Is it Art if it's Not Seen?

     As an artist, I believe that art is art even it remains private. However, when it comes to documentaries, the purpose of the art is informative. In other words, it's meant to be seen. 
     Today in class I am focusing on distribution. I have several roads I can travel that all ultimately lead to the same final destination: streaming services. Documentaries do not garner viewers via cinema releases unless they're about a popular figure like Amy Winehouse with "Amy" (Follows, 2015), therefore I aim to distribute my production through streaming services. 
     There are several ways to be featured on streaming services. The more obvious one is to develop an "original" documentary with a service such as Netflix. While this guarantees distribution and viewership as well as access to award shows, film festivals, and limited cinema releases, it limits the documentary to that single streaming service. Although releasing a docu-series through cinemas isn't a reasonable way to distribute, film festivals and award submissions are something I would like my production to have access to. The Netflix documentary "13th," for example, opened the New York Film Festival, was screened in some movie theaters, and also received an Oscar nomination (Kenny, 2017). Nonetheless, the documentary is only available on Netflix. I would ideally like to stream on several platforms, therefore I ruled out this option. 
     There are also other ways I've discovered you can land deals with streaming services that are fairly similar. There is the option to pitch my docu-series to streaming services directly after earning recognition at film festivals and award shows as well as gaining online exposure and there is an option to seek out a distributor to have them be the main negotiator between streaming services and myself. Moreover, I have the option to do both! That is why I'd hypothetically be working with https://www.quiverdigital.com/ to make distributing my docu-series more practical. I'd want to submit my docu-series in its entirety to film festivals such as the Seattle International Film Fest, since the 4 episodes would be short enough (15 minutes each) to be featured alltogether. As the documentary gains recognition through the film festival circuit, the chances of it being picked up by several streaming servcies will increase and because I have a distributor, my docu-series will most definitely be considered. 
     In conclusion, I have decided against physical copy distribution and any cinematic releases due the production being a docu-series rather than a full-length feature. I have opted for the most practical and far-reaching distribution option available for documentarians: online streaming services. Additionally, I wouldn't be opposed to make the docu-series available for free to academic institutions in the same way "13th" did (Kenny, 2017). 


Sources: 
https://stephenfollows.com/how-successful-are-uk-documentaries-in-cinemas/
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/movies/netflix-casts-a-wider-net-for-original-documentaries.html
     

Amatuer, Leveling Up

     I have compiled enough notes from case studies to continue on with my own website. I started by researching different website makers to use and I came across a very helpful article featuring 20 potential site builders (https://smallbiztrends.com/2016/05/free-website-builders.html). I explored the first two options, Weebly and Wix, to see if they had designs I was attracted to. However, one of the examples my teacher exposed us to the first day we began working had really caught my attention, so I found the boy's website (https://ivanadiazyoris.wixsite.com/a-aicemedia) and upon discovering he used Wix, I made the decision to develop my website with that specific builder. I was attracted to the use of the characters as visuals on the main page since my docu-series focuses on the individuals featured in each episode. Most of the other templates I've looked at don't necessarily have the same focus, but may still fit my vision for the website. I'm going to include some screenshots of the designs I've been pulled towards. 

     This one is called "Art Exhibition." I like the overall aesthetic of this design, but it is not my first choice at all. 

     This one is called "Music Venue." I like how there are many features, such as the social media icons, neatly packed onto the main page in a structured and visually pleasing way. 

     This one is designed for a women's empowerment NGO. My first thought was that the donate button could be the comment section I mentioned in my last blog post. 

     This is the second closest I could find to a documentary/docu-series model for a website, as it's a website for an "Indie production company." I don't find it too visually pleasing, however. 

     I think this is currently my first choice because of how it's, quite literally, made for a science documentary, but I will continue sharing some of the other designs I've been inclined towards until I decide on one in the next two days. 

Amatuer Website Design

     I've been doing some research on the kind of website I would like to design for the docu-series today and I have highlighted two biographical documentary websites to take notes off. 
     The first is the website for "Amy," which is a biographical doc about the late Amy Winehouse. I realize that this website can't serve as an exact foundation for my docu-series, especially since the website emphasizes the grandness of Amy as a global superstar. The design reflects her popularity, which something my production and this documentary example do not share in common. However, I would like to take some notes from what can be found on the site. The website includes simple social media links in the form of icons, access to where to buy blu-ray and DVD copies, a tab dedicated to the trailer, and an 'about the movie' section (extra note: this section includes accolades for the director and production crew, which inspires me to do this on my own website). Additionally, there is a feature that allows a visitor of the site to leave a comment. I'd like to redefine "comments" and make this feature an opportunity for visitors to submit their own immigrant story for the chance to have an episode dedicated to them in the second season of the docu-series. Those not chosen could potentially be featured in a book anthology, although I have not fully developed this idea. 
The website can be found here at this link: http://www.amy-movie.com/fame 
     The second website I studied was the one for "Man on Wire," which I found to be much simpler than the one for "Amy." This website includes a handful of shared features with the "Amy" website, such as links to social media, where to buy the physical copies of the piece, and an 'about the film' section. It adds more, though, incorporating a cast and crew section, reviews, a special features tab, a photo gallery, and a press kit section. I don't see space for a special features tab on my own website, nor the kind of press kit section that this site includes. Nevertheless, I like how they include interesting pictures to download in that press kit and have been inspired with a possible idea. I could have an artist I know develop smaller drawings/posters available for download dedicated to either the people in the docu-series or the immigrant experience overall. 
The website can be found here at this link: http://www.magpictures.com/manonwire/ 

