Before I start pouring out in this blog, I want to give this Disclaimer stating that this blog would be of interest to people into film making, students in the field of Mass Communication, Journalism and people into the field of Performing Arts. So don’t get it out on me saying that you were misguided into reading this blog because of my title.
There was a documentary film festival in school today, organized by the students of Mass Communication and Journalism. As I’m into this field, it was a huge deal for me to attend it. We had a workshop from renowned documentary/ short film maker. He touched upon various and pivotal points that a person must keep in mind, rather, have it etched in his mind, when undertaking the Herculean task of film making. I, on the other hand, am more inclined towards performing arts and the pointers he gave us could be well related to this field too.
When people decide to make a film, the moment they get an idea, they sit down to sketch the script. This is entirely wrong. The moment you get an idea- Explore it, exploit it. Before getting it on paper, get it in your mind. You should be clear about each and every shot. It’s like the script of the movie should be playing in your mind, devoid errors. This is called Inner Visualization. Once this is done, then get down to the task of actually writing the script and making drafts.
Creativity is the essence of the film. Nobody wants to watch you or your film if you keep copying the existent. You need to have a Signature Style. Be it the film you are acting in or the interview you have to take of the person. How can you do this without conforming yourself the way society has? Like for example, you need to take government official views on child abuse. How can you do it, without slacking back to the ways people have been doing (face to face conversation). Why do you think the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” was such a rage. What was it that Al Gore did so differently that had people gluing to their TV sets and flocking to the theatres?
When people say documentary, the first thing that strikes them is “dull and boring”. This is a huge misconception. They don’t have to be boring. Humor is a huge part that makes a documentary a success.
In the month of August, we were given the task of making our own documentaries on topics of our choice. It was such a daunting task. Even though, we had a month’s time and the time limit of the documentary was 15min. Let’s cut the chase. Compared to the professional documentaries, ours were horrendous. There was passion in them, but that can’t make it a success alone. We really didn’t give it quality time. Like for example, we wrote the scripts in one day and finalized it on the first draft. And we also didn’t take into consideration the points I mentioned above. Documentaries like Fahrenheit 9/11 directed by Michael Moore, holds the record for highest box office receipts by a general release political film. Now how did the guy manage to do that? You need to have patience while making the documentary. Hmm, not just patience, tremendous amount of patience. The leading Hollywood scriptwriters that are paid $400 million just for their concept write their scripts like 200 times. Pablo Picasso, do you think he made his masterpieces in one day? God knows how many canvasses he might have torn and thrown in the graveyard of his canvases to put forward to us his stunning works like Seven Line Drawings, Heat, surrealism etc.
A person in the field of performing arts needs to shun his friends away if they go ahead with whatever work he puts in front of them for considerations. Critics are his best friends. Like for example, when you have written a script tell your critics to come armed with AK-47 and punch in as many holes as they can in the script in front of them. It doesn’t matter if the script is in tatters. The more holes a script has, the more you mend it. By the end your script will be bullet proof that no damage can be done to it. And the final product will be the one that will be called The Script. Criticism is required to make you or your work a success.
Wrapping it up. You need to believe in what you are doing. Have faith and never quit trying. You won’t be a success at your first attempt. Never give up. Don’t let the creative person inside you wither and die. You are what you make yourself. And if you want to be a successful actor or film maker, then no one but you, yourself will do it (with the grace of God, of course).
Best of Luck!
