Here is a list of things that I learned while filming for our documentary.
- Setting up filmed interviews will present new challenges every time.
- Turkeys gobbling, construction, rain in the jungle, bugs, etc.
- Filming during a church service should never be referred to as a “mass shooting”.
- I should look into a profession in boom mic. operation.
- Holding still despite bugs crawling on you, 100 degree weather and your arms going numb is a gift.
- When in doubt let the camera do the thinking.
- Set everything to automatic and then fix the problem areas. (This saved me a few times.
- The tripod is your friend.
- No matter how far you have to hike with it or how annoyed you get attempting to level it on uneven ground, scenes not shot with a tripod are unlikely to be useable.
- B roll does not mean just filming kids.
- They’re adorable but B roll should be relevant.
- If you think taking notes in a reporters notebook makes you look more legitimate…
- It does.
- Priests are long-winded.
- These are the interviews that always went the longest.
- Bad translators can be extremely frustrating.
- Rembrant lighting is easier said than done.