India Seddon

Documentary

Task 3: PRE-PRODUCTION

Primary Research
To begin my Documentary research, I made a Survey based on Dreams, this was to
get an overall look on what people experienced, what people thought about them and
overall how to make a documentary and make it interesting.

My first question was “What is your opinion on dreams?”, I wanted to gain primary
research on people’s opinions, what they thought they were and have an open
question so they could express. The feedback was varied but unfortunately not in
depth, more like Comments about dreams.
The second question I asked was “Have you experienced a dream?”, this was so I
could gather how many people have actually experienced a dream, 100% said Yes,
meaning Dreams were common to have and everyone has them in their life time,
making my documentary link to people as they have experienced it.

I then asked an open question “Why do you think we have dreams?”, I wanted to gain
people’s opinions as to why we have dreams, everyone has an idea but not everyone
knows the reason why, it makes it interesting from all the opinions and gives a real
outlook on creativity and peoples thoughts on something they don’t quite
understand.
Being a closed question, I could get a more accurate response on how regular people
dream and if they can remember, the majority of the answers were recently and
could remember.

I then asked two rhetorical questions in one question, 1. That they could remember
the dream, 2. If they had become real, the majority of the answers was Yes and that it
became real, perhaps they wanted/ desired their dream to become real… or maybe it
was a warning for future?...
near to the end of my survey, I asked if it would be interesting to have a documentary
based on dreams, 100% said yes, relating to the start of the survey everyone has their
opinions on dreams, to have it as a documentary and explain to everyone why we
dream would make it interesting as it’s something they don’t fully understand and
educational.

At the end of my survey I asked what their favourite documentary is and why, the
majority of the answers were David Attenborough related, this may be because he is
well known, but also how he presents documentaries, makes it interesting and
educational.

Secondary Research
Sleep Paralysis

Sleep paralysis in short, is a temporary inability to move or speak that occurs when

you're waking up or falling asleep.

Though it is not harmful it can be very frightening, many people have sleep paralysis

once or twice in their life, while others experience it a few times a month or more

regularly, it affects people of all ages and is most common in teenagers and young

adults.

During an episode of sleep paralysis that person may

Find it difficult to take deep breaths, as if your chest is being crushed or restricted

Be able to move their eyes; some people can also open their eyes but others find they

can't.

Have a sensation that there's someone or something in the room with you

(hallucination) many people feel this presence wishes to harm them.

Overall feel very frightened

The length of an episode can vary from a few seconds to several minutes. You'll be

able to move and speak as normal afterwards, although you may feel unsettled and
anxious about going to sleep again.

The main symptom of sleep paralysis is being completely aware of your surroundings

but temporarily being unable to:

Move

Talk / communicate

This usually occurs as you're waking up, but can happen when falling asleep, but only
lasts a few minutes.
Quote
“It’s known as “Ghost Depression” in China, “Kanashibari” in Japan, meaning to be
bound or fastened by metal strips, and “Karabasan” or ‘The Dark Presser’ in Turkey.
The latter sounds oddly like a 1980s metal band, but these three terms all refer to the
same thing – the often terrifying and little understood ordeal of sleep paralysis,
which is believed to have left various imprints on our culture throughout the
millennia, from tales of ghosts in the night to visits from aliens.”

Bibliography
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-paralysis/
https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2015/oct/30/vampires-ghosts-and-
demons-the-nightmare-of-sleep-paralysis
Script

Narrator (1)

What makes Us afraid of the dark?

Does the supernatural exist outside of our imagination?

Will we ever truthfully find out?

It is a nightmare unlike any other, it has haunted thousands of people... All over the world

A presence comes into the room, paralysis's it's victim, then leaps on their body and assaults
them.

Sometimes it’s a shadowy figure, sometimes, in my opinion, a Demon...

it allows the victim have a temporary inability to move, speak or to communicate... they feel
awake, but yet can't do anything about it.

You have difficulty to breathe... meaning your chest feels like it's tight, restricted... someone,
or something, has control of your breathing.

Though this is thought to last only a few minutes... in Sleep Paralysis, a few minutes, feels a
lifetime of suffocation, as the presence looms over your body.

Narrator (2)

The Scientific explanation for Sleep Paralysis in short, is just all through our brains, the
chemical balance and stages of sleep...

Everybody who goes through sleep paralysis experiences it differently.

