Had an assignment for film class to make a short documentary about an event that occured recently in us or our family's lives. Nothing great by any means, but just thought I would share it and get some constructive criticism. If i had more time on this assignment, I would have edited it better, got some different angles, and also lighten up a little on the color grading. Anyways, enjoy!
Short Documentary about a Ski Crash
- Thread starter S.C
- Start date
WillStart
Active member
nice work man! i actually liked the color grading quite a bit; it was a little extreme but it worked.
when you're shooting interviews, it's a good idea to seat your subject first. this will stop your subject from swaying if you have a nervous subject (like this kid). next, frame your subject on one side of the frame or another (rule of thirds). if you frame your subject on the right side of the frame, you're going to want to move your camera so that it's angled. instead of having the camera pointed straight on to his face, you want to move your camera about 20 degrees or so to the right. then, leave your camera there and stand directly in front of your subject. have him look directly at you when he's answering the questions. although he is seated on the right side of the frame, he should be looking to the viewer's left, and the fact that his voice is moving in that direction will 'fill the frame.' you also may want to get tighter on your subject, more like chest up. all that will give it a very professional feel when done correctly.
when you're shooting interviews, it's a good idea to seat your subject first. this will stop your subject from swaying if you have a nervous subject (like this kid). next, frame your subject on one side of the frame or another (rule of thirds). if you frame your subject on the right side of the frame, you're going to want to move your camera so that it's angled. instead of having the camera pointed straight on to his face, you want to move your camera about 20 degrees or so to the right. then, leave your camera there and stand directly in front of your subject. have him look directly at you when he's answering the questions. although he is seated on the right side of the frame, he should be looking to the viewer's left, and the fact that his voice is moving in that direction will 'fill the frame.' you also may want to get tighter on your subject, more like chest up. all that will give it a very professional feel when done correctly.
WillStart
Active member
yea this is true too. it's really up to the director's discretion. sometimes hearing the questions is cool because it truly gives the video a raw, documentary feel. but if you want a more clean and polished style, you don't want the questions.
also, if you're not going to include the questions make sure that you are very particular about what your subject says. if they start out saying 'alright well basically,' make them do it over until they start out saying 'on the day of the crash...' or something like that. you also want to make sure they begin answering the question in a way that lets the viewer know what the question was. if you ask them what their name is, don't let them say 'alex.' make them say 'my name is alex.'
also, if you're not going to include the questions make sure that you are very particular about what your subject says. if they start out saying 'alright well basically,' make them do it over until they start out saying 'on the day of the crash...' or something like that. you also want to make sure they begin answering the question in a way that lets the viewer know what the question was. if you ask them what their name is, don't let them say 'alex.' make them say 'my name is alex.'