DOCUMENTARY; SEQUENCES AND ACTUALITY

Directing Documentaries
- Documentaries do not just 'happen' they have to be researches, meticulously planned, scripted and set up. Throughout the pre production, production and post production Control is the key.

Sequences - what is a sequence?
Just as with drama, we direct sequences for documentaries which represent reality. Close ups are the key, repeat the action and beware of continuity, make sure your sequences are interesting, creative and relevant and properly set up for light and sound. Wherever possible shoot sequences with a  tripod. When dealing with paid talent you can usually ask them to do whatever you creatively want for the film, when dealing with members of the public however, this is more potentially tricky. Ensure you have talked through your plans with them prior to the shoot so that you know they are happy with the arrangements, gaining trust is key to dealing with 'real' people - this is built up during the pre production process, your research should highlight potential actuality and relevant sequences which will 'tell the story in pictures' so you can plan this in your shooting script.

Get good coverage - shoot to edit
The art is to get as many options as possible for your edit, i.e. shoot lots of different angles which will cut together for continuity, remember the rule of 3 close ups for every wide shot - break each shot into action and reactions shots to give good coverage. To ensure you can always 'cover' your edits, it is essential to shoot cutaways, GVs are a great way of doing this. They are generic shots which are relevant to the subject and location which can be slotted in anywhere to edit, they need to be close ups or defocused wides.

Actuality
Actuality is a type of documentary filming which captures events and does little if anything to control them - realism. Therefore, in contrast to sequencing, you will NOT be directing the action but responding to it. Thus, actuality is very difficult to film and thus to edit - you cannot control the action so therefore controlling your camera and what you shoot is even more important. They are often shot handheld to improve responsiveness and flexibility - in fact conventions have evolved whereby the 'wobbly' look of actuality is expected and adds to the sense of 'reality; and events unfolding unfettered by the production team. Thus planning is vital for such shoots, you need to do a careful recce so that you are aware of potential challenges during the shoot and can devise ways of dealing with them.

Actuality Shooting Strategies
- Letting the subject enter and leave the frame
- Apply the rules of sequencing by controlling what and how you shoot filming
- plenty of reactions shoots
- Filming cutaways, establishing shots and non-sync wide shots
- Always get wild track/buzz-track

SCREENING - AILEEN; THE LIFE AND DEATH OF A SERIEL KILLER
What questions was the film trying to pose?
- Mental Health - is it right to put the death penalty on someone who is visibly mentally unstable?
- Does it prevent crime (the death penalty)

How can the characters test the hypothesis?
-Her mother told the story of Aileen's childhood, her childhood could be what affected her mental stability