228 Pages
The Producer's Playbook: Real People on CameraDirecting and Working with Non-Actors
By Amy DeLouise
Producer’s Playbook: Real People on Camera is a no-nonsense guide for producers looking to get the best performances from "real people" to tell powerful stories on video. Director/producer Amy DeLouise brings years of experience to this resource for creating the best on-screen impact with non-actors for interviews, re-enactments, documentary and direct-to-camera messages. With useful case studies and tips on everything from managing locations and budgeting to strategies for managing crews and the expectations of executive producers and clients, this is an invaluable resource for professionals working in reality TV, documentary, corporate video, and more.
- Ample case studies with perspectives from industry professionals interviewed by the author, as well as her own plentiful stories from the field
- Tips are featured in sidebars throughout the text, so that readers can see how the information applies to real situations
- Full-color photographs allow readers to visualize real world production situations
- The appendix includes useful templates and checklists for working producers
Table of ContentsI. Introduction
Motivation and goals for this book
The opportunities inherent in using "real people," not pro’s
How to use the tools and case studies in this book for a wide range projects involving real people on camera-- reality TV, documentary, podcasts, journalism, news magazine, and short-form non-fiction such as corporate, issue advocacy, education and training.
II. Preparation
Ch. 1 Getting to Know Your Subjects
Researching Your Characters
Validators and Character Foils
Casting & Pre-Qualifying
Casting Children
Phone Pre-interviews
Rounding up visual assets (photos, video, etc.)
Knowing handlers
When Pre-Interviews or Casting Aren’t Possible or Wise
Ch. 2 Preproduction Logistics
Budgeting and Bidding
Scheduling to allow creativity and spontaneity
Location Scouting
Locations for Interviews
Locations for re-enactments and b-roll
Location agreements
Talent Releases
Other rights to be aware of
Music rights
Copyrighted artwork/sculptures/architecture
Ch. 3 Planning Your Story
Story Arc Planning
When Reality Demands a Script
Planning for Scenarios and Re-enactments
Planning for B-roll
III. In the Field
Ch. 4 Tools and Strategies
Tapping into the Inner Performer
Introducing Your Team
Using Hair & Makeup as a "Way In"
Managing EP’s and Handlers
Coaching without scaring
Ch. 5 Direct-to-Camera Delivery
To Rehearse or Not to Rehearse?
Working with VIP’s and Experts
Working with Children
Nervous or Worried Subjects
Teleprompters
From iPads and do-it-yourself to prompter operator systems
Green-screen: When it works, when it doesn’t
Camera Set-up Layouts and Recommendations
Case Studies: from Justin Bieber to Annie Lennox
Ch. 6 Scenarios & Re-enactments
Maximizing the Advantages of Real People in Scenes
Scenario vs Re-enactment: Which Do You Need?
Scenario Shot Planning
Obstacles and How to Avoid Them
Challenging Scenario Settings
Directing Kids in Scenarios
Planning in the Field that affects Your Edit
Master Shots, Camera Set-ups and Alternates
Coverage Options with Video Cameras and DSLRs
Post Production Strategies
Tips for keeping on schedule & budget
Case Study: Operating room safety "right way" "wrong way"
Case Study: Documentary re-enactment
Ch. 7 Beyond the Soundbite: Storytelling Through Interviews
Preparing for Your Interview
Camera setup and interviewer on or off-camera decisions
Setting Your Subject at Ease
Location considerations
Crew positioning
Creating a Story Arc with Interview Questions
When to use Talking Points, When to Avoid Them
Learning Styles and How They Impact Your Interview Strategy
Getting B-roll of Interview Subjects
Planning for Interview Post
Transcriptions, Audio recognition, and making your editor happy
Future-Proofing
Edit Workflows for Multiple Deliverables
Camera Set-up Recommendations (1-camera and 2-camera)
Tips for keeping on schedule & budget
Ch. 8 Challenging Interviews
Young children
Traumatized Subject
Nervous/inexperienced
VIPs, Celebrities and Experts
ESOL & When to Use a Translator
Experienced Interviewees
Case Study: Palestinian youth in outside location
Case Study: Philanthropic women in studio
Case Study: Appalachian families at home
Case Study: Woman who lost a child to SIDS
IV Managing Executive Producer, Crew & Client Relationships
Ch. 9 Defining the Mission
Connecting to Strategic Plans
Knowing the Players
Ch. 10 Workflows and Planning
Tools for Information-Sharing
Creating Value and Multiple Deliverables
Ch. 11 Cultivating Your Crew Relationships
Setting Expectations
Selecting the Right Team
Food Matters
Thanking and Mentoring
Ch. 12 Getting Approvals: from Storyboards to Final Cuts
Group Think and How to Avoid It
Strategies for Silos and Management Styles
Turning Challenging People into Team Players
Button-Pushers, Non-Deciders and People with Other Agendas
Big Personalities and Inexperienced Leaders
Conclusions & Final Tips
BiographyAs an accomplished video director/producer with more than 400 productions to her credit, Amy is an expert at working with non-professionals on camera. Her more than 40 creative excellence awards include the Telly, Peer, New York Festivals, Aurora, and CINE Golden Eagle. She was also honored with the Woman of Vision Leadership Award from Women in Film & Video of Washington, D.C.
Amy is a sought-after speaker on a range of digital video topics at such industry conferences as the National Association of Broadcasters convention (NABShow). Her popular Lynda.com courses on Script Writing for Nonfiction Video, The Art of the Video Interview, and Video Editing: Moving from Production to Post can be found at www.lynda.com/AmyDeLouise. She has a B.A. in English from Yale University.
With Producer’s Playbook: Real People on Camera, Amy brings her no-nonsense style, real-world anecdotes, and passion for non-fiction storytelling to film students and experienced production professionals alike. Amy offers additional tips, resources and blog posts at www.amydelouise.com.
