The Olympic Games - power to be me (Interview Techniques)

I had a lot of trouble getting an interview with a future paralympian called Liam, who wants to be part of Team GB's wheelchair basketball team. As a back up I managed to arrange an interview with Wayne Grant who is a personal trainer at Durham University, he is currently training a lad called Sean who is currently training to be a part of the Gymnastics event in the Special Olympics. To prepare for this interview I had to borrow 2 release forms from Thomas as a template and took a picture of their signature to edit into an appropriate release form for my topic. When interviewing Wayne the interview went well he answered all of my questions, the only issue was how I asked the questions as I was nervous and stuttered quite a bit when asking the questions... the same applied when interviewing Sean but I was scared of saying something that would end up insulting him or asking a question he found difficult to answer. If we managed to get the paperwork sorted in time and managed to get a definite filming date to interview Liam we could've had a lot more towards my documentary, such as another perspective of someone who is aiming to be a future paralympian.

I tried my hardest to get a subjective point of view towards my interviews but struggled to reach the sort of questions I had planned. Altogether I think it went well but has a lot of room for improvement in future projects like this.


When trying to film dates around Liam we were told that we could film on a certain date and then told we couldn't film on the day, which obviously created problems with filming and our deadline. I struggled a bit because my whole idea was to be towards people looking to aim for the Paralympics. luckily I walked in to Durham university and asked if I could talk to a personal trainer and got pointed to Wayne who was training sean.

Drive Documentary Folder Link and Documentary (Interview Techniques)

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1hmw1qjmz_EPSZzvoPYMoEKhLnJEX0T4a

Through the Life of Marc Issacs (Interview Techniques)

Since 2001 Marc Isaacs has made more than 10 creative documentaries for the BBC and Channel 4. Some of them have won awards such as the Bafta awards as well as numerous international film festival prizes.


His main documentary, "lift", is one of the major pieces he has created and uses a subjective view when standing on the lift and interviewing the residents of the building. He catches some of the tenants out when they look into the lift and try to avoid being filmed but the residents that didn't mind or where curious gave of a good response to marc Isaacs. Some of the questions that where asked were a bit weird as it was about what the residents did during there day and one mentioned a dream about a dog which is connected to a scene where a dog peered into the lift.


His choice of interviewing techniques are similar to that of Louis Theroux with the constant questioning of the residents in the lift.

Through the life of Louis Theroux (Interview Techniques)

Louis's everyday life:
Louis Sebastian Theroux was born on the 20th of May 1970 in Singapore, he is the son of the American travel writer Paul Theroux and his English then-wife Anne. His paternal grandmother, Anne was an Italian American his paternal grandfather, Albert Theroux, was French-Canadian.
Louis holds both British and American citizenships. His older brother, Marcel, is a writer and presenter for Channel 4, his cousin however works as an actor and screenwriter. Theroux moved with his family to England when he was one and was brought up on London. He was educated west minister public school, while there he became friends with comedians Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish, and a liberal democrat Nick Clegg. Louis first employment was as a journalist in the US with the Metro Silicon Valley, an alternative job Louis had was for the free weekly newspaper in San Jose, California. In 1992, he was then hired at by Spy Magazine and then a correspondent on Michael Moore's TV Nation series.


Work life for Louis Theroux:
Louis worked on multiple documentary's such as: Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends, When Louis Met..., My Scientology Movie, and BBC Two Specials. Many of these have gained high critical praised from the international media. During his time working on documentaries he also made other appearances in one of the weird weekends episodes "porn", Theroux agreed to film a cameo in the 1997 gay pornography film as a park ranger looking for a criminal. Theroux's first marriage was to Susanna Kleeman in the late 90s and then was divorced 2001; he told the Financial Time's Sathnam Sangera, that "she was finding trouble finding work...legally. So we got married to make it easier". Theroux later married long-time girlfriend Nancy Strang in 2012. He has three sons and lives in Harlesden, London until they temporarily moved to LA, California in 2013.
In a 2012 masterclass, theroux spoke of the challenge of combining his work life with his family life.

