Questionnaire

For further research into audience and public interest, I decided to create a questionnaire. Because I want to develop my pre-production skills from last year I showed each willing participant two video extracts from YouTube. Both were observational documentaries as this is the genre of documentary that I have chosen for my film. I used the two videos that I analysed myself in my research work ‘A Spyhole For Cats’ and ‘The Boy Who Sees Without Eyes’. I used this method as I feel that by showing my participants examples of work and then getting their comments and opinions on them, it will allow for a deeper insight into what is preferable in an observational documentary. I used 5 participants of different age and gender, so as to get diversity of opinion. The questions I asked were:

•How did you feel about the establishing shots in the two different documentaries?
•Did either of the documentaries move you emotionally in anyway way?
•Were there any particular camera angles or shots that you liked in the documentaries?
•Why do you think they were effective?
•Is there anything that you would have liked to see in the documentaries, that was not included?
•How do you feel about use of music in documentaries?
•Did you like the editing?

Analysis of results.

All of the participants said that they preferred the establishing shot in ‘The boy who sees without eyes’ because it introduced us to him, rather than beginning with him talking straight away. They said that because they had to wait to be introduced to the subject, it made them want to continue watching. Two of the three participants said that they were moved by ‘A spyhole for cats’ because they felt that they developed an emotional tie to the interviwee because he was the only person on camera. The other three said that ‘The boy who sees without eyes’ affected them the most, but this was due to his medical condition, rather than the style of documentary. All five participants said that they particularly liked the close-up’s as they felt that they portrayed a sense of vulnerability in the subjects, and made the documentary more personal rather than subjective. This will be a point to take into consideration when shooting my documentary. They also liked that they were shown shots of their homes and the area that they live in. One participant said that they would have preferred to see the buyers of the subjects work in ‘A spyhole for cats’. One participant felt that the lack of music in ‘A spyhole for cats’ was effective, however the rest disagreed saying it lacked a lot of emotion without an audio track. So I will continue with my original plan to use music. All said that they preferred the lack of transitions in the documentaries, and preferred the use of clean cuts, as it portrays the footage as being more true to actuality.

Consent Form

Before the shoot I also developed a consent form for the participant to sign. This acted a disclaimer for the video. I stated that the video would only be uploaded for educational purposes which she willingly signed.

Story Board

I developed this storyboard after my location recce, so that I could see in both the filming and editing process what I needed to shoot and what order it needed to go in. Each shot included the duration, lighting and audio, to help in the editing process.

Location Reconnaissance

Location Reconnaissance
When first visiting Halls bookshop in Tonbridge Wells I looked at the lighting inside. This was a main priority as I needed to decide how many dedo lights to use on the shoot. There is sufficient natural daylight providing that I film during the day, so only a few dedo lights will need to be used, if any at all. There is a large window at the front of the shot which is a good source of natural light, and there are artificial light sources around the property, however with the font window being so prominent will hopefully give a lot of light. I will try to use as much natural light as possible as I wish it to be mood lighting. This will be extremely helpful when filming as light will not be a significant problem.

The next thing that I needed to check was the buzz track. To create the effect of realism that I want I think that the buzz track will prove very important. In the shop there are general noises in the shop; customers walking around, flicking through book and talking to the staff. I think that this will create the sort of ambiance that I wish to portray in the documentary. The buzz track will feature throughout the interview, this way I think it will create an effect on the audience and make them feel as if they are experiencing life inside the shop.

Also after scoping the location I found that there were two 250 volt plugs behind the shop desk for a source of power for electrical equipment. I was also able to look at good places to take shots of this idyllic location. I decided that I would film the subject in a small office filled with books.

By visiting the shop I was also able to talk to the owner which has allowed me to develop questions to ask in the interview that are relevant. It also allowed me to get some primary information about the shop and its history.

I have also located the nearest hospital, fire station and police station, in case of an emergency whilst filming.

•Tunbridge Wells Police Station- Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2LU

•Kent Fire Brigade- London Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 0BB

•Kent & Sussex Hospital- Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8AT, Tel: 01892 526111

Treatment

Treatment

Working Title: A Bookumentary

Genre: Observational documentary

Media Format: Flash drive

Synopsis: Focusing on a bookshop in Tunbridge Wells looking at the history of the bookshop and whether independent bookshops can survive against large chain stores. Interview the owner of the bookshop, they will be the subject and tell the bookshops story and how they came to own the bookshop. They will give their opinion on whether they believe it is a dying trade. We will also see the everyday workings of the bookshop, who comes in and out and what goes on.

Target Audience: This is a documentary for a niche market; A large age range, anyone who is interested in books. Middle to upper class people of society, as they would have to be well read to take an interest on this topic, and also to be able to buy expensive books. English Literature students as they often have to buy books. Finally bookshop owners.

Suggested Elements: close-up’s of old dusty books. Mood lighting, quite dingy. Create an emotional tie from the viewer to the subject.

Interview Questions

•Can you tell us your name and how long you have worked and owned the bookshop?
•Can you tell us about the history of the bookshop?
•Do you enjoy working in the bookshop?
•Can you describe changes you have seen in the bookshop since you have been here?
•What qualities do you think your bookshop has that the big chain stores don’t?
•How do you think that the bookshop has survived with so many others closing down?
•Do you think that independent bookshops can survive against chain stores selling at such low prices?

These are the core questions that I plan to ask in my interview of the shop owner. I feel that they will cover enough time, as the answers will be elaborated on, and more will be asked based on her answers.

Budget

Due to the nature of this project I will only have a small budget. I am aiming for this to be around fifty pounds. I believe that this budget can be met as there is very little that I have to but in the way of equipment, most will be borrowed. The main outlet of money will be for the media storage flash drive which will cost in the region of twenty pounds. The lighting kit and camera will be borrowed and I have no talent to pay as my project is a documentary. The only other outgoings will be on travel to and from the location of filming. This will either be achieved by train or car, so I will be paying for train fare or petrol. Because of the small number of things that I need to pay for I believe fifty pounds will be a sufficient budget.