Student Autobiographical Documentary at DVinfo.net

Matthew Kent · May 13th, 2005, 10:52 PM

Hey everyone...

This is my first post... yay!

I was curious about a project I'm thinking about doing. This fall I'll be leaving for Japan for a year to participate in a study abroad program sponsored by my College. I'm a Film Studies major, and wanted to get at least a little credit while abroad doing some kind of film/field study... I suddenly realized I could kill two birds with one stone by creating a documentary that could count as field study, and as credit for a project in a documentary class I'm planning on taking when I get back.

However, since I haven't taken the documentary class yet, I have no idea how to go about creating a documentary or planning one out. My first thought was just shooting from the hip, and try to create something professional looking in post, but then I realized 1 years worth of shooting from the hip is going to be a gigantic headache to organize and create something feasible with. So I know I need some kind of game plan... something to build a foundation on, but I have no idea where to start.

Anyone here done a autobiographical type documentary? Any ideas on how I should plan this?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Steven Gotz · May 14th, 2005, 08:03 PM

Pick up a copy of this book:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

Aanarav Sareen · May 14th, 2005, 09:41 PM

Another good book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

Matthew Kent · May 14th, 2005, 09:47 PM

Awesome, these look like exactly what I need! Thanks!

Nate Ford · June 13th, 2005, 04:07 PM

also, try and watch "sherman's march" by ross mcelwee, and any other of his stuff you can find. "david holzman's diary" by jim mcbride is good, though not an actual documentary. alan berliner http://www.alanberliner.com/ makes some good autobiographical stuff, like "nobody's business."

autobiographical stuff can be great or totally self indulgent. IMHO, the trick is figuring out ways that your personal stuff will resonate with a broader audience, as opposed to just having meaning for you. there's a very good book about subjective documentary, though it's more theory than production stuff. but if you're really interested in this type of stuff it's worth looking at.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

May 13th, 2005, 10:52 PM	#1
Matthew Kent Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Berkeley, Ca Posts: 75	Student Autobiographical Documentary Hey everyone... This is my first post... yay! I was curious about a project I'm thinking about doing. This fall I'll be leaving for Japan for a year to participate in a study abroad program sponsored by my College. I'm a Film Studies major, and wanted to get at least a little credit while abroad doing some kind of film/field study... I suddenly realized I could kill two birds with one stone by creating a documentary that could count as field study, and as credit for a project in a documentary class I'm planning on taking when I get back. However, since I haven't taken the documentary class yet, I have no idea how to go about creating a documentary or planning one out. My first thought was just shooting from the hip, and try to create something professional looking in post, but then I realized 1 years worth of shooting from the hip is going to be a gigantic headache to organize and create something feasible with. So I know I need some kind of game plan... something to build a foundation on, but I have no idea where to start. Anyone here done a autobiographical type documentary? Any ideas on how I should plan this? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

May 14th, 2005, 08:03 PM	#2
Steven Gotz Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,520	Pick up a copy of this book: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846 __________________ Steven Gotz http://www.stevengotz.com

May 14th, 2005, 09:41 PM	#3
Aanarav Sareen Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NJ, US Posts: 183	Another good book: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books __________________ http://www.sareen.tv

May 14th, 2005, 09:47 PM	#4
Matthew Kent Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Location: Berkeley, Ca Posts: 75	Awesome, these look like exactly what I need! Thanks!

June 13th, 2005, 04:07 PM	#5
Nate Ford Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: new york, ny Posts: 121	also, try and watch "sherman's march" by ross mcelwee, and any other of his stuff you can find. "david holzman's diary" by jim mcbride is good, though not an actual documentary. alan berliner http://www.alanberliner.com/ makes some good autobiographical stuff, like "nobody's business." autobiographical stuff can be great or totally self indulgent. IMHO, the trick is figuring out ways that your personal stuff will resonate with a broader audience, as opposed to just having meaning for you. there's a very good book about subjective documentary, though it's more theory than production stuff. but if you're really interested in this type of stuff it's worth looking at. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846