Preparing Pre-vis Materials

For my role in the preparation of pre-visualization materials, I was assigned by the designated director to draw the storyboard. I have a decent bit of drawing experience, but fitting the subjects I drew to match the proportions ascribed by the certain types of shots (such as Medium Long shots, Close-ups, etc.) was a bit tricky at first. I also realized that, in order to save some time and not have to constantly re-draw similar frames, I could just use one storyboard shot for 2 or more of the same shot, such as for shot-reverse-shot and over-the-shoulder scenarios. The other pre-vis materials, such as the Overhead list, the shot list and other things, were all somewhat dependent on the Storyboard, which itself is dependent in most cases on the shooting script. So it's better to have that finished soon.

Master Shot Sequence - ideas for my role

For the Master Shot sequence, we have all more or less collaborated on what the scene’s story will be like. The assigned director had the idea of our scene ending with us preparing for a robbery, as we put on ski masks and pull out weapons (which may either be guns or baseball bats, the latter of which I think is less cheesy for a short film) and walk into a store or bank. I’ve been assigned the role of Producer in this short film, and so I will help manage the availability of what we can film and when. I’ve also been assigned the role of drawing the storyboard shots, and those have been interesting to sketch out and really help with visualizing what will be happening. Much of what we do when setting up the camera will visually be referencing the storyboard, so it’s important and convenient to make one.

Reflecting on the Vox Pops and Interview

When our group filmed our vox pops and B-roll footage on location yesterday, we learned more about how we should go about our street interviews.

We are making our short documentary about the Cotton Exchange shopping area downtown, an old and historic building that houses a maze of locally-owned shops in a tight community.

Our first vox pop was with a man on the street with us, and he happened to be just outside the building and knew people that worked there, so he proved a valuable interview. However, as I approached a few other people on the street for quick vox pop interviews, I realized that many of the random passersby may not know enough about the Cotton Exchange to help us with our project. So I decided that I would ask random citizens if they're familiar with the Cotton Exchange before asking for their interview.

As we were filming B-roll footage of the area's interior, I decided to try some of the shop owners for vox pops. Some of them didn't want to be on camera at all, but at least half of the shop owners were very willing to do a vox pop with us. I discovered that the shop owners were perfect for vox pops about the area, because they innately know a good deal about the Cotton Exchange and they all have interesting stories or experiences with the area that makes for good documentary material.

We were left with a few very good vox pops from shop owners and one good street vox pop, and we decided we needed a few more from pedestrians. So we eventually found a father and his daughter, the former of which was very enthusiastic about the area. We did a vox pop with him, and he told us stories about growing up there and why he loves the place.

It was a very successful shooting day after we adjusted to the precautions for and the advantages of the location.

Short Documentary Production Schedule

Our shooting schedule one is a relatively simple one for a relatively simple film, but there were some changes in plan along the way of preproduction. We originally intended to interview a staff member from the Black Cat Shoppe, and we had written the questions for her and planned out some B-roll shots. But because the Black Cat Shoppe was in the process of opening another store in early February, they were very busy and unable to follow through with the interview.

Because of this, we needed to quickly find someone else to interview and a location as well. After we each contacted a few people, Victoria was able to arrange an interview with a staff member in the Cotton Exchange shopping area in downtown Wilmington.

The new production schedule is as follows:

-On Wednesday, February 19 we drove to the Cotton Exchange downtown with our equipment and we filmed the majority of the B-roll and vox pop footage. After setting up the camera and audio equipment we filmed various B-roll shots of the exterior of the building and the surrounding area, and we filmed most of our vox pops. We discovered after a few street interviews that some of the people might not know enough about the location for what we need, so we decided to ask people on the street what they know about the Cotton Exchange before asking for their interview. We also decided to get vox pops from employees in the shops there, as they were guaranteed to know a good deal about the area. This idea proved very effective for what we sought.

-On Saturday, February 22 we will interview our contact in the Cotton Exchange downtown at 12 noon. We will have questions ready and be prepared to set up for the filming.

-We may also film some additional B-roll or vox pop footage on Saturday as we see fit, but we will film most of all of that on Wednesday.

Documentary Interview Plan

We will interview a staff member from the Black Cat Shoppe in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. We have yet to fully decide where we will shoot the interview, as that mostly has to do with the interview subject. We may just end up filming the interview in one of the offices of the store itself, as that way we might be able to see more of the shop in the background. Our tone is likely going to be an informative one for the public; making the viewer aware of the very interesting shop in focus and its history. This shop is of a unique kind and has an interesting story to tell.

1) What is the origin story of the Black Cat Shoppe that the public should know about?

2) What made you interested in writing "Ghosts of Old Wilmington?"

3) On your website it says you began selling merchandise from the back of your car years ago. How was this successful enough to lead to a store offering space for you?

4) What should we know about the Wizard on Saturday?

5) How does your fortune teller go about predicting people's futures?

6) How do you make your own merchandise and put it on the shelves?

7) How long have you been putting on your tours, and where did you do the research for their information?

8) What is your favorite tour to guide?

9) How has it been operating in the city of Wilmington? Any comments on its people, its location?

10) Do you have any goals for the future years of the Black Cat Shoppe?

Our vox pops will likely be in the streets around the Black Cat Shoppe. Here are some questions we may ask local passersby:

1) What can you tell us about the Black Cat Shoppe?

2) Have you or someone you know been through one of its tours?

3) Why do you go there when you do?