But the main feeling is that as said before is the inability to talk, move and that
your completely aware of your surrounding as in you feel awake.

This can happen just before you wake up or either when you're about to fall asleep.

It happens when rapid eye movement as in (REM) sleep occurs whilst awake.

REM is a stage of sleep when the brain is very active and dreams often occur. The body is
unable to move, apart from the eyes and muscles used in breathing, possibly to stop you
acting out your dreams and hurting yourself.

Sleep Paralysis can be caused by numerous amount of reasons;

• Narcolepsy a sleeping condonation that is long term and causes the person to sleep
at inappropriate times
•Irregular sleeping pattens caused e.g. different work shifts, recently been holiday and
experiences or psychosocial stress issues

• Sleeping on your back

• A family history of sleep paralysis

Narrator (1)

Narrator is walking along beach

One man has encountered the haunting experience of Sleep paralysis many times in his
lifetime so far, and today explains his first ever episode... and the presence he endured...

AARON done

Narrator (1)

Narrator is pacing, passionately to his Belief.

In this case my belief is the person is completely incapacitated by ghosts, demons, devils and
negative energies. The body, mind and intellect are all paralysed by the ghost.

In my profession, there are 4 main reasons why they attack or possess a person.

Seeking revenge

Trying to satisfy their desires or cravings

To gain pleasure from troubling others

To torment seekers of God

Narrator (2)

Narrator is walking along Durdle door cliffs

Neither the specific cause nor the explanation of the phenomenon is available to do treatment
for sleep paralysis.

Some say that sleep paralysis can be controlled with Fluoxetine-type anti-depressants, which
inhibit REM sleep. This is especially useful where there is an underlying depression.

Sometimes the most effective way to deal with the disorder is to get a clear understanding of
the disorder and develop your own effective ways of waking yourself or your partner.

It is also important to be reassured that many other people have it and that you are not the
lone sufferer.

Overall... in My own personal opinion...

Being outdoors, the fresh air and being connected to Nature is the best cure for any feeling of
negativity.

Storyboard All Documentary

StoryBoard just Reconstruction
Release forms
Schedule
January
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Survey advertise Meet up advertise for
Dreams for Sleep with actor/narrators
Primary Paralysis paralysis
Research Story. story
Receive ‘Aaron’,
story & begin in
interviewer depth
to film research.
story.

10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Begin Research Begin Location recce
filming Storyboard fill out
draft draft Risk
Assessment
forms fill out
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Begin Survey
filming Sleep
draft Paralysis
Primary
research
24 25 26 27 28 29 30/31

Production Meeting minutes

November 18th Filming set date Febuary
Facetimed Amy
We discussed filming at Durdle Door,
Day, Time and went through Script she
would be narrating
November 25th Aim for filming New Year January.
Met up with Aaron Mackness, discussed
documentary, wrote down notes. He
described his Sleep Paralysis
November 26th He did not wish for his face to be filmed
Met up with Callum Brue, discussed or voice to be used, so I just used his
documentary, wrote down notes. He information for research on paralysis.
described his Sleep Paralysis.
1st Feb Filming date set 5th Feb.
Discussed further with Aaron FaceTime
about filming interview with him telling
his story about sleep paralysis.
5th Feb Filmed Interview with Aaron Ryan pulled out last minute, Aaron took
Called Ryan to film Reconstruction the place to film reconstructed story.
10th Feb Amy Pulled out filming
Filming Narrator Day Durdle Door
20th Date set 26th Feb Durdle door
Messaged Jess about being a Narrator
24th Date set 26th Feb Durdle Door
Messaged Rebecca about being Narrator

Call Sheets
CALL SHEET No: 1
DATE:
PRODUCER: India Seddon
FILM TITLE: Sleep Paralysis

CREW
Crew Contact No. Time on Location:
member set/location
(name and
role):
India Seddon 07393293370 17:00 Flat 7 no 6 St Clements
Arron 07855000500 17:00 Garden,
Mackness Boscombe,
BH1 4ED

CAST
Cast Cast Character Contact Number Time on
No set
(from/to)
1 Aaron Mackness Interview Story 07855000500 17:00
19:00

LOCATION
Name of location: House Flat
Address: Contact Name(s) Contact Number:
Flat 7 no 6 St Clements Aaron Mackness 07855000500
Garden,
Boscombe,
BH1 4ED

Equipment Required: Props / Special Items

X2 Camera
X1 Tripod
X1 Clothing attached Mic
X1 Sound recorder
X1 Light
Shoot Details / Schedule:
Time(s) Action Scene Cast
No. No.
17:00 Go over Storyboard, discuss, arrange cameras &
sound equipment.
17:15 Begin Filming Story of Sleep Paralysis 1
18:00 Begin filming Reconstruction of Sleep Paralysis
19:00 Fin.

