Introduce Yourself: Sign In Here First

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.

Karim, knowing where you are based in the U.S. would be helpful in
recommending a production course. I would recommend that before a
book or website because you will probably benefit by having access to
the equipment and others who are doing the same thing you are. Very
often you can find cheap, basic production courses at your local
public access television station or community college. This might be
a good place to start. Here are some links to some public access
stations in the U.S.:

http://www.sfctc.org/usaccess.htm
http://www.openchannel.se/cat/linksus.htm
http://www.world.std.com/~rghm/alpha.htm

Hi Erica, thanks for your interesting input. the links are so
helpful. I live in Fayetteville, Arkansas and that community access
television building is not that far from where I live. I am going to
go ahead and contact them. I eally do appreciate your help Erica and
everybody who contributes in this forum.
have a great evening.

Hi there, just thought I would introduce myself. I'm a medical
student about to embark on a documentary about the 43 million
uninsured people in this country. Yes, I've heard that Michael Moore
is making his next film about the U.S. healthcare system, and I
figure him drawing attention to the issue can only help.

Anyway, I have a very basic camera (Sony PDx10) and an Azden wireless
mic, and a bunch of friends willing to help out. I'm looking for
tips on common beginner mistakes, and any suggestions that you
grizzled veterans would be kind enough to throw my way. Thanks!

Cameron

Hello Cameron,
If your question in the forum was addressed to me. I am so sorry to
tell you that I am a novice too and don't know much technically
about film documentaries, I've just start taking classes about the
production etc. but I do have some experiences in documentation and
conducting researches and surveys. so my advice to you is to put
everything on the paper first.
- Write a script about your subject
-divide your script to different scenes
- Make some researches on your subject (if somebody has already done
etc)
-Human resources (make sure to get some commitments from people who
will help you not only verbally but also written in return to give
them credits or something like that.
- Financial resources (who is your sponsor, funding etc have you
gotten any written
Assurance etc.
-Technical resources (is your equipment audio-visual are operating
properly and professionally? are you or do you have any reliable
people who knows well about directing, lighting, sound etc?
also you might need some authorizations, I don't know about the US
but in Morocco you will need the authorization of Moroccan
cinematographic center to start filming then you need the music
clearance authorization from the copyright center, if you are going
to use somebody’s music in your documentary.
Finally I always urge newbies like me if they believe in the subject
to go for it.
Good luck

Welcome. There are lots of good books on making docs.
Some have been discussed in The Mentoring Room: Ask the Working Pros.

Hi there folks,

I am a beginning film maker living in the Houston (Soon to be Austin)
area.

A partner and I are about to embark on a documentary journey that I
am pretty excited about.

I was given the link to this site by someone in the Austin film group
(A yahoo group.)

I am totally looking forward to reading these forums and asking
questions and learning in general!

Cameron, first of all, clarify your topic and your likely audience.
Obviously you can't talk to 43 million uninsured people so find one
or a few who can serve as representative of the whole. Think about a
way to surprise us and tell your story in a way that is different
from how you would see it on the evening news or if Michael Moore
were telling it. How are the uninsured having an impact on our
economy in ways we don't usually think of (i.e., beyond emergency
rooms being used for primary care or mothers choosing welfare over
work because at least their kids will get some kind of health
coverage).

Identify your audience from the start. No film can be marketed to
everyone, so think about whether you are preaching to the choir or
trying to influence legislators, medical professionals, small
business owners, etc. Are you trying to encourage change in one
community, one state or the country as a whole?

In terms of production, if your friends have no experience in film,
count on them to help with ideas, production assistance, outreach,
and helping to keep you motivated. Ideally get a real cameraperson.
If you shoot it yourself, practice a lot first (maybe doing some pre-
interviews with potential subjects) and invest in a good tripod. And
do get an experienced soundman. The biggest mistake of many
beginners is trying to do too much yourself when you really need to
focus on directing. So-so camerawork is forgiveable for a compelling
topic. Bad sound is not.

Welcome, Will. Glad you found us and good luck with your doc.

Hi folks-

I'm Tim and I'm heading to Africa. Anyone with a camera & skills want to come?

Tim

Hi Doug and friends,

I am a broadcaster/talk show host currently in pre-production for my
first doc. I've produced a couple of infomercials, some TV spots and
thousands of radio spots.

I host and produce a radio program about doing business and making
money using the Internet.

I plan on funding my doc using Internet income streams.

I found this forum by doing my research for producing a documentary.
You guys do an exceptional job here.

I'm looking for good advice (which I've already discovered with this
group), smart ideas and other creative ways to produce, promote and
make noise with my work.

I hope to meet many of you through this effort.

Thanks and have fun.

Mike Lamb
Host, The Moneyroom Show
dword@moneyroom.com