Week of Spring Break

Even though this past week was Spring Break we used the time to get some filming in. We filmed with our third and final subject, Quincy. I think the interview went well. Quincy was very articulate and open to discussing herself and her art. I feel comfortable now with asking questions in a way that is good for us in editing. We also filmed some of Quincy’s art and Taylor took some beautiful shots of her paintings up close. You can really see the texture and colors on screen and they are beautiful shots. Also this week, all three girls had a piece of their artwork showing at their school’s art show. We went before everyone got there and filmed the space and each girl’s piece. We weren’t allowed to film during the show and it honestly would have been pointless because it was a small space and there were a lot of attendees. I did take some footage on my phone during the show but we’ll have to see if it is usable. While filming, we met Mr. Lovejoy the teacher for the girls AP art class and he was very nice and interested in what we were doing. He is letting us film one of their classes and said that he would be more than happy to let us interview him about the girls. I am very excited about the possibilities of filming the class and with Mr. Lovejoy. Quincy is also in rehearsals for a play and so we are going to most likely film her at rehearsals. I think that the more we have filmed the more the project has begun to take shape and I am excited moving forward. 

Productive Week and Looking Ahead

This week we filmed with two of the girls. To start off we just had them sit and answer questions.  It was a way to get them more comfortable in front of the camera and introduce them to some of the topics we would be covering for the film. I don’t see us using that much of this particular footage of them just sitting and talking. I want it to be more observational. A lot of what we filmed will mostly be used for voice over on their artwork because that is mainly what we talked about. I think that filming went well this week. Having the two cameras to use is allowing us to have close ups and medium shots on the girls which I think will come in handy. We’re going to try and film with the last girl some time this week but it will depend on all of our schedules. The week of spring break will hopefully be a productive one. The art show that all three girls are participating in is that week and one of our subjects, Sara, is in charge of setting it up and said that we could probably come and film the process. We’ll be working this week to schedule and get the correct papers signed to be able to film the art show. Finally getting to film with the girls and ask them questions has made me excited for the possibilities ahead. 

Finally Diving In

This week ha been crazy. Having class canceled again because of weather has thrown everything off. This past week was hectic getting caught up with what we missed in our classes. We weren’t able to film this week because our schedules were all busy. Taylor and I are working on Visions and my Saturday was spent making up the time we missed on Wednesday. Along with other assignments and work, along with everyone else’s schedule we had to go this week without filming. We have set up two says next week to film with the girls. On Tuesday we will film with two of the girls and hopefully the other two on Thursday (we are waiting to hear back from one).

I’m extremely excited to start filming and get a better idea of what the project is going to look way. I have been wanting to start filming for awhile now and having this week where we couldn’t made me even more anxious to get started. 

Taylor and I met Sunday instead of our usual Monday because of a scheduling conflict. We just went over some of the basics and figured out the best times to film this week before I contacted the girls and set up times. Since Kelly and I were the only ones present for filming B Roll it will be nice to have the girls meet Taylor and for her to get to contribute to filming with us finally needing sound in what we are filming. Overall it’s been a hectic week without much getting done on the part of the project but this coming week should be productive and I’m looking forward to the footage we’re going to film with the girls.

First Week of Filming

This was the first week we filmed. We went to three of the girl's houses and filmed their art work and items in their room. I discussed the idea of identity with them through their art and through their everyday life and they all seemed excited about the prospect. They were all outgoing girls who seemed comfortable talking to me, even with the camera in the room. It will be interesting how they respond when the camera is on them, not just their art work or rooms. The shots of the art work turned out well. These are some really talented girls and I can’t wait to explore their talent and modes of expression further. We'll probably do some reshoots though of the art work we really decide to show and try and get some more stationary shots. Some of the shots were of sketch pads and some were of canvas paintings on an easel. I feel that the shots of the easel looked better, so we might re-shoot all of the girls artwork on an easel when we get a chance.  It will be interesting to see how the art will be incorporated into the film but just based on the b roll footage we got I am excited about the possibilities. 

