The changes we would need to make is mainly the Channels. We were originally thinking of using Channel 4 for this documentary. Our audience also said that they would usually watch documentaries on the Discovery channel. This made us consider using both channels, as opposed to just Channel 4.
Another change is in the interview. Our target audience said that they prefer a more intimate interview where you get an insight into the emotions of the man. To do this we would have to ask as to the attitudes to his work. We would also have to use Close-up shots to make the viewer feel closer to the interviewee.
Amy and Sophie.
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Updated equipment list. AL, SS
The equipment for the filming is basically the same, although we need to consider the weather when filming, too. If it is raining, then the sound will most likely drown out speech. To solve this problem, we have discussed using umbrellas and plastic bags to protect the camera from the damp weather and try to navigate the filming around the weather.
Things we will need:-
Things we will need:-
- Camera x2
- Tripod x2
- Plastic bag x4
- Spare batteries x2
- Chargers x2
- Shooting script
- Tape
- Interview questions
- Props e.g. things he will use like dogs, dog food and so on.
- Jeep - use this for tracking through the land.
- Day to day clothes that he can work in.
- Walkie talkie's x2
- Film x2
Monday, 10 October 2011
Next Steps. SS
The next steps for our group is to create an updated list of the equipment needed, along with the settings, the costume and make-up (if needed at all). After this we will need to start story boarding, and visit the location of filming to get an idea of where to place the cameras and where to film, and what he will do in each sequence. We will then arrange dates to go and film for a test run. This is to determine how much of the background noise will be picked up and how much we will need to prerecord to put over the visuals so the background noise can be edited out, or quietened.
Sophie.
Sophie.
Questionaire results. SS
Our questionnaire had a total of 7 questions:
- Are you male, or female?
- What is your age?
16-21
22-35
36-50
51+
- What types of documentaries would you normally watch?
Wildlife .
Institutional.
Medical.
History.
Gardening.
Biographical.
Comedy.
Environmental.
Health.
Nature.
Science.
General.
- what channel are the documentaries normally on?
Skt 1.
Channel 4.
ITV 3
Discovery channel.
- What do you like in a documentary?
Interviews.
Reconstructions of events.
No interviews from the camera crew.
- Do you preffere a male, or a female pressenter when watching a documentary?
Male.
Female.
Not bothered.
- Do you prefer a formal interview, or informal?
Formal.
Informal.
Not bothered.
Over all, the most popular types of documentary are
Wildlife, Gardening and Documentaries in general. This means that our documentary will fit in perfectly in this area. because it fits into Institutional, Wildlife, and Nature, too. all these three things were popular.
The channels that were selected the most were Discovery channel, and channel 4. These would be good to show our documentary on because Channel 4 airs such shows as, "The Worlds Sheepdog Trails" and "Squirrel Wars: Red vs Grey". These two are similar to ours, because the first stated documentary is about training young dogs to be professional sheepdogs. The man in our documentary also trains dogs, but for shooting dogs, as opposed to sheep dogs. The second stated documentary is similar to ours in the way that thus man is a hunter, wanting to rid the population of Grey squirrels in England. Our main character also shoots, but for birds, instead of squirrels. The documentaries shown on Discovery channel that are similar to ours are, "Alone in the Wild." and "Deadliest Catch". These two are similar to ours because 'Alone in the Wild" follows one man on his way through the wilderness. Ours only has one main character too. The second documentary stated, "Deadliest Catch" is about a team of fishermen, going on with their incredibly dangerous job. This show is Institutional, like ours, so this is why i put it down as an example, because ours is about a man following his day-to-day life in his career.
All of the sample we used liked to see Interviews in a documentary, along with the documentary following one person in their job. I asked them about the reasons for this, and they said that it interests them. It also was said by one participant that it connects the show together. without them, it is just half an hour or so following a person around. One man said that they like to know what brought the character to take on this job, and stick to it for years. Interviews give an insight into the person's opinions, and their beliefs etc.
