Final Major Project - Research

The top documentary film makers of all time are known for their innovative approach to cinematics. Many producer/directors have created great films in this genre, and some of the best include Michael Moore and Alex Gibney. Other of note that should be included in any list of this magnitude are Michael Apted, Ken Burns and Errol Morris.

Michael Moore is known for his on screen antics as well as the controversial subject matters that he explores. His films have addressed a range of social problems, and he’s well known for his cinematic works. He was born in 1954 outside of Flint, Michigan. While other documentary film makers remain inconspicuous and objective, Michael Moore is known for his personality, and he created a name for himself with his onscreen antics. He has created several masterpieces, and Roger & Me was his first successful film. Other documentaries that he has created include Pets or Meat: The Return to Flint, Canadian Bacon, The Big One, And Justice for All, Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, Sicko and Capitalism: A Love Story. He has addressed a number of social issues, and his films have focused on everything from health care to the auto industry. He has also written several best selling books.

Michael Apted is the director of the famous BBC Up Series. He is also the President of the Directors Guild of America. The Up Series has been a work in progress since 1964, and this is a sociological study that has aspirations of forecasting the future of British society. This program follows the lives of 14 seven-year old Britons from various backgrounds. It closely analyzes their expectations and the dreams that they are after. Apted was instrumental in selecting the youngsters that were portrayed in this program.

Ken Burns has documented many subjects as diverse as music and war. These programs have thoroughly explored American popular culture, and he is passionate about the drama of truth. This director hails from New York, and he is known to handle all of the issues associated with the production of his epic documentaries. Most of these are filmed in segments. He is known for the total creative control that he exerts on his films.

Another great documentary film maker is Alex Gibney. He is an astounding storyteller, and utilizes many things in his quest for the perfect film. Cinematography, lighting and the pace of the film are all ingredients that he makes use of. He is best known for his film, Taxi to The Dark Side, which showcased the American armed forces treatment of prisoners of war. Many of those tortured have been shown to be innocent of the crimes that they’ve been accused of. He has also directed a legendary account of the life of Hunter S. Thompson.

Errol Morris is known for the interview style that he uses to capture the subjects of his film. He is notorious for profiling the mindset of soldiers who tortured terrorists in Iraq. His masterpiece is The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara. This details the former Secretary of Defense, and is an excellent interview that even enthralled the subject of the documentary.

The top documentary film makers of all time have created some of the best true to life viewing pleasures. Most of them focus on subjects that are important in everyday life. A variety of issues have been explored, and these directors have essentially captured the feeling of modern society. Michael Moore, Alex Gibney, Errol Morris and Ken Burns are some of the best.

Liz Interview - 03/10/13

Liz is the second of our four main contributors and lives in the beautiful village of Brookwood, near  woking surrey. We decided to book in two days of filming, and stayed at a friends nearby over night. 

Liz suffers with the most severe type of bipolar, bipolar 1,  which can often be confused with  schizophrenia, due to paranoia, psychosis,


hallucinations and hearing voices.

My main responsibility was to schedule the day, direct us to her house, lead all interviews/ conversations and make her feel as comfortable as possible.

We left early to get round the M25, and arrived there about 10 am. Liz was very welcoming, and because of our phone conversation and emails, I felt like we had already met. Whilst Lauren was recording her establishing and cutaway shots, myself and Liz got to know each other over a cup of tea.

I went through my outline for the day, and discussed the style of interview I was looking for. At this point I made sure she filled out the consent form.

On our arrival Liz told us that her husband would be taking the following day off to participate in filming, and would like to participate by being interviewed. Although we briefly mentioned this through emails, I had no confirmation that Nick wanted to be involved. Therefore I felt slightly unease that I would be interviewing him without much research. However I quickly realised that a whole day before with Liz was all the research I needed, and so during the first day I made notes of the sorts of things I would like to ask her husband.

The first day went really well, we all got along great.

Liz very kindly made us lunch after Lauren had filmed her sequences. We then went for a lovely walk around her village, she introduced us to many people along the way, neighbours, friends, ex colleagues etc. All appeared in her story. This was a good opportunity for Lauren to film some beautiful nature shots that will be the main key to Liz's narrative, as she loves to walk and be at one with the world around her.

