DOCUMENTARY: OUR IDEA LECTURE

We started the lecture by naming some of the things we've learnt over the last 2 units. I chose:

Casting - Working with professional actors on Students projects can be difficult as you can't afford to pay them. Being polite and friendly as well as selling the project best to them helps to get them onboard and being really friendly and professional while during the production. Feeding them on set and covering their travel really helps to keep them onboard and make sure they're looked after and happy working for you.

Locations - Saying 'I was hoping you could help me' is a really good way of starting a conversation when wanting to film at a location. This makes the landlord, land owner, etc. feel a bit more important and shows that you really want them onboard with the project.

Paperwork - With 'Shaun of the Dead' the shoot went really smoothly because I had done tech runs for the equipment, shot lists, risk assessments, etc. and this helped make the shoot go really well with no real stress.

Got the idea, What's next?
- Test the viability of the story
- Develop the script and rough schedule and a budget (if needed)

Where to begin?
- Research online, journals, etc.
- Get a better picture of the idea and the background
- Establish key contacts
- NEVER call any of the contacts until you have an understanding of the basis of the story.
- You can then prepare some basic questions which you would like to ask your contact.

Relevant background info:
- Legislation/regulations
- Organisations and experts
- Existing research - up to date as possible, if unpublished better - exclusivity
- Case Studies
- Previous coverage on TV/archive as appropriate

A 'Journalists nose'
- What makes your story worth commissioning?
- WHAT IS NEW - YOUR ANGLE
- Find a USP (Unique Selling Point)
- Who/what/when/where/why/how

Ethics and Representation
- It is important to realise that these are more than the subject for an essay or discussion
- There are groups which you need to be careful on, such as people with disabilities, old people, young people, etc.
- Representation refers to issues like:
Disability
Income/class
Values/culture
Ethnicity & Race
Religion
Sexuality (gender)
Issues e.g. crime
TOKENISM!
Youth/middle/old age

Relevant organisation
- For TV and Radio it is Ofcom
- Press Complaints Commission (independent self-regulatory body deals with complaints about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines (and their websites)
- Broadcasters - have their own guidelines and regulations e.g. BBC has Producer Guidelines

Where to you find characters?
- Via Experts - E.g. Doctors/scientist/professor/etc.
- Always meet the potential case studies in person, a safe public area with another person there. Take your questions with a pen and paper to take notes. Ensure to take details of your employer (or University).

Essential questions to ask
- Name/age/contact details - write down and keep it safe!
- Their availability - e.g. work, holidays, etc.
- Potential locations for filming
- Potential sequences
- If under 18 ALWAYS NEED PARENTAL CONSENT FORMS