Other interviews (Interview Techniques)

Some of the other interviews we have produced are Social Action which focused on mental health specialists on a multi-cam shoot during our social action, I was the script supervisor and made sure that there were no questions left out that could be useful in our production.

Louis Theroux - 'Americas most hated family' (Interview Techniques)

Louis Theroux - Americas most hated family is a subjective documentary about the West-borough Baptist church, where Louis visits a family created community where they picket and insult homosexual couples who have died in wars throughout America.

Louis' questions are to the point but can be a bit harsh which I think is a good combination to get answers from the Baptist community. The beginning shots help establish the west-borough's mind sets and how people react to them, at the first glance of the signs you can see how serious the west-borough community are about their spreading their message that America is doomed the acts the american civilisation do.

Later on in the film Louis is shown where they make the sign by one of the community members where there are signs that say 'thank God for IED's' and one major sign that displayed an image of Princess Diana which is very controversial towards the British public as the story behind princess Diana and what she meant to the UK is something special.


In certain parts of the film Louis is introduced to pastor Fred Felps who is aggressively give Louis even more questions to what and tries to avert from giving the answers he want by saying snarky comments which comes from both the pastor and the some of his followers. After the pastor reads out the broadcast Louis asks him about who many children he has when the pastor replies saying "don't bother me with that kind of silly question" which shows that he isn't willing to give Louis the answers he wants.

Documentary Blog (interview Techniques)

6/11/18 - Day 1


So far for the beginning of setting up my documentary I have contacted 2 members of the Billingham council (Mick Stoker and Evaline Cunningham) and the Billingham forum to arrange research interviews about Billingham's controversial views, it's past and how it has faired throughout the years. I have also found out some information about Billingham when the ici was built and what Billingham was before it became the town we know today.


13/11/18 - Day 2
Today I have started my treatment stating the history of Billingham and what it is I'm going to researching for my documentary.




Research Links:
http://www.thisisstockton.co.uk/billingham/history_of_billingham.asp


15/11/18 - Day 3
Today I have had to change my idea as I've had no reply from any member of the Billingham council
16/11/18 - Day 4
I have decided I will base my idea on the Paralympics as I have a friend who is aiming to be a part of the Paralympic team.
18/11/18 - Day 5
I've contacted Liam to see if I could get the chance to film his Paralympic basketball team during there practise for their next match.
20/11/18 - Day 6
I've been researching Liam's basketball team "Tees valley Titans"
25/11/18 - Day 7
Liam has asked his coach about being able to film during the Tees Valley Titans training session which he said no. Because of this I am planning on filming Liam personally for my interview and basing it on his aims of becoming apart of the Paralympic team and what his parents and sibling do to support him in this goal.
08/12/18 - Day 8
I have been trying to get the chance to film at Liam's and get all of the interviews in one night, however every time it comes to the filming day there is always something that's happening or he's at training which is making it difficult to film my documentary.
12/12/18 - Day 9
I am planning to change my idea again because I'm getting to chance to film Liam or his family. I am planning to go to Durham university, next door, and ask a personal trainer about how he trains people who might have disabilities like Liam.
13/12/18 - Day 10
I have talked to a personal trainer called Wayne Grant who has allowed me to interview him and maybe get the chance to film him training a lad called Sean who has down syndrome.
15/12/18 - Day 11
Me and Adam have gone around the university gym collecting B-roll to go into the finished product.
16/12/18 - Day 12
Me, Adam and Thomas have gone to meet Wayne and Sean to get an opportunity to film their training session which also collected as part of the B-roll. Some of the exercises Sean does are ball slams, and bar pulls. I also got the chance to interview Sean and found out he is wanting to be part of the special Olympics as a gymnast.

