Evaluation

Having a lot of friends that are talented skateboarders, i knew i had a good opportunity to showcase local talent in my documentary and i knew that their talents needed to be shared and celebrated, which is why i chose to focus my project on them. Skateboarding is also something that my friends and i are very passionate about and so i had a personal connection with the subject, not only through my friends but through the act of skateboarding itself, which is another reason i wanted to focus my project it. 

Research:

In the researching stage of my documentary i focused on other skateboarding documentaries i found on YouTube. One i found was about Tommy Sandoval and his career in skateboarding including his descent in drugs and depression and journey to becoming sober. The documentary gave me good ideas of how skateboarding documentary are formatted, there is a lot of footage of skateboarding and voiceovers. I also watched more documentaries unrelated to the subject to get a better idea of what the general structure of a documentary is. 

Researching my target audience was done via a survey in which i asked questions to understand the demographic of my target audience. I was able to find out my target audience were between the ages of 16 and 21, and there being on big disparities between gender. Most of which are from the North East and wanting to know more about skateboarding in the North East. 

Researching the client was done by searching through the website of Sunderland Culture, news sources to find out what they stand for, what events they have put on in the community, how they receive funding and who they have partnered and collaborated with. 

Pre production

I started my pre production by producing a first draft of my script in Celtx, this was a rough draft to create a general structure. The script was then modified when i decided i wanted to change up the style of the documentary. 

I created a list in Excel naming all of the equipment i would need to complete my project. I added whether or not i had the equipment on hand and where i can get it once i needed it.. 

I filled out risk assessment forms for the locations i was planning to film in order ot clarify the risks of involved and how to avoid them.

Production 

I started out my production by filming the scenes of me on the bike. I had filmed several interview scenes although i was not happy with the quality of the audio and video and found it did not fit well with the style of the documentary i was going for. I decided to replace the interview format for an expose format where i went through a few of my friends, explaining who they are as the character i originally created, Christian Goodman. 

Post Production

I used footage we had filmed over the course of the last year during these of each one of my friends and was provided additional b roll footage to use as well. 

To edit the video i used Adobe Premier Pro as i have previous experience with the software, and i feel as though my skills using the software have improved over the course of the unit. These skills will be valuable in the future when i undertake new and different projects. 

Creating the draft of my project was another thing i found useful in the production process as it helped me create the outline of my project and identify points which need improving and fine lining before the finished project is ready. 

I think my project exhibits local talent well and will do its job in getting showing the talents of people in Sunderland. I think Sunderland Culture would appreciate the fact that an underappreciated and under documented talent in the Sunderland and surrounding areas is being brought to light. I think my project will be enough to reach the critera asked for by the client and has achieved its purpose. I enjoyed making this project and the creative freedom i was given with it. I have learned a lot of about editing and video making and will keep these skills to assist me in future projects