Friday, 19 December 2014
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Editing process
As editor for Documentary, I was keen to create a story from all of the footage we filmed over the past few weeks. There weren't any major problems with editing, only a couple of days i was unable to go to an edit session but a lot of our filming had been postponed anyway due to our contributors; making the editing sessions pushed back a few times until we filmed the contributors. We began with plans to interview each contributor early on in the process and we had got in contact with them; receiving their approval to be involved in the film.
However, many times we came across different problems with the filming for example Kane (the General Director of The Forum) could not attend a couple of dates that Hannah had suggested we meet him and we had to wait until he was free. As well as our other contributor, Lucy (from Syd and Mallory) we decided to film someone from The Green Room; Bill, and he gave us a lot more to work with aswell for our Devonshire Area part of the film.
As we began to form a narrative structure for the film, we felt at a standstill as we couldn't work out a desirable structure to present our story. We didn't want to simply show footage of the city followed by shots of the Devonshire Area, with a couple of interviews in between. We wanted a more interesting and appealing approach to our story and felt we had to split it into 3 main sections;
1) Descriptions of Devonshire Area by contributors and footage of the area
2) Introduction/revelation of the issue (demolition plans) and footage of the city
3) Contributors talking about the effect plans have for Devonshire shops with footage of the quirky independent shops
It took us a while to figure out the structure we wanted but eventually it became easier throughout the editing process and included a variety of different features, such as screengrabs of articles featuring the demolition plans covered by a voiceover and also music we recorded from a busker we met one day while filming. Although sometimes the editing was shared between us, I took on the role in order to expand my skills and felt I have learnt a lot through this process and had the others also there to help me. Despite there being times of stress and not knowing what direction we were going in with the edit at certain times, we pulled through and found the desired narrative structure that we wanted.
However, many times we came across different problems with the filming for example Kane (the General Director of The Forum) could not attend a couple of dates that Hannah had suggested we meet him and we had to wait until he was free. As well as our other contributor, Lucy (from Syd and Mallory) we decided to film someone from The Green Room; Bill, and he gave us a lot more to work with aswell for our Devonshire Area part of the film.
As we began to form a narrative structure for the film, we felt at a standstill as we couldn't work out a desirable structure to present our story. We didn't want to simply show footage of the city followed by shots of the Devonshire Area, with a couple of interviews in between. We wanted a more interesting and appealing approach to our story and felt we had to split it into 3 main sections;
1) Descriptions of Devonshire Area by contributors and footage of the area
2) Introduction/revelation of the issue (demolition plans) and footage of the city
3) Contributors talking about the effect plans have for Devonshire shops with footage of the quirky independent shops
It took us a while to figure out the structure we wanted but eventually it became easier throughout the editing process and included a variety of different features, such as screengrabs of articles featuring the demolition plans covered by a voiceover and also music we recorded from a busker we met one day while filming. Although sometimes the editing was shared between us, I took on the role in order to expand my skills and felt I have learnt a lot through this process and had the others also there to help me. Despite there being times of stress and not knowing what direction we were going in with the edit at certain times, we pulled through and found the desired narrative structure that we wanted.
Wednesday, 10 December 2014
Final documentary: Filming
Filming: Bill (Barman at The Green Room)
Unfortunately, a few times when visiting the Green Room for an interview we were told we had just missed the manager and also the member of staff who he had recommended for the film. The manager wasn't keen on being on camera so we were told his barman, Bill, would be happy to get involved. We arranged a day to film him and although it was only possible close to our deadline we still wanted to get as much footage of those in the Devonshire Quarter as possible.
All of us were available on that day and after deciding on a location in the Green Room to film, we interviewed Bill on his views on the area and the plans/ Hannah was the interviewer while Sarah filmed and Emily recorded the sound. Although, due to being editor and not having an on set role officially, I helped with a couple of questions to ask Bill and also filmed particular features of the Green Room. I'd never been so fascinated with a building/bar before but the decorations and props were full of well known bands and vintage signs such as a Hollywood sign and artistic drawings of Arctic Monkey's Alex Turner. I also filmed an archway in the bar that featured lots of posters advertising band nights and concerts of unknown artists.