Health and Safety Considerations

Activity Hazard Who is at How will you reduce the
risk? risk?
Filming Camera/ India & Aaron Make sure everyone on set
Equipment knowledges where cameras are,
careful of movement and make sure
all unnecessary wiring is away.
Filming Light (Burn, India & Aaron Make sure everyone on set
eyes) knowledges the light, do not bump,
fall over or stare into it, mind not to
touch.

Notes
 CALL SHEET No: 2
DATE:
PRODUCER: India Seddon
FILM TITLE: Sleep Paralysis

CREW
Crew Contact No. Time on Location:
member set/location
(name and
role):
India Seddon 07393293370 12:00 Durdle Door
Jess West 07855000500 12:00 Dorset
Rebecca 07282837373 12:00
Davies

CAST
Cast Cast Character Contact Number Time on
No set
(from/to)
1 Rebecca Davies Narrator 1 07855000500 17:00

2 Jess West Narrator 2 07828288282 17:00

3 India seddon Director 07393293370 17:00

LOCATION
Name of location: Durdle Door
Address: Contact Name(s) Contact Number:
Durdle Door Dorset Rob Fit 07855000500

Equipment Required: Props / Special Items

X1 Camera
X1 Tripod Lunch
X1 Clothing attached Mic
X1 Sound recorder

Shoot Details / Schedule:

Time(s) Action Scene Cast
No. No.
12:00 Go over Storyboard, discuss, arrange cameras &
sound equipment.
12:15 Begin Filming Narrator 1 Durdle Beach 2-5 2
Establishing shots of Beach

13:30 Lunch
14:30 Begin Filming Narrator 2 Durdle cliffs 1-6 1

16:00 Extra Filming, establishing shots

17:00 Fin

Health and Safety Considerations

Activity Hazard Who is at How will you reduce the
risk? risk?
Filming Camera/ Everyone Make sure everyone on set
Equipment knowledges where cameras are,
careful of movement and make
sure all unnecessary wiring is
away.
Filming Cliffs Everyone Make sure everyone is aware of
surroundings, see posts for Danger,
be aware.
Filming Falling Beach Everyone Watch your step, mindful of beach
uneven.
Filming Cliffs Everyone Do not stand under cliffs. Debreu.
Be aware of surroundings.

Notes
Make sure everyone is aware of surroundings, there are many warning signs and
keep visual, slow and mindful of others.

Location Recces
LINK ON UPLOAD

Risk Assessments
LINK ON UPLOAD
Task 4: PRODUCTION

During production, make sure you keep an up-to-date PRODUCTION LOG of your
progress. This can be in the form of a written document, a blog, or a vlog.

Remember to adhere to safe working practices at all time and pay close attentions to:
Composition and framing
When producing the documentary, the camera work will be simple but effective, I do
not wish my documentary to be filled with confusing camera angles, but professional
looking and suits what is going on.
Therefore, the majority of my camera work for the Narrator side will be static, mid,
long and close shots, I will not be producing any tilts or angles as they are talking to
the audience and giving information. I will be weary of placement of my narrators,
they will be 90% of the time in the middle of the shot as this presents the main
presenter and professional, there will be a few shots where the producers will be on
either side of the shot as this will tell what they are saying, for example in the script
the narrator talks about demons, she will be on the left hand side and the overall
scenery will be darkened.
In some shots, I will use hand held as one particular shot at the end I want the
camera to turn off the narrator and look at Durdle door then the sky, this will be
hand held so I can get the shot easily.
Interview set up will be simple and effective again, using a 3-light set up with 1
camera, I will be beside the camera to slightly zoom in, but it will be most of the time
Mid shot static with reconstructed elements.

