Client Project - Documentary Proposal

I completed my proposal in the past few days and and prepared my presentation. There were a few changes during the writing of the proposal as we had originally planned on making the documentary based on the man behind the music but after having meetings with him we realised that he didn't feel comfortable talking about his life. So we changed it so that it was based on his life in music which probably suits his personality better.

Here is my half of the Proposal Presentation Chase and I gave:

Client Project - Documentary visualisation

The visualisation is a mix of shots from Frameforge and actual pictures.

Client Project - Documentary Script/ Questions

I looked into documentary scripts but was not too successful. As we were doing the interview soon we came up with some questions that we were going to ask Lenroy at his house which were as follows:

1. Where were you born, when and why did you move to Nottingham and what was it like for you growing up?
2. When did you start playing the bass and what drew you to it?
3. What was the first band you played with and how was the group formed?
4. What was the band’s style and what were other bands like on the scene at the time?
5. From Positive vibes, How did you come to be a member of the “Realistics” and how did it feel?
6. What was the meaning of the name “Natural Ites”?
7. Was there a key factor in the success of “picture on the wall” and was it hard to meet the high expectations that followed?
8. What were the most memorable moments with the natural Ites?
9. What was it like touring w/ the Realistics and do you miss it?
10. What was life like outside the band and what was going through your head at the time?
11. What was the cause of the “Natural Ites” splitting and what did you do after?
12. What have you done musically since then?
13. What have you done outside of music since the natural Ites Split and what were the main occurrences in your life during this time?
14. What are you currently doing as a solo artist and what are your influences?
15. What are your priorities in your life at this time and what does your daily routine consist of?
16. What is the goal of Leva Works and why did you decide to start it up?
17. How do you see yourself progressing in the future musically and in your life?
18. Hobbies outside of music?
19. What do you like to do in your free time?
20. What is the theme and style of “Roots, Rock, Dub”?
21. What are your thoughts on Nottingham?
22. What was your job as a social worker and what sort of people did you meet?
23. Is there a particular song that really means the most to you and what do you feel when you listen to it?

The questions in red are ones that he was not happy to answer or we left out for other reasons.

Client Project - Talk With Debs

Chase and I went and discussed what exactly we should do about the proposal as we weren't sure what to do as he was going to do most of the directing and i was going to be the producer and editor.

Debs said to us that we should each do a proposal (one for the documentary and one for the music video) and we should take out the live performance section.

I was to do the documentary and chase was going to do the music video.

Client Project - Research

I researched a variety of things,

I first researched Lenroy Guiste to see if i can find out anything people may not know about him and found that he was part of the Porcelain Dolls, Royal Roots band, and that he toured with Macka B.

http://www.ukscreen.com/band/josieakers

• Porcelain Dolls - Josie Akers Lead singer/songwriter, Lenroy Guiste Bass Player, Tony Smith Lead Guitar, Edmund Keanan Drums
• Together for 2 years as of 2006

As i couldnt find much about just him I started researching more about The Natural Ites and found out the following from: http://andybrouwer.co.uk/nites.html

· Started in 1982, “Called it a day” 1990

· First Break when appeared on Rockers Roadshow w/ Jamaican DJ Mikey Dread

· First single 1983 “Picture On the Wall” on own Realistics label.

· Went to top of reggae charts

· Airplay on BBC Radio 1 in particular, widened the band's appeal and fan-base,

· television appearances on Channel 4's The Tube, constant gigging around the country, helped the single to enter the mainstream British singles chart, no mean feat for an independent reggae outfit

· First album 1985 “Picture On the Wall” Lead Vocals: Ossie Samms, Percy 'JP' McLeod and Neil Foster. Musicians by The Realistics

· The Picture album, released on the CSA label and produced by Johnny White.

· Recording took place in London and Nottingham, mixing at the Aquarius Studios in Jamaica.

· second single, Lion Inna Jungle, quickly followed their initial successful release

· Within a year, a third single, Lately, was making an even bigger impact and remained at the number one spot in the UK Reggae charts for six weeks

· second album, Marvellous, released in 1987 by this time, Neil Foster had departed leaving Samms and McLeod as the main pairing.

· The Marcus Garvey Studio in Nottingham was home to the recording, again under the control of producer Johnny White, with the album released on the Realistics Record label.

· Another single, Cry For You was released, followed up by a Temptations cover version, I Wish It Would Rain and Happen All Over Again.