All of us were available on that day and after deciding on a location in the Green Room to film, we interviewed Bill on his views on the area and the plans/ Hannah was the interviewer while Sarah filmed and Emily recorded the sound. Although, due to being editor and not having an on set role officially, I helped with a couple of questions to ask Bill and also filmed particular features of the Green Room. I'd never been so fascinated with a building/bar before but the decorations and props were full of well known bands and vintage signs such as a Hollywood sign and artistic drawings of Arctic Monkey's Alex Turner. I also filmed an archway in the bar that featured lots of posters advertising band nights and concerts of unknown artists.
Monday, 8 December 2014
Filming: Kane Yeardley (General Director of The Forum)
Although we originally had planned to interview Kane a couple of times before, he had not been able to make these dates but finally we arranged a day where he was available in between his busy schedule. Although only Hannah and I were able to attend the interview, Hannah took on the role of cinematographer and interviewer while I was sound recordist in place of Emily. We still helped each other such as Hannah asking my opinion of the frame she had set up and also my questions to Hannah about certain queries with the Zoom. We were happy with the background behind Kane; a bar with staff busily working away and lights making the frame connoting a warm atmosphere; something we definitely wanted to promote about the Devonshire Area. Although the Forum isn't involved in the demolition plans, Kane still passionately gives his opinion of the plans and how all of the shops are essentially a community and make up the Independent Quarter.
One of the problems we faced on the day was a customer in the background constantly coughing throughout our interview and although Hannah asked Kane a couple of times to repeat his answers, we never got the full answers he previously stated. Also, whenever we asked him to repeat a question the customer behind coughed at them certain times again yet there was nothing we could do due to Kane's busy schedule. We also felt that in the footage, Kane's voice wasn't as passionate or vibrant as we had hoped but there was nothing we could do and worked with the answers he gave us; which were still opinionated and good for talking about the demolition plans.
Sunday, 7 December 2014
The Star: Celebrating Sheffield's Independent Traders
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/business/business-news/call-to-celebrate-sheffield-s-vibrant-independent-traders-1-6989289
As we were creating our film we came across an article celebrating the independent businesses in the area. This gave us even more reason to be determined in creating a film representing the quirkiness and independence of traders that are at risk of the demolition plans. This article portrays the traders in an optimistic light as it is 'celebrating' their presence and signifies the sense of community that appears in the Devonshire Area of Sheffield.
As we were creating our film we came across an article celebrating the independent businesses in the area. This gave us even more reason to be determined in creating a film representing the quirkiness and independence of traders that are at risk of the demolition plans. This article portrays the traders in an optimistic light as it is 'celebrating' their presence and signifies the sense of community that appears in the Devonshire Area of Sheffield.
Thursday, 20 November 2014
Final 2 minute Poetic Documentary: 'Made in Sheffield'
The final edit of our 2 minute poetic piece, Made in Sheffield, has been published onto Vimeo and can be viewed via the link below:
https://vimeo.com/112400276
https://vimeo.com/112400276
Treatment for Made in Sheffield
Made in Sheffield
Production Group:
Hannah Grencis (Producer)
Sarah Cooper (Cinematography)
Emily Spokes (Sound)
Heather Hall (Editor).
Length: 7 minutes
The Tagline: A unique area with a story to tell, before it is too late.
The Devonshire Quarter of Sheffield has always been known for its striving independence since the 1970s. Current demolition plans propose to knock down unique independent businesses in the area, leaving owners out of business and an empty, generic city in their place.
Made in Sheffield captures a community of Sheffield people; independent business owners who have grown up in the city and whose venues allow visitors and residents alike to experience a different and unique side to the city. They are the ones directly affected if these proposed plans for demolition get the go ahead. They are the ones who believe in their businesses and are passionate about doing something different and bringing it to a city that is creative and benefits from an independent sector. The film allows the people of Sheffield to voice their opinion and gives them a chance to openly express how much they care about the issue; how much the city benefits from these businesses and the truthfulness of the impact that it will have if the proposed plans do in fact go ahead. The film goes behind closed doors and delves into the smaller details of the stores affected, showcasing the unique work that they do on a daily basis, and the passion that they put into it.
Made in Sheffield captures a community of Sheffield people; independent business owners who have grown up in the city and whose venues allow visitors and residents alike to experience a different and unique side to the city. They are the ones directly affected if these proposed plans for demolition get the go ahead. They are the ones who believe in their businesses and are passionate about doing something different and bringing it to a city that is creative and benefits from an independent sector. The film allows the people of Sheffield to voice their opinion and gives them a chance to openly express how much they care about the issue; how much the city benefits from these businesses and the truthfulness of the impact that it will have if the proposed plans do in fact go ahead. The film goes behind closed doors and delves into the smaller details of the stores affected, showcasing the unique work that they do on a daily basis, and the passion that they put into it.
Our contributors tell us their own stories, expressing their passionate opinions, but they also show us. Lucy has worked at independent vintage clothing store Syd and Mallory for eight and a half years. Her business has already had to relocate three times in the city and she feels strongly about not wanting to leave, as she believes the store has ‘finally found the perfect place to stay’. Lucy found out via social media that her business was under threat of closure, and is currently fighting back by setting up an in store petition opposing the plans, in which hundreds of customers have already and are continuing to sign. The film captures Lucy creating items for her store and openly discussing how the demolition plans will negatively impact on Syd and Mallory as both a successful online label as well as a local Sheffield brand. Her passion and determination to keep her business up and running in the building which they have grown to love is clear; ‘there aren’t many shops like this are there?’, and her fight in the struggle to keep it is an emotional one – ‘everything that we do is in this building and it’s great and we don’t want to leave’.
Kane is the general director of the Forum, a small independent shopping centre, café and bar on the corner of Devonshire Street. He has grown up in Sheffield and seen his business strive in the independent quarter area, and very passionately believes that independent businesses contribute to the public’s positive perception of Sheffield. He understands and feels unhappy about Lucy’s struggle, as he holds fond memories of when Syd and Mallory was located in the Forum, before being moved across to the opposite side of Devonshire Street. He believes that the independent quarter ‘draws people into a different side to Sheffield, a side which forms part of the city and which caters for people who may not enjoy city centre life’.
Steve works at The Green Room, a small independent pub on Devonshire Street, which regularly holds live music nights and supports local talent. He is disappointed at hearing of the plans, as he is proud to call Sheffield his hometown and does not want the city he knows and loves to become just like any other. He worries that if the plans do go ahead, business may be affected at The Green Room, and that the community of people around the area may well change into a similar environment to the city centre – something which he believes should be firmly kept there.
The film documents how each of the businesses in this quarter of Sheffield are unique in their own way, creating an exciting atmosphere around the area. It captures memories of those who have grown up in the area and have seen it develop, and who are trying desperately hard to save it.
Made in Sheffield captures a side to Sheffield that sadly may not be around in future generations, but which needs to be captured as it positively stands today. It will celebrate the importance of independent businesses in a creative and unique city, and visually highlight why they need to stay.
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
Bill Nichols: Mode of Documentary
Bill Nichols was the author of Introduction to Documentary and proposed 6 different modes for documentary films:
1) The Expository Mode
2) The Poetic Mode
3) The Observational Mode
4) The Participatory Mode
5) The Reflexive Mode
6) The Performative Mode
We learnt about his proposals in our seminar and I also went on to research his 6 modes in more detail (referenced at the end of this post)
Expository:
Also known as the 'voice of God'
What we identify most documentaries with
Uses a narrator to give a 'preferred' and 'direct' address to the audience
Often associated with TV News programmes
E.g - works of John Grierson, nature programmes such as David Attenborough's 'Life Story' (2014)
Poetic:
Subjective expression from the artist/filmmaker
Uses poetic manipulation to reach an 'inner truth' rather than the objective
Mood, tone, texture and visuals are emphasised
E.g - Leni Riefenstahl's 'Olympia' (1938); glorifying the Aryan olympians during the 1936 Olympics
Observational:
Like a 'window' into the subject
Captured with the filmmaker as a 'fly on the wall'
Exemplified by Direct Cinema in the late 50s/60s
Often the camera rushes about following action as the filmmaker doesn't provoke any action
E.g - Soho Stories (!996),
Participatory:
Direct engagement between the filmmaker and participant
E.g - works of Michael Moore, Living with Michael Jackson (2004)
Reflexive:
Aware of the process
Constructed natue of a documentary and showing it to the audience
A version of the truth but not 'the' truth
Audience aware of the editing, sound recording etc
E.g - Dziga Vertov's 'Man with a movie camera' (1929); we see part of the film being constructed in the film as it shows the mechanization of Soviet life in the 1920s
Performative:
Shows the subjective nature of the filmmaker
Filmmaker is the participant
E.g - Morgan Spurlock's 'Supersize Me' (2004)
http://www.godnose.co.uk/downloads/alevel/documentary/Doc%20Modes%20nichols.pdf
1) The Expository Mode
2) The Poetic Mode
3) The Observational Mode
4) The Participatory Mode
5) The Reflexive Mode
6) The Performative Mode
We learnt about his proposals in our seminar and I also went on to research his 6 modes in more detail (referenced at the end of this post)
Expository:
Also known as the 'voice of God'
What we identify most documentaries with
Uses a narrator to give a 'preferred' and 'direct' address to the audience
Often associated with TV News programmes
E.g - works of John Grierson, nature programmes such as David Attenborough's 'Life Story' (2014)
Poetic:
Subjective expression from the artist/filmmaker
Uses poetic manipulation to reach an 'inner truth' rather than the objective
Mood, tone, texture and visuals are emphasised
E.g - Leni Riefenstahl's 'Olympia' (1938); glorifying the Aryan olympians during the 1936 Olympics
Observational:
Like a 'window' into the subject
Captured with the filmmaker as a 'fly on the wall'
Exemplified by Direct Cinema in the late 50s/60s
Often the camera rushes about following action as the filmmaker doesn't provoke any action
E.g - Soho Stories (!996),
Participatory:
Direct engagement between the filmmaker and participant
E.g - works of Michael Moore, Living with Michael Jackson (2004)
Reflexive:
Aware of the process
Constructed natue of a documentary and showing it to the audience
A version of the truth but not 'the' truth
Audience aware of the editing, sound recording etc
E.g - Dziga Vertov's 'Man with a movie camera' (1929); we see part of the film being constructed in the film as it shows the mechanization of Soviet life in the 1920s
Performative:
Shows the subjective nature of the filmmaker
Filmmaker is the participant
E.g - Morgan Spurlock's 'Supersize Me' (2004)
http://www.godnose.co.uk/downloads/alevel/documentary/Doc%20Modes%20nichols.pdf
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
Editing the 2 minute poetic piece
As we sat down to begin the editing process for the 2 minute documentary, we felt that we wanted our film to feature a combination of grey, mundane looking shots of the city centre in comparison to vibrant and quirky scenes around the Devonshire Area. We didn't think it could be too difficult to put our vision into a 2 minute structure but we struggled at times to figure out which footage was best left for the 10 minute piece rather than this brief.
As we played around with different pieces of footage to fit in with our narrative structure we decided to begin the film with Lucy; our contributor from Syd and Mallory, talking about the repetitive and plain lifestyle of the city centre. We played her voice over footage of the centre and also included sounds usually associated with high street chains, for example the self scan services in a supermarket. We didn't want to show any contributors' faces in this film so that viewers are keen to find out who the faces are behind the voices in the extended documentary.
As Lucy talks about the Devonshire Area we then showed footage of the independent shops with close ups of old books and records; signifying the variety of style each shop represents. We used these scenes at the end to see a brighter and more vintage theme throughout the area in comparison to the mundane, 'legoland' city buildings. Overall there weren't any major problems with the editing of this 2 minute piece, only difficulty we came across was exporting our final film but we asked a member of Stores for help and they managed to sort out the error for us.
Saturday, 1 November 2014
Research: Blight (!996) and Sound it out (2011)
One of our influences is 'Blight' by John Smith, where the demolition of houses in East London to be replaced by the M11 caused an uproar by residences living there. This film uses audio recordings, repeated constantly over scenes of houses that have been demolished and graffiti/road signs in the area. The voiceovers of residences recalling memories were interwoven with sounds of natural objects such as building work and cars. This created a poetic approach to the film while telling an emotional and real heartfelt story about the residences' homes being taken away from them. This is similar to the story we are wanting to present; with the demolition plans of the independent shops affecting those who work in the businesses, as well as the community who have grown up with the beloved shops.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yil33Hb9BpM
Another major influence we had was 'Sound It Out' by Jeanie Finlay, a documentary about a vinyl record shop in Teesside that is one of the few record shops still left open. The film provides a warm and friendly image of the shop to the audience as we see the customers who visit the shop, as one of the workers calls them 'random' but claims that is one of his favourite parts of the job. It shows scenes of a large collection of vinyl records and those working there comment how they are passionate about where they work, as well as their shop being the only vinyl record shop in Teesside. We feel a warm, empathetic bond with the characters and the faint sound of old retro music in the background also signifies the friendly themes. This is one of the approaches we would want our film to be inspired by and follow in the steps of.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8RkLfJEHIE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yil33Hb9BpM
Another major influence we had was 'Sound It Out' by Jeanie Finlay, a documentary about a vinyl record shop in Teesside that is one of the few record shops still left open. The film provides a warm and friendly image of the shop to the audience as we see the customers who visit the shop, as one of the workers calls them 'random' but claims that is one of his favourite parts of the job. It shows scenes of a large collection of vinyl records and those working there comment how they are passionate about where they work, as well as their shop being the only vinyl record shop in Teesside. We feel a warm, empathetic bond with the characters and the faint sound of old retro music in the background also signifies the friendly themes. This is one of the approaches we would want our film to be inspired by and follow in the steps of.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8RkLfJEHIE
Thursday, 30 October 2014
Research: Online petition from the public
As we were researching information about the closure of Devonshire Street shops we came across an online petition that had been set up for those who were in favour of stopping the demolition plans. This signifies the importance that the shops have on those in the area and how much an impact it causes.