White Balance
The cameras White Balance and exposure will vary depending on location. With
Durdle door, the white balance won’t be so harsh as it will be capturing a lot of
colours and light, therefore the white balance will need to be adjusted to low so the
filming is not white and captures all the colours in the correct tone.
Reconstructed element the white balance and exposure will be high as there will
hardly be any light and therefore must capture as much light in the room as possible.

Focus
The camera majority of the time will be auto focus as this particular camera is
professional enough to do itself rather than manually, therefore gives me more time
to direct narrators and acting.
The moment it will be manually will be when doing reconstruction as I want some of
it to be off focus coming into focus then off focus again as I feel this will suit it with
the mystery, many documentaries do this.

Sound recording and monitoring levels

The sound recording will be on a Chor Lavalier tie clip Microphone, as I feel this can
be discrete when needs be and easy to use as I won’t need another person to hold the
mic or follow, creating more unnecessary noise and distraction. It will be attached to
the actor / narrator and automatically record to the footage when recording, making
my life easier when it comes to editing.

Task 5: POST-PRODUCTION
Finalised Script and transcript

Rebecca Narrator (1)

What makes Us afraid of the dark?

Does the supernatural exist outside of our imagination?

Will we ever truthfully find out?

It is a nightmare unlike any other, it has haunted thousands of people... All over the world

A presence comes into the room, paralysis's it's victim, then leaps on their body and assaults
them.

Sometimes it’s a shadowy figure, sometimes, in my opinion, it’s a demonic spirit...

it allows the victim have a temporary inability to move, speak or to communicate...

they feel awake, but yet can't do anything about it.

Someone, or something, has control of your breathing.

Though this is thought to last only a few minutes...

In Sleep Paralysis, a few minutes, feels a lifetime of suffocation

Jess Narrator (2)

The Scientific explanation for Sleep Paralysis in short, is just all through our brains, the
chemical balance and stages of sleep...

Everybody who goes through sleep paralysis experiences it differently.

But the main feeling is that as said before is the inability to talk, move.

This can happen just before you wake up or when you're about to fall asleep.
It happens when rapid eye movement as in (REM) sleep occurs whilst awake.

REM is a stage of sleep when the brain is very active and dreams often occur.

The body is unable to move, apart from the eyes and muscles used in breathing.

Possibly to stop you acting out your dreams and hurting yourself.

Sleep Paralysis can be caused by numerous amount of reasons;

• Narcolepsy a sleeping condonation that is long term and causes the person to sleep
at inappropriate times

•Irregular sleeping pattens caused e.g. different work shifts, family history of sleep paralysis,

recently been holiday or psychosocial stress issues

Rebecca Narrator (1)

Narrator is walking along Cliffs

One man has encountered the haunting experience of Sleep paralysis many times in his
lifetime so far, and today explains his first ever episode...

AARON Interview transcript

I remember when I was 14, and it was just a normal night, you know, at home, playing xbox.

But I was playing xbox like really late and my step parents were arguing, but back then take
no notice, mind is preoccupied with other things.

But yeah, so after going to bed at stupid oclock in the morning, must have been 1.. 2 oclock
in the morning or something like that. So, get into bed as normal, fall asleep quite quick..
quicker than normal. I remember waking up astoundic, this dark atmosphereic feeling around
me… like, it was not a nice feeling, its quite hard to describe this feeling. Like I just
remember sat there, and remember feeling really pinned to the bed. I started trying to move
and just felt paralysed.

(Aaron doesn’t know it yet but he is going through the first stages of sleep paralysis)

and then yeah, next thing I know the room just goes black, its this black I have never seen
before, you know when you get a lazer pen and you shine that lazer, that’s it you are not
seeing that lazer. This was ridiculously black. And then I just felt this negative force all over
my body, I tried screaming for my dad, for my step mum, I was just like I had no ability to
talk, to say anything, I was basically screaming aaaaahhhh but just felt stiff as a board kind of
thing.

(As Aaron goes through the stages of sleep paralysis, he now has the feeling of being
conscious but is unable to move)
(At this stage of sleep paralysis… some people may also feel pressure or a sense of chocking

and I notice in the corner of this room, I could started like making out this siluette figure like
a man kinda figure but this figure as kinda bigger than the average person. Then I noticed two
more of these figures started coming and forming.

