Philosophy

When making a film there are two straight forward philosophies to keep in mind from the beginning. The first, K-I-S-S: keep it simple. The second is the Ground Rule Triangle, a triangle divided into three layers and the bottom layer are the rules to filmmaking. One gets to know the rules well, understand them and use them before venturing upwards to the next layer. The second layer gives one license to break the rules. At the apex of the triangle is where one can develop his creative license and individual style.

The K-I-S-S philosophy in this blog is attributed to Neil McCafferty, former BBC reporter who now works full time for the BBC World Service Trust. He has built several radio stations from scratch in post conflict war zones around the world, and co-ordinated the setting up of TV stations in as many locations. Essentially, a good film is made up of simple components. A component is an idea, a camera shot or camera movement within a shot, a line in the script, or a piece to camera where (a reporter talks directly to camera to explain a location, situation or event). The trick is keep these components as simple as you can. Where they are simple they are clear and where they are clear they are communicating your message or idea precisely and this should be the aim of your film. Ask an Italian chef what his secret is, he will tell you good ingredients. In filmmaking good ingredients are simple clear components. It is the way these components are placed together that make up a good film. Components may be put together in a complicated or thought provoking way depending on who your audience are, but essentially a good film needs to have a combination of simple components. Remember, keep it simple: K-I-S-S!

The Ground Rule Triangle or GRT is based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs triangle. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs are depicted as a pyramid with five levels. The first four levels are grouped together associated with physiological needs such as air, food, shelter and love. While the top level termed growth needs are associated with our psychological needs. This is where humans strive to make the most of their unique abilities and to be the best they can be. The basic concept is that the higher needs are met only once the needs lower down are met, hence the name, hierarchy of needs.
The GRT is also a pyramid but it has three levels and as with Maslow’s triangle, the base level takes first precedence: Obey the rules of filmmaking. Level two is: Break them occasionally. Level 3 is: Develop your own style and signature. However when developing your own style don’t forget your physiological needs. Just as you always need to breath, drink and eat no matter what style of clothes you wear, don’t forget the base level and keep to the rules.

1. Obey the rules to filmmaking
2. Break the rules occasionally for creative license
3. Develop your own style and signature

The rules to filmmaking will gradually be disclosed as Morogo blog continues but essentially they are techniques using sight, sound and motion to convey a message to your audience. Break the rules occasionally once they are known but don’t break them often for this loosens the impact. The good film is one where the message engrosses the audience and they become unaware of the filmmaking process. When one moves to level 2 and breaks a rule occassionally, one breaks a convention. This disturbs the viewer. If that is the intention it adds to the emotional viewing experience. However it is much like the shepherd crying wolf, if he cries wolf everyday no one takes note when there is a pack of wolves on his patch.
For example, using the tripod. A good shot is always taken with a tripod. Without a tripod the shot won’t be steady and camera shake will detract the audience attention away from the subject been filmed. But if the camera shake is used to portray a violent event for instance, it will have an impact on the viewer at the right time particulalry when all the other sequences have been filmed on a tripod. It can be encouraged to break the rules from time to time but break them sparingly and always for a purpose. Finally, when you get to the third level do develop your own style and signature don't forget to keep to the rules so when you do break them, the effect has an impact.

Introduction

I'm trying something new with a blog. This is an instructional blog teaching how to use a video camera to tell good stories, to change the world, to express yourself and maybe earn a living doing it. You may be a camera operator already, you may be a director and want to know what the requirements are to work with pictures. Perhaps you want to document your child growing up and present a video diary to him or her on their 21st Birthday.

The fundamental principal of anything creative is to have passion for it. Without passion you might succeed, but not as precisely. I chose a career in broadcasting during the painful birth of the new South Africa and I chose this field to make a difference. I grew up as a white child in apartheid South Africa in a country at war. And I had no idea it was at war because the state controlled the media and kept it secret from ordinary people. I found out what was happening in my country accidentally, through underground VHS tapes doing the rounds. These were films that the international media made about the crisis in South Africa and the truth about life in the townships. Out of the folly of my parents generation under apartheid South Africa, it was my utmost desire to do my part to ensure a dangerous silence could not happen again. So I aimed to be a filmmaker. and at the same time aimed to fulfill a creative urge to tell stories about the human condition.

After completing a three year diploma in film and TV, I found my way to working for the BBC in Johannesburg. By 1998 Nelson Mandela was in power and South Africa’s political landscape had changed, so I moved to London and worked for the BBC there. In 1999 I took a year sabbatical to study a master degree in International Development at The University of Bristol. Today I work as a freelancer filming for various news and current affairs programmes at the BBC as well as training camera and editing skills to people as passionate about making a difference as I am. Some of the recent work I done have been for the BBC World Service Trust, these include training camera and editing skills to professionals in the Middle East, UK, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia.

This is set up as a blog, written and compiled daily or weekly depending on the time I have at hand and the enthusiasm it is read at. It is also for all the students I have had - to recap on the lessons I have taught them. I hope you find it useful.

Philip Darley