Recently the Binger Filmlab based in Amsterdam started a new Doclab. A 18 month period where filmmakers from around the world are invited to develop their projects in the Lab. The 18 month period is aimed at development, production an post production for feature length documentary film.
After being off the radar for nearly two months it seems fair to give you an update. I have been spending my time prepping for a big project and after signing the production contract I can now share my plans with you.
The project is a two month shooting period in east Africa, during this time we will be visiting five countries; Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Malawi. We will be making 13 episodes for Dutch television about Dutch traders, aid workers and foundations in these countries fulfilling an important economic and social role. Each broadcast we will portrait one of these businesses through the eyes of our reporter Leon van der Zanden. It is a road movie where the crew plays a major role during this trip. The program is made possible to date by COS Brabant, Cordaid, Liliane Fund and Mundial Productions.
It seems Africa is starting to become a chapter in my life… I keep finding excuses to go back there! We just came back from a 2 week shooting period. The excuse this time is a documentary about a Dutch municipality that gives development aid to Emfuleni, located just beneath Johannesburg.
It was hard work with temperatures reaching 40 celcius but we enjoyed it very much. It was the first challenged production I have ever shot on the Sony EX1. I used two Lacie rugged disks to copy / backup the footage, and a HP netbook to do the copying. The camera does get very hot in these conditions but never gave any problems.
Turns out Kenya is the place to be after all. I just heard that I will be shooting there 27 may till 3 april. I will mostly be working alone following one person. And I am not shure wether to bring my adapter. I haven’t used the adapter in these conditions and I know it can get rough out there. Will it stand the sand and moist of the continent Africa? It doesn’t help that I will be shooting on my own, I need to direct, monitor audio and operate the camera. This is enough responsibility without the risk of dirt getting in the adapter. Any tips on shooting with the adapter handheld on your own?
This Saturday I started a shoot at 08:30, quite a lot of issues during the PPM the day before, namely technical. So it could have been a long day… But it wasn’t we wrapped at 19:00, exactly as planned. I can’t say too much about the commercial itself because it’s not airing yet. A lot of work will go in to the post since it was a green screen shoot. I decided it would be best to go with two Sony DVW-970′s because it records progressive 10 bit. Good for keying and web use since there are no fields. Crew was great!
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