I’ve not felt anything like this negative before, then this negativity just hit me hard. Then next
thing you know there is this bright white light. Then I just see this figure but the room was
just white like I can’t describe this white. You know you see in movies and stuff like that you
know someone’s woke up from a dream like that and that kinda thing and its like that pearly
white kinda thing, it was like that. But it was misty at the same time. You could tell there was
this kind of mist in the area. It was like I was in my room but I wasn’t at the same time it was
really messed up the fact that I knew where I was but I didn’t at the same time.

I just notice this hand grab me, and just felt this next level pain I’ve never felt this pain ever
before

(in the past, it was believed that demons caused sleep paralysis by holding people down or
sitting on their chest. This was often due to hallucinations, which are a common symptom
during sleep paralysis because the brain is still in a dream state…)

(People have reported seeing ghosts, demons and other strange apparitions while
experiencing paralysis…)

this hand just grabbed my face then next thing you know like I was back in my bed and I
woke up, screaming, you know all cold sweats.

I had this UFO poster at the time and at the time I thought I was abducted by aliens or
something like that, that’s how it felt at the time. I just remember ripping this poster off the
wall and getting really stressed out, not feeling myself.

I run downstairs and tell my dad what’s gone on, like did you not hear what’s gone on, mad
stuff has just happened, and he was just there like nah mate what are you talking about,
you’ve been asleep for like 10 minutes or so, what are you talking about.

I just remember being adamant that this thing happened to me

(sometimes the phenomenon occurs only once or twice in a person’s life, white other people
may have more frequent and regular encounters with sleep paralysis…)

India (Director)

The black shadowy figures; Do you think they were real? Do you think they were ghosts? Or
do you think they were just part of your imagination?

AARON Interview transcript

I don’t know still to this day, something about it felt so real if you know what I mean, but I
don’t want to sound like a mad man like yeah this thing was defiantly real. But I did my
research about it and apparently there is like studies of this happening but still to this day I
am adamant something is connected I just don’t know, it was just really messed up.

Rebecca Narrator (1)

Narrator is pacing along Durdle door Cliffs, passionately to Rebecca Belief.

In this case my belief is the person is completely incapacitated by ghosts, demons, demonic
spirits and negative energies.

The body, mind and intellect are all paralysed by this demonic spirit by this ghost.

In my profession, there are 4 main reasons why they attack this person.

Seeking revenge

Trying to satisfy their desires or cravings

To gain pleasure from troubling others

To torment seekers of God

Jess Narrator (2)

Narrator is walking along Durdle door Beach

Neither the specific cause nor the explanation of the phenomenon is available to do treatment
for sleep paralysis.

Sometimes the most effective way to deal with the disorder is to get a clear understanding of
it and develop your own effective ways of waking yourself or your partner.

It is also important to be reassured that many other people have it and that you are not the
lone sufferer.

Overall... in My own personal opinion...

Being outdoors, the fresh air and being connected to Nature is the best cure for any feelings
of negativity.

FIN.

With the original script, I filmed all the lines with the Narrators, but some parts did
not sound right and was not necessary to have in the documentary, which is why
some lines are taken out.
Rebecca took it into her own passionate hands and made more creative passionate
ways to discuss her belief and what she believes it is, using premier pro I was able to
edit out the non-needed dialog.
The filming aspect and recording the script was easy, I was able to use one of the
narrators to say the line and the narrator in front of the camera say it professionally
to their own, this made filming very easy and sounded perfect on record head
phones, I knew I needed to edit out the sound of the person behind the camera but
did not realise how much editing was needed to make it smoother, when recording I
did not hear any wind deflect however when editing in premier pro it was adamant
there was wind deflect throughout which made editing Meer impossible to edit out,
using Audition it was impossible to cut out all the wind as it is so vast and untamed. I
had to edit and work around it to mask the wind and not make it prominent.

Task 6: EVALUATE FINISHED DOCUMENTARY

Technical Quality
Overall the Quality of footage was great, I was able to get great shots of the narrators
all in focus with correct white balance and exposure, though during the day the
weather changed I had to keep adjusting the white balance, I feel it does not affect
the quality of the film, everything was clear and the establishing shots were perfect
and weather.
With the reconstructed element, I found this the most difficult, since the room is
already dark, it was hard to capture light in order to film and be in focus let alone see
anything, I had to use my phone torch and hold it behind the camera whilst
operating it, I feel some of the footage was a little too dark however I edited in after
effects and premier pro to lighten and focus.
If I were to film the reconstructed element I would film in a lighter room then just
simply edit it in premier pro to make it darker and misty, I would also gain more
knowledge of the camera since it was rented so I could create more settings, perhaps
for another project.