· final album, Naturalites in Ites, was released in 1989

· failed to make the same impact as their previous releases and marked the beginning of the end for Nottingham's finest

· Within a year the band's members had gone their separate ways and the British and worldwide reggae fraternity had lost one of its finest exponents.

· Percy solo album, Upside Downside, produced by his former Realistics compatriot Lenroy Guiste

· Guiste himself is the bassist with the Royal Roots and Porcelain Dolls bands

I then looked more into different Documentary Styles: http://www.fromtheheartproductions.com/interview10.shtml

The Expository Style (Direct Address Documentary Voice): The expository (or Griersonian) style addresses the audience directly, usually through a narrator. The narrator is separated from the subject of the documentary and is making verbal commentary on it. This style tends to rely on the narration to tell the story rather than continuous visual images. Expository films usually seek to inform or instruct, are very pointed and leave little room for interpretation. Interviews, voice-over, and archival images are often combined as in Ken Burns' popular Civil War (1990).

The Impressionistic Style: The impressionistic style is more artistic than real. It seeks to create the art and impression to convey a story, rather than using a hard-hitting, objective lens. A film made in this style may take on the production qualities of a fictional film (reenactments) utilizing actors, stages, and art direction.

The Observational Direct Style (Direct Address to Viewer Documentary Voice): This style tries to mirror the world, rather than create a specific argument. Often this style of film is a series of vignettes. The direct observational style is noninterventionist and focuses on the immediate time.

The Observational Verité Style (Cinema Verité Documentary Voice): Observational Verité recognizes it’s very difficult to achieve the goal of nonintervention in the direct observational style, because once the subject is aware of the camera, the subject will modify his or her behavior. Thus verité uses the camera to invoke an interaction or response with the subject.

The Reflexive Style (Self-Reflexive Documentary Voice/Cinematic Essay): The reflexive style also recognized the difficulties of the observational direct style, and overcomes this by involving the filmmakers in the film itself. For example, a film that shows the documentarians filming the film utilizes a reflexive style

Client Project - Meeting With Chase

These are the notes taken during this meeting:

Meeting w/ Lenroy on Monday 18^{th January}

Proposal have it finished by Wed 22^{nd January}

-Research

-Design

-Story boards

-Script

-Treatment

Voodoo warriors of love - producer John Crossley and Patcee Francis They produced a number of tracks for the now defunct em:t label in the mid 90’s.

The style could be loosely described as Rock and Reggae influenced Ambient.

Get Lots of Stills

Documentary Split into:

• 20 secs Intro
• 20- 30 secs of his history - show stills of his high school, bring in his first band Positive vibes
• 1 – 1.5 mins of Lenroy and positive vibes – what they were about – play some of their music – pictures of them -
• 2 mins Naturalites Section - How they began – what does their name mean - Biggest songs – most memorable gigs/ moments – What was the reason for the Natural Ites stoping producing music?- Video, Interview Footage with lenny and other band, (picture on the wall http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AJmHlaadMo) still images,
• 1 min what was going on in ur life whilst playing with the natural ites?
• 1.5 mins what have you done since the natural ites split and how have you felt throughout the years.
• 1 min solo artist and what are ur influences – play his music, video footage from gigs, stills
• 40 secs - What are your priorities today and what do you do in your free time?
• 30 min – Leva works – what are its aimes – how did it start up
• 30 mins – future plans – where do you see yourself progressing in the future?
• 30 Secs – Credits

Music Video:

Smoke Filled studio with different colored lights on lenny (red green yellow?) Mixed with Shots of Lenny in Nottingham, Meeting up with friends/ having a drink.

Roles:

Documentary

Producer: Chris Dubock

Director: Chase Martini

Editor: Chris Dubock

Music Video

Producer: Chris Dubock

Director: Chase Martini

Editor: Chris Dubock

Live Performance

Producer: Chase Martini

Director: Chris Dubock

Editor: Chase Martini

To Do List:

Research:

Producing

Documentary - Simmilar work, Band History + Info The Natural Ites, Documentary Styles, Documentary - Scripts.

