On Saturday I'm going to shoot a documentary for a local band. I'm going to film them during rehearsals, ask some questions (but not sit-down-interviews, just ask when it comes around) I prepared and then film two shows of them.
I'm going to film on Hi8 (kinda fits the whole style - Jim Jarmusch made "Year of the Horse" partly on Hi8).
Any advice?
How are you mic-ing it?
Quote from: SpikeOn Saturday I'm going to shoot a documentary for a local band. I'm going to film them during rehearsals, ask some questions (but not sit-down-interviews, just ask when it comes around) I prepared and then film two shows of them.
I'm going to film on Hi8 (kinda fits the whole style - Jim Jarmusch made "Year of the Horse" partly on Hi8).
Any advice?
With that kind of environment, especially if it's a young band, you might not get very serious answers. Rehearsal can be a very, umm, joking environment. And they'll say the stupidest things too... things that may not be funny on camera. You might want to talk to them more before and after the rehearsal. Or tell them it's going to be broadcast on TV or something... they'll suddenly get serious and philosophical.
As I already said I don't want it to be too professional. It's just something like an "excercise" for me. I'm only 15 so I can't effort too much equipment, so I just take the sound the camera takes.
Concerning the joking around: I talked to the band leader on the phone yesterday and it seems that they take it really seriously. He wants the film to be good.
I guess then my advice would be to get a good microphone (and get a buddy to operate it while you film) if you can.
Other than that, good luck. Who cares if they fuck around or act silly? That could be way more entertaining than a bunch of guys standing around trying to be serious.
this is key for any documentary you do, which may be obvious I dunno: But get to know them first, if you don't already. If you know them, you can get evocative stuff from them. If you don't, it's going to be cold and probably a wasted effort. I mean theres a reason people go weeks, months, to visit their subjects. Unless youre Michael Moore, and youre just going around to try and steal interviews from high profiled people. But you know what usually happens in those cases. If this doc isnt personal it will probably not work as well as you imagine. Just a tip.
Feed them booze and drugs, turn them loose on young female groupies = recipe for success when dealing with behind-the-scenes music doc...
wow....i was playing house when i was 15....the good old days 8)