Interviews #1
Interviewer #1
Film D.P. #1
Interviewee #1
The purpose of interviewing people was to take charge of a set, and put together a well-composed interview. It helped us work on the different pats of editing. We had to add "B Role" and music if it was appropriate. I found it easier to cut out my voice before I did anything, and then work on color correcting. Then after both of those things were complete, I added pictures over cuts between scenes that help to show what the interviewee was talking about. I had a little issue with the sound. It was a little quiet, but I learned how to correct it. The person I interviewed was very easy to talk to and he gave well thought out answers and did a really good job restating the question with his answer.
When choosing our place to interview, we figured it would be a good idea to use the books shelves to help frame the interviewee. And the books add a nice background that isn't too distracting, but not a blank canvas. We placed a light behind the camera, angled down onto the person to contrast with the light coming from the window, that also gave it an even look. We had the interviewee facing to their right because the bookshelves were more filled in on that side, and then we could use the light from the window to light the back of the shot. If I could change anything about the shot I would fill in the right side of the shelf more, and also change the exposure because naturally, it was a bit high.
I found being interviewed to be a lot easier than I thought it would. I usually hate being in front of the camera, but this was easy to get used to. I found it annoying to restate the question because occasionally I would forget. and then catch me mid response. The questions were pretty easy to answer, and I wasn't too worried about being timely because it could all be cut out. I also found it hard to not look al around while I was answering a question. I tend to do that to avoid awkwardness, but I needed to keep my gaze in the general direction of the interviewer.
Documentary Review
Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War by Ken Burns and Artemis Joukowsky
This film documents the extreme decision of risking their lives to go into the heart of the Nazi party and save Jewish refugees and citizens from the hell Hitler released across Europe. Martha and Waitsill Sharp were put in a position of leaving their safe, quaint home with their two kids, to save thousands of children and people across what became a war zone in Central Europe. To the both of them, the choice was hard but seemed obvious. They would make the journey to London and from there move into Hitler's next target, Czechoslovakia. While in Czechoslovakia, the two of them moved quickly and quietly, getting as many Jews visas to leave the country and make their way to London. It was hard, as soon after they arrived, the Nazi's invaded Czechoslovakia and soon they had to work under extreme caution, as there was a curfew and anyone found in the streets would be shot. After months of work, they were able to lead a group of Jews across the border. But this wasn't the end of their journey, as the only way to London was through the heart of Germany. Miraculously they were able to get into the country, and out. From here they sailed across the Atlantic from London to New York City.
After months back at home the Sharp's received a phone call saying they were to return back to Europe and begin new efforts to save refugees, as France had fallen, and the North half was German occupied. Meaning all the refugees the Sharp's helped flee, were once again in danger of being tortured and killed. This time there was a great disagreement between whether they leave their children again for such a long time. Ultimately they decided to go beginning their work in Lisbon, Portugal. This time they would need to work very very carefully, as their presence was known by the French and German officials. More months passed and they split up in Europe, to raise funds and continue productive work. The separation would lead to a group of immigrants being freed by Waitstill, and the rescuing of children sent to the United States by their parents. But it also leads to their divorce in 1954.
Defying the Nazis: The Sharp's War is an extremely gripping and riveting film. With very good use of video, as well as pictures to show the points of the countless refugees being interviewed throughout, I was excited to see what their next move would be. At some points, they took advantage of the intensity of the moment, and really make the viewer connect to their cause and develop emotion around the people featured. The interviews were immaculate, and their individual stories moving. After watching it, one line has stuck with me by an Austrian American refugee named Alex Strasser. As he sees his father for the final time, he is told: "Read, write and study and become a doctor, they can take everything from you but not your memory." This line really moved me, and the intense emotions of the entire film were brought out.
Film D.P. #2
Interviewee #2
Interviews 2
Interviewer #2
The second interviews went a lot smoother than the first ones because it was easier to set everything up after we had done it for the first time. We had to add "B Role" and music if it was appropriate. I decided against adding music because it would have taken away from the interviewee. I found it easier to cut out my voice before I did anything else, and then work on color correcting/ sound. Then after both of those things were complete, I added pictures over cuts between scenes that help to show what the interviewee was talking about. I had a little issue with the sound. It was a little quiet and there is a little crackling at the beginning of each scene and I couldn't figure out how to get rid of it.
We used the Hunter Seminar Room to use as our place for the interviews because the seats provided a good background because there was a little texture, but not too much that acted as a distraction. The chairs also acted as a good framing device because it was a relatively solid background. The seats posed a slight challenge because of the way they were angled. We decided on turning a little to compensate for the angled chairs and it worked well. The lighting came from a more overhead position, and the blinds were closed because the light coming in was very harsh and made the set look very bright and overexposed.
The second time in front of the camera was easier the second time because I knew what to expect from the interview. I usually hate being in front of the camera and prefer to do work behind it, but I was okay with being in front of the camera. I still found it hard to restate the question because I would still forget. and then catch me mid response. The questions were pretty easy to answer, and I wasn't too worried about being timely because it could all be cut out in post. This time around eye contact was way easier than the first time because I was more used to acting as if it was a normal conversation.