Making a micro documentary on a shoestring budget: Production and post-production

Abstract

This is the second article in this series, which follows the article on preproduction of a micro-documentary. In the previous issue I covered: modelling and providing a project context, brainstorming the character and concept, preproduction research, designing the story, finding and framing the central character, describing the problem and the hook, and narrative sequencing. I also suggested forming production teams and assigning production roles, and planning a shooting schedule, designing the soundtrack, considering style, the interview and pitching the documentary. As suggested in the previous article, it is assumed that you and your students will have access to cameras and adequate software for editing. Although frankly I'm sure I and my students could make a low-end movie using our mobile phones, but what we are envisaging here is a somewhat higher quality production. In this article I'll cover aspects of production and post, including conducting and shooting the interview, shooting and gathering additional material, and the basics of capturing, cutting and assembling the final story in post production. Suggestions will be made for storing the project between editing sessions and outputting as well as sharing your documentary with others. I will also address 'fair dealing,' in terms of copyright and gathering of images and music in relation to screening issues.