A-Roll and B-Roll refer in video production to the type of footage taken. A-Roll Is the main interview footage. This covers the main story line and the spoken voice. It is the basis of the documentary. B-Roll is all the extra footage that is build around the A-Roll to enhance the main story. This footage will add context, bolster storylines, show examples, create a certain atmosphere and so on. It lifts the documentary to a quality beyond the linear, unedited question-answer format and enriches the interview, makes it even more personal, authentic and worth keeping to enjoy later.

A-Roll

B-Roll

Sharing who you truly are is a gift to everyone you love. And all of us have a rich inner life. The key is to open up. I will guide you with questions, but soon you will see we are just two people having a conversation. The best conversations happen when people are comfortable and there is some true listening. Questions are just a starting point, the key is to try to get to know who you are. This does not require you do have some preparation. Throughout the conversation we will find answers together.

Like a Photographer in a photoshoot I will set up the video shoot in the best way to make you look at your best. Also, this video will be purely for you and your loved ones. Doing this for others gives in general a great sense of fulfilment and in hindsight you will enjoy this capture and might even open new rich conversations with your family and loved once.

Wedding videos are a beautiful and lively way of capturing the big day (getting ready, the first look, the ceremony). The mini documentaries we make do not just capture an event or what people looked like: We will capture and preserve what you think and feel, what you hope for, long for or expect. It is about documenting the feelings, emotions, values, promises, … We will capture your inner life.

That is of course an option too.

I will do following things that compared with a self recorder video will add a unique value:

- I will shoot with professional equipment which includes eg. an external monitor to measure the light exposure, a big light box to have a good balanced image and high quality microphones.

- I will edit and process all material, that includes colour correction and sound enhancement

- I will make a story out of all spoken words and

- I am experience in interview shooting to set up a image that will make you look good

- I come with a prepared catalogue of questions and I am experienced these type of interviews to document your inner life get the most out of.

- It is often an advantage to have an 'outsider' conduct the interview and to pull you out of your daily routine to zoom out of your life on the relevant question.

I will take my time to build it up slow and getting started.

Normally I first start with a little get to know each other were I also talk about myself. I will make all efford to make you feel comfortable and make you forget about the camera that is pointing at you.

Having a more lose conversation will give us great answer versus having an 'interogation'. And if it takes longer and we take our time thats ok.

It also does not help me or give me fullfillment if just because I don't make enough time that we are left with a less valuable video.

The offered themes always cover max two people. Two people in front of the camera are a maximum for capturing a good visual image but also to have a profound interview.

We can do more then two people with several shootings. Contact me with your idea and will come back to you with a custom made proposal.

The process of creating a documentary is more complex and time intensive if you compare it with eg. a wedding video or event video because it is more then visual images.

A documentary is much more (solely) word and story driven. The voice is the red line and transports the information in a structured way. To process spoken information and the find/ puzzle the 'red line' in a documentary is the core work. This requires understanding what is said, selecting and compiling it to a story that makes sense and takes the viewer on a journey with a logical and emotional beginning, climax and end.

to do!

After contacting me we set up an intake (video) call

We agree on a shooting day

We do the interview and b-roll shooting*

I do the post production and editing

Your receive a download link for several resolution versions of the High Definition video

Yes and No.

I will be sharing during our intake call the general topics I will be covering during our interview and share around 3 broad questions to think about. It would be good if you think about them in advanced. This way you can be aware of them and already build some general thoughts. At the same time I will collect some basic info during our intake call to prepare the questions for the interview.

A casual and not 100% prepared conversation will provide the best more authentic result. It is not the idea that you study all the detailed questions upfront, but knowing the general areas we will discuss will give you just enough 'body' to not be lost and surprised at the interview.

The most important things about the interview shooting is to be comfortable and to be you. I would suggest to wear cloths that represent you and you feel comfortable. The things to pay attention are that depending where we do the interview there are no competing colours.

We are not limited to your home environment and can do it at a different location. Important aspects about the environment are:

- Not noisy and calm

- Enough space for the set up

- Available electricity

- Undisturbed

We can also shoot outside, but I do recommend to do it indoor (see answer about outside shooting here in FAQ's)

It is a possibility. I do recommend shooting inside because you have more control on the lighting and sound. During the time of a shooting the sun and clouds move and this has an impact on the lighting of the interview which causes some inconstancies. This is not often visible and depending on day it can be less strong but it is always a risk to address.

You will get your video as soon as it is finished. Despite the classical concept of a Time Capsule that you barrie in the ground with personal belongings, it is up to you when, how and how often you want to watch you personal Time Capsule Video.​ If you want to wait until a specific occasion or you prefer to watch it like you do with family pictures.

No.

Drones can capture beautiful shoots and create impressive images but for this type of mini-documentary it does not add value. In my opinion it would even distract more from what the person is sharing. I like to keep things ‘simple’ and calm with focus on the message thats why I also don't use any special effects in my videos.

You will get the high definition file in several resolutions so you can use and enjoy it in different ways: Add it to your online photo cloud of preference like eg Google Photos , add the file to your mobile phone storage and stream it to a smart TV, share it on whatsapp to share with friends, upload the video to your personal Youtube channel as a private video that only you and people with the link can watch.

The difference between footage taken and the final cut in filmmaking.

To produce a documentary (or any kind of film) there is always more footage taken then used for the final version. In the process of editing and reviewing the material just the best parts that fit into a dramaturgical story line will be used. The ratio vary between the type of film, eg. an animal documentary require lots of shooting hours while a well scripted tv show will have less shooting hours for the same final result in duration.

In prepared interview-based documentaries and in my experience the ratio is around 10%. That means with 60 min of shooting I can edit and produce a well crafted and good quality mini docu of around 6 min duration.

B-Roll footage that shows the environment, living space with the interviewee makes the documentary more authentic e.g. close ups of interviewee during daily routines or photos from a picture album.