Music Video - Music Video Styles

Directing

Live Performace – Pictures of Broadway, floor plans

Risk Assesment Forms:

• Lenroys House
• Subway Studios
• Broadway
• Rescue Rooms
• Studio – showing him in the studio
• Alley cafe

Client Project - "Flight Of The Chonchords" Series 2 Credits

• Line Producer
• Associate Producer
• Cast
• Casting By
• Director of Photography
• Production Designer
• Edited By
• Music Producer
• Unit Production Manager
• First Assistant Director
• Second Assistant Director
• Costume Designer
• Art Director
• Set Decorator
• Production Coordinator
• Production Supervisor - LA
• Script Supervisor
• Production Accountant
• Payroll Accountant
• 2nd 2nd Assistant Director
• Production Associate
• Writer's Associate
• Casting Associate
• Camera Operators
• Steadicam Operator
• 1st Assistant Camera
• 2nd Assistant Camera
• Hair Department Head
• Make-up Department Head
• Costume Supervisor
• On-Set Costumer
• Assistant Costume Designer
• Location Managers
• Assistant Location Manager
• Location Coordinator
• Location Production Assistant
• Transportation Captain
• Boom Operator
• Production Sound Mixer
• Utility
• Property Master
• Lead Man
• Assistant Property Master
• Set Dresser
• Charge Scenic
• On Set Dresser
• Camera Scenic
• Gaffer
• Best Boy Electric
• Generator Operator
• Lighting Tech.
• Key Grip
• Best Boy Grip
• Grips
• Assistant Production Coordinator
• Script Coordinator
• Art Department Coordinator
• Art Department Production Assistant
• Construction Coordinator
• Key Carpenter
• Key Construction Grip
• Carpenters
• Assistant Editors
• Post Production Coordinator
• Editorial Production Assistant

"Flight of the Chonchords" is a TV series about two unsuccessful kiwi music artists, Jemaine and Bret. In the first series they have moved to New York and there manager is a kiwi working for the New Zealand Consulet who only ever gets them gigs in places such as the libarary and in a lift.... In this series they have been living in New York for a Year and have yet to actually have a proper gig but that is there main aim, o and to get money! One reason i really like this program is it obviously has a very low budget and they use techniques to do things that look quite good cheaply, such as whilst they were making a music video they had the camera doing a 360 degreas turn to give the impression that sumone was spining and it worked quite well.

Client Project - "Babylon" Credits

• Production Manager
• Assistant Production Manager
• Casting Director
• Sound Mixer
• Assistant Sound Mixer
• Dubbing Mixer
• Operator
• Focus Puller
• Clapper/ Loader
• Location Manager
• 1st Assistant Director
• Dubbing Editor
• Art
• Director
• Assistant Editor
• Art Director
• Assistant Art Director
• Continuity
• Assistant Editor
• Assistant Dubbing Editor
• Accountant
• Construction
• Grip
• Gaffer
• Make Up
• Wardrobe
• Props
• Producer's Assistant
• Titles
• Sound System
• Special Music Recorded
• Music
• Thanks
• Processed By
• Sound Track Album Available on Chrysalic Records and Tapes

"Babylon" is a film from the 1980s that follows "Blue" and his "rasta crew" as they get close to a sound clash competition with a rival crew. Its Based in London, Blue is a calm likable character and throughout the film is trying to stop his mates from getting into fights even after alot of racial abuse, until he gets fired from his job as a car mechanic, there hangout gets broken into and there sound system smashed up, and he gets beaten down by plain clothed police man. After this he becomes increasingly angered and alienated and starts fighting back. This film addresses racism violence and the roots reggae lifestyle in London in the 1980s.

Client Project - "A Very British Gangster" Credits

• Film Editor
• Camera
• 2nd Camera Unit
• Jimmy Jib Operators
• Sound Recordists
• Camera Assistant
• 2nd Unit Directors
• Stills Photography
• Video Rostrum
• Archive
• Post Production
• Audio Assistant
• Dubbing Mixer
• Online Editors
• Colourist
• Music Supervision
• Original Whistling
• With Thanks
• Co-Producers
• Assistant Producer
• Producer
• Associate Executive Producers
• Produced and Directed
• Music

"A Very British Gangster" is a documentary that follows the mob boss (Dominic) of one of the largest "gangster" families in Britain, the Noonans.

Client Project - Sorting Out The Roles

Chase and I got talking more in depth about the different roles we will be doing, what/ how many other people we may need to fill in the roles we don't have. We decided it would be a good idea to watch a few films credits and write down the roles in them, I realised I have a documentary so thought that would be good to look at as we are doing one.

So the first credits we watched where at the end of the documentary:

Client Project - The Draft Proposal

As I thought it was really important for the first email to the client to be concise and draw them in I said we should do a proposal. Chase and I then met up and started brainstorming on the proposal:

What:

• Promotional DVD for Local reggae band including music videos, documentary and live video.
• Service/ product that the client can distribute as they want.
• Third year NTU student project.