Louis Theroux: Behind Bars - Review (Interview Techniques)

Louis Theroux: behind bars was an outstanding documentary about the prisoners of San Quentin State Prison as Louis gets to stay for two weeks to pick behind the stories of how some of the inmates landed themselves in the world most notorious prison.

During the documentary I was intrigued by the quote at the beginning opening interview where one of the inmates states that "something's that thrill Louis and his camera man won't thrill the inmate and what thrills the inmate won't thrill Louis and the camera man".










 
The opening is strong with the description of san Quentin with its 3,000 inmates consisting of "murderers, sexual predators and small time criminals" one of the small time criminal we get to meet is "playboy Nolan" who sprayed substances at the guards and hijacked cars, he got a 3year sentence which was extended because of he gassed one of the guards. Louis becomes very curious about Nolan's time in san Quentin, why he wouldn't gas Alehos and the interior of his cell. On there break Louis is introduced to the various groups within the prison yard, such as the barbarian brotherhood which is a group of white inmates.


Louis questions always varies throughout the documentary with the leading question of what they have done to land themselves in san Quentin prison. It helps to keep the documentary going and keeps the inmates guessing.


1/5 of the way through Louis and the cameraman is taken to level 4 cell block which holds the rough secluded inmate, some of the offences they have caused to end up in here are: murder, rape, robbery, exporting contraband to other inmates. Anthony (one of the recent inmates) is interviewed by Louis and tell him that he killed his friend which is why he is in san Quentin prison. Anthony's expression shows that he is enjoying life as an inmate and thinks that the prison is a "playground". In the documentary Louis asks one of the wardens how Anthony can spend his 50yrs in san Quentin without getting himself into trouble, and keeping away from inmates that will use the younger inmates to stab or attack other inmates or guards.


At the inmates lunch break Louis sit with 2 members of the barbarian brotherhood and tries to push his limits after they tell him that he can't offer any food to them, he keeps asking if they are truthfully saying that as they tell him that they would mob him in a group of 3, they then meet Debra (a trans-woman inmate) who has a working relationship within the prison. Louis asks a lot of subjective questions about why they think the other inmates want to split relationship within the prison up and why they think their relationship works.

LIft, Louis Theroux, and Catfished analysis (Interview Techniques)

What I have learned
Throughout the three documentary films I have learned a range of interviewing types such as pushing the interviewee to try and get a response or answer from them by




Structure of the three films
Louis Theroux:
In Louis Theroux the structure is well put together and uses different shots to tell some of the story such as where he is and what he is doing there, where as the rest of the structure such as interviews introduces us to new characters and what they're thoughts and behaviour is through the use of location and questions Louis is asking about them.


The Lift:
In the documentary 'the lift' the structure is well put together in certain spots such as the women who had a dream about a dog drowning and the dog that nearly entered the lift, however in my own thoughts I don't think the lift was structure to what it could've been


Catfished: Is a documentary based on the idea of catfishing people on the internet (pretending to be someone you're not to lure people into a false sense of security). Catfish is a fly on the wall documentary as the film everything as it happens, it also gave them time to reflect on what was happening and coming up with answers on what they think they should do about this person they believe is a catfish.






Interviewing types


Louis Theroux is a subjective documentary because of the way he focuses on what he is trying to prove. The use of close ups to mids shot aslo focuses on the subjectsd action and movements through the documentary. Louis uses a range of suggestive questions that might questions one opinion or belief, for example questioning the founder Fred Phelps beliefs during his broadcast, which helps Louis manipulate his target subject into giving him what he's wanting for the camera without realising.


The documentary as a whole has a investigative interview style as he walks round tailing his subject and interviewing them about what they're doing and if they think it's right or not, this also make the interview more intriguing to the audience as it becomes more entertaining through the actions, opinions and responses from the other subjects around him. During interviewing America's most hated family Louis' communication skills become a whole lot better as he actively listens to what they are saying then questions the pieces that stick out to him and tries to wind them up to get a bigger scale reaction to see how far they will go for their cause.


