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.