Aesthetic Quality
Visually I feel the overall documentary is to a great standard, it is not quite
professional as I am still learning about camera operating and does not have that
glossy effect like e.g. David Attenborough Documentaries, but is still to a great
standard. As said before the shots of the Narrators in my opinion are fantastically
shot, it shows off them and the surroundings perfectly and is always in focus and
colouration. I was able to film a long filming shot of Durdle doors beach without any
interference, this was a nice way to introduce Jess Narrator 2 then edit in adobe to
make her disappear.
Having gained help from my lecture, we were able to create in Adobe after effects the
figures for Aarons reconstruction of the dark figures, I learned a lot with this
programme using the software and gaining the best outcome, I tried to do it by
myself the shadowy figures however the programme was not working with me and
had to gain expertise help.

Realisation of Aims
Throughout the documentary filming I feel I stuck to my aim as much as possible,
the overall aim was to get an introduction, with as much information as possible,
have two sides of sleep paralysis (one spiritual one scientific) as well as an interview
and reconstruction element followed by a conclusion and finally.
The documentary has structure, giving audience open questions at the start to start
off the documentary and create mystery. It is brief but effective, it clearly states
which narrator is which and shows both their personalities perfectly. It gives start,
middle, event and end, much like a film, the music heightens to the action going on
well and is mystery / creepy enough but not full on to be distracting.
It informs the audience about sleep paralysis, gives tons of information about it and
informs the audiences of various people’s reviews and beliefs rather than just one;
equality.

Suitability for Purpose

The purpose of the documentary was to explain an unexplained, the brief open to
interpretation, but expect the content to reflect the seasons title. The documentary
should be factual, include interviews with professionals or ‘eyewitnesses’, and
include reconstructed elements. Sleep paralysis to this day is still not 100%
explained, you have so many opinions and beliefs, same with many things like aliens,
this world, creation etc. it leaves mystery but gives a lot of information to the
audience about two key beliefs, scientific and spiritual. The audience can then make
their own decision from there what they believe.

Audience Feedback
Overall my audience feedback is positive, it informs them about the phanominon
sleep paralysis and shows a reconstructed element of how sleep paralysis can be from
a personal view for them to connect to.

“Amazingly done, the documentary flows really well” – Joe Jorden

“It’s great to see myself on a documentary, I can see all your hard work
and why you wanted it to be that way. Great directing and film work!” –
Rebecca Davies

“Oh, I don’t like watching myself! But once put together the documentary
looks professional, it informs us what paralysis is, both views and
beliefs, Aaron looks great but could have done with another actor for the
reconstruction” – Jess West

“Good work, camera work is superb, some of the talking with Aaron is
cut glitch but hardly noticeable” – Tom B

From the comments made, I can see my camera work has been rewarding, I feel that
was one of the main strengths to my documentary as well as structure.
When recruiting for the documentary, I had multiple pull outs last minute so I had to
use Aaron to reconstruct as well as interview, if I did not have people pulling out I
would have another man reconstruct and assist.
Task 7: EVALUATE OWN PRODUCTION SKILLS

Technical Competence
When producing my documentary, I was very mindful of camera set up, frame, shot
and angel, keeping in mind this was a documentary and just needed simplicity, no
creative angles \ shots, I stuck to what I knew best when watching other
documentaries like David Attenborough and a few on YouTube.
Our main filming site was at Durdle Door, having been there a couple years back I
knew the Beach was pebbles and uneven, therefore I rented out a large tri pod which
abled me to get a balanced shot without it shaking from the wind, shakey hand held
and was flat so I gained great footage, I also used this on the cliffs where I was able to
adjust the legs and make the camera balanced.
Once filmed with the static camera, we filmed the same sequence again but hand
held so I could get a variation of shots, e.g. camera going around the Narrator,
turning off into the sky, into the beach etc.

