Brief interpretation & Proposal | Unit 1 Fmp Max C 1

Interpretation and understanding of brief:

Types of products you could create ?

We are limited to creating a documentary, however we are allowed to use any form of doc and implement any new elements we have/will learn to impress with the final edit

Length, aims, cuts... what do you think you need to do to be successful ?

In order to be successful, this major project needs to be planned correctly. I have often skipped many factors of pre-production and found myself behind schedule and even stuck when filming. One of the most important things is deciphering how long each shot will be and how they tie together, including when I would like to add B-roll.

What's the purpose and who could your audience be ?

The purpose of my documentary is not clear yet as this is hour 1 of my brief and ideas, however, I do know that I would like my doc to surround the beauty of football... both on and off the pitch. My audience are people who love sports, especially/preferably football and even those who just enjoy interesting and enlightening documentaries.

Initial thoughts and reflections of the project ?

My first thoughts of this project are gripping yet intrigued. This is a solo project, therefore it requires a lot of responsibility, raw ideas and skills which can be very challenging. However, this is a challenge I am looking forward to and would love to tackle with all my knowledge and skills to be able to display all that I have learnt. My intrigue comes from the limitless potential that documentaries have and what I am able to produce with the resources I will be given.

The Beauty Of The Game Mood Board

Inspiration - other docs

Quick intro to grip the audiences attention immediately. Open with captivating and intriguing voice-overs. Wide-shot with title of the film, after the opening clip.

Things like subtitles are very important and a proper explanation with the voice-over is essential. Include a storyline for the viewers to follow.

Lighting needs to have the triangle shadow on the opposite cheek. Use a bed sheet to lift the shadows. Boom pole... good audio is essential. Lots of B-roll and stock footage of cities, football grounds and relevant locations etc.

Intense background music and lots of quick interview cuts with shots of B-roll and the main focus. Dramatic titles and shots to introduce myself as producer. Some base drops aswell

Idea discussion:

1. My first synopsis for a documentary about football is the evolution of the game. The way football has changed through time and to gather direct accounts of past and present footballing experiences. Preferably using my family as the past experienced interviewees and my friends as the current experiencing interviewees. This would include constant B-roll and voiceover.

2. My second synopsis for a football inspired documentary is one that is filmed and edited like a true-crime. This will highlight and talk about violations of financial fair play and other football related crimes. I lean towards this idea as crime-related documentaries are very captivating, interesting and entertaining.

3. My third synopsis for a football documentary is one that shows the footballers specifically, on and off the pitch. This will engage the viewers and help show them what life is like as a footballer beyond just kicking the ball. This would be harder though as I wouldn't be able to get any professionals for a first-hand account or interview.

Mind Map:

Main Focus:

- Football's evolution and simple beauty.

- The passion of the supporters

- What it takes to be a fan whilst following and loving your team.

Mood:

- Displaying emotion and passion

- Love for football

- An enthusiastic, lively and supportive mood

- Hair-raising once in a lifetime experiences

Themes:

- Football

- Sport

- Scenery

- Passion

- Enjoyment

- Money

Football
Documentary

Locations:

- B-roll of football pitches and matches

- Stock footage of cities... drone shots

- Interview locations in Theo and Mother's houses

Audience:

- Footballers and fans

- Film/documentary enthusiasts

- Business finance workers

- Documentary enjoyers

Style:

- Well-edited into

- Fast paced throughout

- Dramatic close-ups

- Snappy B-roll and tackling shots

- Close-up action shots

Characters:

- Grandparent

- Uncle

- Friends x3

- Big stars / footballers

- clubs like United, City, Chelsea etc

Key aspects:

- Show-off editing such as background credits and music cuts and syncs

- Quick photo shots to show actions

Additional sketches of interview ideas:

Interview Sketch

Action Shot

Football Pitch high-shot

Football Through Time Mood Board

Vision Board

Photography examples:

These are real-life examples of cinematic action shots that I hope to replicate for my documentary. This is me playing for my local Saturday team in the U17 Villa knockout Semi Final in which our game was being filmed and photographed. These close up, fast paced shots are perfect for what I'm trying to achieve when connecting the audience to the players and so I have used these as examples of what I will display in my doc.

Idea discussion review:

Idea 1 has positives like its intimacy with my family and their first-hand experiences of games, fans, injuries and even emotions.

Another positive is the quantity of raw footage of my own games and how they implement me as a director, producer, cameraman and actor to impress the audience and achieve high marks.

Idea 1 also has negatives, like its complexity.

This idea would take very long to film and to piece together, it would also include asking for the footage of my games of which their is limited of and it may not be engaging.

Idea 2 is less about the game of football and surrounds more of the business side and the finances which my peers pointed out as a problem due to the title being about a hobby... the playing football is my hobby, not the money.

On top of that, this idea is more common and works best in the crime style, which is not what anyone would expect when thinking of a hobby and they may mistake my hobby for being a criminal.

Ideas 2 however is very captivating.

I have watched many true crime documentaries and I feel as though I would know how to shoot and edit this one the best. This is a positive as I could achieve the highest praise for this idea.

Idea 3 has its limitations as I do not know any professional footballers and I don't have access to interview any for first-hand accounts on what it is like beyond the pitch as a professional.

