As forewarned by my mentor Renee Bishop, a documentary tends to take shape during the shoot. My shoot was a big challenge as I worked with my own family members on Thanksgiving Day. A group of non-actors that were celebrating a huge holiday proved to be especially challenging subjects for the sound crew. I must admit being the director/producer of such an event was tiring and invigorating at the same time. I was a bit depressed about missing all the great food, but I will forever be able to boast about having had some of the best craft services ever on a shoot.

Danielle and family at the Thanksgiving shoot

I am very excited about the story I was able to obtain from this tightly knit unit. I went in knowing that I would be asking pretty demanding questions. Incorporating interviewing skills that I went over with Renee also came in handy on the set. I was able to use the ice-breaker techniques I was taught to make a nervous giggling aunt more calm for an interview. The shoot was a triumph but it was only the beginning to building a great documentary.

At this point, the post-production process is well under way. Having done the tedious sub-clipping and sound syncing of the dailies myself,

I have handed off the footage to, and am now working very closely with, Dorothy Arkle (formerly the Senior Editor at Farmers’ Almanac TV, Savannah GA). 

Renee and Danielle with other crew at a pre-production meeting in November

In our meetings in the weeks leading up to now, Dorothy and I discussed the story of my film and my vision for it extensively. As the process evolves and the story takes shape I am feeling more and more confident about the project and I am building steam for the second phase of the documentary, researching and gathering supplemental footage and materials.