The Producer's Playbook: Real People on Camera

ISBN 9781138920484 228 Pages The Producer's Playbook: Real People on CameraDirecting and Working with Non-ActorsBy 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. PreparationCh. 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 WiseCh. 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/architectureCh. 3 Planning Your Story    Story Arc Planning    When Reality Demands a Script    Planning for Scenarios and Re-enactments    Planning for B-rollIII. In the FieldCh. 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 scaringCh. 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 LennoxCh. 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-enactmentCh. 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 & budgetCh. 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 SIDSIV Managing Executive Producer, Crew & Client RelationshipsCh. 9 Defining the Mission    Connecting to Strategic Plans    Knowing the PlayersCh. 10 Workflows and Planning    Tools for Information-Sharing    Creating Value and Multiple DeliverablesCh. 11 Cultivating Your Crew Relationships    Setting Expectations    Selecting the Right Team    Food Matters    Thanking and MentoringCh. 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 LeadersConclusions & Final TipsBiographyAs 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.