Moving Image Planning

What emotional impact do you want your filming do have upon the reader? How?

I want my documentary to be informative and offer the audience an insight into the life of a biker, something they may not have been exposed to previously. I would like it to pry people away from the view of biking as being dangerous and a feature of gang culture and express the sense of freedom and community it presents. However, I may also include a slight element of gangs through stories told by my interviewee. This decision has stemmed from the fact that this may be new prospect to the audience, an element necessary to an informative documentary.


What personnel do you need? Who are you going to film?

The main focus of my documentary will be a biker in his 50s who has rode motorbikes from a young age. I may include other bikers but, as of yet, I have not gathered more recruits. I am also considering using an interview with someone who may hold an opposing view of biking and, if I choose to do so, I am already aware of someone who would be perfect for this role.

What props will you need?

The main prop required will be a Harley Davidson motorbike supplied by the main personnel. As I am creating a documentary I would like it to be natural and realistic. As a result, I have decided not to plan the props and simply utilise what is relevant at the time (e.g. if he is cleaning his motorbike there will be cleaning equipment in the shot).

Have you briefed your personnel/models?

I have informed my personnel about the general idea of my documentary and through discussions I will further identify what questions would be best to ask him in order to retrieve interesting and appropriate answers. Prior to filming I may inform him of the types of questions I may ask however I do not want him to have prepared answers as I would like to create a real documentary and I feel scripted answers would jeopardise the authenticity.

What lighting will you need? Any other equipment?

I am going to utilise natural lighting on footage taken outside. However, I may use lights for any interviews I choose to do indoors. I will also use tracks, a boom (I may require a smaller microphone to attach to the interviewees clothing) and a GoPro camera to gather shots of my personnel on the move from his point of view.


Where will you shoot? Will you need a backdrop?

I will shoot in various locations. In order to introduce the main personnel to the audience I will include shots of him at home, however I will also show him out on the road. I may require a backdrop for the interviews however this depends upon where I decide to film them.

Make-up? Costume?

No make-up is required and the costumes will be natural. However, the clothing will fit in with the documentary as my personnel will be wearing his protective clothing such as leather pants, leather jacket, boots and a motorbike helmet.