TWEENAGE: Short Documentary
“Tweenage” is a tentatively titled short documentary exploring the social pressures placed on pre-teen girls. It follows one seventh grader, Meriah, as she opens up about body image, sexuality, and how the media affects her on a daily basis.
Stay tuned to this blog roll for updates on the progress of the film, due in April of 2010.
Editing the First Cut – February 26, 2010
Editing together all the interviews this weekend; the first rough cut of the film will be ready by March 1st. This cut will focus mainly on assembling/structuring the narrative. We will shoot pick-up B-roll and supplementary interviews on March 6th, and Meriah’s audition at BMG on March 9th. Then, fingers crossed, our 8 months of principal photography will be done!
Prepping for Audition / Stalling School Faculty – January 19, 2010
Meriah’s head shots are ordered, printed and in the mail. I should be receiving them next week. The next step is to prep for an audition at BMG Model & Talent, by choosing two contrasting monologues. I will film her rehearsing them, and when she feels comfortable with the material, we will schedule her audition (and film it, of course!).
The vice principal at Rock Lake Middle has been very busy the past 2 months, and working with me has not been high on the priority list. All formal requests and signed releases have been secured on my end, now it’s just a matter of coordinating with the faculty and scheduling the interviews. Admittedly, I’ve already been toying with the idea of not even using the interviews in the final cut. But, it would be good to film them either way.
First Trailer is Cut – December 6, 2009
School Board Grants Permission - November 20, 2009
Seminole County has approved my request to interview five faculty members, so I will conduct the interviews after winter break. All that work paid off, which is really gratifying.
Operation School Board Continues - November 6, 2009
I’ve completed all the paperwork to request formal permission to film at Meriah’s middle school, and sent it off to the Seminole County school board today. I’m hoping to shoot at Rock Lake on November 30-December 2. What a long process with a lot of red tape!
Rock Lake Confirmation: Good News & Bad News - October 30, 2009
After meeting with the principal and vice principal, I’ve finally gotten confirmation that they’ll allow me to film. Three teachers, a guidance counselor, and an administrator have all signed photo releases to participate with the doc.
Unfortunately, I can’t meet Meriah for lunch, since I’m not a family member. I could go through a screening process to get permission, but then we’d have to eat in a secluded room away from her friends. I think I might give her the mini flipcam, so she can film her own lunchroom experiences.
Letus Mini Arrived - October 22, 2009
The Letus has landed – thanks eBay! I got the adapter and 3 lenses for $840, not terrible. The auction jumped up $240 in the last 10 seconds, I hate when that happens! It ate up most of the budget, but it’s worth it, and I can always sell it again if need be.
Operation School Board - October 18, 2009
I’ve been exchanging emails with the principal and vice principal of Meriah’s school, Rock Lake Middle. I’m hoping to (a) interview teachers, guidance counselors, and/or administrators about their experiences with the children, and (b) film Meriah and her friends at lunchtime.
Getting Famous: Step 1 - September 19, 2009
Meriah wants to be famous, preferably by becoming a model, but her mom won’t allow that. So, she’s decided to pursue a possible acting career. Before she can go on an audition, though, she needs headshots.
Today we went to Michael Cairns, a photographer who actually took my own headshots ten years ago. I filmed the entire session with him and Meriah, which proved to be very emotionally revealing. This was a really great step forward.
Coffee Date - August 30, 2009
Who knew 7th graders drink coffee? Meriah and I hit up Starbucks before shooting an interview. After looking over the footage, though, I realized that the sound is pretty hit-or-miss. It was a good exercise in establishing trust with her, but most of it will probably be scrapped. Lesson learned. I’m going to check out some better sound equipment next time.
Back to School - August 1, 2009
Only a few weeks away from her first day as a 7th grader, I go back-to-school shopping with Meriah and her mother for clothes.