After our tour around Brookwood I conducted the main interview. Liz was confident and articulate, I was transfixed by her words, her advice and heart felt sincerity. There was one moment where Liz was overcome with emotion, and needed to take few minutes to allow herself to cry. I felt myself and Lauren dealt with this maturely and sensitively. It was hard to realise I had made Liz cry and put her back amongst her nightmares, but I had to keep reminding myself I was doing this for a greater cause. 

Sound was also my responisbity, and I now think I am getting the hang of checking we are recording sound, listening to the recording, adjusting levels etc, all the while listneing intently to the subject and not allowing them to notice my distraction with recording. It's all about multitasking.

The second day was even more relaxed, but I needed to keep pushing the shoot forward to make sure we got what we needed.

Nick's interview was significantly harder. It took him a little longer to become comfortable, open and relax. To begin with there were very short one word answers. I put this down to the fact Liz had thrown him in at the deep end, and hadn't allowed us the opportunity to speak with hime before hand. Nick was also a lot more emotional then Liz, and broke down on a number of occasions. This was particularly hard for me, as I could feel his pain and knew exactly what he had gone through, as I had gone through it too. 

I managed to keep my composure, but I learnt today how difficult it can be to do a subject that is so close to your heart, especially if there is still pain there, but I know the reasons why I am doing this, and that keeps me together. 

I felt deeply touched by the two days spent with Liz and Nick, I learnt so much and they gave so much information to us that it was hard to switch off for the next following days. To me they became old friends, or an aunt and uncle with the best advise in the world. I decided I wanted to personally thank them, so after filming we took them out for a nice lunch and chatted for hours. Documentary making is incredible for meeting such fascinating people. 

Final Major Project - The Shoot - John at Joss Bay.

The main aim for Finding Serenity is not only  show the dark side of Bipolar, but provide inspiration for those who have recently been diagnosed or have family members that suffer with the illness. We want to show that mental illness does not stop you from having a fulfilled life, that you can still do the things you love and have a family if you want to. 

For John, he finds his serenity in Music and the Sea. He calls the Sea "His Friend", and it is something he turns to in times of trouble and in times of elation. At two key suicidal points in his life he was pulled to the sea and wanted to end his life in the waves. Yet his love of surfing offers him calm, peace and joy. 

Although he normally surfs in Cornwall and California, I did some research to find that Joss Bay in Kent has a relatively large surf community. As someone who has surfed myself, I read the wave reports at with a forecast of 2-4ft waves, I decided we should go there to film a few sequences with John. He too was surprised that he had lived in the South East all his life and never knew there was surf here. He was over joyed and agreed to come with us. Unfortunately all the surfing shops had closed for the season, so we couldn't rent him a wetsuit or bodyboard, but Lauren brought hers along and decided to take the go pro into the sea anyway, to see if we could recreate the allusion of John surfing in a point of view style. Or just give the impression of what it feels like to surf. I thought this worked really well.

During the shoot we also did a number of sequences with John walking up and down the beach, throwing stones into the sea and playing his beloved guitar. The whole day seemed to uplift him considerably, we could tell instantly the impact the sea had on his mood. This was great to witness and be a part of. John even serenaded the beach with several songs. 

Sound was obviously an issue. On a windy day, I couldn't do a good interview with the equipment I had. However we did manage to record his music, which really is all we needed. 

I made the quick decision to do an interview in the car whilst we were driving. I decided this would show the journey he is going on metaphorically and mentally. He will be the only character in a car, perhaps suggesting the others have found their way of coping, where as John is still very much at the start. 

Unfortunately I was sitting in the front of the car and Lauren was in the back, so I am not quite sure how well the shot would look, as it is from behind him and you may not be able to see his facial expressions. Unless of course she managed to shoot into the mirror which would have been good. Either way, it was a good interview and I am sure we can use some of it. 

Now that we have spent two filming days with John, I believe his story is beginning to take shape. We still need o get some more sequences in his home, and I feel we will also need to get some stronger answers from him.