When we got to Durdle Door it was very bright and colourful and took me a good 15
minutes to adjust the cameras settings so it could capture all the scene with ease
without too much white balance and exposure, using the settings I was able to
personalise its exposure and turn the white balance so it did not bring so much light
in and make the picture almost white. The camera was able to film easily and the
white balance was corrected throughout. It was time consuming at the start as I
could not figure out how to adjust the white balance as it was not my own camera
which I know inside and out, having looked at the settings it was the scroll at the top
of the camera which edited the white balance and exposure.
As said before, the most challenging part with the camera was the reconstructed
filming, the camera was not filming with the lack of light and needed to come up with
a way to get light to the lenses without it being distracting to the actor or in shot, my
phone torch was perfect, I was able to multi task holding the camera and torch and
take recordings of the acting, having to still edit in after effects and premier pro it
still came out with great footage, if I were to do it again I would film in a light room
in the day.
The editing process was time consuming, mainly due to the wind deflect from the
narrator filming, it took way more time than necessary if there was no wind and was
highly time consuming, the Narrators also said their script line to line which again
was time consuming to editing the background noise and filling it with footage which
suited what was going on, then fading it out to the narrator speaking it without
glitching.
It tested me with my premier pro experience to the max, being able to edit clips, edit
sound and make everything flow together without too much defect of the wind and
multiple clips shown, I am proud to finally finish it and happy with the way it has
come out, a lot of extra work went into the documentary and feel the wind deflect etc.
is hardly noticeable except a few clips in comparison.

Workflow and Time Management

My time management I feel went well, despite actors pulling out last minute and
leaving me stranded I was able to bounce back with plan B and plan C and make the
documentary deadline. Many things would have made the documentary easier and if
people did not pull out and having rented out a fluffy boom mic it would have been
done easier and quicker and completed earlier. However, I am glad they pulled out as
I feel Rebecca and Jess were perfect for their roles and demestraighted their passion
and personalities perfectly, they made the documentary.

One of the first filming was interviewing Aaron, I wanted to get this over and done
with as soon as possible as well with the other filming as I knew editing would take
the longest as well as any other last-minute filming. I needed to focus on the
reconstructed element as this was one of the main parts to the documentary, having
recorded the interview I was able to imagen how to film, what to film, VFX and C4D
elements to show off my skills and make the story the best it can be and capturing.
I was then able to plan a better story board from this and create the narrator’s shots.

The script was the first thing I did to set off my documentary, having had no idea
what sleep paralysis was at the start of creating this documentary, I needed to
research deeply primary and secondary. Having gained a deep understanding of
Paralysis, I came up with the script, keeping honest and true throughout as
documentaries need to be truthful and to the point, I created two sides script, one for
Scientific, REM and why sleep paralysis is scientific. Another view being Spiritual,
belief, demons, the unknown, mystery factor which leaves audiences thinking and
interested with their own imaginations. Again, being truthful, I was able to chat to
Rebecca and a few other spiritual experts and create a passionate script.

Production Management
The production management was the most time consuming, I am a perfectionist
therefore everything about production is time consuming, going over things over and
over till it is perfected. Adobe After Effects was my main concern, having limited
knowledge of the programme I tried creating figures by myself with some help from
Tutorials online but left me with the programme disagreeing to what I wanted.
Having gained help from my tutor I was able to create shadowy figures to Aarons
visually accurate statement in the interview, having shown him the progress of the
figures he was convinced and looked highly similar to what he saw in his paralysis.
When creating my schedule, I would have finished all my filming my December /
January however due to let downs I was not able to do this, I had plan B and C in
case this went wrong and handed the Documentary on time.

Teamwork
The documentary was individual making, every pupil came up with a documentary
they could present and create. I had help from Aaron mostly, he was able to inform
me about sleep paralysis and spark my interest to creating this documentary, having
known nothing about sleep paralysis it made this documentary interesting to make
and learning about it along the way, Rebecca was inspiring to work with, she was
very passionate about her beliefs and Shon through the camera filming as well as
Jess with Scientific Facts. If it wasn’t for them the documentary would not have been
as memorising as it is, they all sparked interest and spoke clearly to the audience and
made the documentary flow well with structure.

Overall, I am very pleased with my documentary, it has great structure, beginning,

middle, and end conclusion alike professional documentaries, I have followed the
structure of professional documentaries and really feel it flows well, the amount of
editing has been a pain but massively rewarding alongside help with Adobe After
effects for VFX side, using my skills on other software’s like C4D I feel it has put a
great effect on and is different from others. If I were to do it again I would use a
boom mic for sure and learn more about other software’s and create to the best of my
knowledge and ability.