This would be difficult to engage the audience and is one of my less intimate and inspiring ideas which sways me away from it.

However, idea 3 has its strengths as lots of people are interested in life off the pitch and what it is like to live in such luxury.

People are not only interested in the luxury but also the mental strength that these footballers have and how they deal with stress, hate, racism and so on.

Project needs:

1 - "Equipment needs" - Camera, Tripod, Lights, Bed Sheet, Mic, Football Shirt, Boots, Kit, Football

2 - "Set/Location timing needs" - Mr Morris' Office, Midday, Football Pitch, Morning Time, Grandparent's House, Midday, Uncle's House, midday.

3 - "Contributor needs" - I need someone who played football in the 50s/60s, I need someone who played football in the 70s/80s and I need someone who plays football in the modern era.

4 - "Budget needs" - My project shouldn't require any spending money and therefore I do not need a budget.

5 - "Audiences" - My audience is mainly a football loving one that enjoys hearing how football was in the olden days and how it has evolved. This is also for those who feel strongly about the negative or positive influence technology has on sports.

Idea Presentation:

Reflection:

1. Why did you choose the final idea?

This idea appealed to me and my peers the most due to its intimacy. I feel as though it is invaluable to interview personal, first-hand experiences of hobbies and what we're documenting. This makes the documentary so much more entertaining and engaging, whilst also encouraging people to share the stories and recommend this doc to their friends and family. Personal experiences also allow those that live similarly to relate to my interviewees which adds elements of emotion and attachment.

2. How does your idea fit what you have learnt so far about documentaries? How will it use the skills you have developed?

This style of voice-over interview and B-roll heavy documentary is similar to how I did my first solo project for the perfect... I recently learnt about 3 point lighting and more sound effects which will fall into my FMP perfectly. I have learnt and developed a lot of new skills throughout this module and I will use ones similar to Louis Theroux after studying his popular work.

3. What are the strengths of your idea?

This idea was chosen because it has many strengths. One strength being the style it is, with lots of B-roll and voiceover I am presenting my audience with a visual representation of what is being said, the story that is being told. This is the most gripping style and maintains a viewer's attention for the longest amount of time. Another strength to this idea is how it is not only a hobby, but also a journey throughout the time and evolution of this hobby.

4. What are the weaknesses of your idea?

However strong this idea is, it has its weaknesses, such as the quantity of B-roll required. We are limited to just 10% of stock footage allowance and so I will be implementing 30% raw interview footage which leaves me having to gather 60% of my own B-roll. This is going to prove a challenge yet I believe I am capable of completing it. In addition, I will be interviewing my cousins which may be difficult because of how young they are (6 and 4), children struggle to stay still and answer questions for more than a short period of time.

5. What have you learnt through feedback?

Feedback has told me that I need to work on / implement more sound effects and editing. This has been identified and will be modified by me in this FMP. Another piece of feedback has advised me to be more organised, something I am already seeing improvements with during the pre-production phases of this project. I love feedback, without it, I struggle to improve, and the only way I can reach my desired goals is by gradually improving.

6. Were there any problems so far and how did you solve them?

As of yet I have not faced any course-changing, or small, problems yet I have identified potential future problems such as my little cousins and the large demand of raw B-roll. Problems I face I will hope to be able to identify and tidy before my final submission but if not, problems will be identified in my reviews of the FMP and I will look to improve on them in future work.

Final proposal & Action Plan

Centre Name - Long Road Sixth Form College

Centre Number - 22151

Project Title - The Football Times

Rationale -

Which projects from this year are you most proud of?

My short horror/chase scene movie was a major success. I am most proud of this as it was completed even with poor organisation and weather/time holding me back. Nonetheless it is probably my most desirable project and stands out the most due to its variety of camera angles and high intensity.

What skills have you learnt?

I have learnt camera angle skills and quick transitions. Along with sound effects and music drops that heat situations and change the mood for the crowd.

How does this idea improve your skills?

This idea improves my skills because I will be looking to implement 3-point-lighting to my interviews to enhance the softness of the approach my actors have on the audience. This is a skill I want to learn and maintain.

What lead you to this idea?

My love for personal documentaries and accounts of real/raw events leant me in the direction of this idea. The intimacy of having my family recall first-hand experiences of a game most people love, is perfect.

Project Concept -

What I am aiming to achieve is a short documentary that is filled with humble and emotional accounts of enjoyable and memorable times playing the beautiful game of football. On top of this, I will design and edit it to feel like a travel through time, evoking the differences in each era of football and how experiences playing the game have changed. This will be aimed at anyone of any age that enjoys football so typically males aged 15-30, however there are all kinds of people who have never touched a football yet still watch, support and follow it. Research that will support my ideas and help me expand and learn will consist of other football docs and researching the best questions to ask an interviewee to get the most emotional and personal accounts.

Evaluation -

I will perform a reflection cycle at the end and make a list where I tick off everything I do in order to ensure I'm on course.

I will evaluate by comparison to other projects and ask peers their opinions and value what they say and their feedback.

This evaluation includes everything. In order to improve I need to identify what I'm good but also bad at, so I do not repeat mistakes.