Film Making 102: Process Documentary

What is a process documentary?

A process documentary is the filming and editing of a process, chronologically from start to finish, from the point of view of someone not involved in the process itself.

It can use lots of different shot sizes, types and angles to capture each step of the process in detail.

An example of a process documentary:

The main goal of a process documentary is to follow the process as closely as possible, the audience should be entertained not informed.

The Differences between 'Completed Action' & 'Process Documentary':

1. The filmmaker can't stop the process, once it is done it can't be repeated.

2. The filmmaker needs to capture as many elements as possible.

3. During the process the filmmaker must act as a fly on the wall and should have little to no impact on the subject

4. The filmmaker can't be the action performer, another person must be found to be filmed performing the task.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Changing Guitar Strings

My process documentary is all about my dad, Steve Whitehouse, changing the strings on his guitar.

He will be talking while he is performing the process.

I will have a master shot, a close up on the guitar and then a mobile shot as well - I am doing this so that I can capture as much of the process as possible.

The skills I have developed are; framing and lighting, editing and collecting all the information needed for this documentary. 

My role in this task was to film and capture the process being shown without interrupting.

Evaluation:

This is a good documentary but to improve it I would add some more interesting angles to make the video less repetitive. I would also improve the audio quality so there was less echo in the room.

Release Form: