‘The Shut Up and Shooting Documentary Guide’ book combine my interview plan

I finish read the book four chapters, preproduction, imagine control and camera work, interview prep and conducting interviews. I directly organize knowledge point to my interview plan. It is a simple way to help me acquire knowledge.

Set the capture date: 21st February and 13th March.
First time, we will shooting indoor and outdoor of Ace cafe. Some riders talk about motorcycle and scenery shots. The second time, the main purpose is to interview Mark Wilsmore and add some footage.

Interview location: Ace café London.

Address: Ace café London, Ace Corner, North Circular Road, Stonebridge, London, NW10 7UD.

Tel: 02089611000

Equipment preparation: 2 DSLR Canon 6D, 2 tripods, and sound equipment（wireless lav mic and Short gun mic）. Reflector. XLR cable. Pistol grip. Dead cat.

enougn battery No 5 & No.7,camera battery, SD cards, glidecam and vocas.  zoom H2n.

The question is opening questions basically. 

Firstly, you need to know your subject’s name and title and spell their name out for you.

Framing and background: try to find a window seat in the daytime and try to find some element of that space that can help visually tell your story and get them in the frame.

Such as: helmet, leather jacket, motorcycle, and poster of rock music.

For the best visual effect, could do a little creative art direction on location.

Subject position

You should generally position your subject facing slightly left or right.

Pay attention to your subject’s ‘eye line’.

The interviewee should look at the interviewer not the camera.

Interview’s eyes are at the same level as the camera.

Check your frame to make sure your subject’s eye line appears natural and too off camera.

Appearance: leather jacket, t-shirt with motorcycle or rock star.

Fixing face: large nose should place key light at same angle/height as camera lens. Adjust to avoid nose shadow. Camera: avoid shooting from low angle. Avoid shooting wide-angle close-ups.

Release form

In addition,  release form need be signed. Try to get a signed release form beforehand when possible. Always get a 'verbal release' on camera.

When you shoot, give your subject instructions that will help you to shoot and edit the interview smoothly. My interview time should be an hour at most. All phone should be off, when the camera rolling.

Tomorrow, I will try to use glide cam and shoulder rig to shoot some video. Talk about how to use it and what problem when I use it.

Reference:

       Anthony Q. A. (2008). The shut up and shoot documentary guide. Oxford: Elsevier’s Science & Technology. 334.