Falling Into Place.

It really feels like ‘things’ are starting to fall into place with our design documentary.

After nailing down everything that we wanted to achieve in the documentary, we really had to nail the questions. Although we have been focusing a great deal on getting the quality of the production to the standard that we are proud of, we knew that what was said was on camera was a lot more important. Not knowing how Mike, our interviewee, would react on camera, we had to make sure that our questions would really bring out the answers we were looking for.

It may sound as if we were trying to make Mike answer the questions in a way in which he wouldn’t usually, but this wasn’t what we were after. We choose questions that would hopefully allow Mike to really speak his mind, and communicate to the audience his opinions on as wide a scale as possible. If we were to specific with what we were asking, then it wouldn’t give him much scope to answer, but if were too broad, he could take about literally anything.

So we arranged a time and place, set up all the gear at hit the interview. No fancy location, or any trickery going on, just one camera, one mic, and a simple three light setup. And despite the overwhelming heat coming from the lights, the interview went amazingly. We conducted the interview in a fairly standard way. I’d ask Mike the questions, and he’d talk to me. We tried to get the atmosphere to reflect the kind of area that you might find Mike working, but still remain fairly calm. The first/second year studio was the perfect spot. Mike’s answers were long, in-depth, and very interesting. I know for sure that we will be able to get some cracking material out of what we have.

But no project would be a proper project without the technical difficulties. And unfortunately, we have fallen for one of the simplest - White Balance. The camera was going mad in the interview, and the white balance is all over the place. So now we’ve got to figure out a way of automating the white balance correction, without the audience knowing. Not something we were expecting, to have to figure out, but something we’ll have to!

As always time management is a big issue, but I think I am keeping on top of it. The design documentary is just one of many projects that are on the go at once, and all the hand-in dates all very closely to each other. I don’t know if this an intentional ploy by our lecturers, or if this is just coincidence, but I really thinking it is helping bring out the best in everyone. If we had more time between deadlines, I think people would be a little to relaxed. I like being on edge. It keeps me sharp. It really pushes me think at my best - because if I don’t, I won’t get it done!

Next step in the documentary is to film our interaction stage. This is probably the most warey part yet - this could be a big flop, a big success. At this point, we really do not know.

F.