
Annette Gabbedey - Jeweller with no fingers
An ironic profile documentary on the woman with no fingers who is in fact a jeweler. The documentary is very interview heavy with the opening shot being a medium close up, only showing Annette's shoulders then changing to a wide angle shot showing her hands in frame. This really creates a dramatic and shocking affect to the audience; making one think about how it is she makes jewelry with no fingers.
Only diegetic sound is used in the documentary with the sharpening and sanding of metal with no soundtrack to go with the interview. This helps create focus on Annette's soft voice and helps you listen more carefully when she is speaking. The interview includes the struggles she has with her disability, peoples reaction to her job and the mindset she has to be a jeweler - "I wonder how you do it with fingers in the way".
The documentary is very barebones with the complete focus on what she is saying with no distractions, showing true honesty in the film.
Oliver Jeffers Author Video 2013
A very quirky profile documentary with a sense of disorganization with the use of subtle humour and acting.I really enjoy this documentary as it isn't too serious and is very easy to watch whilst learning the process and thinking of Oliver Jeffers. The techniques used by filmmaker Mac Premo are very unorthodox as he uses a varied amount of shots; close-ups, wide angles, smooth pans, crazy focusing and overall rough camera movement.
The soundtrack used is a somewhat amateur live recording of a stringed instrument, possibly a smaller guitar. This is very subtle in the background, adding to the light hearted and cheeky chap that is presented in the interview.
There are various interviews mixed within the documentary switching to voiceover with an exaggerated representation on screen e.g. oversized objects being used to express the amount of time using that object like a pencil.
My Dad
One of the more intimate documentaries I have come across as filmmaker Philip Bloom interviews his father. The documentary is interview heavy with great depth into his father's life, including; childhood, parents, struggles with alcohol and his children.
Only three shots were chosen - A wide angle, a close up on a digital slider and a medium close up. All three were used seamlessly as conversations were changed with the use of old photographs for visual aid.
As it was 20 minutes long this documentary had a number of soundtracks throughout although not noticeable unless you paid attention. All had a common theme of ambience, emotion, reflection and at the end nostalgia when his father discusses how he will be remembered 'an old fart'.
Trading Stories with The Printers
This documentary is a great documentation of legacy showing true craftsmanship in printing, two subjects show the commitment to the trade as they discuss there history and hopes for the future.
The cinematography is breath taking as the low key lighting and shallow depth of field capture the dust breezing in the air as both men use the machinery in the workshop. Extreme close ups are used for the tool selection and wide angles for interview to capture the men's workwear.
The interview is very driven as to why they still continue to be in business in a digital and more affordable age. The tradition is pushed with the closure of knowing that people from the local arts university in New Zealand are interested in carrying on the trade with the participation of classes.
A celebration of the Umbro Speciali 92 collection by The Green Soccer Journal
Although this is not defined as a documentary I felt it was very important to take not of once finding out that we would be filming a documentary around someone who is centered around sport. A very short and sweet film, building the connection between the subject and the sport.
The cinematography conveys a vintage feel with the use of surroundings such as; wide shots of the stands, tracking shots in the changing rooms and close ups of sportswear. All the visuals on screen are paired with the narration of the subject as he discusses his love for the sport and the clothing he is wearing and how everything is tradtition and color. The soundtrack is very story telling with the use of a quick to fast paced piano creating a ver emotional and nostalgic feel as the subject moves around the football ground.
I felt this film would be inspirational as I would find elements what to film when filming in a sports setting; fans, pitch, players, clothing, equipment etc.
Ben Edmonds - Blok Knives // Profile
A graphic designer turned metal worker as Ben Edmonds crafts knives by hand due to his need to be hands on rather than behind a desk. This documentary shows the patience needed to complete craftsmanship in the process of building a knife.
The low key lighting, shallow depth of field and warm tones in the color grade give a rich feel to the visuals of the knife being worked on. This is complemented well with soundtrack which is very post modern with ambience, experimental and trance feel.
This documentary could be shorter in showing the process of how Ben makes a knife but the interview in the background really does help you get to know the average joe with this aspirations being closer to the sentimentals of where the knife will be in so many years rather than its monetary value - "I'd love for it to be sold at car boot somewhere, probably being sold for 50p".
Sheila Hicks: Begin With Thread
A journey of a woman who has been weaving for years and is now recreating a piece she did for Ford Motor company's offices years ago. The film is very much based around the way in which a passion can live on for many years.
The interview is mixed in throughout as the process of creating the circle weaves are on screen. As the woman is of an old age she has a lot to say, discussing; her background, journey to art, creative thinking and her process now compared to earlier.
The soundtrack was very nostalgic as there was a piano being played with the thread being weaved, going back and forth from footage, drawings and old photographs from when the wall of circles was previously made.
No comments:
Post a Comment