Benjamin Chesterton

Benjamin Chestertonhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/about/contributors/benjamin-chestertonBenjamin ChestertonTest Story: Twists in the Road to Cafayatehttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/twists-in-the-road-to-somewhereTest Story: Twists in the Road to CafayateThu, 27 Jul 2017 01:52:47 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/connection/twists-in-the-road-to-somewherehttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/create/learn/film/15-pro-tips-for-getting-a-great-interviewHow do experienced filmmakers get their subjects to relax? Visual storyteller Benjamin Chesterton, from production company duckrabbit, shares how to get a great interview.2017-05-23T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/create/learn/film/15-pro-tips-for-getting-a-great-interviewhttps://www.worldnomads.com<div class="scholarships-assignment-snippet segment-margin-break"> I've been interviewing people for twenty years: from war criminals to nuns, and everyone in between.  I've got to admit though, when I moved from radio documentary to visual storytelling, I was really reluctant to interview people on camera. I was just stuck with the idea that a camera is a barrier to heartfelt storytelling; that people are just too self-conscious when you stick them in front of a lens. <img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/create/learn/film/benjamin-duckrabbit-tips-2.jpg" alt="Benjamin with cameraman" width="750" height="490" /> Of course, some people are. But, I soon discovered, the magic that happens when you sit down and really listen to someone doesn't go away just because there's a camera in the room. When I train people, they often ask: “why do people so often open up to you, Benjamin?” The answer isn't so much about me, but more about the power of being listened to. Sincerely, how often does someone come along and spend an hour really interested in listening to you? It doesn't happen often in life (unless you're paying a therapist). So, for many people, it's a powerful experience. It makes them feel special, and they will want to do the best they can for you. So, here are my top tips: 1: Do your research. This shows that you care. 2: Find a quiet spot, where possible, without visual distractions like people passing. Above all else, avoid a room with an echo.  3: Minimize the time a guest is waiting. If you’re doing a formal sit-down interview, ideally, give yourself an hour to set up before your guest arrives.  4: Stay in charge. It's your film: you have to lead. Don’t give the guest a set of questions in advance, but do let them know the story you want to tell.  5: Go through their story in chronological order. That way you know you’ve covered it all.  6: Don’t dive straight into the story. Your guest will need time to be relaxed on camera, so start with general questions about themselves.  7: Make sure your guest has enough time for you. Equally, if the interview is going to be emotionally draining for your guest, don’t rush off as soon as it finishes.  8: Be warm and encouraging. People are like mirrors, you'll get back what you give. <img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/create/learn/film/benjamin-duckrabbit-tips-3.jpg" alt="Benjamin on location" width="750" height="490" /> 9: Make sure you are monitoring the back of the camera or a monitor. Cameras, especially DSLRs, have a nasty habit of switching themselves off.  10: Don’t try to provoke emotion in your guests. The emotion will come through the telling of the story.  11: Put fresh batteries in before the start of the interview.  12: Encourage the interviewee to use descriptive language, and avoid generality. Descriptive language helps the viewer enter into a story.  13: Never forget people are more important than films. Don’t try and take a story. Allow someone the space to give it to you. <img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/create/learn/film/benjamin-duckrabbit-tips-4.jpg" alt="Benjamin with locals" width="750" height="490" /> 14: Some people freeze on camera. If all else fails, do an interview with them off-camera with an audio recorder. You can then use this audio alongside the other shots you’ve gathered.  15: Sometimes a glass of beer helps (just the one). I was making a radio documentary for the BBC in the Andes. My guest, a British woman running a large farm, was really nervous about talking into the microphone. She kept running away, and I was thinking: “oh man this is a long way to come to fail.” I backed off and let her get on with her work; helping out where possible, but not trying to interview her. That evening, we took horses up to a plateau where we watched condors circling at dusk. We drank a glass of wine, came down, roasted a goat, and then finally, she gave me a great interview as we sat by the fire. Be patient. Encourage. And if all else fails, forget about the film, and enjoy yourself. Things might just work out for the best that way. </div> <div class="scholarships-assignment-snippet segment-margin-break"> <h2>Want to be mentored by a professional filmmaker? Keep an eye out for our <a href="/create/scholarships/film/">Travel Film Scholarship</a>!</h2> Or watch the <a href="/explore/guides/travel-documentary-filmmaking">Travel Documentary Masterclass</a> for more exclusive advice. </div>Benjamin Chesterton 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/create/learn/film/telling-heartfelt-stories-in-documentary-filmWhat does it take to be a documentary filmmaker & storyteller? We sit down with Benjamin Chesterton, founder of production company duckrabbit, to find out.2017-05-23T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/create/learn/film/telling-heartfelt-stories-in-documentary-filmhttps://www.worldnomads.com<h3 class="p1">How did you become a filmmaker?