Video Doc FAQ

 

Q: What is the goal of a Documentary Expedition?
A: Each location is a place with a story to tell, and documenting that story is the focus of the Expedition. For example, if you join a 'Volcanoes of Iceland' Expedition, you will spend time exploring and filming the exceptional geological features of Iceland. In the course of the trip, your team will produce a documentary-style short piece about Icelandic volcanoes with the help of an experienced professional. In the course of an Expedition, you will see some amazing places and learn the particular art of shooting video to tell a story.
Documentary Expeditions are intended to: 1. Offer a world-class and entirely unique experience; 2. Give participants a fun hands-on opportunity to learn practical digital filmmaking skills and techniques from a professional; 3. Provide an engaging and uncommon purpose to a distinctive trip; 4. Create a meaningful short documentary to share with others.
Q: What, exactly, happens on an Expedition?
A: Each day on the itinerary is designed to shoot a certain part of the story. So, to use the 'Volcanoes of Iceland' example, you may spend part of the first day filming volcanoes and spectacular lakes formed by dormant volcanoes. The next day, you may travel to a fjord to gather footage of areas where volcanic rock formed when lava met the sea. We go out and film for about three hours, break for sightseeing and then gather in the evenings and meet to shape the creative direction of the piece with the Expedition Leader, who edits the footage based on the editorial decisions of the Expedition Team. The emphasis is always 'shooting for post' -- that is, how to gather the right footage to be edited into a story (i.e. post production). The process of 'shooting for post' is the same no matter what particular system is used to edit the footage, so our focus is less about the technical particulars of specific editing systems than it is about getting the right footage for the story you want to tell.
Q: Will I need to bring my own equipment?
A: Rannoch Documentary Expeditions offers more than professional expertise, we also equip each Expedition with professional-grade HD gear and give you the opportunity to use it. You'll be surprised to see how similar professional and consumer gear can be. While you are welcome to bring your own camera, Expeditions use our standard equipment kit for producing their documentaries. The Expedition Leader is also equipped with a laptop for editing and will be more than happy to answer your questions about how it all works.
Q: Who leads the Expeditions?
A: Seasoned professionals actively working in production. Expedition Leaders must be qualified as a field producer, camera operator and editor and must have at least three years of experience with a major network or production company doing long-form documentary-style content.
Q: It sounds like a Documentary Expedition could be a lot of work. Is it fun?
A: Yes, it is fun! No, it is not a lot of work. Our goal is to offer a rewarding vacation experience for participants, and your enjoyment is our highest priority. Your level of involvement in the production process is entirely up to you. It's your expedition.
Q: It sounds interesting, but this is all new to me. I don't want to be in over my head.
A: Rannoch Documentary Expeditions are designed for non-professionals. We'll show you how the process works and you can pick up some handy knowledge along the way, but our Expeditions are not intended to be anything more than a fun introduction for people who would like to learn more about video and documentary storytelling. While those things do become very technical at a certain point, our Expeditions are more creative than technical. Of course, if you do have technical questions, we're more than happy to answer them.
Q: How are topics chosen? How much creative input will I really have?
A: Since your Expedition's itinerary is carefully planned around a narrative structure, the overall topic of the piece is chosen in advance. However, once the Expedition begins, all creative content is directed by Expedition Members. The Expedition Leader guides the workflow and edits the footage while Expedition Members structure the editorial direction.
Q: Will there be time for the Expedition Leader to edit my personal video?
A: We'd be happy to if there were time, but the Expedition Leader will be very busy making sure your Expedition's piece is completed before you return. In a typical production process, editing only happens after all the footage has been shot. In our production process, we're shooting and editing at the same time.
Q: I have an idea for a Documentary Expedition but don't see it listed, can I work with Rannoch to make it happen?
A: Sure!  We are always working to add new Expeditions to our roster. If you'd like to commission a personalized Documentary Expedition, we can put it together for you.
Q: Where is it 'broadcast'? Will I have something to take home with me?
A: Ask any TV executive where the future is, and you're likely to hear a lot about the Internet. Rannoch Documentary Expeditions is establishing a network of iTunes video podcast channels to deliver our finished pieces to a very large global audience. Each channel will have a particular topic or theme, and each expedition will produce content on one of those topics -- your friends and family can easily find your piece there. Additionally, your Expedition's piece will be available on other Internet outlets like YouTube. You'd probably be surprised how much footage is shot to create an original piece. In the course of a week-long expedition, we will shoot enough material to create about a finished six-minute video package. This is the finished product for the world to see, but each participant will also receive a much longer personal DVD of footage and other material from the trip.