Shooting My Shot

     Before I get carried away with the website design, I've decided to plan ahead for the second and third portions of this project. I am unsure how long the website will take to construct because I'm not well versed in website design, so that is why I am choosing to work on that first. I plan to have my documentary planning (interview questions, additional dialogue, "storyboard," etc) done before I start working on the poster. During the 4 days between when I finish that planning and when I'm going to film at my mom's job, I'll be gathering footage of my mom in her daily routine at home and pictures from our photo albums. I will schedule her interview for the same day as the day I attend work with her and from that initial footage I will determine whether or not I need to do any reshooting. Along with the decision to reshoot, I will also be noting what questions to ask myself (as her son who will be featured in the episode) so that I can provide answers that could link her own answers in the excerpt well to create a flow with the information being presented. Another important thing to note is that I will have to go to work with my mom overnight, seeing as she works from 10 pm to 7 am at Walmart. She only works on school nights too, so I am choosing to do that portion of the filming on a Thursday/Friday when I can make up for the sleep I'll be losing with no repercussions. The dates go as follows: 

March 10th: Documentary Planning Due 

March 11th-14th: Gathering B-Roll footage, Start Poster Details 

March 14th: Shooting at Walmart 

March 15th: Interview with Martha 

March 17th: First Poster Draft Due  

March 19th: Reshooting (if needed) 

March 24th: First Draft of 5 Min Excerpt Due, Final Poster Due 

March 31st: Final Draft of Excerpt Due, Website Complete 

     

     I will admit that the last two due dates are more flexible and will be dependant on how long editing will take me as well as how eventful my spring break will be. However, as long as I am disciplined with this schedule, I'm certain I'll have ample time to finish my quality project by the 14th. 

Feedback in Class

     Today in class, our teacher divided us into groups to discuss our projects further and receive feedback on our current planning. In this post, I will be reviewing some of the comments I received and establishing what I will doing moving forward. 
     Overall, I received positive feedback upon discussing my documentary concept. I feel more confident about organizing my docu-series by person/episode. Although I haven't fully developed the intricate details for the organization of each individual episode, I have deliberated that I will separate each episode into three parts: before the person came to the US, their current life here, and what they aspire to change for the future. This being said, I believe my 5 minute excerpt will derive from the segway between the first and second portions, focusing more on my mother's life here, how it's changed, and how it's remainded the same. However, upon this decision, I have also determined that I want to focus on composing the website before doing any filming because I will have to be doing abundant research on the other subjects I'd like to theoretically base my other episodes on as well as contacting/coordinating with them to fit them into my project accordingly. 
     Moving forward I will be focusing on the aforementioned. I will be starting my website design this weekend as I finalize the details that each individual must provide for their biographies on the site and the topics to discuss in the excerpt I'll be filming (which will soon become full flegded questions). Meanwhile, I will be doing some research on platforms to "upload" to and how those platforms would influence the website, marketing, and distribution. This research will be accompanied by finding online mini biographies to use as models for the ones I'll be creating for the website. Finally, I will be watching select documentaries that I've been recommended by my instructor to develop a better understanding of biographicals, docu-series, and tone manipulation of different subjects. 
     - Amy
     - Born into brothels 
     - Michael Moore documentaries
     - Dark Tourists

Documentary Concept

     I've developed several ideas for documentaries I'd like to develop. However, I've considered two main obstacles when deciding on which of these ideas to manifest into reality: time and accessibility. Many of the concepts I have devised cannot be manufactured in the time I have to complete this project and many aspects of those concepts are inaccessible to me as a high school student with a low budget. Therefore, I have chosen a meaningful topic that I have the equipment, time, and people at hand to utilize towards the creation of a quality production. 
     I would like to construct a biographical docu-series where each episode focuses on the life of an immigrant that has come to the United States. I would like each episode to revolve around a person from a different origin so that the series as a whole allows the viewer to form connections between those undergoing the immigrant experience and identify how that experience may differ depending on several factors such as language, religion, work, family, and location. The purpose of this docu-series is to further humanize this group of people that has been put under an extremely dehumanizing light by the US President and the media. 
     As I mentioned before, accessibility and time are essential to the formation of this project. The 5 minute extract I will be producing will be focusing on my mother's experience and life as she traveled to South Florida after having lived in Colombia for the majority of her life. Not only am I choosing her because she is an inspiration to me, but I am deciding to focus on her since I have access to home videos, pictures, and other memoralia that could be utilized to make the episode visually engaging and diverse. I also can accompany her to her job and film her during her daily routine. Most importantly, I have access to my mom for interviews and other family members who can provide detailled recollections of memories they have with her as well as answer questions that will hopefully craft a well rounded picture of my mother's life. 
     I am excited to further expand this idea and I hope this was a good introduction for the concept I aim to create. 

A New Start

     Hello again! My name is Lau Rodriguez and this is the start of my AICE Media Studies A Level blog. I am excited to begin this journey for the next two months. I will be developing a documentary series meant for a televised program. I became interested in documentary work after the course's unit on documentaries and want to pursue serious topics about social justice. I aim to bring awareness and visibility to issues that are underrepresented in the media through my work with documentaries. I will be discussing some details about the series I will be conceptualizing for this project in the next post. For now, in the spirit of #OSCARSNight, I predict "Minding the Gap" will win Best Documentary (Feature) and "Period. End of Sentence" will win Best Documentary (Short Subject). Viva Documentales!!