For our task we were asked to create a short documentary on Mobile phones. Me and my group were given the questions and then went away to film. We filmed in a classroom and we used a videocamera to record. We recorded cutaway shots which we used a camera to take the images from.
We then transfered all our videos and cutaway images onto a computer where we then used Adobe Photoshop to do our editing. In our editing we had to cut out parts that were not wanted, and put the footage together with the cutaways. We then added Non - digetic music to the background of our documentary, as this is a regular code and convention of certain types of documentaries.
In the editing process we added in transition shots and used effects which allowed us to control wether the music faded in our out when we wanted.
During the filming and editing of the documentary there was not one main thing that stood out to be good, as it was our first practise. However working as a group, we were able to work well together and use time management effectivly in order to get the documentary finished by the deadline set.
We also followed all the regular codes and conventions in the sense that we made sure that the interviewee did not look at the camera during the interview. We made sure that she was looking the person interviewing her. We also made sure that the lighting was good so that did not affect the shot. We made sure again that codes and conventions were followed and we made sure the lighting was in front not behind. We used different kinds of images for the cutaway shots, that were relevant to the documentary. Another way in which we followed codes and conventions was we edited the questions out, therefore the auidence were unable to hear them being asked.
However there were many things that were not good enough for a documentary, and many things that did not follow code and conventions. Such as we did not use proper framing and did not also use mise en scene. Another code and convention that we did not follow was we stuck to the same transition throughout. We also did not use graphic text to say who were interviewing. There are many things that must be improved when creating a next documentary. Such as I must try and stick to all of the codes and conventions. The main thing that I feel must be improved is the framing as I did not stick to the rule of thirds, which I will do when next creating a documentary. Another big improvement I feel must be made is the transitions, as I stuck to the same one throughout it all, which made the documentaries look very unprofessional.
Overall I feel that for my first ever attempt of creating a documentary I did not too bad. However as you can see there is many different things that I do need to pick up on to improve my next documentary. I feel that next time I will be able to full fill my full potential and create a more improved documentary and have used this experience as a learning curve.