Change in Direction

As our project has progressed and I’ve gotten to know the girls a little better I’ve begun to feel that the direction of the film has changed. Going into the documentary I knew that the overall message of the film would depend on the content that we filmed with the girls. I knew that I wanted the focus to be on expectations of perfection and self esteem issues contrasted with their art. We are not going completely away from these topics entirely; instead I plan to still touch on them somewhat but they will not be the main focus. The direction of the film will now be looking at identity, through artwork vs the girl's personal lives. How they express themselves through art vs how they express themselves around their family and peers. The documentary will take on a more observational approach. We will document the girls in their daily lives while also exploring their art and having them consider themselves as people and as artists. The overall message of identity will be expressed through the contrasts between reality and art. 

Bios/Questions

Sara Hucks is currently an 18 year old senior attending Coastal Christian High School. She lives in Wilmington, NC and when she's not drawing she enjoys participating in activities such as: sleeping, listening to David Bowie, and reading Vietnam-era American literature. Her favorite prehistoric animal is the Kronosaurus, a pliosaur named after the merciless titan Kronos, who ate his own children. After high school her aspirations are to continue striking fear into the hearts of skinny white boys and getting so fit that she might plausibly be the protagonist in a Tarantino film. Her art focuses on line quality and drawing in pencil, pen and ink. Her concentration for her AP Art portfolio is literal interpretations of biblical imagery. She plans on studying to be a librarian. 

Morgan Campbell, 17, is a Varsity and competitive cheerleader at New Hanover High School.  In the Fall, she will be attending the University of Alabama, where she will be a Pre-Med student and majoring in Biology. In the future, she aspires to become a surgeon, possibly a Cardiologist. She has lived in Wilmington her entire life and loves the beach. She likes to surf, play sports, workout, paint, eat, and sleep. When she is not doing those activities she is probably at work (Sweetfrog Frozen Yogurt). Some things she hates are working at Sweetfrog, bugs, Winter, ignorant people, and olives. 

Although I listed 10 questions for each girl I feel that all 20 could be asked of each girl given the nature of the documentary. As the filming process progresses I imagine that I will be able to ask and phrase questions to each girl that fits them individually.

1.Where have you lived over the course of your life and for how long?

2. Where do you attend school and why did your parents choose to send you there?

3. How would you describe yourself in terms of personality and identity?

4. How would you describe your artistic style?

5. How would you describe your personal style?

6. What are the most important relationships in your life?

7. How much emphasis do you put on your appearance and the material aspects of your life?

8. What do you hope for yourself in the present and future?

9. How often do you consider the opinions of others?

10. How do you think others view you?

1. What inspires you?

2. When is the last time you did something without the expectation of a result?

3. How do you deal with stress?

4. How would you describe your outlook on life?

5. What would you liked to be remembered as/for?

6. What is the most important aspect of your life to you?

7. What is your greatest accomplishment?

8. What is your biggest regret?

9. How would you describe your daily life?

10. What does your morning routine consist of?

Documentary Treatment

The initial treatment of this documentary is a rough draft. As filming begins changes may be made depending on the direction in which the film takes and events that arise and are filmed. With each change I will update the treatment through the filming process. 

Overview:

This documentary is about the life of the modern American teenage girl; her life inside and outside of school, extracurriculars, relationships and concerns with identity, the materialistic and other social concerns faced during this period of a young girl’s life. 

Purpose of the Film:

The goal of the documentary is to document the period of a girl’s life just before she enters young adulthood and to shine a light on the concerns and pressures faced by the modern girl. It is my hope that the documentary will create an honest portrait of the present generation of teenage girls and open up a new consideration of this girl by those who perhaps have not considered her fully before. 

Outline:

This documentary will begin with an introduction to each of the four girls that we will be following. Personal interviews used to introduce themselves will be intercut with footage of their lives at home and school. Filming at their home will showcase their room (personal style/materialistic aspects) and their relationships with their family members. The footage of their school life will document their interactions with their peers (relationships with friends) as well as their academic standing (focus/interests). The artistic elements of their lives will be documented extensively as the base for which everything else will surround. 

As filming progresses and comfortability and trust has grown the personal interview will place a more prominent role. Individual consideration of every aspect of their lives will be discussed. An expert interview with a psychiatrist/counselor will compliment/contrast the girl’s musings. The connection between their artistic identity and personal identity will begin to take form with the coupling of the footage we have compiled to this point. Their social lives will also be documented with the girls together as a group as well as with other friends.  

The base of their artistic lives will help to conclude the documentary with the filming of an art show where each girl’s work will be featured. All elements of the girl’s lives will commence as they give their final consideration of themselves and their hopes/desires for the future.