Done correctly, a documentary can be a brilliant way to bring history to the masses. All that’s needed are snappy soundbites, sleek visuals and an engaging topic. Sounds easy, right? I certainly thought so… Until I started to make one. I’m only in the early days of filming and it’s already taken some serious research, planning and persuasion.
Admittedly, this project of mine has been pretty much an individual undertaking; with extra help, it might be done already, but at least working alone has given me a clear vision of what I want to achieve. Of course, that also means that any problems are mine and mine alone: fortunately, no major obstacles have cropped up yet!
The documentary itself is on the 1651 siege of Dundee, a topic that I’ve grown to be fascinated by. Taking place in the dying days of the civil war era, it’s a story of bravery, brutality, and bitter irony, with fascinating key players caught up in the political turmoil of a society at war. It also features some gorgeous locations from all around the city and its surrounding area.
Location Scouting!
With the support of a student media group, a bunch of ideas and budget of zero, it’s proving to be a rewarding challenge and a brilliant first foray into the world of documentaries. If it goes well, perhaps this will be the start of something bigger… Regardless, I’ll be sure to update the blog every now and then with my progress.
The Adventures of A Feign'd Hero 