Doc Activity 1 Observational Mode

In my three minute documentary, I demonstrated the observational mode of filmmaking. An observational documentary is when the filmmaker and the crew do not interact with the subjects that are being recorded. They just film what they see and do not ask questions or speak to anyone there.

I knew what I wanted to do as soon as I saw the choice of creating an observational documentary. My bishop has a ranch full of horses, so I called and asked for his permission to either film him or other family members taking care of the horses. Then I drove to the location on the very same day.

I wanted to provide my audience the opportunity to observe the process of horses being fed and how those with a complex diet are prepared. The film starts off with camera following the girls to a shed where they will prepare a more nutritious food for their race horses. Another way this proves that this is an observational documentary is my subjects paid no attention to me while filming what they were doing. I told them beforehand that I was just going to observe what it was they did to take care of their horses and to not pay attention to me. It appeared to be a success in many ways as they naturally went about their business doing what they normally did. I feel that my documentary is very similar to Boxing Gym the film that observed what kind of exercises and interactions the boxers had with each other at a boxing gym as they train themselves to be professionals someday. Their images juxtaposed with each other as we saw boxers hitting handpads that their personal trainers were wearing and the vigorous drills they had to do to build strength and endurance.

In my footage I juxtaposed them together as they prepared the food, gathered the hay, and gave them to the horses; immediately eating as soon as their food arrived. Then my film ended when the dog sat in front of my camera as we ended up right where we began.