More Thoughts on Process

I thought I'd send you a few suggestions when developing your process piece, to make sure we're on the same page, and to help jump-start your creative process.

First, check out this excerpt from Broderick Fox's book on Documentary Media (and by the way, he's borrowing heavily from Bill Nichols' writings on documentary film).

When creating this piece, consider the following...

• Selection - Films aren't made by just flipping the camera on and pointing it in the general direction of some action, are they? No, even with documentary, the filmmakers carefully select subjects (events, characters, actions, environments, etc.) and shots (establishing shots, close-ups, even specific interview questions, etc.). The same should go for your audio docs. Don't just switch on the recorder and call it good. Carefully consider what you're documenting, why you're documenting it, and then decide how best to document it.
• Composition/Juxtaposition - For example, just as shots are composed and then juxtaposed with other shots, consider how you're composing a piece of audio. Consider what's 'in the frame' and what meaning it communicates. Then consider how these meanings can be multiplied by juxtaposing certain sounds with others. Remember the Kuleshov experiments? Consider the potential power of dialectical montage of sound.
• Narration/Observation - Some documentaries are strictly observational, containing no acknowledgement of the filmmaking process. Others rely heavily on narration to guide the viewer through their navigation of the images and information being represented. In most documentary, there are elements of both approaches. Consider your subject--would one or the other approach (or a combination of both) more effectively communicate what you want regarding your process?
• Stylization/Manipulation - Just because we're documenting something, doesn't mean it isn't creative. Documentary is commonly defined as the 'creative treatment of actuality,' so consider how the aesthetic style might contribute to your piece. Does your subject (or your particular perspective on this subject) lend itself to a specific stylistic approach? For example, would your piece be improved by an overt manipulation of your audio footage?
• Probably most importantly, think outside the box. If I hear another 'getting ready for the day' process, I might barf. We saw more than 30 different processes in the in/out of class viewings this week. Make this a fun, interesting adventure in audio documentary making. And that means selecting an interesting subject and creatively representing it.