PRODUCTION: SCRIPT V4

With the newest version of the Script, Jemma informed me that we'll likely have another version coming prior to Production. So, for this reason I chose not to do a script breakdown but rather analysis it and the changes that've been made.

One of the biggest differences with this version is that Tanya isn't the main focus of the documentary anymore, now the screen time is split between 3 Drag Queens, Tanya, Conor and Oliver. Main points I've noted here is that with the interview set up I'll need to work closely with Jemma to ensure what we see in the interview helps tell each of their stories. On a technical note, likely we still won't be using the straight forward interview style and just keeping with the classic rule of third for the interviews (see example imagine on the right).

Page 1:

A lot of the footage from page one which I wrote up in the previous shot list hasn't changed, however after speaking to Jemma and Victoria they explained they'd likely want to film Conor either at his work (a hair salon) or at his home rather than him and Oliver at the Tom Thumb Theatre. One of the main parts of feedback Jemma and Victoria received on the script from our tutors Simon and Helen is that in a documentary we want to see more actuality than interviews, we need to see the people doing something relevant, Conor styling a wig works as in the script it's noted that he'll talk about his drag and that he's a hair dresser as well. We need to find something for Oliver to do however, as he currently is in training to be cabin crew so we won't be able to work that into it or get permission to do that.

Jemma has discussed filming interviews static and as actuality as well. Something I actually came across when reviewing Ru Paul's Drag Race. The clip below is a scene from Drag Race all stars Season 2 (Spin off series but same concept) where we see an example of this:

Through this clip we see all the Queens chatty and getting ready mixed in with their sit down interviews, the actuality pulls in the audience and the interviews give us both opinions of the Queens and the entertainment with their interactions. Jemma has said getting footage like this would be ideal, such as Tanya getting ready to go into Drag but also maybe interacting with her Dad, Conor would be styling wigs as that's something he does and then we just need something for Oliver. 

Page 2:

Amy is also still in the documentary so overall I have 4 main interviews to film. Most likely I'll be working with Jemma to work out the setting for the interviews but in terms of how we would shoot them I'd likely shoot the entire interview on a zoom lens (24mm-70mm Tamron) so that we can change the shot during the interviews for the edit and keep a 50mm Prime lens on stand-by in case we get any questions where we really want to change the look. 

For Amy and Tanya, there aren't visuals noted here. Tanya's section is where she talks about her school work, how Drag fits into her life and how she got into the Drag world, likely archive photos and footage from Tanya's instagram would be ideal for these parts but in case we can't get those I've noted getting the following cutaways:

- Tanya getting into Drag - Various shots

- Tanya styling wig - Mid shot

- Tanya styling wig - Close up on wig

- Tanya applying eye make-up - Close up

- Tanya applying make up - Mid shot (Various)

- Tanya choosing outfit - Wide shot

- Tanya's outfits - Mid shot (Various)

This footage I've noted getting to make Jemma's edit a lot easier, although I'm her Editor, as a DOP I know I need to get as much relevant footage for the edit so that there's never an issue with not having footage to cut to, it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. In terms of archive footage and photos, that'll be my job to find once I'm in the edit process. 

With Amy, I've got the same issue as needing archive to show Sink the Pink but also that I'm sure we aren't filming Amy doing anything, it's just a sit down interview at the Tom Thumb Theatre. However, I'll need to discuss this with Jemma and find out what she wants to be filmed and how she wants to show Amy so that we can plan the footage around that. 

The footage of the contributors and their family is simple enough to plan, in the previous shot list (see below) a few shots of the family with Tanya. However, now that we'll be seeing Tanya, Conor and Oliver with their families so I'll need to sit and plan out properly how to film these and also work with Jemma to decide what we want to see. Although the next version of the script is coming soon so I'll likely leave this until that script comes and then write up my new shot list. 

Page 3:

The last part of this page (Tanya going to Blackburn) is the same as the last script except that the event has now changed. Rather than creating our own event for Tanya to perform at, Jemma and Victoria found that Tanya has a Drag event up in Blackburn which we're able to go and film (separate post to be made about this). The rest of this page is mostly actuality (Amy's sections need discussing with Jemma) which will likely go on a shoulder rig to be filmed to allow easier movement and coverage. Since it's noted we'll be filming in a Salon, this could be very reduced space with customers and equipment around so it's easier for filming if we go with a rig rather than a tripod. I'll need to see if we can recce the location to sort sound and lighting out prior to the shoot. 

Page 4:

The rest of the script matches the shot list written previously with Tanya's event accept now it's an actual live event. I'll need to sit with Jemma and discuss how she wants the event filmed, I would suggest sticking with the camera plan we had for the Theatre but adapting it for this event, 2 camera set up for the coverage would work really well.