With only two weeks remaining in the semester we're approaching what is famously known as "the home stretch." No matter how great your initial idea or proposal...no matter how fascinating your interviewees...and no matter how compelling your visuals...all that matters now is how the final product comes together to tell a story that grabs the viewer's attention and makes him forget everything but what's on the screen. It all comes down to this...this very exciting and nerve-wracking time when sleep goes wanting and creativity courses like adrenaline through your veins.
How will you know if you've been successful? It's pretty simple actually. All that it requires is to gather some people who know a few things...some who know a few things about the artform we call documentary, some who know a bit about your subject matter, and some more who know YOU well enough to be honest with you. In fact it wouldn't hurt to invite members of the news media as well. Have them join us on Tues, December 12th to sit and watch your creation. You'll want to give the "audience" just enough of an introduction to let them know why they're there, and what you want them to contribute. Then screen your project from opening titles to closing credits. Now comes the important part. With two or three members of the team taking copious notes, ask your audience to tell you what they liked, what they didn't care for, what scenes grabbed them, and which ones moved too slowly. Ask them if they understood what you were trying to communicate (without giving them clues as to what that is) and ask them how you might improve your product.
The most useful suggestions will be ones that can be incorporated by adding a bit here and cutting a bit there...ones that don't require extensive reshooting and editing. Some suggestions will be personal preferences or may reflect personal biases and these should be graciously received and, after some consideration, used or discarded.
As with any worthwhile endeavor, the first public screening should be undertaken with the kind of professionalism and planning that befits a project and product of this enormity. You've put in too many hours to let it slip away in the end-of-semester rush. Keep up the good work folks, the end is in sight!
