Rebecca, Brittany, and Amanda
Final Project
The Monfort's Story:
*The B-Roll will show two days (or more) of following the Monfort family, then lead to the third day of interviewing the family.
*Questions: (more to come when following the family so we can get a more better understand of them first)
1. What do you remember with Leeann birth? Good or bad, tell me more about it.
2. When did you know something was wrong with Leeann?
3. From what you remember, when did Leeann situation get worse? How, has she always been this way, and how was she as a child growing up?
4. Has this situation affected your social life? Are there other situations affecting it? How?
5. What does the family plan to do when you are no longer able to care for your child?
6. If you could wish one thing for Leeann what would it be?
7. (For Kevin Monfort, the younger brother) Tell me about having an older sister that is handicap. How is it no different than anyone else? How is it different?
Story Board:
B-Roll:
-Start off with Louann getting the day started and Ms. Dorothy walking into the Monfort's home (at 8am) to prepare for the day.
Wideshot:
- switch to the parents. Ask the parents, Jimmy Monfort and Louann Monfort, what do they remember from Leeann birth
B-Roll:
-(While the parents are still going on continuing with the question) Photographs of Leeann from when she was a baby will be shown.
Medium Bust Shot:
(Medium bust shot of one of the parents will be on camera, while talking)
B-Roll:
-Louann and Ms Dorthy enteracting with Leeann.
Medium Bust Shot:
-Whole family (Jimmy, Louann, & Kevin) couple of seconds with one or two members of the family) Questions related to: "what you remember, when did Leeann situation get worse? Ect.
B-Roll:
-Kevin, the younger brother, doing what he normally does. Questions.
B-Roll:
-Following Ms. Dorothy and Leeann; ask Ms. Dorothy a couple questions during some B-Roll of how long she has been around the Monfort family, what she does for Leeann, and what Leeann likes and dislikes. Ect.
Medium Bust Shot:
-Interview with Ms. Dorothy.
Wideshot:
-Whole family. Questions about their social life.
(During this question we focus more on the family one on one interview)
Wideshot:
-Whole family. Questions related to their future plans. (focus on one or two members of the family interview)
Headshots:
-Interviews.
B-Roll:
-Ms. Dorothy shift is over (at 5pm). Parents take turns taking care of Leeann.
Wideshot:
-Whole Family.
Headshot:
-Question of their hopes for Leeann.
B-Roll:
-Parents put Leeann to bed.
Medium Bust Shot:
-Parents.
I feel like your intent is to show how difficult life is for this family, and how having a child in this condition can also be impairing to the family's lives.
ReplyDeleteThe structure of the film seems to be a more linear approach, beginning in the morning and ending in the evening. I believe it works, but once you start filming you might see another trend that you'd like to follow rather than one that is related to time.
Your strength is that the visuals are well-thought out, with how the camera will be positioned, what will appear on-screen, and what types of shots and B-roll you will need.
I think you could work on wording the questions, they are a little awkward and grammatically could use some work. I think the question "when did you know something was wrong with her" is worded a little too harshly, maybe you could tone it down and ask when they realized she wouldn't be able to function like a normal child or something like that.
Also, my main concern is actually that you have the shots so well-planned that once you start filming, you might not get enough extra shots. Just make sure you don't only get the shots that you've posted here in case something goes wrong :)
I thought she was in a car accident and that was why she is physically and mentally challenged?
ReplyDeleteI have a few concerns about this film. First, how are you going to get consent from Leeann? Because, you're filming her in the B-roll, and you'll need her consent. I guess you'll be able to get Mrs. Louann to sign it but... check to make sure. Second, how are you going to spin this documentary? I mean, are ya'll going to aim to raise awareness of this condition? A portrait of a family stricken by tragedy, desperately trying to stay together? What happens to a family when something like this happens? You're questions are there, but they don't really feel like a MOVIE, they feel like an extended interview. They're a good jumping off point, but as you said, as you get to know the family better, develop more personal questions in order to draw us into the film. Three, the pitch is riddled with grammatical errors- I'm not being picky guys, I'm letting ya'll know. Work to make sure that they are corrected, so that when the questions are included in the piece the grammar is correct.
ReplyDeleteLast, make sure you follow Jill's advice: 80:1. Your film is very scripted out right now. If you want a documentary to feel natural, instead of filming telling you're interviewee to do stuff, instead just follow them around, film them, then cut out all the extra stuff. It's going to be hell to edit, but the piece will be stronger because of it.
You have a really good idea of how you want this film to look visually and you have a good amount of content to fill it (assuming your interviews go well) which is good. Personally, for the ending, I'd rather just see the parents putting Leeann to bed and then the film ending right there. It sort of gives the feeling of an obvious end for the movie and putting something else after it seems to be unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteI'm slightly afraid that this will get too personal. I'm thinking that while watching this movie, rather than feeling as though I'm learning about this family I'll feel like I'm intruding instead. This may or may not be a good thing but I think you should try and keep the content of the video stable (I suppose) and to the point where people won't feel uncomfortable watching it.
This is definitely an interesting topic and someone else mentioned that it would a good idea to shoot this movie without actually ever filming Leeann. For example, having the mother caring for Leeann but never having more than her arm in the shot and focusing more on the mother.
I hope this comes out well. You have a lot of material to work with along with quite a bit of back story, just be careful about how it comes together so it doesn't become offensive in any way.
GOOD LUCK!
-Stephanie Black
I like the idea of this project, interviewing a family that has endured many hardships to maintain their everyday life, however, I would be careful not to make the girl Leeann seem like this horrible thing that they have to put up with. It might be interesting if you also include what her disease is all about. Also in class we went over the idea of focusing purely on the dynamic of the separated couple, I think this is a really neat idea and think ya'll should definitely look into it.
ReplyDelete