make a documentary film

I’m doing it! I’ve figured out how, where, when and why… and just now in the process of writing the proposal to get funding (even have that lined up). Best thing is, I just know that when I am finished this, that it will be educational for generations to come. I’ve always had a compulsion for the truth (even the ugly truth) and this is such a positive thing for me release to the world. I think we can change the world by telling this story. Film is one of the few ways that we can ‘walk in another’s shoes’. How else can we learn to treat each other like human beings and erase centuries of hatred and prejudice? I can’t wait to do this! I feel like I was born to do it.

i think this is happening. think it is… moving forward…

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.

Seriously, I’ve wanted to do this for nearly a decade. Never had the money/time.

I already have a slew of ideas and contacts, so I think I’m ready to go forth now.

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.

I’m on my way with this one! It’s going to take a bit of time though.

major progress