Hey guys, here is the latest version of my doc. I definitely need some feedback so if you have time, please let me know what you think!  Also, the current graphic to explain the structure is just a filler and is going to be replaced.

I’m specifically looking for two kinds of feedback (so I’d prefer if you pick one of these to think about instead of trying to do both at the same time):

1. Overall clarity and story:

• where are you confused?
• what part feel redundant/over-explained?
• is there a missing shot or visual that would help?
• any issues with the order of clips?

2. Color correction: I’ve started color correction but haven’t gotten very far. I’ve been looking at this too much so an objective set of eyes would be nice.

• what clips bother you the most? (please give me times)
• if a clip bothers you, can you explain what you don’t like about it? (exposure, color, etc.)

 

Hey guys,

Here is my rough cut. I can’t show all of it in class because it’s 20 minutes so feel free to watch it before or after if you get a chance. Still working on color and sound but am looking for overall comments on scene, sequence, and overarching structures. Also, if you see something that stands out to you or doesn’t work for you, let me know!

Hey guys,

So my structure is a little further along now and I exported my project in one file. I wanted to do this before fall break so I could reflect on what I had since I won’t be able to edit. I’m still fine tuning and playing around (especially with the food pantry bit) but would appreciate any feedback on the following:

• what cuts are the most powerful/informative?
• what shots are superfluous and can be cut/cut down?
• general comments on the beginning and ending (any suggestions for visuals in the blank space in the beginning?)
• things that you think are missing
• music suggestions are very very welcome

Thanks!

Hey guys,

Here are the basic building blocks of my capstone (split into three parts at the moment).  The beginning and end are in the works still. I’d really appreciate your feedback on the following:

• overall structure/flow–does it seem awkward or forced? What would make the transition easier for you?
• cutting down the clips–what information is redundant/unnecessary? What moments do you think are most valuable?
• would stop motion or some kind of animated sequence throughout help tie things together or would it be obtrusive with the tone?
• where do I need to breathe?

Please keep in mind that sound and color our in progress! (Also the statistic is just a rough place holder right now)

 

I’m currently reading a book about making documentaries for one of my other classes which has been extremely helpful in working on my capstone (although I wish I had read it before starting).  The book, which is called Documentary Storytelling has a section about going from raw footage to rough cuts to fine cuts to picture locks.  Reading more about the process has been extremely helpful in knowing what’s to come and also has made me reflect upon what would have made this project easier.  I think, in the future, given more time and perhaps more manpower, I will start working towards a rough cut through paper editing.  Transcribing interviews, especially when I am working with so many, would be helpful in determining story structure.  Rather than watching each clip over and over and trying to piece together cohesive bits of audio, I would simply cut and paste sections of the transcript into a readable outline of the story.  Unfortunately, I think I may be too far into the process for this to be extremely useful but I think that I will try typing up the audio of my current edit and try reading it to see if it makes sense.

While working on this project, I also hope to be a useful resource to other students.  In terms of narrative films, I am extremely interested in production design and could be helpful in creating props, designing/advising on sets, and a number of other tasks that would normally fall to the art department.  I have experience painting, sculpting, and drafting if any of these skills are needed.  Although I am not experienced in screenplay writing, I do have experience editing (in terms of writing mechanics) and have also read and watched a great deal of sci-fi/fantasy which could be useful for those looking to talk about ideas.  I can also help film if necessary and have picked up a number of useful sound recording techniques that may be helpful to those filming narratives or documentaries.  For those looking for actors, I have a number of friends in the theater department and would be more than happy to direct them towards capstone projects.  I may also be a useful resource for Matt’s Greek life project as I’m in a sorority and for Lauren’s essay in the form of research and editing help.

Networking Hunger is a 25-30 minute documentary investigating the current state of hunger in Easton, Pennsylvania and the coordination of efforts to alleviate this pressing issue.  The film explores ways that hunger is and can be addressed on a local level and directs audiences to a variety of food recovery resources.  The programs highlighted in Networking Hunger showcase how people have come together to address the issue in recent years as well as the importance of local and regional collaboration.  The film reflects upon these efforts by asking what additional resources are needed to expand the food recovery network in the near future.

While reading Anne Bogart’s book And Then, You Act, I came across several sections that struck a chord with my fears/approach to capstone.  I realize that making a documentary is an enormous undertaking and I also know that I do not make my best work while under a time crunch.  Bogart says several things that encourage me to think more closely about my relationship to the deadlines and my creative process:

“keep moving and slow down, simultaneously”

“The purpose of slowing down is to make room to create the space to think like someone else”

“Pressure can render you stupid and make you rush”

“Time is a partner rather than an enemy”

“You cannot force things to happen at a particular time, but you can prepare and pave the way for the eventuality of expression in the same way that you pave the way for visits of inspiration in your daily life: you create the proper conditions and circumstances. And then you act.”

I think that these quotes will be very helpful in reminding me that I can’t force myself to be creative at a particular moment and that I must instead set aside substantial amounts of time to assess my work and hopefully draw inspiration from working with the material.

For my capstone project, I plan to investigate the issue of food insecurity in Easton through a short documentary film (I’m thinking 15-30 minutes).  My focus for this project will be on the initiatives to alleviate hunger in the area—meaning that I will have a more solution-based than problem-based product.  I’m choosing to focus on the solutions firstly because I’ve seen documentaries on hunger in the US that are primarily problem-based and I don’t want to remake what’s already been done.  My second motivation for this project stems from my involvement in the Landis program “Meals at Third Street” for the past 4 semesters in which a group of Lafayette students go down to the Third Street Alliance, a transition shelter for women and children that doesn’t provide food, and cook a meal once a week.  Through this experience, I have seen specific instances of how children and adults experience hunger and the affects that having a healthy meal can have.  I’m also involved in the Lafayette Hunger Coalition where I’ve learned about several other programs in the Lehigh Valley area that focus on increasing access to food.  I think that this project is timely in light of the creation of the Easton Public Market to increase food access and have recently spoken to an event coordinator at the Nurture Nature Center to learn more about the issue.  My documentary will involve interviews with program coordinators and those who have received aid through the programs.  I believe that this film will bring awareness and support for these problems in Easton while simultaneously offering ideas and inspiration for other areas (specifically my home town) where hunger initiatives are largely absent.

I could really use some feedback on how to structure this documentary. I don’t have a central character and am trying to find a way to connect the various programs. I’ve got footage from the Easton Hunger Coalition Meeting which tries to get programs to collaborate but I’m not sure if that would work as an opener, a conclusion, etc. Let me know what you think!