Pre-Production Documents and Planning

The role of producer was given to Carly Curwen (Click here for her blog). Due to this role, Carly has taken the time to write up the pre-production documents needed for this production. The idea that we have collectively agreed to follow (with the help of our fellow students) is the tattoo idea. This is due to the idea being a stronger and more interesting subject, in-terms of the narrative and the amount of contributors that have for this subject in contrast to the drugs idea.

Here is the list of pre-production documents created for this project:

• Call Sheet for 1st Shoot
• Call Sheet for 2nd Shoot
• Call Sheet for 3rd Shoot
• Location, Weather and Transport Information for the on location shoot
• Shot List
• Equipment List

We have also done further research into the subject of tattoos for our documentary idea by looking into similar styles of tattoo productions. Click Here to view this research.

We plan to travel to Barnsley to interview Sarah who is a tattooist at 'Ink'd Tattoos & Piercings Studio' on the 15th February 2016 with Jodie Foster, a client of Sarah's and a contributor for our documentary. We also plan to film several contributors to give us a range between age, style and personal meanings to help drive our narrative.

Curwen, Carly (2016). Pre-production [online]. Last updated 9th February. http://carlycurwencreativeproject.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/pre-production.html

What is Synced Sound and Why Will I Use it?

Shot gun mic on a boom pole for a
Synced Sound Setup

Synced sound is the practise of recording sound via a microphone (either it be a shot gun mic, clip mic etc) that records straight to camera and ‘in-sync’ with my footage. This technique is used to record crisper and cleaner sound for your footage with a better quality mic then you standard build in mic. This is a more affective way as it allows the boom operator to get the mic closer to the subject to pick up the sound waves at the optimal distance to record super crisp sound. Although, I would prefer the use of a shot gun microphone as it records direct sound when pointed at the sound source.

Diagram of a shot gun microphone's
polar pattern

To get the mic closer to the subject, the best technique is to have the mic on a boom pole and positioned above/slightly in front of the subject pointed directly at the sternum for maximum clarity to capture the most sound waves/frequencies. This is because the way the directional mic records sound is by being pointed directly at the source of sound, and vocals are clearer from the sternum.

I will be using this technique in my production as it will allow me to record the vocals of my interviewee in sync with my footage and saves the editor to sync up sound in post. This creates a faster and simpler work flow for time efficiency and to get the best quality for our production.