Evaluation
For my final project I chose a documentary about non-binary people. This topic is very important to me because I wanted to highlight stories that many people do not know about or understand. Through this process I have learnt a lot about gender and the different ways people identify themselves.
I have a few friends who identify as non-binary. Talking to them made me realise how important it is to tell their stories. I wanted to understand why they chose to explore gender, what being non-binary means to them and the challenges they face. This understanding was essential for my project to be authentic and relatable.
Initially, I planned to interview a psychologist and a lawyer. I thought their insights would provide important information about the psychological and legal aspects of being non-binary. I found three organisations that support non-binary people and emailed them, hoping to arrange interviews. Unfortunately, I received a reply saying that they did not have psychologists or lawyers on their teams. However, they did offer other forms of support, which I appreciated.
Since I could not get interviews with professionals, I decided to adjust my plan. I added more questions to ask the main character and his family. I wanted them to share their thoughts and experiences about the legal and psychological aspects of being non-binary. This change allowed me to tell a more personal story while still addressing important issues.
When preparing for the technical side of the project, I did a lot of research to make sure I was ready. I decided to shoot the interview with the main character using four cameras. This would help create a dynamic viewing experience. An important visual element I included was a mirror. The mirror symbolised the complexity of the character, showing not only his physical appearance, but also his inner feelings and how he perceives himself.
Setting up the cameras was a big challenge. I had to make sure that the reflections from the other cameras and lights would not show up in the mirror. This task required careful planning and attention to detail. After a full day of preparation, I was happy with the set-up. During the main interview shoot, I was able to quickly adjust the lighting and cameras and focus more on the content of the interview itself.
Another challenge was hanging the mirror in a way that hid the mounting hardware from the camera's view. To solve this problem, I used a black curtain to discreetly cover the rope holding the mirror. This way the visual appeal of the film remained intact. I was happy that the interview went well and that the main character was able to express himself openly and freely.
Thanks to my research and understanding of the subject, I was able to create effective questions for the interview. This preparation helped me to gather meaningful and detailed information from the interviewee, which I used during the editing process. Throughout the project I took on the roles of director, cameraman and editor. Each role was crucial in shaping the final film.
When I started editing the interview, I had to find the right way to organise the answers. I decided to divide the video into different sections, or blocks, that flowed smoothly from one to the next. The first block focused on the protagonist’s life: how they came to identify as non-binary and the support they received from their family. This section was important to help the audience connect emotionally with the character.
The second block looked at the challenges and difficulties that non-binary people often face. This provided insight into some of the social and personal struggles that accompany this identity. The final block shifted the tone to present a more uplifting perspective, highlighting inspiration and advice for others on similar journeys. This structure aimed to balance serious issues with moments of hope, making the film both informative and uplifting.