Liverpool Maps

Some Maps of the area:

Documentary Handout

We were given a handout during our brief from Film Art (8th ed) by Bordwell and Thompson:


What is a documentary?

• Every documentary aims to present factual information about the world, but the ways in which this can be done are just as varied as for fiction films. 
• In some cases, the filmmakers are able to record events as they actually occur. 
• The fimmaker might supply charts, maps, or other visual aids. In addition, the documentary filmmaker may stage certain events for the camera to record.
• A documentary may take a stand, state an opinion, or advocate a solution to a problem. 
• They present themselves as factually trustworthy.

Types of Documentary

• Compilation film, produced by assembling images from archived sources.
• Direct cinema / Cinema verite, records an ongoing event as it happens, with minimal interference by the filmmaker.
• Nature documentary
• Portrait, this type of documentary centres on  scenes from the life of a compelling person.

Very often a documentary persues several of these options at once. A film may mix archival footage, interviews, and material shot on the fly.

Categorical Form

• The catagorical fim often begins by identifying its subject
• Patterns of development will usually be simple. The film might move from small to large, local to national, personal to public, and so on.
• Because catagorical form tends to develop in fairly simple ways, it risks boring the spectator. The challenge to the filmmaker is to introduce variations and thereby to make us adjust our expectations.
• For example, the filmmaker may choose a category that is exciting or broad or unusual enough to present many possibliities for stimulating interest.
• Another way is through patterned use of film techniques.
• The cateagorical film can maintain interest by mixing in other kinds of film form.
• A filmmaker may take a stance on his or her subject and try to make an ideological point about it, thus injecting a bit of rhetorical form into the film.

 Rhetorical Form
Where the fimmaker presents a persuasive argument.
We can define rhetorical film form by 4 basic attributes:

• It addresses the viewer openly, trying to move him or her to a new intellectual conviction, to a new emotional attitude, or to action.
• The subject of the film is usually not an issue of scientific truth but a matter of opinion, toward which a person may take a number of equally plausible attitudes.
• IF the conclusion cannot be proved beyond question, the filmmaker often appeals to our emotions, rather than presenting only factual evidence.
• The film often attempts to persuade the viewer to make a choice that will have an effect on his or her everyday life.

 Often, however, these arguments are not presented as arguments.
There are 3 main types of arguments the film may use:

• Arguments from source, the film may present firsthand accounts of events, expert testimony at a hearing, or interviews with people assumed to be knowledgable on the subject.
• Subject-centred arguments, sometimes the film appeals to beliefs common at the time in a given culture. Often using examples that support this point. Filmmakers can back up an argument by exploiting familiar, easily accepted, argumentative patterns.
• Viewer-centred arguments, an argument that appeals to the emotions of the viewer.

Filmmakers often draw on conventions from other films to provoke the desired reaction.

Some filmmakers present their basic argument first, then go on to show evidence and the problems, and explain how they would be addressed by the solutions argued for in the film. Other films start with their problem, describe it in detail, and then let the viewer know late in the film what change is being advocated. This second approach may create more curiosity and suspense, leading the viewer to reflect on and anticipate possible solutions.

Watch Docs in class

We watched some interesting documentaries in class today, here are a few of my favourites:

• The 'Making of' Dark Days by Marc Singer

Particularly interesting to see the problems of making a documentary (even if its an entirely different type of documentary than we'll be making) and how he overcame various issues. I found this film online as soon as i got home and watched it, here's a link:
Dark Days

• Skateistan

Interesting to see one subject (skating) being used to explore more complicated issues (wars and overcoming female repression)

Their website

• The apology Line by James Lees

The film maker advertised a telephone number entitled 'the apology line' and posted it around a  city, he then used this collected audio and aded visuals onto it. This is different to other types of documentaries Ive seen before as previously i would expect all footage (visual and audio) to be real, whereas here only the audio is real. It is particularly interesting the stories people tell and i dont think the created imagery does the factual audio an injustice at al..

Documenary Brief

We were given our next brief today. We're going to Liverpool on the 5th and 6th of March to shoot a documentary in groups of 5.
Our group is me, Jess, Emma, Alex, and Owen.
I didnt want to do camera or directing as i dont think they're my strong points but was happy to do any of the rest, Jess immediately chose directing, Emma wanted to edit, Alex chose sound,and thankfully Owen chose camera, which left me with producing, which to be honest im quite happy with. I think this role probably fits me best as im used to taking on a supervising role (thanks to sainsburys..) and im quite happy to organise the group and schedules etc..