Last week we discussed how the most important element in indie doc making is your intention: what is it you are trying to do and why? This week we will examine another crucial choice in the filmmaker’s journey: how to find a great story.
As any good writer will tell you, the number one rule in finding a compelling story is to “write what you know”. The same is true of filmmaking. Just like writers of non-fictional work, documentarians must have an intimate and comprehensive knowledge of the subjects of their films. The challenge for both is finding something that ignites the creative passion. Unless you are passionate about the subject you have chosen, your work will not be wholehearted. You may not be willing to make the kind of sacrifices necessary to see that the job is done to the best of your ability. So where do you look to find the story that is going to set your doc making soul on fire? And how do you know, after you have made your choice, whether or not you have found something that will stimulate others to come see your efforts on screen?
The reality is that these questions represent two sides of the same coin. Obviously, if you knew of a subject for which there was already a large and enthusiastic audience, it would make it easier to become passionately involved. The only problem is that the larger the number of fans, the more likely that others are going to try and capitalize on the popularity; meaning that it will likely be a struggle to distinguish your work as unique. Thus, we have arrived at my first recommendation in your pursuit of the perfect subject matter: don’t worry about the popularity of the subject, but rather worry about your commitment to telling its story. Here, as in many other areas of our art form, you will find that you just have to trust your instincts. I guarantee that if you know your subject well and are passionate about it, you will always find an audience for your work. That is not to say that the world is going to come breaking down your door and raise you upon its shoulders and parade you through the streets of media superstardom. It could happen, but it’s unlikely. Nevertheless, the fact remains that as humans we appreciate passion in the arts and the effort that it engenders, regardless of the subject matter. For example: last year Zaheed Mawani took home the top prize for Documentary Short at the prestigious Atlanta Film Festival with his piece about the modern, office cubicle. That’s right, I said “office cubicle”. The film is entitled “Three Walls” and tells the history and social significance of the office cubicle as a cultural phenomenon. Both the cinematography and story narrative are beautifully crafted, but why in the world did Mr. Mawani choose to do a film about something so mundane? Was there an obvious public appetite for the subject back in 2009 when the film was in early production? Hardly. And yet Mr. Mawani persisted and we see how it has paid off. While some may argue that the film’s success was a fluke, or discard it as luck, I tend to agree with the famed, Hollywood producer Richard Evans who once said that, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” In other words, if you are passionate about your work and put forth the effort to prepare yourself appropriately, then when the opportunity arrives for you to tell your story, others are going to respond favorably. Mr. Mawani’s success only supports this contention. It’s the level of commitment in the telling of the story that truly matters, not the subject. So when it comes to the question of where to look, my recommendation is to look everywhere. Do not constrain yourself to the small pool of stories that are considered popular or socially interesting. Instead, find something that you truly care about and dedicate yourself to telling its story to the best of your ability. Stories from your own family, your neighborhood, your work, your wife’s work, your kid’s school, even your neighbor’s kid’s school, all of it should be fair game, (even "shopping carts"). Often it is in the areas that are most routine in our lives that we find the most compelling subjects.
Next week we will look into how to effectively research your subject and the importance of being well organized during pre-production. Until then, here is a link to the film that is the inspiration for my next project, American Dachau. It is called Stonewall Uprising and tells the story of the Gay riots that occurred in New York City in 1969, enjoy.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/stonewall/
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