http://publicaccess.sheffield.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=neighbourComments&keyVal=NC1WIKNYFY000
http://publicaccess.sheffield.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=neighbourComments&keyVal=NC1WIKNYFY000
More articles about the demolition
Throughout our research, we also came across other online articles discussing the demolition plans to Devonshire shops. This signifies the huge impact that the plans have had on the community that want the area to stay how it is.
.http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/the-northerner/2014/oct/23/sheffield-devonshire-quarter-petition-development?CMP=share_btn_fb
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/arctic-monkeys-drummer-backs-fight-to-save-sheffield-shops-1-6892207
.http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/the-northerner/2014/oct/23/sheffield-devonshire-quarter-petition-development?CMP=share_btn_fb
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/arctic-monkeys-drummer-backs-fight-to-save-sheffield-shops-1-6892207
Research: The Sheffield Telegraph
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/local/demolition-plan-threat-to-state-of-independence-1-6900184
While researching into the Devonshire Shops demolition plans, we came across a number of articles covering the story and in The Sheffield Telegraph it gives an overview of the plans, with opinions from both sides of the argument.
One objector says: “There has been a sad loss of a number of independent shops in the Devonshire Street and West Street area and there is now an over-abundance of coffee shops and food outlets, many of them chains. Devonshire Street has a unique character due to the types of independent shops which do still remain.”
We as a group also agreed that it is a sad loss having these independent and quirky shops demolished in order to make way for more mundane flats/buildings. There aren't many areas in big cities anymore that feature independent businesses, as the takeover of high street chains and coffee shops expand constantly.Unfortunately, as The Telegraph states, despite objections to the closures there still isn't enough business in the shops as hoped:
While researching into the Devonshire Shops demolition plans, we came across a number of articles covering the story and in The Sheffield Telegraph it gives an overview of the plans, with opinions from both sides of the argument.
One objector says: “There has been a sad loss of a number of independent shops in the Devonshire Street and West Street area and there is now an over-abundance of coffee shops and food outlets, many of them chains. Devonshire Street has a unique character due to the types of independent shops which do still remain.”
We as a group also agreed that it is a sad loss having these independent and quirky shops demolished in order to make way for more mundane flats/buildings. There aren't many areas in big cities anymore that feature independent businesses, as the takeover of high street chains and coffee shops expand constantly.Unfortunately, as The Telegraph states, despite objections to the closures there still isn't enough business in the shops as hoped:
Support may be flooding in for Rare and Racy and its co-owner Alan Capes, but he admits: “The business is not going fantastically.
“Everybody says we have an amazing place, and it’s a business everybody loves, but they don’t spend enough to keep it going.”
Adam Murray, the planning director of Coda involved in the demolition tries to give The Telegraph a positive perspective on the event:
“However, we believe that the character and cultural significance of the street is crucial and we want to retain that, so we have worked with our architects to achieve a design that respects this character but also creates internal space more suitable for use.
“Therefore the future appearance of the new building will be almost identical to the current structure and allow occupancy of the building to continue.
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Idea - Devonshire Demolition Plan
For this project we were told to create a documentary based on a topic that we felt passionate about and affects our lives. As we thought about ideas, we came across the news about the demolition plans for independent shops on Devonshire Street. As we found out about this we immediately were keen to create a documentary around the topic as the Devonshire area has been apart of our lives; despite only moving to Sheffield a year ago it still made a big impact on us and feel the voice of independent shops should be shared.
