Producing Short Documentaries:

From Good Ideas to Financing & Distribution

Dr Phoebe HartQueensland University of Technology

ATOM Conference3 November 2017

@hartflicker

Who am I?AcceptanceHumanity Equality UnderdogsHumourConnection

What makes a great doco?

Research is key

Obsessive character(s) with clear goals and high stakes

Strangely compelling, a fresh angle, “never before seen”

Ideas are everywhere

Don’t be boring!

https://vimeo.com/7296473

Creative risk taking in the class room

Allow the space for students to feel safe and confident to voice their differing views

Designing learning activities to foster ambiguity, playfulness and flexibility based on ‘a strong atmosphere of mutual trust and affective support’ can promote students’ creative risk-taking (Steers 2009, 131)

Lindstrom (2006, 62-3) suggests that providing flexible, playful, and open learning environments can foster improvements in creative ability.

Choi, Jaz Hee-jeong , Payne, Alice , Hart, Phoebe , & Brown, Alice V. (2017) Creative Risk-taking: Developing strategies for first year university students in the creative industries. International Journal Of Art & Design Education. (In Press)

Choose a style1. Expositional

2. Essay / hybrid / experimental

3. First-person / Participative

4. Observational

5. Autobiographical https://vimeo.com/13320867

Write it up

[TITLE] is a [GENRE] about an [INTERESTING CHARACTER] who must [DO SOMETHING DIFFICULT] and [ACHIEVE SOMETHING WORTHWHILE]. It’s really about [THEME] and I’m excited to work on it because [PERSONAL CONNECTION].

TRY IT OUT!

Scripting A/V split

A story / B story – narrative arcs

For a presenter led, it’s important to put VO or a “Nat sot” or “Montage” sequence between IV and PTC https://vimeo.com/112462609

Repetition is death

Shotlists are handy to have in the field so you don’t forget anything

Hit the Field A good “survival” kit consists of camera,

radio mic, directional mic, tripod, reflector, wide angle lens

Small vs large? Bigger not always better

Extension is boom pole, mixer, lighting kit (the Kino Celeb LEDs are great), steady cam

What people don’t often think about! Utility belt (screwdriver, sunscreen, water, etc.)

Hit the Field Crew a minimum of two people – camera &

sound

Often take a long time to get everything you need – but remember you can get pick ups

Ratio 1:100 is not unusual (particularly for Observational style)

Made in the EditThe edit is very important for documentaries

Story cards (A/B stories)

Selects, assembly, rough, fine, lock

https://vimeo.com/175568734

Archive

Value of pick ups

Fix it in postHow much can you fix in post? A lot!

Sound mix

Grade (some terrific tutorials on Lynda.com)

Animation

Titles & supers sometimes organic technology is more effective!

Financing It’s not cheap “It will always be a labor of

love.”

Student films can’t access money easily

Even indies need broadcast or distribution deal before they can access state funding

Clever ideas to save money.

CrowdfundingFamily & friends, acquaintances or strangers?

Small goals work better ($10K)

Preparation is paramount

It’s hard work

Need a team (social media manager, PR, rewards manager, etc.) – do radio & live events

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/276607986/handbag-the-final-countdown

CrowdfundingNeed lots of visual marketing materials

The “pitch” video – grab them from the get go!

Personal outreach (face-to-face, phone calls, emails) work best

“Nobody ever teaches you how to ask for money”

Distribution1. Broadcast opportunities (iView – Grad

Season)

2. Create your own screenings

3. Festivals & Awards (hint: ATOM Awards are well respected)

4. YouTube is watched mostly by young people

5. Partner screenings – are there organisationsthat align to your story’s message?

Thank you!