make a documentary film

I edited the movie myself, and the result was not that bad. But after long chat with some friends, I decide to have someone else edited it. Unfortunately I only can do that after I’m going back to Indonesia, August the earliest. So we’ll see.

I know… it’s been forever since last time I logged. And you know what, the shooting is pretty much done, but I’ll talk about it later.

Just a quick review. Covering the thesis writing process. Some cutie cutie (I know… the scene of Shaina running around won’t add much, almost nothing, to the movie, but I couldn’t help it. She’s just too cute). The “pop-up” closure (more, later). Some scene in Paris. Thesis defense. The interview. That’s pretty much it. Roughly 500 minutes in total.

I’m not satisfied.

• The writing process was ok, I think I could capture the tense, except…
• Something sad happened. Mbak Yoen’s dad was passed away about 2 weeks before the deadline. Let’s put all the empathy away and be a ruthless filmmaker for a while. I was still in Salzburg when I found out about it. Nobody told me, I just opened my email in the right moment. I didn’t even have time to think. Even if someone did tell me, I probably still don’t know what to do. Maybe some sneak peek from the “tahlilan” (could ask someone do it with just the video function of regular digicam). I did call Mbak Yoen on the last minute, she was already in Schiphol on the way back to Indonesia. And I stupidly didn’t remember that my digicam can also record video! But even then, what could I do. I called using a headset, it was impossible to record any sound anyway (come to think of it, maybe it can be done somehow with the computer, but… yeah, really, picture me in an internet stall, just got a shocking news, so short time, not only because Mbak Yoen was in Schiphol already but I was also on the way to Munich). Bottom line, the moment has passed.
• The closure. I didn’t plan it to be a closure but I got it. The PERFECT closure, dialogue-wise, with the WORST angle you can think of. Stupid! Ifan reminded me that, despite the credo in Leonard school, I actually can take a re-shot. But I don’t know. Again, the moment has passed. You can not re-create the emotion. Although, I DID take a re-shot.
• I made an interview. It was supposed to be fill-ins for the uncaptured gaps. Including, probably, the ugly closure. I was thinking in conservative way, discovery channel look. But even that I couldn’t do properly. Not with a sleepy-yet-over-excited kid around (and she paid a particular interest on my handycam and tripod, oh well…). I haven’t checked the result. Maybe I should.

The interview was supposed to be, you know, it. The wrap. But now I’m thinking of some more additional shots. The graduation ceremony (it was on the original plan, but somehow I exchange it with Paris trip. maybe still worthwhile to do, although I can’t. I have a practical. maybe should ask someone to do it). And I’m thinking of taking shots of Schiphol and Maastricht, just to get an impression. Will think about it.

It’s just, I’m running out of time.

Hmm… it’s been a long time since I logged. A lot of things happen. The most important thing was pursuing the thesis deadline, which if not completed, then Mbak Yoen will need to extend her study without sponsorship.

The thing is, I was in there. I mean, in the process i.e. in the movie. Because I was helping her with the thesis. Not good, not good at all.
1. I wasn’t supposed to be in the movie.
2. I kept distracted between working and shooting.

Dilemma dilemma dilemma.

Well, there’s still another deadline and final presentation. I don’t know how to plot all this. I’m afraid then it will be multiple climaxes. But let’s see.

Yesterday was… one of the best shot, content-wise, but definitely the worst shot, technically. In the morning I had a chat with +sali and we discuss about several thing and somehow I got “inspired” that it doesn’t need good techniques to make documentary. Content is more important. Of course, I was wrong.

Anyway, I WAS inspired by Leonard. He can make the most amazing shots. I still can’t figure out how he could pull out the walking scenes. Wait. Why am I talking about Leonard? Because I just found the movies here!!!

I mean, he really knows the camera, it seems like he can shoot without seeing the LCD/viewfinder. Therefore he can keep eye contact and make the objects act natural. That’s what I tried and I missed, a lot.

Yesterday I (almost) finish the first videoclip. I also did the log for the 3rd cassette (while I haven’t done it for the second, hehe). The third is quite ok. More organized in a way, although the camera shake was boggling a lot. Two stupid scenes:
- at the bus station, shooting to the sky (I think), shake like crazy without any point
- at my room. shaina’s first day of walking (she started at daycare, of course). I took some shot, and the background was an episode of Will & Grace. This episode, to be precise, at the line “You totally gets my G spot” or something :D

Later that night, I went to Mbak Yoen’s at took some shots. Got good 7 minutes or so of preparing Shaina to bed. Great!

Yesterday I tried to edit the VK (a by-product, you may say :D). It gives some insight, seeing from an editor’s eyes.

I was also looking for Leonard. Couldn’t find his movies (only trailers), but I found this. Ouch, wish I had the doa-cam. And Ezther, probably :D

And I did the stupidest thing a videographer could do.

I went to the daycare yesterday afternoon, to catch Mbak Yoen (without appointment). It went ok. Then we went inside. Again, white balance. I mean, come on… Stupid! Only take less than one minute to set it! :(

And then… the battery’s almost finished and I just realize I didn’t bring the spare battery. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

Ok… it’s been a while and I actually did some things but just too lazy to write. But today when drafting the concept, I realized that this log is very useful to keep track of what I’ve done. Also, in the concept, timeline has become an important part of the story.

The shots:
Friday, June 27: waiting for Mbak Yoen at the bus station. tried to capture her catching the bus. there was a good moment, but I don’t know if I got it properly. And I guess I should figure out how to take shot while running :-? I’m sure that part was a mess.
Monday, July 7: caught Mbak Yoen in Leeuw. she just met her supervisor. nice.

Actually there was A LOT of things, but, yeah… they can not be in the movie. or I just didn’t have the heart. or didn’t bring the camera, like when shaina didn’t want to eat and couldn’t sleep because she was really hungry :(

The log and capturing:
It went ok. And I finally buoght an external HDD so the storage problem is solved. I captured the second tape today. I just know that there’s a 4 GB limit so it should be divided into 4 parts. I have to check again if the result was not good. I have to make the log anyway.

Indonesian Students Association and some international fellow students went on a tour to Bataviawerf, Edam and Volendam today. I don’t usually bring my handycam for such tour, except that I did today because I want to capture some moments of Mbak Yoen and Shain. Not bad, but…

It’s hard to decide when you have to turn on the camera… and when to turn off. There was a moment (two, actually) that really should be in the movie, but I’d be completely heartless jerk if I turned on the camera then. Ok, it wasn’t exactly Kevin Carter, but still… :(

Anyway, the picture start building up in my head. Will start making stock shot log tomorrow, hope it will be clearer.

Shooting at Mbak Yoen’s. Nothing really special, just catch up a few moments.

REALLY REALLY SHOULD START PLANNING!!!

I waited for Mbak Yoen in Leewenborch. The shooting was OK, still not really confident to shoot in public. Also don’t know what to explain to people I know.

Then a short take on Shaina in my room (I pick her up every Friday). Apparently I have to tidy it up a little more :P

Not much good stuff, but let see later.