Further Ideas Research

World Book Day - 

World Book day is a charity event that is held annually in the UK and Ireland. It is a more local manifestation of 'World Book and Copyright Day' organised by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and copyright.

On World Book Day, every child in full-time education in the UK is given a voucher to spend on buying books.

Charity Background

"World Book Day is a registered charity. It does not raise funds for itself but does support Book Aid International and Readathon as its nominated charities, encouraging schools to hold special fundraising events for children less fortunate than themselves. World Book Day is not funded by the British Government although the Quick Reads element does receive support from ACE, DIUS and NIACE. The funding for World Book Day activities comes principally from the major sponsor, National Book Tokens and the UK book trade (publishers and booksellers)."

World Book Day is a registered charity, however does not raise funds for itself. It instead works to support Book Aid International and Readathon.

What I will take forward from my research -

• This information gives me an idea of what my video should promote. After learning about the WBD's aim of raising awareness, I made a decision about the cause of my video. I've decided that I want my video to promote the benefits of reading, and to promote the activities that City Academy arrange for their students to celebrate and raise awareness of the charity. 

Documentary Filmmaking -

I decided to take a look into some filmmaking techniques that are typically used in the production of documentaries. I really want my edit to be professional and clean cut, using a range of shot types to help keep my video interesting.

"The Five Elements of Documentary" - DVWorkshops

A webpage published on dvworkshops.com outlines the 'Five Elements of Documentary' as:

1. Interviews
2. Cutaways
3. Observational Footage / Cinema Verite
4. Process Footage
5. Archive

Interviews - 

• Interviews should be constructed with the person framed using negative space (roughly 1/3 of the screen) on either the left or right side. You should make sure their 'gaze' is into the Negative space. There should always be room behind the subject - never interview someone in front of a wall. You need to watch out for things such as reflections in people's glasses, as it can tarnish the quality of your shot slightly. This can be easily solved by turning them away from the light source. 
• The background of the interview is also key to the way that the interviewee is perceived. It's always nice to have a background that reveals something about the subject - for example, if shooting a interviewee with a scientist, you could have them sat in a lab with equipment in the background. 
• It's important to build your questions from people's answers. Repeat their last few words, and incorporate them into your questions. The use of open-ended questions such as 'can you describe?' encourages the interviewee to answer with more than 'Yes or No'

This information is useful to me, as I will be able to take forward these tips with me whilst shooting the interviews for my documentary. It has given me a guideline on camera shots, tips on constructing my questions, and an overall professional opinion on how my interviews should look.

Cutaways - 

• Shooting a lot of cutaways means an easier time during editing. It's helpful to get shots of the exteriors of places you visit during filming, as these can be added as establishing shots. 
• Always keep your eyes open for little 'shots' that evoke something about the truth of the situation you are filming.
• 'Storytelling' shots such as characters entering/leaving buildings, exterior shots etc. allow your story to be told without the use of a narrator.
• 'Emotional cutaways' can be used as a tool to make audiences feel a certain way. For example, you can construct emotional sequences with emotional content to sway your audience.
• 'General coverage' is important - for example, if you're filming a car race it's important to not only film the action; but the reactions of audience and other general ongoing actions.
• Close ups are important. The theory of film editing includes the definition of what makes a good edit visually. Theory is that you cannot edit together two wide/medium shots filmed from the same angle. You need to insert some close ups between these shots so the edit doesn't appear as a 'jump cut.' 

This advice is very helpful to me, as before undertaking this research I was unsure of what exactly I should film to add into my documentary. This has given me a basic list of the various types of shots and cutaways I could utilise in shooting. It has also given me some advice as to the theory of editing and how I should stick to it as much as possible to achieve a professional-looking final edit.

Observational Footage / Cinema Verite - 

• Essentially 'following subjects around with the camera as they interact with the world around them. Telling them to 'pretend i'm not here.'
• This observational material allows you to uncover the 'emotional' part of your subject's character. Adds a very 'real' feel to the video.
• There are three basic elements of character, and observational footage is helpful in revealing the emotional part of the subject. You see the way they try to get what they want from those around them.

I want my video to be very natural looking and laid back, so I feel that looking into observational footage has given me some great ideas. If used correctly, it could really help me to achieve the message I want to get across from my video.

Process Footage - 

• Essentially 'filming the process' of making your documentary. Could be seen as combing the behind the scenes footage of your film with the documentary itself. Examples of this include 'Supersize Me'

I am still unsure about using this type of footage in my video. As it's such a short video and always sways more towards the typical 'pop promo' style, I think I may just leave it out.

Archive - 

• The use of archived footage can be a really nice touch if your documentary is on topics such as history. Gives the audience a real insight into the past and something to look at.

My video is about present issues, so I think the use of archive footage wouldn't be very appropriate. However, it is an interesting method of filmmaking to keep in mind.

Lean in / Lean out footage - 

Interviews tend to be very 'lean back' or 'passive' material.

Observational footage tends to be very 'lean in' or 'active' material.

Observational footage forces the viewer to 'lean in' to see what is happening in the scene, where as during interviews viewers tend to 'lean back' more and relax as the interviewee usually sets out an explanation for them. If you use only interviews and cutaways, your video could get boring. By mixing these two types of footage together, it helps to change the modality of the experience for the viewer.

This is very helpful for me, as it gives me a basis to work from in terms of types of footage and the effect they have on the audience.

Bibliography

World Book Day 

Wikipedia Page

Not Dated

No Author Stated

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Book_Day_%28UK_and_Ireland%29

Video Camera Techniques and Documentary
Web Article
Not Dated
No Author Stated
http://www.cuvideocamera.com/types-of-shots.php

The Five Elements of Documentary
Web Article
Not Dated
DVWorkshops
http://www.dvworkshops.com/newsletters/fiveelements.html