Step number three to creating an informative and entertaining documentary is having the access to pursue your project.
There are three different levels of access when creating a documentary. The first of which is the unlimited stage, meaning complete free range to do whatever, however and whenever the creator chooses you. This is obviously the best case scenario and takes the challenge of working around or strength and obstacles away from the director. A good example of this would be the current reality trends since participants are force to work with the shows and give them what they need when they need it. Therefore, the lack of bureau on interviews to use is not the main priority of the creator.
Then next level of access known as the limited stage. This is the category that most creators fall into. The restrictions provide a barrier to have a peasant of looking into end. Restrictions that might come in to play are time limitations, shooting on the location issues, pre-approval of questions, strict policies that must be followed, and legal issues.
Part of creating a good documentary is actually having the on camera time to follow the character development. When time restrictions are put into effect the rest pace generally place the creators in a must to use scenario, whether or not they can truly represent the story well. Depending on where you shoot, every location may require the specific policies be followed which can harm the production. This could lead to restrictions as far as capturing the true elements that define the subject.
If there was ever a way to dilute the reality of a documentary, rehearse and pre-approve questions are it. This also eliminates a lot of creative vision from the director without being able to want to ask what you want when you want to. The piece begins to lack the multiple complexities that creates the dramatic art and drives the characters development.
This can create many difficulties when shooting on location or shooting specific people. Policies are creates limitations and how the subject is capture and lead to a lot of details being missed. Therefore, taking away from a true Cinema Verite element of the piece.
Legal issues can make affect the outcome and certain points that the creature is tying to make by not being able to use necessary footage to better tell the story. They also put restrictions on what can and cannot be covered lowering the importance of the subject. Shooting with constrains can be use as a portion of the piece such as in this example of the Michael Moore Film, Sicko. The hardest over to work with is the restricted stage. Here, the creator has a toughest task ahead either the limitations bought on by waivers insurance, little to know on location allowance, heavy timer strain, shooting licensing and editorial review of the final cut.
Many aspects of your footage can be limited in many ways. Often celebrities are people who think they are celebrities where requires submission of the questions in advance as well as approval of the end product.
They may also require their own hair and make-up people and then may come with the technical writer then includes anything from a start trailer the certain snacks and beverages. Sometimes you get only limited access to the relocation where you are going to shoot. You may have time restrictions such as only 15 minutes to set up prior to the shoot. Always adhere to this demands. Many people be very specific as to where you can and cannot shoot at their house or location. If you shoot any supporting video such personal photos and letters, make sure you that you got a release for their use. If your subject provides you with newspapers articles or magazine articles you must go to the source and get the release to use them. Even if you only used and expert from the article you still must get the permission of the publisher to use it.
Many locations are requiring you submit a certificate of insurance and will usually state the level of coverage required. If you are using a production house to help you shoot your footage, its production insurance can usually cover this insurance requirement. This usually does not cost the production company anymore money. They just require a phone call of the insurance carrier so that it should not be passed onto you as a substantial cost. If no one is carrying production insurance you can apply for certificate of insurance directly from a carrier for a charge. Even though we see that the access isn’t always allowed, some creators use that element as a way to point out the serious nature of the documentary.
Not every subject can be captured easily. The idea is to grab the one that you have the most access too. Maintaining its realism and being able to thoroughly entertain your audience.
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