In the question of Male vs Female presenters, all of the participants said that that they weren't too bothered which gender is chosen. They also said that the voice, however, must fit in with the type of documentary. For example, you shouldn't use people like Allan Carr in a documentaries like "Brittan's Toughest Cops". The voice must suit the 'mood' of the documentary. One person said that the narration should be someone who 'seems like they know what they're saying, who isn't just reading it off a sheet of paper'. This is a valid point, because people would loose interest in the program if the person sounds like they know nothing at all. Me or Amy would probably be the best choices for the narration, because we know about this kind of subject. Amy grew up with a Gamekeeper, and knows the industry inside-out. I am from a Farming background, so I also know some things about this subject.
As a whole, people are generally not bothered if the interviews are formal, or informal - with the exception of two people. I asked the reason for these two people's decisions. One man who selected. 'Informal' aid that he chose this because this kind of documentary shouldn't have a lot of interviews with people in suits, and such. He said that it wouldn't be true to life enough. It is not usual for someone to 'have a chat in ta woodland when you are dressed in Sunday best'. The other person who did not select the 'not bothered' choice on the questionnaire instead chose 'Formal'. She said this was because she likes the intimacy between the audience and the interviewee created in a formal interview. She explained that if someone walks when talking, some of the dialogue is lost, and it seems 'a bit everywhere'.
I also asked about the necessary of Make-up in a documentary. All the people said that they prefer no make-up because it makes it seem 'fake' and the realism is lowered. I thought of this after I had printed out the surveys, so i just asked upfront. That is the reason why it is not on the printed versions.
We can now use this information to better our ideas, and think more about techniques, voice overs, and other things like how and where to do the interviews.
Sophie.
- Are you male, or female?
- What is your age?
16-21
22-35
36-50
51+
- What types of documentaries would you normally watch?
Wildlife .
Institutional.
Medical.
History.
Gardening.
Biographical.
Comedy.
Environmental.
Health.
Nature.
Science.
General.
- what channel are the documentaries normally on?
Skt 1.
Channel 4.
ITV 3
Discovery channel.
- What do you like in a documentary?
Interviews.
Reconstructions of events.
No interviews from the camera crew.
- Do you preffere a male, or a female pressenter when watching a documentary?
Male.
Female.
Not bothered.
- Do you prefer a formal interview, or informal?
Formal.
Informal.
Not bothered.
Over all, the most popular types of documentary are
Wildlife, Gardening and Documentaries in general. This means that our documentary will fit in perfectly in this area. because it fits into Institutional, Wildlife, and Nature, too. all these three things were popular.
The channels that were selected the most were Discovery channel, and channel 4. These would be good to show our documentary on because Channel 4 airs such shows as, "The Worlds Sheepdog Trails" and "Squirrel Wars: Red vs Grey". These two are similar to ours, because the first stated documentary is about training young dogs to be professional sheepdogs. The man in our documentary also trains dogs, but for shooting dogs, as opposed to sheep dogs. The second stated documentary is similar to ours in the way that thus man is a hunter, wanting to rid the population of Grey squirrels in England. Our main character also shoots, but for birds, instead of squirrels. The documentaries shown on Discovery channel that are similar to ours are, "Alone in the Wild." and "Deadliest Catch". These two are similar to ours because 'Alone in the Wild" follows one man on his way through the wilderness. Ours only has one main character too. The second documentary stated, "Deadliest Catch" is about a team of fishermen, going on with their incredibly dangerous job. This show is Institutional, like ours, so this is why i put it down as an example, because ours is about a man following his day-to-day life in his career.
All of the sample we used liked to see Interviews in a documentary, along with the documentary following one person in their job. I asked them about the reasons for this, and they said that it interests them. It also was said by one participant that it connects the show together. without them, it is just half an hour or so following a person around. One man said that they like to know what brought the character to take on this job, and stick to it for years. Interviews give an insight into the person's opinions, and their beliefs etc.
