This project has already become the most educational because it introduces me to the entirely unique process of documentary. I began this project in the fall of 2009 with my friend Courtney (lead actress in 'The Runner'). She approached me about co-producing a documentary featuring her (now ex) boyfriend's band. The first part of shooting coincided with the band's first official "tour" outside of Los Angeles. The band would be traveling to the lead singer's hometown and playing several shows in and around the area. With some experience in filming documentary-type footage, I was disappointed that I could not join the tour myself as the cameraperson. Courtney proved a much more stealthy operator in that the band was already familiar with her and comfortable in her presence. I was given the role of director of photography of the film (and filmed some key moments of the film myself) but Courtney's footage is the meat and potatoes of the piece. Before going on tour, I created a shot/wish list - trying to plan for any and every usable moment that could possibly occur (or be persuaded into occurring) while the band was there. Courtney was very enthusiastic and captured some amazing moments. After shooting wrapped (around May 2010), I began the process of digitizing all 40 hours of footage into my newly built Hackintosh equipped with Final Cut Pro.
The most interesting part of this experience for me so far has been the process of 'writing' the script for the documentary before ever touching an edit station. Our initial viewing of all the footage, along with extensive notes, allowed us to create an outline for editing (something that I have deemed essential in attempting to sort through all of the usable moments in the raw footage). I am currently in the middle of what I have dubbed 'pre-editing', which is basically taking out all of the unusable moments (driving shots, minutes of silence, shots deemed too dark/too shaky, etc.) and stringing together any and all usable "soundbites" which will be laid into the edit timeline first to establish a story arc. Visual storytelling moments are second on my list (montages of the band getting from one place to another, concert footage, beginning and end recaps). With b-roll, of course, being the last on the list. Music will come in earlier than normal - at the story arc stage, because it will set the pacing for the piece.
