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Chapter 20-22

  Chapter 20     Deborah Scranton doesn't favor narration-driven pieces.  She states in narration, "you have a point of view and you get sound bites to support that point of view, versus looking for different points of view and trying to put them together to share with the viewer this multifaceted perspective" (Bernard 301).  She has a valid point.  Narrative films can include interviews with characters who have dealt with the subject matter.  These interviews will provide the audience with varying points of view.  Scranton elaborates on this narrative idea saying, "if you communicate different visceral experiences, then, in a way, you're opening a window so other people get to meet those people, versus having an agenda" (Bernard 302).  I agree with this statement.  The people describing their own experiences and events should not be tampered with.  Their experiences should be driven through facts and personal accounts. Chapter 21 ...
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Chapter 16-19

  Chapter 16     According to prolific writer Susan Kim, films should engage the audience and make them think and argue.  For a documentary film, the audience must understand the point of view of the filmmaker.  Whether they agree or disagree with the films views, the purpose of the film must be conveyed.  Films shouldn't be too heavy on narration.  The audience should have time to gather their thoughts instead of constantly being spoon-fed. Chapter 17        One of James Marsh's documentary films, "Man on Wire", got a strong sense of his character Philippe Petit through personal memoirs.  Since this character really attempted to walk along the World Trade buildings, this film is based on factual evidence.  The director shot the interviews first before editing.  The film works better as a documentary than a feature film.  The sensitive nature of the material and those people interviewed were more personal. Chapte...
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Chapter 13-15

  Chapter 13     My film will have a first-person point of view and narration.  While there are speaking parts scattered throughout the film, some scenes will have some text over them such as names of cities.  A title card will help bridge sequences.  "Sometimes you need narration to set the stage for a scene that can play out on camera without interruption, or to make a transition from one sequence to the next" (Bernard 214).  The introduction narrative and early shots will provide the tone for the rest of the film.  "In the film's opening minutes, you want to set up the questions that will drive your story forward.  You then want to anticipate the audience's needs and almost intuitively seed information in..." (Bernard 220).   Chapter 14     Since my film is about a visit to Japan, it is providing a new perspective on the country.  The audience may pick up on new things or places they've yet to see.  If the mat...
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Chapter 9-12

  Chapter 9     The outline is an important step in the planning stage of a film.  It helps the filmmaker decide each of the sequences and gets the ideas on paper.  The main characters and scenes of the story can be carefully plotted in an outline.  "...the key difference between an outline and either a pitch or simply a research report is that an outline breaks your film into sequences.  This helps you clarify, in story terms, why your filming one event and not another, one individual and not another"  (Bernard 141).  Each sequence is similar to a book chapter.  There is a beginning and end to each sequence.  For my documentary, each sequence is set in a specific location in Japan.  Each city or province is discussed in terms of dining, transportation, and tourist spots.  The narrator will be heard as a voice-over describing the sequences of the film. Chapter 10          "A treatment is essential...
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Chapter 5-8

 Chapter 5     Telling a story has a beginning and an end point.  By discussing the subject matter in the basis of structure, the audience has a sense of time chronologically.  For the documentary project, the events are told in chronological order and give explanation for each photograph or video clip.  While every detail of the trip cannot be included due to time constraints, the main points of the trip are highlighted through a first person view.  The narration is important as it keeps track of the film's time period.  In some cases, interviews can be helpful by getting fresh takes on a particular subject. Chapter 6     The approach to the material in the documentary will be driven by the narrative.  This film will be an exploration of the country's offerings and cultural landmarks.  The visuals will also drive the story and keep audience engaged.  The background music can set the right tone and complement the visuals i...
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Chapter 1-4

  Chapter 1     Documentaries are narrative and informative forms of storytelling that give the audience valuable information on a subject matter.  Most often these documentaries are long and filled with many facts.  The process of creating a documentary starts with pre-production.  A story begins with an idea then branches to some conflict and conclusion.  The subject draws the audience through factual evidence told through real life interviewees.  There is always a structure in the making of a documentary.  There may be script writing involved depending on the director's needs.  The documentary is highly focused in its subject and includes real life accounts of the parties involved.  Filmmakers often get caught in tools such as shot angles and editing.  The focus should be on the purpose and true story of the film instead of the technology.   Chapter 2     Some storytelling terms that are included for docu...
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