In the question of Male vs Female presenters, all of the participants said that that they weren't too bothered which gender is chosen. They also said that the voice, however, must fit in with the type of documentary. For example, you shouldn't use people like Allan Carr in a documentaries like "Brittan's Toughest Cops". The voice must suit the 'mood' of the documentary. One person said that the narration should be someone who 'seems like they know what they're saying, who isn't just reading it off a sheet of paper'. This is a valid point, because people would loose interest in the program if the person sounds like they know nothing at all. Me or Amy would probably be the best choices for the narration, because we know about this kind of subject. Amy grew up with a Gamekeeper, and knows the industry inside-out. I am from a Farming background, so I also know some things about this subject.
As a whole, people are generally not bothered if the interviews are formal, or informal - with the exception of two people. I asked the reason for these two people's decisions. One man who selected. 'Informal' aid that he chose this because this kind of documentary shouldn't have a lot of interviews with people in suits, and such. He said that it wouldn't be true to life enough. It is not usual for someone to 'have a chat in ta woodland when you are dressed in Sunday best'. The other person who did not select the 'not bothered' choice on the questionnaire instead chose 'Formal'. She said this was because she likes the intimacy between the audience and the interviewee created in a formal interview. She explained that if someone walks when talking, some of the dialogue is lost, and it seems 'a bit everywhere'.
I also asked about the necessary of Make-up in a documentary. All the people said that they prefer no make-up because it makes it seem 'fake' and the realism is lowered. I thought of this after I had printed out the surveys, so i just asked upfront. That is the reason why it is not on the printed versions.
We can now use this information to better our ideas, and think more about techniques, voice overs, and other things like how and where to do the interviews.
Sophie.
Monday, 3 October 2011
Who would show our documentary? SS
- Channel 4. This channel shows institutional documentaries such as "The Secret Millionaire", and "My Dream Farm". These are good examples of similar product research because the first documentary follows one man, like ours. The second example is about farming life.Ours is similar to this one because it is set in the country.
- Sky 1. This channel shows such documentaries as "Inside Gatwick", which follows CEO Stewart Wingate, baggage handlers and travelers as Gatwick Airport is transformed into a more modern facility. "Emergency with Angela Griffin" is another show that is similar to ours in the way that it follows one person, in a specific institution. 
In terms of distribution, there are a few companies that we have in mind. One of these are "Blast Films". They distribute a documentary called "Squirrel Wars - Red vs Grey". This documentary follows a man who is set on destroying the Grey Squirrel population in England. This is a good one to use of our documentary because it also follows one man. He shoots animals, but not for the same purpose that the man in the other documentary does.
Sophie.
Saturday's meeting and idea's AL
On Saturday 1st October, i had a meeting with the game keeper about the documentary. During this time i asked for conformation that we can go ahead with the filming of the documentary. I also queried if we could have such things as:-
With the information that he has given me i have been given the idea that it would be best to perhaps do small clips of the shooting with a voice over due to some bad language. We could also then film on the second day we can see how things go back to normal and see what its like in the normal day to day life as well.
Another idea would be that we look into the preparations of the day and then end it with the clips from the shoot.
However, to persuade the female side of the audience, we could show clips from both sides. from the male view and female view. with this male dominated environment we can show that the females also have a role in day to day life. With this we could get an interview of the game keepers wife and film what she does as well.
With this information we can put these into questions for the survey to see what people prefer.
Amy
- interviews
- cometary
- inside views
- shots of the shooting days
- go all around the land (on foot, or jeep)
With the information that he has given me i have been given the idea that it would be best to perhaps do small clips of the shooting with a voice over due to some bad language. We could also then film on the second day we can see how things go back to normal and see what its like in the normal day to day life as well.
Another idea would be that we look into the preparations of the day and then end it with the clips from the shoot.
However, to persuade the female side of the audience, we could show clips from both sides. from the male view and female view. with this male dominated environment we can show that the females also have a role in day to day life. With this we could get an interview of the game keepers wife and film what she does as well.
With this information we can put these into questions for the survey to see what people prefer.
Amy
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