making a story more interesting
by tel jaba
on
Jul 21, 2008 at 10:45:35 am
hey guys
I am working on a documentary about a group of kids from the middle east who are rappers (RAP), I have a full interview with the group in a radio station where they tell everything about themselves, about the music, why they chose this type of music... I have interviews with the parent but they are very boring and staged and I have the kids working on their first album. the director message is to show that there is a generation of kids who are showing interest in RAP and they choose that as a way of life and a carrier too!! do you think this is interesting enough? would you like to watch a documentary like this? I am aware to the need to story and conflict and I can get the conflict through the parents who oppose to their kids choice but still feel that this isn't interesting enough yet! any suggestions?
Re: making a story more interesting by Mark Suszko on Jul 21, 2008 at 2:42:26 pm
Do you have a strong central theme, a point of view, a spine for telling the story?
It is not a particularly original theme; then again, they say there are only a limited number of stories that we tell and re-tell. So if that's true, the key is in the execution of the story, perhaps adding an unexpected twist, a change of perspective. The fact they are not "typical" (ethnically) rappers is a good hook, exploring the differences in their approach and goals. Does their music reflect the same things as American rap, what are the cultural differences, etc. How are they seen by their society.
I would also like to see how they interact with local rappers, how they are received and critiqued. Can you get them to meet with a local crew and compete or collaborate on something? This gives the story a somewhat conventional, linear narrative spine: the practice and progress leading up to the show-down, with little side-trips along the way to explore each kid's personal narrative point of view.
By the time we see the actual show, it should become more meaningful because we've gotten to know some of the personalities.
Re: making a story more interesting by Noah Kadner on Jul 21, 2008 at 10:26:40 pm
Anything that's boring you should cut out 100%. If that winds up being too short a movie, go film more interesting stuff and cut that in. Lather, rinse, repeat.
