Final Self Critique

I am VERY proud of myself with this documentary, I follow the Monfort's for four days to get their story out. The only thing I wish upon this documentary is that it could be longer because I believe what I really want to show will take more than 10mins and some lack of time that we had during the making of the documentary and class. I am excited for what the class has to say during class tomorrow and hope for the better. Like I said in the past I know for sure that this documentary is WAY better than my first (midterm). I have no negative response yet, I ask favor from a classmate to help critique and receive some great tips, THANKS TOMMY! All I can do is hope for the better.

The Monfort's

Self Critique

So the more I edit the more I am understanding and seem to like. With this final revise I am more happy with the results. I want to continue with this documentary later in the future. I took a lot of things out by listening to what the class had to say. I became bitter with the situation sometime but the more I kept going the more I learn from it. The only thing I wish I had for the documentary is a lot of B-Roll. Again I would love to continue with this documentary and I know my next documentary will be better.

Memphis Interracial (The Final)

Final Pitch for Documentary: The Monfort Family

Final Pitch

Project Description
The Monfort Family has their share of challenges; but even though they care for a handicap daughter, the Monforts are like any other family: dysfunctional, yet loving.

Explanation of Theme and Intent
We want to share the personal story of the Monfort family. Our focus is not so much on Leann and her condition, but more so the family situation and how they have dealt with the many challenges in their lives stemming from Leann's handicap. Like so many families, they have their share setbacks and issues. We want our audience to see this family not as burdened, but as just another family. There are better and worse family conditions to have; but patience, work, and love drive this one.

Act I
The Intro
Interviews: Louanne Monfort (Mother) with Jimmy Monfort (Father)
(Medium Bust shot)
Questions:
1. Tell me about Leanne’s birth.
2. When did you notice Leann was having problems?
3. What did the doctors say about Leann’s condition?
4. How did you react?
5. Explain how Leann was permanently affected.
6. What changes did your family have to make?
B Roll - Video: the Monfort’s morning
Interactions of Louanne and Jimmy with Leann
Photos: Leann’s birth, surgeries, young photos


Act II-
Interviews
Louanne Monfort with Jimmy Monfort (Medium Bust shot)
Questions
7. What influenced you to have more children?
8. How did your families react to the fact that you wanted more children
9. What impact has your situation had on your realationship?
10. What other situations impacted your relationship
11. How do you think your other children have been affected by your family’s situation?
12. What are your experiences with how strangers react to your family?
13. How did you learn to deal with strangers’ reactions?
14. What other stressors do you have? (finances, time management)
15. What made you decide to keep Leann at home?
16. What were the outside reactions to your decision to keep Leann at home?
17. How does your family spend the holidays?
Kevin Monfort (youngest son) (Medium Bust Shot)
18. What was it like growing up with a handicap sister?
19. How do you feel you are different from other familes?
20. How do your friends react when you introduce them to your family?
21. Tell me about some of the positive experiences you’ve had.
22. Tell me about some of the negative experiences you’ve had.
23. How do you feel your family situation has affected your life?
24. How do you feel your family situation has affected your way of thinking?
Mrs. Dorothy (PA) (Medium Bust Shot)
25. Tell me about the family life you’ve observed within the Monfort home.
26. What is your role in the Monfort home?
B Roll – Video- Normal day-to-day activities
- Mrs. Dorothy taking care of Leanne
- Photos- Monfort children growing up


Act III
Interviews
Mrs. Dorothy
27. How do the Monforts compare to other families you have assisted?
Louanne, Kevin, and Jimmy
27. How do you feel you are similar to other families?
28. What are your plans for Leann’s future care?
29. Where do you think your family will be twenty years from now?
30. How do you feel your family's way of life has shaped your way thinking?
B Roll - Video- The family's normal activities
- Ending a day with Leann

Production Design Statement
We feel our B Roll and specific line of questioning will steer the understanding of the Monfort family's situation. B Roll will pertain to the questions being answered and will also show how life is lived in the Monfort home.

Story Board for Documentary#2

The Monfort Home

The Living Room

The Kitchen

The Dining Room

The Backyard Sitting Area

Leeann's Bedroom

The Monfort Family

Louann Monfort

Jimmy Monfort

Kevin Monfort

Ms. Dorothy

Leeann Monfort

Rebecca, Brittany, and Amanda
Final Project

The Monfort's Story:

*The B-Roll will show two days (or more) of following the Monfort family, then lead to the third day of interviewing the family.

*Questions: (more to come when following the family so we can get a more better understand of them first)

1. What do you remember with Leeann birth? Good or bad, tell me more about it.

2. When did you know something was wrong with Leeann?

3. From what you remember, when did Leeann situation get worse? How, has she always been this way, and how was she as a child growing up?

4. Has this situation affected your social life? Are there other situations affecting it? How?

5. What does the family plan to do when you are no longer able to care for your child?

6. If you could wish one thing for Leeann what would it be?

7. (For Kevin Monfort, the younger brother) Tell me about having an older sister that is handicap. How is it no different than anyone else? How is it different?

Story Board:

B-Roll:

-Start off with Louann getting the day started and Ms. Dorothy walking into the Monfort's home (at 8am) to prepare for the day.

Wideshot:

- switch to the parents. Ask the parents, Jimmy Monfort and Louann Monfort, what do they remember from Leeann birth

B-Roll:

-(While the parents are still going on continuing with the question) Photographs of Leeann from when she was a baby will be shown.

Medium Bust Shot:

(Medium bust shot of one of the parents will be on camera, while talking)

B-Roll:

-Louann and Ms Dorthy enteracting with Leeann.

Medium Bust Shot:

-Whole family (Jimmy, Louann, & Kevin) couple of seconds with one or two members of the family) Questions related to: "what you remember, when did Leeann situation get worse? Ect.

B-Roll:

-Kevin, the younger brother, doing what he normally does. Questions.

B-Roll:

-Following Ms. Dorothy and Leeann; ask Ms. Dorothy a couple questions during some B-Roll of how long she has been around the Monfort family, what she does for Leeann, and what Leeann likes and dislikes. Ect.

Medium Bust Shot:

-Interview with Ms. Dorothy.

Wideshot:

-Whole family. Questions about their social life.

(During this question we focus more on the family one on one interview)

Wideshot:

-Whole family. Questions related to their future plans. (focus on one or two members of the family interview)

Headshots:

-Interviews.

B-Roll:

-Ms. Dorothy shift is over (at 5pm). Parents take turns taking care of Leeann.

Wideshot:

-Whole Family.

Headshot:

-Question of their hopes for Leeann.

B-Roll:

-Parents put Leeann to bed.

Medium Bust Shot:

-Parents.