Preparation is Crucial

After photographing in the prison for only 2 hours this morning I decided to sit at home and organize my head. Often I feel overwhelmed when shooting a long term project but these last couple of days I have had an added measure.

When we moved to La Grange more than a week ago, I thought a day of organizing my belongings on shelves was enough preparation. I am beginning to see it wasn’t enough.

I didn’t have a plan in mind today when I left early for the prison. All I knew was I wanted to get there when there was nice light and activity. But around 9:30 after we had finished an interview, I knew I wouldn’t be productive just walking around the yard, which I have been doing for the last couple of days. Although I have been semi-productive, I needed a purpose today and I couldn’t think of one. I have to have some purpose when shooting. Of course once I am out in the field, I have to be somewhat flexible as situations and photogenic scenes arise.

So I spent a couple of hours this afternoon just sitting and allowing my mind to wander about what I wanted as a final product. While I think my first piece was a good start, I am not completely satisfied with the end result. That answers the question as to why I am back.

As I said in a post a couple months ago when I was had finished editing my original piece, planning and preparation is crucial. My class spent a full five weeks planning 10 days of shooting and I was much more productive because of it.

I am reading a book Making Documentary Films and Videos (which I would highly recommend) and Barry Hampe quotes Coach Dick Tomey, head football coach at San Jose State University, for his chapter on planning that resounded in me:

It’s not the will to win that’s important. It’s the will to prepare to win that really separates those who wish and dream from those who make it happen.

With that said, back to planning.