Devonshire Street has been full of vibrant and quirky independent businesses that were a pleasure to walk past as you look through the window on your way to University or a casual day out. The area is a nice breakaway from the city's cement and mainstream high street chains that you come across in almost every city. Devonshire Green is the polar opposite of this with it's open green field and skatepark surrounded by independent shops and pubs, for example Race n Racy, Syd & Mallory and The Forum. Although Ark is not an independent business, one of it's stores was situated further down the road of Devonshire Street and has already closed down; signifying the beginning of the area being transformed.
We felt this topic is important to as we would look forward to the days where a group of us could go to Devonshire Area to relax and spend time together as well as explore all of the vintage shops. We feel it would ruin the colourful and independent image of Devonshire Street that it has been widely recognised as. So many cities are looking identical with mainstream high street chains such as Starbucks, Topshop and New Look whereas Devonshire Street features Rare n Racy, Syd and Mallory and The Green Room.
Devonshire Street has been full of vibrant and quirky independent businesses that were a pleasure to walk past as you look through the window on your way to University or a casual day out. The area is a nice breakaway from the city's cement and mainstream high street chains that you come across in almost every city. Devonshire Green is the polar opposite of this with it's open green field and skatepark surrounded by independent shops and pubs, for example Race n Racy, Syd & Mallory and The Forum. Although Ark is not an independent business, one of it's stores was situated further down the road of Devonshire Street and has already closed down; signifying the beginning of the area being transformed.
We felt this topic is important to as we would look forward to the days where a group of us could go to Devonshire Area to relax and spend time together as well as explore all of the vintage shops. We feel it would ruin the colourful and independent image of Devonshire Street that it has been widely recognised as. So many cities are looking identical with mainstream high street chains such as Starbucks, Topshop and New Look whereas Devonshire Street features Rare n Racy, Syd and Mallory and The Green Room.
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
Facebook Group/Keeping in contact
In order to share ideas and discuss meeting arrangements, we felt it was beneficial to create a Facebook page and this has proved very useful. We have posted on this Facebook page about where/when to meet to discuss ideas, discuss the response from certain contributors and share links that we have found during research. Hannah also created a Production Schedule on the group page that allowed each of us to fill in the spreadsheet to show which days we are all available for filming and editing days.
Monday, 27 October 2014
Brief and Roles
The brief for our documentary piece was to create a 10 minute piece focussing on a certain topic that we feel passionate about. Our first task for this brief is to produce a 2 minute poetic piece that explores a creative approach to visual and aural storytelling of a topic that we are passionate about sharing with an audience.
For this project I am working with Sarah Cooper, Hannah Grencis and Emily Spokes and we all have a range of abilities throughout the roles so will be able to work well together and learn from each other. Our roles will be:
Myself - Editor
Sarah - Cinematographer
Hannah - Director/Producer
Emily - Sound Recordist/Editor
We were keen to work in these roles as they fit in with the module strands that we have chosen for this year as well as still working together so that everyone has equal amounts of work and not left on their own.
Sunday, 26 October 2014
British Movement
John Grierson
- Responsible for creating a film unit
- Wanted to explore a new form of filmmaking
- Gathered with some creatives to start a film-based movement
- 'Creative interpretation of actuality'
- Believes in finding the drama in mundane everyday life
- Responsible for setting up the first UK film board
Humphrey Jennings
- GPO Film Unit
- Mass Observation Project - still existent as an archive of everyday lives
- Poetic approach to subject matter
- Films include 'Listen to Britain'
Listen to Britain (1942)
Humphrey Jennings' 20 minute black and white film opens with a foreword from Leonard Brockington
'You too will hear that heart beating, for blended together one great symphony, is the music of Britain'
(Brockington, L. 1942, Listen to Britain)
'the clank of machinery'
Then cuts to a field with people working and watching the sky with spitfires/war planes flying overhead; in order to signify the population of Britain working just as usual during the war effort.
'roar of spitfires'
BBC Radio news comes on and a shop sign in the window advertising 1/2 price offers for those in the H.M Forces. We then see a ballroom dancehall; a long shot to connote the sense of community and optimism despite the war carrying on.
