Documentary Research

Before we could begin creating any of our own documentaries, we had to do some research and watch some as a class.

American Promise: 

The first documentary we watched was "American Promise," a documentary with a filming process that spanned 13 years. Directed by Joe Brewster and Michele Stephenson, American Promise follows two young African American boys, Idris and Seun, as they navigate through the American school system. The story begins by documenting them from age five all the way up to their high school graduation. 

The story is packed with social commentaries and strong messages having to do with family and understanding. It is impactful and emotional, and that is something that should be captured in every documentary. American Promise taught me that many of the most engaging documentaries tell a compelling, emotional story. The structure should follow feelings, not conform to pre-determined structures. The documentary was raw and real, and my group and I tried to emulate something that, while not as saddening, still told a familiar story displayed through a natural emotional response. 

Exit Through the Gift Shop:

The second one we watched as a group was called "Exit Through the Gift Shop," directed by Banksy. This documentary follows a man named Thierry Guetta, who films street artists doing their thing. Banksy, being so interested in who Thierry is, especially who he becomes, makes him the main subject. The documentary displays his shift from being an eccentric videographer of street artists to being an even more eccentric street artist himself.  

This taught me a couple of things, one of which is that opportunities, if they present themselves, must be taken in order for the documentary to be even stronger. Banks, although he was never going to film a documentary, saw an opportunity in Thierry's very interesting life story to create a piece that reflects his most eccentric features and his wild journey leading up to who he is today. The other thing this taught me is that a documentary is also a story that can be shaped into what the director feels while maintaining the real feeling of it. Banksy made Thierry look crazy, which was his intention. This is some of the power the directors of a documentary hold. Banksy could have also made Thierry look like a genius, so it just proves the power directors have over what they produce.

We also watched a couple of Op Docs individually.

 

Backflip:

Due to his fear of trying a backflip, Nikita creates an AI avatar of himself to learn for him. The process of the avatar practicing and learning how to do a backflip is shown until the avatar finally masters it and is able to do it consistently.

 

Now I'm in the kitchen.

This Op Doc is about a woman who is reminiscing about her mom's cooking and talks about how much she loves it.

 

These two Op Docs were mainly to teach a lesson to the viewer and elicit some emotional response through that lesson. "Backflip" was about never giving up, and "Now I'm in the Kitchen" was about holding on to your precious memories if they are significant to you. Showing me that it is important that a documentary, whether directly or not, teaches a lesson.