make a documentary film

How to take a home from chaos to devine peace

My two juiciest documentary projects (including the one I false-started a few months ago) can’t swing into production until late summer. Meanwhile I’ve met some cool folks who are just getting off the ground doing docs on interesting local angles. Hopefully I’m going to join up with them, probably starting as the audio guy since I have more experience with mics and recording than the rest of the crew. Boom Operator is not my dream role, but getting off my ass and into doc production will be great in and of itself. And if these people are really cool to work with, who knows, a production company might materialize. Have to insert a plug for the Northwest Film Forum for providing the classes that are helping me jumpstart progress on this long-held goal. Last month’s Videography workshop with Erik Vilinskas kicked ass.

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.

HI,

I want to create a documentary and have no experience. Just wondering where I start???

major setback on this front and i have to admit I felt supremely disappointed, which sort of precipitated a crisis for me. but maybe, just maybe, something good will come out of that crisis. because it made me realize that i really need to make a chnage and that actually helps me.

I finally landed on an idea, and I’m going to start shooting next week. That is, as long as I can get my hands on a camera and learn how to operate it by then.

Anyway, I removed the subject description posted here because I’d rather keep the idea to myself until the project is further along. But it’s a specific angle on live music in Seattle. Sort of a counterpoint to Hype. I’m excited. And nervous.

I had a great day for this goal today! (class) I really felt a sense of progress…!

slow, slow but took a class today…

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.

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