My Doc Journey

Bettina Dalton is a documentary producer specializing in nature films. She's best known for the film Playing with Sharks, which you can watch on Disney Plus.Support the show

Today we talk about how to get great interviews from anyone.Support the show

Interview with Hsuan Yu Pan and Nancy Wolfe about their new documentary short, Alone/Together.Currently, Alone/Together is available to watch via https://www.panvideo.net/watch-a-filmAlso check out the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/alonetogethermovieFind out more about Hsuan Yu Pan at https://www.panvideo.net/Support the show

Today I’m going to Update you on what’s happening in Madagascar and where we are with the filmUpdate you on what I’ve been doing over the past year while we’ve been unable to filmA lesson hard learned from this past yearLearn more about the film at VoiceofVanilla.comSupport the show

Visit Mydocjourney.comSupport the show

Please support the Seed&Spark campaign for Voice of Vanilla at https://seedandspark.com/fund/voiceofvanillaSupport the show

Find the core application at Documentary.orgArchival footage links:Archive.orgBritishpathe.comhttps://nofilmschool.com/2015/10/need-public-domain-footage-your-documentary-here-are-5-great-sourcesSupport the show

Jessica Jones is an Emmy nominated documentary filmmaker. Her work focuses on community, cultural representation, and race with a specific focus on both Black and multiracial identity, often with a focus on women and the arts through character-driven narratives. Her work has appeared on Independent Lens, The New York Times, BBC, KQED, among others publications. She is a part of two-time Webby award winning If Cities Could Dance filmmaking team and in 2016, she received an Emmy nomination for “Women Dancers Redefine Oakland’s Street Dancing Scene”, published on KQED Arts. She is a part of the creative team behind Mixed People’s History, an online story archival project. She was the 2011 George Stoney Fellow at Working Films, and a 2013 BAVC Mediamaker Fellow. She is a graduate of Northwestern University, and George Washington University’s Institute for Documentary Filmmaking.Support the show

1) Don't solicit; Elicit.2) Keep contributors updated3) Think beyond money4) Techniques for facebook5) Techniques for Insta6) Clubhouse and TikTokSupport the show

Seed & SparkCrowdfunding for Filmmakers1) Audience research2) Pitch video3) Determine how much you can raise4) Incentives5) Be ready for day 16) Make it your full time jobSupport the show

Visit MyDocJourney.com for list of gearSupport the show

It's important to be able to articulate the importance of documentary filmmaking. There are many reasons, but here are a few of mine.Also, I watched the 3 hour long Stage 32 webinar about pitching Netflix, and here are my thoughts.Support the show

Tips: Getting out of the slump: LAUGHHold a pencil in your mouthMeditationCreate a sanctuaryBreak things down into small tasks20-30min work sprints5min activity break each hourDrink lots of water, eat hard candy Support the show

Watch Imitating Life online through Salem Film Fest https://salemfilmfest.com/2020/movies/imitating-life-the-audacity-of-suzanne-heintz/Find out about future screenings at https://www.journeyman.tv/film/7841/imitating-life-the-audacity-of-suzanne-heintzSupport the show

Visit Mydocjourney.com to download the free ebook Roadmap to Becoming a Documentary FilmmakerWrite your mission statementsGet a fiscal sponsorCreate a trailerStart applying for grants- this is a long game, so if you think you’re going to film this next month and edit it the month after, forget about this for nowIt takes a lot of time, and you have to apply several times before you really have a chanceThere are benefits beyond money, like connections to distributors, film festivals, and labsBuild your communityCreate a spreadsheet of your entire circle of influence and start talking to peopleIn-person request for help is always going to be the best way to get support, and widen your sphereMake sure you keep notes on all your meetings and follow upCreate an “advisory board” of friends and mentorsCreate a social media plan (figure out best sites to post on) and post regularlyFind newspapers, magazine, website related to your topic- submit articles for publication (build awareness and credibility)Develop your pitchShort and sweet (20-30 sec) makes them ask, oh that’s interesting, tell me moreBe passionate Pitch 10 times a dayEvents - Build community, raise awareness2 ways to raise money here: get sponsors (put logos on stuff), have an auctionOnline events during covid- no overhead, people can attend from anywhere in the world8. INDIVIDUALSWhere to find them?In your headAddress bookFamilyLocal newspaper: look for ppl w/ interest in the topic area; business & society columnsBrainstorming partyNet: websites, blogs, social networksHow to approach?One-to-one direct, in-person askFundraising housepartyDirect mailPersonal letter from you to a few people you know, or by avid supporter who will write their friendsMass mail appeal sent to a list you've acquired EmailHow to approach them?one-on-oneFundraising House PartyCrowdfundingBefore you do this you must have already done the work of building your community and email list, so if you’re a first-time filmmaker…Go to seedandspark.com and watch their fundraising class!!!!9. OTHER NONPROFITSWhere to findProfessional journalsConferencesITVSVFW, Knights of Columbus, Lion’s Club, Rotary International10. GOVERNMENTNational sourcesNatl endowment for the artsNatl endowment for the humanitiesCorp for public broadcastingMisc (e..g. Forestry, IRS)StateState arts agenciesState humanities councilsState tourism boardLocallocal/regional arts councilCommerce & growth associationsCity tourism board11. PRIVATE FOUNDATIONSWhere to findLibraries (Foundation Center)LookSupport the show

