Wrap up entry

     The process of forming an effective documentary starts with good storytelling.  This form of storytelling gives the audience valuable information on the filmmaker's subject.  As the case with my documentary, the point of view is from the creator's own experience.  By sharing personal experiences of the country of Japan, the audience can be persuaded to visit for themselves.  During pre-production, the process of writing a script was very helpful.  This allowed to lay the foundation for the narration.  The goal of this documentary is to give the audience a unique perspective of Japan's culture.  These include modern and ancient architecture, Japanese cuisine, and forms of transportation.

    The beginning of my video is important to set the proper tone of the film.  The music complements the visuals quite well.  The process of forming the narration was challenging though the outline helped with structuring a narrative.  There are specific points within the film that make lasting impressions.  For example, the video of the Shinkansen (bullet train) emphasizes its speed and comfort.  The Hakone ropeway provides great views of Lake Ashinoko.  Mount Fuji is visible only at certain times or if weather permits.  The Thousand Torii Gates and shrine are a special monument that helps signify Japan's architecture.

    The production process was challenging in shooting new footage.  The Japanese Gardens in the Bay Area helped set the right tone during production.  The Garden has similar structures and trees found in Japan.  Incorporating the new footage in editing took time to fit in the narrative structure.  The teacher reviews helped flesh out the narrative and make the storytelling more effective.