FILM AND LIFE
By: Angelina Chavez
DOCUMENTARY AND CINEMATOGRAPHY
Introduction
Why hasn't anyone ever told me that there is a treacherous headache that is involved with documentary work? I received my Associates in Documentary from SFCC, but I never knew that it could be this complicated. Lets face it. I love the complication that goes along with every film set. This is no film set. The amount of people you have to get through just for an interview is not easy. The amount of footage you record that you never use is ridiculous. Documentary is not easy by any means. It is more on the go than I thought.
I did two different spectrums of the "Film" world. A short documentary and a short drama. I worked as D.P. on both of them. It usually comes easy to me. This time we were on a tighter schedule. Quick set up, quick questions, quick wrap and go. There is not much room for lighting design. Boo! I never said I wasn't a fan of documentary work because I quite enjoy how beautiful documentaries can be. I am just shocked at how different they are from everything I have already learned. This is unknown territory.
I am content where I know more about the situation. I know what I love most and it shows.
The D.P's Playlist
This quarter I didn't just focus on Documentary. I focused on another project. This project was dark and light and all kinds of cinematic. It is about a boy losing his mom to cancer and befriending a girl with a more sorrowful and dark past. Both are lost in their world of pain and music is a way to find release. Lighting and camera are fun because they allow you to create anything. There are no limitations unless you limit yourself.
This time I was not multitasking like I prefer to do. I like operating the camera and directing the light. This time I had a camera operator. This was a big challenge for me because I had to communicate exactly what I wanted in very fine detail. It was problematic because I would get frustrated when it wasn't coming out exactly the way I wanted. I learned that your camera operator has to be in sync with the D.P. If no one is on the same page then they are not working together. 
He didn't tell me to just throw a light up in the corner and that's it. No. He gave me complication. A thing in which I love. I like problem solving. I like finding those creative solutions. And when your director shouts yes in an excited scream you know you did right.Like I say every time. There are always problems happening on set. Our Dolly got messed up on set so we had to improvise. I found a new passion for racing in a wheel chair. They are so much fun. And when push comes to shove they make a great dolly. Sure there are limitations but for what we needed for it worked.
If ever you have a fast pace action film... keep in mind that you can make faster turns in a wheelchair than a J.L. Fisher. Just a thought. It was an interesting experiment and it was wonderful. The only thing that I have to complain about now that I remembered. Why the heck would you design the on and off switch as the record button as well RED? If you push a second too long when you are trying to record you shut the camera off. CUT! Not on purpose of course but what the holy Jesus were you thinking?
Doc vs. Film
There were perks and warranted rage that go with both of these forms of storytelling. Like I said, documentary is still a new learning process for me, but it was fun to explore and research into the story while I was in the story. You are living it not just telling it. It's a different feeling. Sometimes you are more afraid of getting caught because you don't always have the A'Okay to record something. It's an adrenaline rush. Sometimes you incorporate scripted stories and then sometimes you have to lug loads of equipment with just two people through a University campus. Anyone ever heard of pack mules? Where can I get one of those for a documentary?
Filming has a different pre-production process than documentary. It takes longer to prepare for stories you plan over years rather than prepare for something you are following on the spot. You have a bigger crew to lend a hand. have a bigger crew to lend a hand. You don't have to wait for your interviewee to decide on the most complicated spot for a shoot. You can build it anywhere. Documentary, you go where the action is. Film, you create it in a closed off space where no by-standards can get in your frame and make stupid faces.
But there isn't as much spontaneity like a documentary has. More complexity, and more problem solving go a long way with documentaries. You learn how to be even more organized. Camera Logs will be your best friend. When you decide to start a documentary be prepared to have a long and loving relationship with time codes and logs. If you treat them right they'll make your life easier.
Final Destination
The closer I get towards my final days here at SFI the more aware I am of what kind of filmmaker I really am. I think by next quarter everyone will see what my true film colors are. I can say I am a filmmaker but that is a vague description of me. I know who I am and who I want to be. In a way I always knew but I was too afraid because I was a little uncertain. Now I am more confident in my decision. Where I started to where I am now I have to say I am glad that I took that step forward. Everything that led me to this point... the struggles, the heartache, the long hours were all worth it.