Why:

• Music has always been a big part of our lives especially reggae, dub and drum n bass and we wanted to keep it close to our hearts.
• With the three different parts to the DVD I can show off a variety of techniques and a variety of skills, such as different camera skills and editing styles.
• One part of my favorite types of audiovisual is documentaries.
• A DVD is a very useful promotional tool for the band to get recognised.
• Free for the band, more interesting promotion than a t-shirt or poster.
• CD / DVD Sales - sell double sided DVD with one of artists Cd's.
• As its a local band it reduces costs, improves accessibility / co-operation with band.

Where:

• Nottingham:
• Gig Locations - Bars - Festivals - Exhibitions - Clubs - Concert Halls
• Life Style - Artists home - Studio - Rehearsals - Places of Leisure and Personal Interests of Band

Who:

• Reggae Artist
• Percy Dread
• Notts Dub

How:

• Rastafarian Theme
• Reggae/ Roots Soundtrack
• Slow Pace
• Shots of lifestyle + gigs + interviews
• "Getting To Know the Band Behind the Scenes"
• Highlight production of song progress

Client Project - Health and Safety Forms

22.10.09
The Natural Ites were having another rehearsal tonight and so we went to it to get the health and safety forms signed and filled in. I then typed them up.
23.10.09
I took the form in to get Debs (tutor) to sign. She told me to make the following amendments:

(I shall scan in original with amendment notes on)

Client Project - Meeting with Lenroy and Rich

Chase and I set up a meeting with Lenroy at a Cafe/ Bar. We went there and he was with his business partner Rich. We came out of the meeting with the following plans:

• That he is doing a podcast for the evening post at the rescue rooms on the 2nd December and that we should try and sort out recording it if possible.
• We also came up with some ideas of what to show during the documentary: What each member of the band is doing now, a performance video in the studio and how he made his new CD in his living room.
• To promote the company and the diverse talents and artists
• We talked about doing the DVD/ CD package and they thought of using the Live performance sound track as the CD.
• Lenroy also said that they were going to Manchester to do a gig on Monday Nov 2nd and were having a rehearsal on Monday 26th Oct and that we should come and film that.

We also went through the agreement form with them.

Client Project - Finding The Client (Part Two)

I was Looking on the Notts Dub website again and we clicked on a link to a website for Lenroy Bassie Guiste which had a poster on it for a art exhibition at which the Natural Ites were playing. We thought this would be a great way to hopefully get a client, as if they weren't interested they may know someone who would be. We went down there and watched them play and filmed parts of it. Whilst they were playing we were getting nervous as we didn't recognise who was who and so weren't sure who to talk to afterwards. We also felt as we may look a bit stupid going up and asking if we could do work for them as they started as musicians (in the Natural Ites at least) in 1980 and we may seem a bit amateur. In the end we didn't mind as if we didn't get anything from it at least we got to listen to some sick reggae! But this wasn't the case when they had finished we went and spoke to the bassist, Lenroy Bassie Guiste. Chase told him the idea and what we wanted to do and Lenroy sounded quite enthusiastic and excited about it, gave Chase his number and Chase said he would call him on monday.

Client Project - Finding The Client (Part One)

During the summer Chase was looking for clients and found two music artists to use. First was a Nottingham based reggae band called Moonbuggy, but they had a change in some of the band members and so said they didn't want to make any commitments. The second was Jakwob but after having the manager say that they would be interested in working with us, but the manager shortly after stoped working with Jakwob Chase then tried to go straight to Jakwob but the only way contacting him was through MySpace and never got a reply. I then had a look for a possible client and found a website called nottsdub.co.uk which had a local reggae artist called Percy Dread and a local dub artist called Notts Dub which seemed like two very good possibilities. I was quite hope full that something would come out of this, if not from those artists from another as on Notts Dub website it says "Notts Dub provides ground level support for artists, performers and associated industries in and around Nottingham.". I spoke to Chase about it and we agreed to meet up to come up with draft proposal to then email these artists.

Client Project - The Idea

I was originally thinking of trying to do some editing work for a client but wasn't sure who exactly and my lecturer said this may be difficult. Chase Martini a class mate came and said he had come up with the idea of doing a music video and that the lectures had said that they would expect a music video, a documentary and a live performance and that this would be a lot of work, so to get someone to work with him and he asked if I wanted to do it. I thought this sounded a bit more interesting than my original idea and so said that I was up for it. We said at this point that he would be the producer/ director and I would do the editing and camera work.