</h3> I started out in radio, living and working in a cafe/gallery in Liverpool by day, and by night making little radio features that went out on the local radio station. Many of the stories I recorded would be about the customers who came into the cafe. They got me noticed, and within a couple of <g class="gr_ gr_179 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="179" data-gr-id="179">years</g> I was making radio documentaries for the BBC. After 10 years of doing that, including running a charity for the BBC in Ethiopia, I decided to set up <g class="gr_ gr_85 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="85" data-gr-id="85">duckrabbit</g>. The initial idea was to work with still imagery and documentary audio. Something we called <g class="gr_ gr_95 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="95" data-gr-id="95">photofilms</g>. But slowly I got sucked into making films. Our big break was a major TV campaign for OXFAM shot in <a href="/explore/southern-africa/zimbabwe/getting-from-a-to-b-in-zimbabwe">Zimbabwe</a>, and a 3D campaign we shot for Doctors Without Borders in the Congo. Since then we've not looked back. <h3>Tell us about your filmmaking style</h3> Heartfelt, intensely personal storytelling. When you watch a <a href="https://www.duckrabbit.info/portfolio/" target="_blank"><g class="gr_ gr_87 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="87" data-gr-id="87">duckrabbit</g> film</a> you should get a sense that the person has really given something of themselves. Topped with a bit of visual bling. But really, <g class="gr_ gr_108 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="108" data-gr-id="108">story</g> is everything. <h3>What type of films are you most passionate about making?</h3> Telling the stories of people whose voices might not otherwise be heard. Young women like <g class="gr_ gr_83 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="83" data-gr-id="83">Daphine</g> in <a href="https://www.duckrabbit.info/portfolio/a-positive-life/" target="_blank">the film we made for The International HIV and AIDS Alliance</a>.  There's this moment when the person you’ve made the film with watches it back. It's really exciting but it's also terrifying. When you get it <g class="gr_ gr_230 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="230" data-gr-id="230">right,</g> and have done justice to their story, that's magic. <h3>What makes a good story?</h3> A good <a href="/create/learn/film/15-pro-tips-for-getting-a-great-interview">storyteller</a>. Who is open and honest and surprising. In <g class="gr_ gr_104 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="104" data-gr-id="104">film</g>, a strong visual element really helps – interesting action – but most of all someone that makes people laugh or makes people cry. People are more important than films. Tread gently and kindly, and you'll be fine. <h3>What is so special about storytelling through film?</h3> I think you can get close to someone by looking into their eyes. From being thrown into their world, and out of yours, if only for a moment. That’s very special. <h3 class="p1">Tell us about a Memorable Assignment</h3> A couple of years ago, we were asked to make <a href="https://www.duckrabbit.info/portfolio/double-joy/" target="_blank">a film for one of the Queen’s charities</a>. We were working in Northern <a href="/explore/africa/kenya/the-mt-kenya-vendetta">Kenya</a> with an eye specialist called <g class="gr_ gr_417 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="417" data-gr-id="417">Dr</g> Rono. He has helped develop a smartphone app that can be used to diagnose eye problems in remote places where there are no easily accessible health clinics. It was such a buzz to film people diagnosed with the app, taken for surgery and then the next day witness their bandages coming off. I’ll never forget the smiles of people whose sight was returned to them by this amazing doctor. When he started at the hospital he worked alone with just one nurse, treating fifteen people a day. But slowly, he built a team and last year they treated 20,000 people for avoidable blindness. For me, <g class="gr_ gr_114 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="114" data-gr-id="114">Dr</g> Rono is a great example of how by caring about the people around you, being motivated and working hard, you can have an incredible impact in this world. I came away inspired, and I keep a photo of him next to my desk. <h3>What tips do you have for aspiring documentary filmmakers? </h3> Make friends with other filmmakers and collaborate. It’s the quickest way to learn. Get yourself a really good pair of shoes. Finally, dream a lot. <h3>Did you have a mentor?</h3> Last year, I went on the filmmaker Werner Herzog's Rogue Film School (a man who claims he never dreams). It was very intense and eye-opening. Herzog is <g class="gr_ gr_86 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="86" data-gr-id="86">a great</g>. His passion comes through in everything he does. I think his most important mantra is 'Do The <g class="gr_ gr_103 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="103" data-gr-id="103">Doable</g>'. I printed that out and stuck it on my desk. See more of Benjamin's work on the <a href="https://www.duckrabbit.info/portfolio/" target="_blank"><g class="gr_ gr_81 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="81" data-gr-id="81">duckrabbit</g> website</a>. Benjamin Chesterton 0