Aala's Film

Hey Aala

Thanks for your question. A very good question at that! Knowing where to start is sometimes the hardest part in the journey. Here are some thoughts that might help:

Start from the top. What is the first thing that you want the audience to see in your doc? Often times I try and picture myself in a movie theater looking at MY film on the big screen. The Trailers end and the theater gets quiet... all the sudden the first scene from my film comes up.

What is your first scene? Write it down. Is it outside or inside? INT or EXT?
The "Wanted by the FBI... A Drug Free America" printed on an FBI bag could be a really interesting opening scene. Maybe a slow dolly "PUSH IN" to the FBI bag while some voice over from some of your interview talks about the problems of Drugs in America.

Are you going to narrate?
How many interviews will you have and who are you planning on talking to?
How many locations did you have in mind to shoot at? School? Downtown Chicago? Jail? A drug rehab clinic?


-Think about this and let us know.

I think you should think about crystallizing your message as well. It is a great idea but maybe you could focus on Kids in high school? Or Grade school? Although Drugs obviously plague every spectrum of society in one form or another, your sphere of influence can directly impact your peers. Your message should be directed at kids who might be thinking about trying drugs because of peer pressure or what ever reasons you discover in your interviews.


These are my suggestions. Take it or leave it! AND get writing!


Peace,

Sean