DOCUMENTARY: Research, Scripting and Story-telling

Blog research to do - 'Benefits Street'

What have I learnt so far?
- Casting - try to get semi/professional actors instead of people I know because the acting makes a film better.
- Locations - to get proper locations, my script said the scene was outside a cinema so I filmed outside a cinema. Sound and lighting problems. Do a recce - thinking about lighting, safety etc.
- Organisation - is key. Be organised and book actors and location in advanced. Be prepared for cancelations. Have a backup plan.
- Scheduling - timings!

RESEARCH

After you've got the idea
- Test the viability of your story
- Develop the script and rough schedule/budget
- Essential to understand the potential of the idea and WHAT WE CAN SEE/FILM prior to the pitch

Where to research
- Begin researching online and relevant journals, publications and newspapers 
- Acquaint yourself with the broader picture and background to your story
- Establish key contacts
- NB - never call any of these contacts until YOU understand the basis of the story you wish to tell and have an appreciation of the remit/specialism of the individuals you are calling
- You can then prepare some basic questions which you would like to ask your contacts

Relevant background info
- Legislation/regulations
- Organisations ad experts
- Existing research - up to date as possible, if unpublished - even better - exclusivity 
- Case studies
- Previous coverage on TV/archive as appropriate 

Factual films require a 'journalists nose'
- What makes your story worth commissioning 
- What is new - YOUR ANGLE

How much research before we pitch?
- Enough to answer the basic questions about the story and to form the proposal
- Who/what/when/where/why/how
- Find your USP (unique selling point)

PITCH
- 21st March, 3pm - summary of the pitch idea (working title, top-line, and one paragraph synopsis 
- Present in whatever style and with whatever supporting material you feel is helpful and relevant to your idea
- Practice the pitch and time yourself - 10 mins pitch and 10 mins of questions
- You will pitch in LR1 at studios
- One group at a time in front of Helen and Zoe

Ethics & representation
- It is important to realise that these are more that subject for an essay or discussion
- What is means in real terms is the way in which we, in the media, handle individuals and present them to the world. 
- People who should be treated with care - disabled and vulnerable  

What is 'representation'?
- In media terms when we use the term we are referring to how people are used, presented and obviously represented in broadcast
- Typically refers to issues relating to:
Disability
Income/class
Values/culture
Ethnicity/race
Religion
Sexuality (gender)
Issues e.g. crime
Tokenism 
Youth, middle, old age

Relevant organisations
- OFCOM (regulatory body for broadcasters)
- Press Complaints Commission (indépendant self-regulartory body deals with complaints about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines (websites)
- Broadcasters - have their own guidelines and regulations e.g. BBC has Producer Guidelines 
- Pressure groups/interest groups/community groups etc - likely to be 'watchful' e.g Diabetes UK

Representation
Ensure the people you feature are
- A fair representations of the wider context 
- Fairly treated and represented (honesty)
It is also worth remembering that even in selecting someone to contact you are making
Ethical decisions about them - so again:
- Avoid stereotypes and reinforcing prejudices 
- Avoid 'lazy' journalism
- Treat people with respect - they do not have to speak to you, so carefully consider your approach prior to contacting them


Who's film is it anyway?
This can be a source of tension
Essentially those with a vested interest in your films are as follows:
- You as a filmmaker
- The contributors 
- The owners of locations
- Those connected with the subject matter
- Those paying the bills - sponsors/commissioners
- The film's 'facilitators' - such as Press officers and others who have helped you with the film
- Where appropriate - lawyers

Finding case studies/characters
- Via relevant organisations - usually via press office
- Via experts - e.g. doctor/scientist/professor conducting a study
- Via reported cases in the media - be a detective
- Through your own contacts

Meeting characters
- Take ID card
- Go in pairs
- Take a contact no.

Essential questions for contributors:
- Name/age/contact details - accuracy is imperative
- Their availability 
- Potential locations for filming them
- Potential sequences - RELEVANT
- Under 18? Parental consent
- If they are in any way 'vulnerable' seek relevant permissions e.g. if mental or other health issues

Contributor consent forms
- Sign any forms at the beginning before shooting so if they decide to drop out the shots you've taken are yours
- Maybe put a sign up letting people know about the shoot and they have a choice whether to be in the background or not.

Don't make promises you can't keep
- This applies to ALL of the people you deal with
- Playing with fire if you tell people the doc will make a change
- Tell people it is initially for research purposes

Remember "Friendly but not friends"

SCRIPTING