Intercultural Films Project
Michigan State University—Crossing Borders Education
http://www.isp.msu.edu/cbe/
SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILM PROJECT: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Jeff Croley, Director of Theatre Department, DeWitt High School, DeWitt,
Michigan [email protected]
Objectives/Outcomes:
The focus of the Short Documentary Film Project is on understanding the importance of
pre-production planning, post production work, shot techniques, and editing techniques
by bringing visions to reality through filmmaking techniques and storytelling.
Students will focus on cinematic techniques as they relate to the process of
documentary filmmaking.
Students will understand how to tell a story by gathering research, journalistic reporting,
and by capturing usable footage that helps to bring the narrative and overall concept to
life on the screen.
Students will be expected to share their work with others and work with teachers,
advisors, and other student film makers to ensure that their work is celebrated and
showcased by sharing it with appropriate audiences in a variety of forms, locations, and
venues.
Prerequisites: time, passion, a vision, strong work ethic, a desire to improve, an ability to utilize
your assets, and the willingness to work and create collaboratively.
Materials: mini DV tapes, camera, production notebook, planner, headphones, extension cord,
tri-pod, as well as anything else that will help you in the creative process.
Documentary genres could include: social issues, trends in pop culture, discovery, historical,
health and science, nature, sports, or political.
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Short Documentary Film Proposal
The following items need to be included and should be explained in full detail prior to
gathering any footage.
You need to have a “Description of Project” paper that defines the following:
1. Clearly explain why the project is important. Describe the tone, style, and feel of your film.
What will make your film unique? Why should someone see it?
2. A description of the intended audience.
3. An outline of the beginning narration of the documentary (this should be visual in form
rather than a discussion).
4. Descriptions of locations and what type of access you have to the subject matter.
5. Define the people you will be talking with both “experts” in the field as well as those
“types” you look to include as fill interviews.
6. A timeline of events ---- this should cover the production details from start to finish and be
in a “boxed” calendar format. Be sure to include: production meetings, research, write
proposal, scouting locations, contact deadlines, shooting schedule, safety day(s), sound,
editing rough cut, final, premiere.
7. Production team duties – Define who is responsible for what? Be accountable and only
work with those you trust.
8.
Distribution plans.
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Documentary Update
Title of Film _____________________________
Production Name _________________________
Name of
Group Members____________________________________________________
Interviews Already Gathered:
Name
Title
Interviews Still To Do:
Location
Name
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Title
Location
*On a separate sheet of paper describe in full detail the usable B-roll you have already shot.
This should start with the location of the shoot followed by a description of the footage.
Accurate inventory of B-roll coverage will be extremely important when editing. Stay organized
by labeling footage often.
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Below describe the usable research you have gathered and how you will incorporate it into your
film (transitions, narrative, statistics, etc.). Be sure to include the source of your research.
Research may include any or all of the following:
(You must use at least three)
Headlining news and articles
Research from reliable published works
Research in numerical form
Old photos, film reels
Quotes from reliable sources
Cultural or social connections, etc.
Ideas for Musical Underscore: This should include some type of instrumental music that can
be used:
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for transitional issues
as an underscore if you have experienced sound issues in certain areas of your timeline
as a thematic link to encompass the overall feel of the film
to introduce the film or close it out during credits
Note: (Lyrical music may also be used, however; it should not upstage what is being said on the
screen)
Song 1)
Song 2)
Song 3)
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To-Do List: (These should be listed in order of importance)
Items to include on you “To-Do List” ----- Usable research (data, quotes, archival material, B-roll
still to be filmed or captured, location update, montage sequence, music, release forms, voiceover/additional dialogue recording (ADR)/narration, title text, transition ideas, graphics, artwork
for poster, credits and special thanks, rough cut, etc.).
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Documentary Checklist #1
 Define the primary objective for making your film. Type up a “Description of Project” form
which will be used to get people intrigued with your project and to ensure interviews from
experts in the field who you hope to include in your film.
Note: You should have committed to a production name and start to think about defining
duties and responsibilities for your production team.
 Questions for interview – You must define 12 questions that will be used for your primary
interviews. These should serve as the questions that provide continuity amongst your
interviews. You must also include a few questions to be used for “secondary” interviews
or “filler” interviews.
 Create a Production Calendar that will include the following: Production meetings,
tentative shooting schedule regarding gathering research, B-roll, interviews, and more Broll.
 Identify potential shooting locations to be used and start contacting those you need to
interview.
