Author: NICOLAS ALTMAN

Website: https://www.photosbyjase.com/work-1

For my breaking news story, I plan on being at Central Park’s Bethesda Terrace on April 8th to watch the solar eclipse from about 1pm to 5pm. I will be looking to interview people to get their perspective on the event and see if I could capture different people’s reactions. I will use B-Roll and a mix of iphone and camera content using the mic for audio.

https://youtu.be/A5d894PEn1g

A Slice of Controversy

By Nicolas Altman

Pitch: This documentary will revolve around the question “Does Pineapple Belong On Pizza Or Not?” That is the whole basis of this doc and will embody a similar interview and clipped footage style as the Netflix Michael Jordan Documentary known as “The Last Dance.” This documentary will showcase spontaneous street footage, along with sit down interviews with friends, and raw footage with pizza shop owners. 

The idea is to have a series of serious stories told about the state of pizza toppings and the stigmas that surround primarily pineapple. This film will be a mix of thriller and comedy and will embody the consensus of what the people believe pizza should consist of.

Characters: Nicolas Altman as a participant and narrator, Laura Kagan, Liza Edelstein, Michael Kupershmidt, and their family members as the participants as interviewees, V&S Pizza owners, Delmar Pizza owners, Dominos Pizza employees.

Shooting Plan: The plan is to have sit down interviews where ill cut between people’s reactions and have their answers be overlapping one another. There will also be shakier footage of a more candid approach to greeting people on the pineapple dilemma. I will also have a few dramatic scenes in public areas if all goes well.

Shooting timeline: The timeline shouldn’t be too complicated in the sense where I just need to make time with each participant, ask the same sets of questions and add a spin that would seem comical. 

Shooting Plan: The shooting plan would be to first get everyone to answer the same sets of questions. After having each participant give their own comical spin or story for me to clip and add in as I see fit. After for me to assess where I can add my own bits explaining the emotions and the energetic heaviness of the matter to the audience. 

I would then visit the pizza shops asking for reactions and to answer the same questions as the rest of the participants. From there I would do the bulk of the editing, assessing what parts need more flare or clarity and to assign the proper music and titles to each person as they’re being interviewed. Overall the shooting should be a relatively linear process.

For as long as humanity has existed, a debate that’s still being debunked through time yet remains. Does Pineapple, the pinnacle of citrus fruits, the foundation of sour treats, the inspiration of various sweet delicacies… belong on pizza.

To give a bleak answer wouldn’t feel right, and to even insinuate a correct approach would come with not much conviction. Hence I will be interviewing locals in my area and pizza shop employees/owners to find a justifiable answer.

My shots will include interviews with South Brooklyn residents, pizza spot edits, and on the ground vlog like shots. 

The associated music will be sounds I find on the internet and narration.

The documentary “20 Days in Mariupol” by journalist Mstyslav Chernov skillfully blends the facts and ground levels, offering a gripping portrayal of the siege of Mariupol by Russian forces. The film maintains great pacing and a well-structured narrative that captivates the audience from start to finish.

The primary theme revolves around the devastating war between Russia and Ukraine, specifically focusing on Mariupol’s transformation from a peaceful city to a perilous warzone. The storytelling elements persist consistently, with the theme centered on war and the dramatic arc following the civilian perspective.

While the overarching theme of war is always present, the documentary emphasizes the dramatic arc, portraying the civilians’ real time reactions and experiences during the conflict. It effectively captures the emotional spectrum of individuals facing the traumatic events, presenting a raw and intimate view of their struggles.

The filmmaker adeptly alternates between three key perspectives: Chernov’s immersive narrative, displaced residents grappling with the circumstances, and first responders attempting to salvage lives amidst the wreckage. Grim scenes from hospitals and makeshift graveyards underscore the harsh reality of war.

The raw and eye-opening nature of the documentary is evident, showcasing interviews and footage that bring to light the devastating fallout of war. The film adheres to traditional narrative structures, including exposition, rising action, and turning points, providing a comprehensive view of the war’s impact.

Aligning with basic frameworks of theme, motivation, and dramatic arc, the film effectively communicates the gravity of the national conflict. Powerful visuals, such as tank sightings, explosions, and presidential messages, convey the theme of war. The motivation is clear: to reveal the harsh realities of the conflict and condemn Putin’s actions. The dramatic arc includes rising points, such as targeted attacks on journalists and doctors, illustrating the ongoing struggle for survival amid the chaos. It sheds light on the atrocities in Ukraine, offering viewers a mere glimpse into the resilience of those enduring the conflict.

Title: “promise that you will sing about me”

The idea would be a voice over poem while I showcase museum statues and local oceans. Shots of different times of day of ocean views, mixed with associated statues which will have more obvious facial expressions.

Although I’m not quite sure how I’ll focus the audio to the shots, I wanted to make an original poem for this project and convey a more philosophical tone surrounding it. I think throughout the shots I’ll show myself doing mundane things, like sitting or just staring outwardly at a park or a beach.

The goal would be for it to seem very reminiscent and introspective, but with open interpretation for you to decide whether this is a state of contentedness, nostalgia, regret, etc. I wanna keep it relatively open so that the viewer interprets it based on their current feelings when watching.

I’ve been looking at Lofi Beats as a background noise since I want to write and say a poem, I do want some neutral but calm beats tied to the video. The shots are going to be different times of day, angles, and transitions to have a flow that aligns with the audio.