Monday, July 14, 2008

beginning of a big week

This week is a fairly intense week of training and rehearsal, plus social gatherings, and I'm a little bit bummed that I'm missing great footage opportunities (for example, a shot of the Ladies-in-Waiting being trained in how to position their arms as they walk across the stage), but I think that it's ultimately for the best that I'm not shooting anything until later.

If I was to scramble for a camera at this point (when I still don't have personal release forms signed), then I would just be getting in other people's way and shooting material that isn't well thought-out... everything in its time.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

"I'd like to make a motion..."

Today I met with the TRF Executive Committee, to get the final permission to film the event (Backstage at Coronation + Coronation + Parade). They approved the motion, with a few things in mind. Here are the three biggest ones:
  1. They'll watch a pre-debut version and discuss it with me, before I make final edits. This is pretty uncommon in documentary, but it's somewhat necessary for this project. They want to make sure that I don't do anything distasteful, and I want to make this a film that they will stand behind.
  2. They have permission to re edit it for their own uses. For example, if they want to cut an 8 minute version to send out to prospective Duchesses, they are free to use the footage from my film.
  3. I won't sell it. I'm planning to submit it to festivals and eventually post it online, but I won't be selling DVD's. If I get a distribution deal later on (eg PBS), then it will be a different issue, but this is pretty far down the line (and really quite presumptuous). The most important thing to convey is that I'm certainly not in this for money.
Now that I've got permission, it's time to get to work.
Next week I'm attending rehearsals, where I'll meet some participants and make some connections. I'm still assembling my list of people to interview, and by the end of next week it should be fairly complete.