'the dancers in the great ballroom at Blackpool'
Another scene then shows soldiers walking through a field at night, singing Home on the Range and playing guitar
Saturday, 25 October 2014
Feltham Sings (2002) - Brian Hill
For our first seminar for Documentary we were advised to
watch a documentary and from the suggested list we were given I decided to
watch Brian Hill's Feltham Sings (2002). I suspected this may have been based around a community related
to singing yet I found out the documentary was based on a group of convicts in Feltham
Prison who create songs in their spare time. I found this documentary very interesting as I find the world hidden behind bars is a fascinating documentary topic since they are meant to be hidden from the public and not experienced by those abiding by the law. It allows us to witness what life would be like in this environment without suffering the consequences ourselves.
There are many long shots down corridors of the prison, featuring groups of
The opening scene features a peacock roaming a grassy area surrounded by dull, grey prison buildings and later on we see shots of prisoners walking down corridors. The film consists of interviews with the convicts as they reveal personal stories; creating a relationship between viewers and the convicts. The songs and raps featuring in the film are performed by those in the prison and allow the audience to see the convicts using their time behind bars to use certain skills and hobbies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glrA7XjPw7g
There are many long shots down corridors of the prison, featuring groups of
The opening scene features a peacock roaming a grassy area surrounded by dull, grey prison buildings and later on we see shots of prisoners walking down corridors. The film consists of interviews with the convicts as they reveal personal stories; creating a relationship between viewers and the convicts. The songs and raps featuring in the film are performed by those in the prison and allow the audience to see the convicts using their time behind bars to use certain skills and hobbies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glrA7XjPw7g
Short Documentaries
In one of the seminars Debbie showed us some short documentaries to prepare us for the module and the first one that we watched was Kevin Macdonald's Touching the Void (2003). This was a dramatic reconstruction of experiences and follows to mountain climbers who tackle Siula Grande in 1985. This is a gripping film that consists of dramatic shots of the climbers tackling challenges such as snowstorms and falling down certain parts of the mountain. This documentary allows the audience to experience such a huge challenge through the journey of two brave men. The shots in this film were observational rather than interactive, as it is showing the journey the two men took rather than their experiences.
Another documentary we watched was Grizzly Man (Herzog, 2005) which was a documentary retelling another person's story through the filmmaker's videos. Based on the tragic death of Timothy Treadwell, a grizzly bear activist, who created mini films of his journey and Herzog used these videos to share his story with the world. I personally enjoyed this film as it was the original footage of Timothy's work but only revealed to us through Herzog, due to Timothy's death. Due to the film being based on Timothy's own films, this is an observational documentary as we are watching his journey through his own footage and due to his death; no aftermath interviews were possible.
We also watched a documentary called 'The Alcohol Years' by Carol Morley (2002) and this was a personal film based on other people's opinions of Morley during the 1908s; when she was in her 'wild years' of partying and drinking. This documentary, unlike the previous two, features an interview style scene where old acquaintances and friends from Morley's past reveal their honest, and mostly brutal, opinions of Morley as she has almost no memory of these years due to the alcohol consumption. This was also an interesting documentary as those involved were not afraid to reveal their honest opinions of Morley and keeps the viewers taking an interest, as it is more of a social norm for people in front of a camera to say positive things in order to seem a good person.
Another documentary we watched was Grizzly Man (Herzog, 2005) which was a documentary retelling another person's story through the filmmaker's videos. Based on the tragic death of Timothy Treadwell, a grizzly bear activist, who created mini films of his journey and Herzog used these videos to share his story with the world. I personally enjoyed this film as it was the original footage of Timothy's work but only revealed to us through Herzog, due to Timothy's death. Due to the film being based on Timothy's own films, this is an observational documentary as we are watching his journey through his own footage and due to his death; no aftermath interviews were possible.
We also watched a documentary called 'The Alcohol Years' by Carol Morley (2002) and this was a personal film based on other people's opinions of Morley during the 1908s; when she was in her 'wild years' of partying and drinking. This documentary, unlike the previous two, features an interview style scene where old acquaintances and friends from Morley's past reveal their honest, and mostly brutal, opinions of Morley as she has almost no memory of these years due to the alcohol consumption. This was also an interesting documentary as those involved were not afraid to reveal their honest opinions of Morley and keeps the viewers taking an interest, as it is more of a social norm for people in front of a camera to say positive things in order to seem a good person.
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