The purpose of the interviews are to enhance the audiences understanding of the way they behave and what they believe and then to justify it in a negative or positive light (most commonly a negative light). The documentary is a emotional film because of the way the family's actions make you feel, such as picketing the funeral of dead soldiers.


The Lift is a documentary that uses a lot of open questions to suit the subjects mind-set and leaves open the use for questioning them further about it, however some of the questions he asks are directed to the specific person in the lift. For example the guy who had been out drinking. The documentary has a light-hearted style to it as it's main focus is the everyday life of the tenants in the apartment building, however the communication skills of the interviewer/filmmaker are not as good as Louis Theroux but builds his confidence to talk to the tenants in the building and questions the in a gentle manner that won't offend but will still get answers from the interviewees.


The documentary doesn't have an emotional feel in my opinion but aims to research how they feel about living in the building and using the lift in their everyday lives.


Catfish is a documentary that focuses on multiple and direct questioning to both the interviewee and the interviewer as Nev tries to track down the woman he believes is a catfish. It has a investigative and hard news styling that can be shown to the audience with the way they try to constantly film everything such as their own investigation planning, the investigation and the interviews with the woman who was cat fishing Nev and her family. The documentary has a wind-up and key questions structure as it follows Nev trying to get to the bottom of what is truly happening. The communication skills in the film are well put together as he keeps composed when interviewing the woman at in the late stages of his investigation. During his planning Nev uses phone interview techniques as he gathers information and obtains comments through text and call from the cat fish.


During the documentary he attempts to get answers and justify her reasons for why she cat fished him as she begins crying because she knows what she did was wrong. The interviews with the woman are really emotional as she begins crying as Nev tries to comfort her and make her see that what she did was wrong but also allows to see insight into the situation as it helps the audience realise that catfishing can effect people on both sides and those around them.

Week 3 - Characters & Scene Setting

‘When I grow up’ :

I want to be popularly known

‘The best thing about this week will be...’ :

Going on a trip to mars

‘The ruined party’ :

Was like a farm’s cattle house…

… The final ambulance took “Biter” off.

The Upper East-side of New York’s wealthiest, most powerful people. The Harrington family had invited the Aldridge's, to settle this family feud. This wouldn't end well.

(Describe the main character) - Biter; a man of short proportions who was once arrested for removing a police officers fingertip with his teeth. 4’ 9” and shaved to a buzz cut, his pale blue eyes are as frosty as they are piercing. Don’t underestimate him because of his size, he’s lighting fast and doesn’t play fair.

(Secondary character) -  Laurie Harrington, A woman known for her overwhelming passion for her family and her work, The first daughter of the Harrington family, Flowing dark hair that reflected in the eyes of her peers, 5’1 with bright green eyes, however is not as she seems as those who get on her bad side have known to experience her deathly stare and over-reactive personality.

Screenplays are very dependent upon characters, Syd Field says:

Without character. You have no action, without action, no conflict, no story: without story, no screenplay,’

An outer presence of me:

A small teen with a large onyx mop that points to the right hand side along with ginger tints and a scruffy little beard which he shaves once in a blue moon. He wears an array of different tops and jumpers but the only consistent thing he wears are one of his 3 pairs of blue jeans, His voice is similar to Mickey mouse but seems to sound 40 years older when online with his friends.

My ‘Dominant attitude’:

His temperament is very placid and doesn’t budge until people push him to his limit but forgives and forget after a week or so. He likes to study his enemies movements before beating them in videos games and is very swift to defend himself from the opposition, his goals are set high, aiming to become the next cinematographer in the next blockbuster.

Practise Documentaries (Interview Techniques)

I have edited my documentary to a certain standard, it is not the best, there could've been a number of things to add to the documentary such as more B roll, music etc. but with what I had I have finished my piece about how the mighty Redcar represented and how much of the mighty Redcar shows the reality of the little coastal town.

I think my questions for this piece could've been a lot better and to the point because