Every great project begins with a solid foundation, and my latest endeavor – a mini-documentary about Thread By Thread Boutique and its inspiring owner, Catey – is no exception. Currently in the pre-production phase, I’m fully immersed in the planning process, considering every detail before the cameras start rolling.

Like all my projects, I started with some research to better understand documentary-style storytelling. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Reading & Writing

The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Audio by Tom Schroeppel

Chapter 7 of The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Audio by Tom Schroeppel emphasizes the challenges and techniques of lighting for film. Exterior lighting is tricky due to the ever-changing position of the sun. To manage shadows, use reflectors, which are sun-dependent but electricity-free, or fill lights, which offer more control but require power. Adapting to uncontrollable natural light is a key skill in filming.

Interior lighting allows for more control with three primary tools: focusing quartz lights, broads, and softlights. Quartz lights are versatile and can produce adjustable hard, direct light that can be softened with diffusing materials. Broads also emit hard light but over wide areas. They lack tuning capabilities and also require diffusion. Softlights are portable and naturally diffused but take up significant space. For optimal lighting setups, position a key light at a 45-degree angle to the subject, a fill light opposite the key to soften shadows, and a backlight to create separation between the subject and background. The author recommends keeping your lights high, your subjects away from walls, and using careful adjustments if necessary.

Chapter 9 is about planning and executing a successful shoot. Start by identifying your goals, such as the story you want to tell and the emotional response you want to evoke from the audience. This clarity helps shape your plan, whether through shooting scripts, storyboards, or both. Shooting scripts provide a detailed breakdown of visuals and corresponding audio, while storyboards offer a visual guide for your shots, helping to organize the sequence effectively.

Shooting techniques, like grouping scenes by camera position, can save valuable time. Tools like slates – simple markers for identifying scenes and takes – are essential for keeping track of footage, especially on larger projects. Clear communication with your team ensures everyone is aligned and prepared. In unpredictable shooting conditions, rely on your knowledge of proper camera composition and know that despite what may be happening, you can make your footage work.

Research to Inform

Free Solo (2018)

I’ve only been able to sit through a full viewing of this documentary once, but it isn’t for lack of production. The 2018 documentary Free Solo keeps you on your toes from the first minute as a filming crew follows Alex Honnold’s ascent to the top of El Capitan. The piece includes interviews, narration, footage of the ascent, and much more to capture the extreme vulnerability of free solo climbing. Establishing shots of the mountain contrasted with closeups of Honnold’s precarious handholds effectively convey the razor-thin line between perfect execution and certain death. The gripping subject matter is elevated by the expert production, making this documentary unforgettable. You can view the trailer below.

Cheer (2020)

For those of us who spent the pandemic binging Netflix docuseries, Cheer likely needs no introduction. A big part of what made the episodes so engaging was the cleverly crafted audio design. Layers of intense background music and accentuated sound effects brought the visuals to life, especially in scenes featuring tumbling passes. The resonant thud of athletes’ feet hitting the mat makes you feel as though you’re right there with them. This effect is showcased in the trailer below, where the audio and visuals work together to elevate the storyline.

Beckham (2023)

Beckham, the 2023 Netflix docuseries following David Beckham’s meteoric rise to football stardom, is an enjoyable watch. The interviews, flashback footage, and b-roll of present-day life in the Beckham household come together to create a compelling narrative. However, the audio quality of the interviews could have been improved. At times, it sounds as though the subjects are speaking from a distance, and when the camera cuts to them in real time, the audio appears to match their distance from the lens. This issue is most noticeable with Victoria, who is naturally soft-spoken, and sometimes David. The inconsistency, which you can hear in the trailer below, can blur the line between controlled interviews and flashback clips. A better microphone or volume adjustments in post-production would have elevated the viewing experience.

Create

My pre-production planning document (below) maps out my approach for the production and post-production phases of this project. So far, I’ve gathered b-roll and filmed an interview with Catey. Since the interview ran longer than expected, I plan to capture additional b-roll to compliment her commentary. I’m excited to see everything come together – check back soon for the final product!