Documentary in Columbus, Ohio at DVinfo.net

Kevin Randolph · February 2nd, 2007, 08:08 PM

Hello all,
I now this seems like a strange post or thread to start, but I'm drawing a blank....

I'm currently taking a class at a local college on documentary production, so naturally I have to shoot a documentary (kinda goes without saying, huh?). I pretty busy with my regular work right now and I need to crank out this project quickly. So I decided to post a request here for ideas for a 10 to 12 minute documentary that could be shot quickly (1 or 2 days at most). It doesn't have to be a brilliant idea, just something dealing with Columbus or Ohio (preferably Columbus so I don't have to travel).

I'm just a little tapped out right now on the creative juices, and could use a jump start. Any help would be great, but I do prefer topics of a social awareness or political tint. But I guess if all else fails, I can do it on Frank Fetch Park in German Village.

If you've got an idea please let it fly...

David Stoneburner · February 5th, 2007, 08:32 AM

Kevin,
Since you are stressed on time, I've always found that if you choose something close or important to you, then it might be a little easier. When I was doing news, I had to do little 2min segments on people in the community and what they were doing or provided. One of the most fun ones that I did was of a local carwash, that had been there for many years. Maybe there is a little grocery store or a coffee shop that you go to a lot. Many times you'll find it easier for an individual or small group to open up and tell you their story. Plus people will usually want push positive things then open up about negative things in their lives. Other ideas, a bingo hall, just about any Mom & Pop business. What abou t a drive-thru? I bet people working at a drive-thru have some great stories. Hope this helps your creative juices.

Good Luck,

Kevin Randolph · February 5th, 2007, 06:33 PM

Thanks for your ideas, David. There is a little drive-thru and a family owned grocery just down the street, so either of those might work. I'll find out tomorrow... Thanks

Kevin

Bruce S. Yarock · February 6th, 2007, 08:13 AM

A day in Kevin's life in Columbous Ohio?
Bruce S. yarock
www.yarock.com

Kevin Randolph · February 7th, 2007, 01:55 PM

Thanks for the idea Bruce, only problem is that we are already doing that one as a class project.

I checked about doing the one on the grocery store and the drive thru, they were both not interested.

Thanks again for the help guys,
Kevin

Greg Hartzell · February 7th, 2007, 05:12 PM

If you can't do your life, find an elderly person that has lived in Columbus for their whole lives and do a day in the life of them. OR find anybody that has a lot of time on their hands and a lot of local stories to tell. The narrator becomes the subject and vise versa.

Kevin Randolph · February 8th, 2007, 03:57 PM

That's a really good suggestion, Greg. Thank you. I'll call around this weekend and see who I can find. Also, the B Roll could very well be built in if they have old photos to go with the story...

Thanks,
Kevin

Adam Bray · February 12th, 2007, 05:30 AM

Try a retirement home, and chat it up with the folks there. A girl in my class did one on a dog that lived (or visited?) a retirement home. She shot some video of the dog playing with the folks, and then did some informal interviews with the old folks on the subject of the dog. It was a hit.

February 2nd, 2007, 08:08 PM	#1
Kevin Randolph Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 423	Documentary in Columbus, Ohio Hello all, I now this seems like a strange post or thread to start, but I'm drawing a blank.... I'm currently taking a class at a local college on documentary production, so naturally I have to shoot a documentary (kinda goes without saying, huh?). I pretty busy with my regular work right now and I need to crank out this project quickly. So I decided to post a request here for ideas for a 10 to 12 minute documentary that could be shot quickly (1 or 2 days at most). It doesn't have to be a brilliant idea, just something dealing with Columbus or Ohio (preferably Columbus so I don't have to travel). I'm just a little tapped out right now on the creative juices, and could use a jump start. Any help would be great, but I do prefer topics of a social awareness or political tint. But I guess if all else fails, I can do it on Frank Fetch Park in German Village. If you've got an idea please let it fly... __________________ "... the drama is on your doorstep..." - John Grierson www.grvideo.net

February 5th, 2007, 06:33 PM	#3
Kevin Randolph Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 423	Thanks for your ideas, David. There is a little drive-thru and a family owned grocery just down the street, so either of those might work. I'll find out tomorrow... Thanks Kevin __________________ "... the drama is on your doorstep..." - John Grierson www.grvideo.net

February 7th, 2007, 01:55 PM	#5
Kevin Randolph Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 423	Thanks for the idea Bruce, only problem is that we are already doing that one as a class project. I checked about doing the one on the grocery store and the drive thru, they were both not interested. Thanks again for the help guys, Kevin __________________ "... the drama is on your doorstep..." - John Grierson www.grvideo.net

February 8th, 2007, 03:57 PM	#7
Kevin Randolph Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 423	That's a really good suggestion, Greg. Thank you. I'll call around this weekend and see who I can find. Also, the B Roll could very well be built in if they have old photos to go with the story... Thanks, Kevin __________________ "... the drama is on your doorstep..." - John Grierson www.grvideo.net

February 5th, 2007, 08:32 AM	#2
David Stoneburner Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 493	Kevin, Since you are stressed on time, I've always found that if you choose something close or important to you, then it might be a little easier. When I was doing news, I had to do little 2min segments on people in the community and what they were doing or provided. One of the most fun ones that I did was of a local carwash, that had been there for many years. Maybe there is a little grocery store or a coffee shop that you go to a lot. Many times you'll find it easier for an individual or small group to open up and tell you their story. Plus people will usually want push positive things then open up about negative things in their lives. Other ideas, a bingo hall, just about any Mom & Pop business. What abou t a drive-thru? I bet people working at a drive-thru have some great stories. Hope this helps your creative juices. Good Luck,

February 6th, 2007, 08:13 AM	#4
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	A day in Kevin's life in Columbous Ohio? Bruce S. yarock www.yarock.com

February 7th, 2007, 05:12 PM	#6
Greg Hartzell Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Columbia, CT Posts: 168	If you can't do your life, find an elderly person that has lived in Columbus for their whole lives and do a day in the life of them. OR find anybody that has a lot of time on their hands and a lot of local stories to tell. The narrator becomes the subject and vise versa.

February 12th, 2007, 05:30 AM	#8
Adam Bray Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Houston/Austin Posts: 394	Try a retirement home, and chat it up with the folks there. A girl in my class did one on a dog that lived (or visited?) a retirement home. She shot some video of the dog playing with the folks, and then did some informal interviews with the old folks on the subject of the dog. It was a hit.