Week 2 - Tutorial Interactive Digital Moving Image Production | CU3003NI | - Pratik Man Singh Pradhan

Video for Documentary Writing Treatment/Log Line and Preparing Log Sheet

Video For Documentary -Video is used for many things, among them, to document events, people, history or information. -There are no sets ways to make a documentary -Sometimes it would not be possible to make some documentaries with more than one person involved.

What are you trying to achieve? The subject of the documentary can dictate the approach. This means that content, editing and post production are all influenced by what the documentary is about. We can influence how the audience interprets what they see.

Purpose What is the aim of the documentary? Are we seeking to make the audience angry, moved, empathetic, sorry, excited, motivated, curious, embarrassed, shocked or interested? Are we simply seeking to please the client, or does the client want us to make an objective document of their event or information?

Think About  Objectivity  The clients aim  Who the audience is  What the purpose is  The emotions involved

Content  The content can be made up of many elements: video and audio, still images, archive content, collage and combinations of all of these.  A sport documentary can have a dynamic production just as much as a diary of a music festival.

Speed  The speed of the narrative can change how we perceive what we are seeing.  Speed can depend on subject matter; however, sometimes it is good to challenge how we might expect to see certain subjects presented, by presenting them in a new way.

Flow  It is always important to give the viewer the opportunity to follow what we are showing them, in a coherent and understandable way.  Confusing the audience only results in then ‘Switching Off’.  Even if you would like to experiment with how to present your subject.  Make sure it is still easy to follow what is going on.

Ideas and Effects  Using effects can bring a level of dynamic to your narrative.  Use effects creatively, but always try to complement what the subject is, and how you use effects to emphasize aspects of the subject being presented.

Audio and Music  Audio is very a very important component in your video, and can be used to powerful effect.  Within documentaries, audio is often used to emphasize the realism of what the viewer sees, or to contrast one aspect with another (for example, watching a battle scene, while we listen to mothers telling us about how they lost their children in a battle).  Think carefully about how you might utilize audio to better effect in your production, and how you might be able to use music to create interest and empathy for the subject.

Treatment / Log Line  A brief narrative description of what the viewer will see and hear in your video is called the treatment/log line.  The process of writing a description of the video will help you think deliberately and creatively about what the finished video should look like to the viewer.  Treatments are also useful in communicating with others your plans for specific video segments. Getting others to evaluate the treatment can result in valuable feedback that will help you improve your plans.  If your project includes several video clips, a short treatment for each clip is useful.  View the attached treatment statement for an introductory video to be used in an exhibit of practice.

5 Elements of a Treatment  Purpose or Need(s)  Target Audience(s)  Description of Product  Point of View  General Flow

Purpose or Need(s)  Will this video demonstrate a process or product?  Will it show a situation that needs to be fixed?  Will it tell someone's story?  Will it meet the requirements for a specific course assignment?  Why are you proposing this project?

Target Audiences(s)  Who will you expect to see your production?  The final product may be different if it is intended for a Social Studies class than if it were for a Physics class.  It may be different if it is going to be broadcast to the entire community or if it is going to be seen only in this class.

Description of Product  In a nutshell, what will your video be about?  Don't get too involved.  Put down a thumbnail of what will be seen when you are done.

Point of View  How will the video be shown - from what point of view?  Will it be the central character's viewpoint, or the viewpoint of someone outside the action?  Will there be a central character? Who will be telling the story?

General Flow  What will the viewer see?  Will it be a chronological sequence from beginning to end or will it be flashback(s)?  Will it propose a problem then two oSr three solutions?  How do you expect the whole to look when screened?  Key Factors Success will Depend On - Analyze the whole production. - If something is less than ideal, will the production fail? - For example, weather could ruin shooting or your talent may be sick. - How are you planning to work around possible difficulties?

Log Sheet  It is a recording keeping document for shooting to keep good track of shot footages.  It includes the details of all the good and bad takes unlike a Shot List which only contains the footages to be used. This is not to be confused with Log Line.  Alternatively it is also known as :  Continuity Sheet  Continuity Log Sheet

Log Sheet - Example

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