Pre Production (Part 1)
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This document discusses the preproduction process for creating a documentary. It covers researching topics, casting characters, writing a proposal, pitching the idea, and creating a treatment. The treatment breaks the documentary into sequences rather than scenes and outlines the major shots and story structure. It also provides guidance on writing character biographies, including sociological and psychological profiles, to help map out how the story will unfold. Developing the proposal and treatment is important for defining the story and organizing ideas in the early creative stages.
Pre Production (Part 1)
- 2. Importance of research Casting of characters The proposal The pitch Sample proposal The treatment Logistics, Scheduling and Budgeting
- 3. Casting of characters In selecting, the characters, be ware of the dynamism among the people you are choosing and examine what depth, complexities and entanglements each of them brings to an issue, event or problem. Find those who offer a different perspective , not only for a balanced presentation but also for the opportunity to explore a number of possibilities, and perhaps even more crucial to your story, for bringing out the inherent conflict.
- 4. Character Biography Name Date of birth Place of birth Age when the story begins Father’s occupation Mother’s occupation Number of siblings
- 5. Type of childhood Abnormalities Relationship with parents and siblings Education Occupation Residence Economic status
- 6. Social status Martial status Children Relationship with spouse and children Relationships with friends and coworkers Religion Politics Hobbies
- 7. Introvert Extrovert Athletic Ambitious Serious Humorous Motives
- 8. Successes Failure The character biography can also be divided into two categories I. Sociological profile Race and religion Class status Home life-past and present
- 9. • Education • Occupation and abilities • Key relationships • Politics • Hobbies
- 10. II. Psychological profile Sex life/ sexual orientation Ethics, values and moral standards Drive and ambition Frustrations and disappointments Temperament General attitude towards life Complexes
- 11. Compiling this data will also help you to anticipate how the story is going to unfold and to map out the course you want to take.
- 12. The proposal THE PITCH To present or advertise especially in a high- pressure way; to plug; to promote; to attempt to persuade especially with a sales pitch. ( A movies or program idea) for consideration(as by TV producer).
- 13. How to pitch You pay a minimal fee for the opportunity to pitch your story to a bunch of producers. You are pitching a documentary, which means the story cannot be scripted.
- 14. Here are some helpful pitching tips First, try to come up with one liner. Second, state the general structure. Third, discuss your approach and visual style. Try out your pitch with a few friends.
- 15. Sample proposal: California dreaming California Dreaming tells two stories: California today, as interpreted by contemporary Filipino American fictionist, poets and video artist and California as it was encountered by the Filipino American writer Carlos Bulosan in the decade after the Great Depression of 1929.
- 16. A proposal Narrative where you have to answer the following: What story are you trying to tell? (Program Description) What humanities topics and themes will your project address? How do these relate to contemporary issue in California? What is the style of the documentary and how will you develop it? (treatment) What are the goals of the project?
- 17. The treatment A treatment for a documentary is more or less broken down into sequences rather than into scenes or shots. Only the most important shots would be noted. Description of scenes would be minimal and the sequence listed are not going to be as detailed as that for a fiction film treatment. Having a treatment gives you an overview of your story’s structure and consciously ad subconsciously, you began to define your story and organize your ideas into visual images.
- 18. You might want to do this exercise as you begin to break down your story into sequences: Write down the idea, theme and premise of your story. With the information you have gathered from your research play around with the different trajectories and possibilities the story could take.
- 19. List the names of the people you have cast: lay out their character profiles and include all other pertinent information that will help you determine their different roles. Who is/are the protagonist(s)? What do they want? Who is/are stopping the from getting what they want ( or who are the antagonist)?