Alana DeJoseph is the producer, director, and editor of the feature documentary film, A Towering Task, which explores the history and current relevancy of the US Peace Corps.Learn more about her film, and how to watch it at http://www.peacecorpsdocumentary.com/Learn more about my documentary, Voice of Vanilla, about Madagascar vanilla farmers at http://voiceofvanilla.com/Support the show

Get your guide to becoming a documentary filmmaker at MyDocJourney.comHotDocs 2018 Documentary Audience Research study https://telefilm.ca/wp-content/uploads/hotdocs2018-doc-audience-report-en.pdfPeter Broderick blog about Distribber http://peterbroderick.com/distributionbulletins/distributionbulletins.htmlHow to develop your audienceDON’T assume you know who your audience is. Do some research.Make a list of topics/keywords related to your filmResearch what existsOther films, news stories, books, blogs, reddit groups, twitter chats, businesses, influencersCreate a spreadsheet/ organize findingsMake list of types of content that gets shared, the way people communicate, what topics people are talking about or asking aboutMake list of conferences or other eventsBonus is that you learn even more about your topic!!!Here’s where you’ll find the groups/influencers who you will reach out to to spread the word about your filmFollow unexpected leads to find things you hadn’t thought of- add to list of keywordsCreate a composite sketch of your audience with 3-5 examplesBeliefs and mindset are most important aspect- not age or sexGo out and talk to people who match your sketched and make sure they really are interestedDevelop a relationship with your audienceShare your WHYEngage in-person as much as possibleStart building your email listMake sure you’re offering valueAsk audience for their feedback/ideassend your list a survey asking them about their lives and interests. Ask them what intrigues them about your documentary project and what topics they’d like to see covered.Bring them back to your site by giving them ways to participateBlog: about filmmaking process, about characters/themes; expand narrative beyond the film by working with/connecting to grassroots orgs that work on the social issues your doc covers; post content from filmWrite articles that can be shared by people/groups/orgsSupport the show

Intrinsic Motivation requires 3 elements- Autonomy- Mastery- PurposeGive yourself a FLOW test to help find purposeUse Deliberate Practice to achieve MasteryCreate your own Goals and give yourself monthly Performance ReviewsSupport the show

FREE E-booklet: How to Become a Documentary Filmmakeravailable at MyDocJourney.comMake a tax-deductible donation to Voice of Vanilla at www.tinyurl.com/vovdocSince many of you will be visiting family, I thought I’d talk about interviewing, so that some of you can practice on your family members. Consider this your winter break homework.This is an especially great exercise to do with older family members who may have great stories locked away that you never knew. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to preserve memories of loved ones. You can totally just use your phone if you don’t have a camera, and just have fun with this.So here are things to think about with interviews…Sound- be aware of your environment. Listen for heaters turning on and off or refrigerators. If you’re near a busy street, try to move to a room furthest away from the street. It’s best to always listen through headphones, because it’s easy to realize what is being picked up by the microphone.Lighting- have a light to the front, and slightly to the side, that way it lights up their eyes so you can see a little light reflecting from them- that’s called eyeshine and without it eyes can look dull and flat. It’s also nice to have a light above and behind the person to shine on their shoulders and hair. It adds depth to the shot. Composition- if you just have 1 camera I would frame the shot from just above the hips to just above the top of the head. Following the rule of thirds, their eyes should be off to one side of the frame, looking toward the other side of the frame. I’ll post an example on the blog and facebook page if you have absolutely no idea what I’m saying here. Also, if you can, make sure the subject is not backed up to a wall. Having depth behind the subject will make for a more interesting shot, especially if it is at an angle to the wall or facing the corner. Ideally the background is interesting, but not cluttered. If all you have is a plain wall, try shining a small light on it to give it a splash of brightness.Once your shot is ready, and your subject is comfortably seated, it’s good to have a little conversation with them to help them relax. Being in front of the camera is super scary for most people, so I like to let them know that they’re going to be looking at me (not the camera) and we’re just going to be having a conversation. They can pause and think, just like they would normally. I also let them know that I will not be responding to them verbally while they talk- do not make noises while your interviewee is talking. We’re used to saying “uh-huh, ok, hmmm” while people are talking, but you don’t want that recorded in your audio. Just nod your head and react with your eyes, ok? Also, DO NOT start talking as soon as they finish a thought. There are 2 reasons this is important. 1) it’s going to be difficult to edit if you start talking right after the person finishes and 2) they may have some great facial expressions or interesting insights that come to them if you just give them time to sit in the moment. Now, you may have prepared questions ahead of time, which is a really good idea, especially if there is some specific information you want to get because it is REALLY easy to forget things while your interviewing. So write down the important questions, and make sure you review them throughout the interview. HOWEVER, do not just focus on the questions, and jump to the next question as soon as the person finishes their answer. REALLY LISTEN to what the person is saying, Look forSupport the show

On this episode I discuss why you shouldn't try to be a full-time freelancer, but instead develop a business structure.Find us online at MyDocJourney.comSupport the show