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Hi Doug, Ben, & all,

I've been working as an asst. editor for the past couple years in a
post facility, and have also made some short personal films which
have played at a few festivals.
Over the last several months I've embarked on a rather large &
long-term project (my first) - a documentary about this wonderfully
talented Cuban classical pianist/cabaret singer who is a transgender
person living in San Francisco. At the moment I'm fearing I've
bitten off more than I can chew, but look forward to perusing the
forums here to seek wisdom, inspiration, advice and ... sanity?
Thanks for hosting this!
Maureen

You're welcome, Maureen. Sanity is our middle name ;-) Happy to
have you aboard.

Hi Ewerybody.

I am a 17year old filmmaker. I have several fictionfilms( and stille
are), but I have always had a passion for documentaries.
I am making my first real atempt at a doc. as I am writing this.
I believe in the "personal-documentary" and one of my favourite films
are FAMILY, a danish documentary about a young filmmaker trying to
find his roots.

That was it.

I hope I will learn alot in here.

Welcome to The D-Word Forum, Maureen and Christian.

Don't listen to Doug, Maureen - sanity is out of stock here. :-)

What's the subject of the personal doc you have in mind, Christian?

Hello Everyone !

My name is Gary Mack,

I live in Washington state, USA.

Just finishing up a documentary about Therapeutic Riding for Special Needs
Children. This project was very interesting and educational.

The documentary was shot with a Canon XL1s and edited in Final Cut Pro.

I enjoy documentary work involving the outdoors and horses.

I'm in the planning stages of a doucumentary about the history and curent use
of an area located in southwest Washington called Indina Heaven.

Alway looking for documentary ideas and production techniques.

Looking forward to reading about your projects!

Gary

wlecome, gary and christian. glad you found us.

Hi. My name is Lora and I am also new to filmmaking. I've made
three fictional short films. I am currently working on my first
documentary about the paranormal and am looking for information and
guidance from any resources I can find on the net.
This site has been the best resource I have found so far.
I look forward to learning!

Lora

hey, lora, welcome. glad you found us and good luck with your doc.

Hi all,

First, an introduction. I am an independent producer working on my first
documentary (I've worked in corporate video for many years). It is about
fragile X syndrome, which is the leading known cause of inherited mental
disability and autism. There is a load of information about the doc on our web
site:
http://www.thinkmediaonline.com

My question is this: does anyone know where I can find legal info about the
circumstances under which I need releases from people who will appear in
our doc? I've been getting releases from primary participants (interviewees,
etc.), but what about people who are at a street festival, for example, or in a
grocery store, that end up on-camera? Do I have to get releases from them
too? Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,
Kathy

DISCLAIMER: i'm not a lawyer, kathy, but...

i make sure to get releases from anyone who talks on camera in a
visible way. i don't worry about background people, unless the
situation being filmed might cause embarrassment.

but that's me. others might be more paranoid.

Wow - I am blown away - to find such an incredible wealth of
experience and advice. Now I just have to figure out where to post
my questions to suck you brains - thank you for this forum! - I've
been lurking - reading and absorbing all the archives in preparation
for my fist real doc directing challenge. The biggest thing I have
noticed is that the questions that have been circling around my head
are questions that can be asked - that as a neophyte doc director - I
can ask anything and have it answered with respect - way to go D-
Word! You are an anomily.

So who am I? Worked in video and television for 20 years - most for
non-profit aboriginal orgs. and their counterparts - the last 14
years in the Canadian Arctic with the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation
and it's susiduaries in every concievable production capacity - now
have started a doc production company with a producer and we are
working to market this baby. I have focused on directing for the
last 5 years and it is where I was born to be - anyway - looking
forward to participating in many discussions - asking lots of
questions - thanks again for the forum - Kath

welcome, kath. you certainly have the professional experience to
register for the d-word community, where you can really suck some
major d-brains: www.d-word.com/community/join.

hi d-word,

i'm getting starting in documentary in new york this summer. i'm
here to learn about the art and trade of documentary filmmaking and
seek advice from the more-seasoned folks participating in the forums
here. looking forward to talking with all of you!

dave

welcome, dave.

Hello Everyone,

Just a note to say hello. I am embarking on my first documentary, and
am quite nervous, but believe in my subject. I look forward to
talking with and getting to know you all!

Welcome to The D-Word, Gina. Care to tell us a bit more about your
doc?

Welcome, Jeff. Just curious whether your project supports the
protests or, as it were, is protesting the protests. I mean, if
someone is interested in participating it's always good to know what
the project is about.

Hi: My friend Erica Ginsberg is always saying good things about D-
Word and introducing me to people from here, so I figured it was
time I got on the stick. I'm the assistant director of the Center
for Social Media at American University, and work with a myriad of
festivals. I'm also working on two short films now (more on that
later, I suppose)! Do members read these newbie postings? All the
best, Agnes Varnum

you're in the wrong area, agnes. this is the public forum. you'll
want to join the community: www.d-word.com/community/join.

Hi. My name is Daneeta Loretta Saft. I'm an independent filmmaker
based out of London but originally from the States (New Orleans).
I've just completed principal photography on a feature-length
documentary entitled Tokyo Cowboys (www.tokyocowboys.com). The film
follows a group of long-term residents for 18 months as they
negotiate themselves around the post modern urban frontier that is
Tokyo. I'm looking for completion funding so that I can edit the 450
hours of footage that I've managed to rack up. I plan to start
editing in August and finish at the end of this year. I graduated
from the London Film School after spending 7 years in Tokyo working
as a writer.

welcome, daneeta. you might want to check out the "selling in the
international marketplace" forum here {LINK NOT IMPORTED} - as well as jan and
diana's 45-pg. report (see the banner link). the info is still very
current.

Hi folks,
I would like to thank the D-WORD for this interesting forum, and
also thank all the contributors. I am not a documentary filmmaker
but would like to seek some advice on how to create a documentary.
do I need any licenses? as for the equipments I know I 'll need some.
I am Moroccan residing in the US. I used to work in the social work
field, responsible for social activities such as violence against
women, child abuse, Rape, Divorce, Prostitution, traditions, etc. We
conducted various researches, the only thing back there we didn't
have the equipment and techniques to create a professional
documentary films. Actually I have a limitted badget,tons of
experiences and ideas, optimism,guts, Languages ( speak
Moroccan/Egyptian/Middle Eastern Arabic, Tamazight, French, English
and some spanish. my aim is not only dealing with social issues but
cultural, political and religious ones. I welcome anybody who shares
the same ideas and ambitions.
sp please what would you recommand of creating a documentary film
for a novice person? Any information would be so appreciated.

Welcome, Karim. Have you tried taking a basic documentary production
course? That would seem the obvious first step. Good luck.

Thanks dbblock, I haven't really tried to take any basic documentary
production courses, simply because I don't know where to get them.
btw do you recommend any book or web site etc? thanks in advance.
as for conducting researches/surveys, writing reports, interviewing
people, dealing with the goverment administrations etc I do have
some experiences and knowledge.
good luck to you too dbblock.