RESEARCH: Funding and Production

Today I have been researching exactly who would fund my documentary, and upon researching, I came across BRITDOC. Below is the connection that BRITDOC have with Channel 4, and why i believe it is relevant to my production.

"Channel 4 has been the founding partner and inspiration of BRITDOC from day one. They share the same belief in the importance of public service content to British culture and society, alongside a modern and innovative approach to problem solving.

BRITDOC are 'delighted' that in November 2011 Channel 4 announced they were renewing their partnership with them, and increasing funding by 30%. This increase means they will be able to make more and better films that will be seen all around the world, and on Channel 4 in the UK.

The Channel has an option to broadcast any of the Foundation funded films from BRITDOC's UK production fund that can work for their audiences. They view the films once completed and through this mechanism many of BRITDOC's films have been shown on Channel 4 or More4.

With Channel 4’s help, BRITDOC are continuing to seed a 'vibrant independent documentary community' from where future theatrical, TV and online documentary stars will emerge."

The website goes on to say "We give financing to support independent filmmakers making documentary projects that would not be commissioned by a UK broadcaster.  Since our inception in 2005 we have funded over 60 award winning films."

BRITDOC tend to fund independent, one-off films. They look to widen the spectrum of British documentaries being made by giving filmmakers the ability to complete passion projects that might not otherwise get made. They are keen to work with filmmakers where they can build co-productions and partnerships around films. They can come in with first funding and will assist filmmakers in securing additional finances. They also consider feature-length projects for completion funding on the basis of an early rough cut or rushes.

The above trailers are for just two of the many documentaries that BRITDOC have made. After researching the genre of these short films and documentaries they make with Channel 4's funding, I have come to realise they would be a perfect company to go into co-funding with.

RESEARCH: Focus Group

LOUISE FRASER - 17 

Louise is one of the stars of my trailer, she is an art student, and wants to go to Bournemouth to study Marketing.

JOSH BEECHAM - 17

Josh is a fellow media student of mine, he enjoys drama and appreciates the artistic movement of film, TV and theatre.

EMILY CROW - 18

Emily studies Media, Psychology and English, she loves McFly and spends her spare time trying to get Dougie to tweet her.

JENNIE MOLONEY - 18

Jennie and I have spent our childhood together, she spends her spare time singing and playing guitar, and is a consistent uploader to YouTube.

DEVELOPMENT: Teen Dream Trailer

This is the trailer I have been working on so far. It is not yet complete - I keep having ideas that I think may work and then have to keep arranging with the featured 'actors' to meet again for a shoot. I have spent so many hours perfecting the timing of the music and then I have another idea, add footage, and have to re-arrange the video to the music.

I think it is coming along nicely though, I have had lots of feedback so far, not only from my focus group, but other friends and family members too.

This feedback suggested to me that there is not as much footage of Louise as there is of Lewis, which upon reflection, I agree with. This has confirmed to me that I should carry out the next shoot with Louise which I was considering. In this shoot, I will film Louise's morning routine more as I have done with Lewis, including the making of toast and tea, among other footage.

DEVELOPMENT: Treatment and Information

My trailer is for a Channel4-style documentary series which follows two adolescent students who both have a goal to reach; one a musician, the other an artist. 
The trailer is accompanied by the song 'Meo Blodnasir' by Icelandic singer 'Sigur Ros'. I heard the song years ago and it is only when I listened to it recently with media in mind that I realised the angle I wanted to take on my trailer. 
The song has a certain point where it 'kicks in' and I wanted to match this climax of the song to a climax in my footage, which I think I have managed to do by filming Louise opening the curtains; I wanted this to represent the start of a new day and therefore starting her dream on that day, which the rest of the trailer shows.

DEVELOPMENT: Title of documentary

I have been trying to think of a catchy name for the documentary I am doing a trailer for, and to do this I have been carrying out some research into synonyms for the words 'aim', 'goal' and 'dream'.

There are a few on the list below I am considering such as 'Teen Project', 'Teen Meaning' and simply, 'Teen Dream'.

The opinions of my focus group will help me in making this decision. 

DEVELOPMENT: Progress of trailer

I have now completed filming everything I need to.

The last few weeks I have been gradually developing my footage for the trailer which I think is coming along nicely. I still need to adjust the colours to make each shot clearer and to edit the sound to fit perfectly in sync with the video.