Sam Williams has identified several potential problems that could affect the production of their documentary and has outlined contingency plans to mitigate these issues. Key potential problems include equipment malfunctions, poor sound or lighting, unwilling interview subjects, and interruptions during filming. Contingency plans involve having backup equipment, testing equipment beforehand, scheduling interviews to avoid noise, and identifying additional interview subjects in case of delays or issues. The document demonstrates thorough planning to address practical, technical, and theoretical problems that could arise during the filmmaking process.

1. Problem Solving
Sam Williams

2. Contingency Plan
Potential Problem Effect on Production Control/mitigation
Covid Could not have access to
the people I wanted
Have back up people to
interview
Camara Battery could be dead or
the camara could be
broken
Make sure that the camara
is working properly
Sound Mics could be broken of
faulty
Get good mic's that are
working properly
Lighting on location Lights could break Get proper lights for
the interviews
People Unwilling to be
interviewed
Prerecording chat send and
discus interview questions
in advance
Back up interviewee
Interview questions for
active military interviewees
Incomplete interview
because of sensitive
questions
Send interview questions
in advance making sure
they are happy with them
Time and organization Run out of time to finish
production
Review project plan weekly
allocate enough time
for delays

3. Practical and Technical Problems

4. Camara
• My FMP is going to be filmed on a camara. I know and am
comfortable with using a camara, the problems I could have:
– the battery could run out (I had a spare battery plus charger)
– the SD card could be full (I ordered one with enough memory to store
the full interview)
– Checked that laptop was compatible with the SD card for interview
upload

5. Lights
• The lights I'm using are studio lights and can get quite hot, to
stop this I will only have them on when I need to use them.
• I will be filming in places that have a lot of natural light so if
the lights don’t work, I can use the natural light from the
windows.
• If there is a problem with the light bulbs, I have replacements
that I can put in, so they work.

6. Tripod
• I will be mounting the camara on a tripod to film the
interviews. I have used the tripod for filming before during my
factual project.
• Make sure I am familiar with how the tripod
works (adjustments and heigth)

7. Microphones
• I have used microphones before during my factual project, so I
know how to use them however I did have one problem with
them when I used them and that was that they were too
sensitive. I had the interviewee put the mic on his knee and
they were still over saturated. In previous interview I was
unable to fix this therefore I will do test before the interviews
so I can work out where the best place to put them is and to
see if I can make them less sensitive.
• One other option is to use my phone to record audio (not my
preferred choice)

8. Filming and Editing techniques
• The interviews will be filmed so the interviewee is in the
centre of the screen facing head on to the camara. This will
provide better visual impact.
• The video will be edited like a documentary cutting between
the person being interviewed and footage/photos of what
they're talking about.
• Photos and videos to be provided by the interviewee
• I will set up the lights so that there is one light facing the
interviewees face and the other off to the side of them
lighting up their side profile.

9. Theoretical Problems

10. Noise and interruptions
• I am going to aim to film in locations where the interviewees
feel comfortable.
• I will have all the doors and windows closed as to block any
noise form the road and any noise from the outside. I will deal
with inside noise by making sure no one comes into the room
where I am filming.
• If there are any pets, I will ask if they can be placed in another
room for the duration of the interview
• An interview day and time will be scheduled to minimise
noise and interruptions.

11. Location
• If I decide to use natural light, I have to think
about the time of day and the room that I
shoot in
• I need to be flexible and visit all the locations
in advance, so I have clear idea on where I will
set up on the day

12. Interviewees
• All my interviewees must be prepared to talk openly and honestly
about their experiences in countries of conflict.
• If they are unwilling to be interviewed, I will brief them before
hand, share my interview questions, be willing to change
any (especially if there is sensitivity due to their military role). It's
not necessary to have formal agreements in place but if somebody
does not want to take part, I have other people I can contact who fit
my brief.
• In order to make sure my interviewees turned up sent them an
introductory email and confirmed the time and location the day.
• For those who haven't been recorded before I will have a practise
interview to make them comfortable with being interviewed.

13. Technical problems after interview
• In the event of my camara, SD card and lights
not working I have made sure in
my production schedule that I have left
enough time to go back and re-interview
• I have also got more people in mind just in
case my first choice are not available for re-
interview
• I have also factored in time incise I am ill and
don’t have enough time to re-interview