 Create an interview list of those you hope to interview and provide a master contact list
to define those you have contacted and those you still need to contact.
 Type up a “Talent Release” form: This form should be signed by anyone who appears on
film. Make one for Primary and Secondary Interviews and one for group signatures and
people who appear in B-roll. These should be taken to all locations and signed whenever
you get footage for your film. Anyone who appears on screen in the film as a
recognizable face should sign a “Talent Release” form. Note: Anyone under the age of
18 should have a parent or guardian signature as well.
 Create a “To-Do” list ranking in priority what needs to get done and who will be
responsible for getting it done.
 Make a list of needed materials you need for your film. This might include everything
from camera equipment, tapes, microphones, headphones, portable lights, ladders,
voice-over talent, music, etc.
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Documentary Film Checklist #2
 All B-roll should be documented – This should consist of the date, location, and
description of all B-roll captured.
 Continue to create a list of needed B-roll footage to be gathered and define an updated
shooting schedule to film.
 Continue to edit and look for ways to improve your film while constantly updating your
“To-Do” list
 Define usable research to be incorporated in the film. This may come in many forms
including archival footage, headlines and news articles, photos, quotes, numerical data,
etc.
 By this time you should have defined a specific list of primary interviews which will be
included in your film and begin to add additional interviews to fill in the gaps where
needed.
 You must create a “Rough Storyboard” which will take a close look at how your film will
unfold. This should include a detailed outline of what the viewer will see on the screen.
Include major transitions, primary interview placement, montage sequence, B-roll filler,
the use of archival footage, research, quotes, etc.
 You should start to define the musical underscore for your film. This may be Royaltyfree, instrumental music, or music with lyrics if not over used.
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Documentary Checklist #3
 Polish editing your film and start thinking about how it can be enhanced.
 Start creating a list of credits for the film. Include all talent, production team members,
locations, and special thanks.
 Define a poster, promotional card, as well as a short press release that will be used to
promote and create a buzz for your film.
 Make a copy of your film; put it on YouTube and on a DVD. You may also post it to the
MSU-CBE YouTube channel:
(http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYN7BFwb4MiuMqiW5tOEd6Q)
*Send out “thank you” notes to those people you feature in the film.
**Inform those contacts you made during filming and invite them to the premiere. This may
include anyone who appears in the film, those who gave you permission to shoot in specific
locations, and those who assisted you by providing knowledge about the topic or provided you
with valuable contacts that in turn were able to assist you in some way during the creative
process.
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 Student films can also be submitted to local or national film festivals as well as uploaded to
Vimeo, YouTube, or other video –streaming websites. The potential audience you can reach
is astounding. Take advantage of the technology and get your film seen by as many people
as possible.
 Students are also encouraged to look for ways to incorporate their films into appropriate
areas of the curriculum, showcase them on school announcements or even host a student
film festival at the school or local community.
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DOCUMENTARY (reminder list)
 Why should someone take interest in our film?
 What insight does our film have to offer?
 What is done?
 What still needs to get done?
You need to prioritize a “To-Do List”
Set small “daily goals” in order to complete this film in a timely fashion.
A production calendar will be vital and should be created early in order to remain organized,
communicate clearly, and allow for deadlines to be established throughout the production
process.
Create a detailed checklist of the following:
--- usable research
--- interviews
--- inventory B-roll footage
--- location coverage
--- take more B-roll footage
--- music (style, concepts, justification)
--- text/title art
--- triple check B-roll footage
Remember, when making a documentary film B-roll footage is you’re A-roll footage.
Create a rough slide show pertaining to the order in which you will present your documentary.
You need to define the order of your film and present information in a sensible, interesting, and
expressive way.
Other things to remember: Adjust your audio levels. It is crucial to try and get the clearest audio
possible. Is narration or ADR needed? Does music enhance (or detract) a segment? Did you
incorporate “ambient sound” or dead sound as an additional audio track in order to fill dead
spots? All of these items will be valuable during the editing process.
*Always use headphones when recording.
*Bring headphones to use when editing in class.
Make sure your interviews represent people who possess one of the following:
--- Candid and honest about the subject
--- Able to speak coherently about the topic
--- Offer a unique perspective
--- Passionate about the topic (this could be for or against it)
--- Knowledgeable about the subject
--- A recognized expert in the field
--- Offer a clear and precise viewpoint pertaining to the subject
Is your closing of the film appropriate, satisfying, and conclusive?
Are credits complete and accurate?
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