Documentary Film
Click here to see our films on Google video.
"Making a film is like entering a new relationship. It's based on respect, responsibility, affection. Euphoria and disappointment are always involved, sometimes conflict too, and sometimes you don't finish it." Laurentiu Calciu.
To see Laurentiu's showreel, please click here.
As well as making documentaries, we also offer the following services: avid editing, cameraman hire, photography, film concept development, proposal writing, location scouting.
A scene from our award winning documentary The Land is Waiting
Our approach to documentary film
The "observational" documentary film technique (also known as cinema verite, fly-on-the-wall or direct cinema) can be best described as "capturing the extraordinary in the ordinary" -- in other words observing daily life and showing the extraordinary things that go on right under our noses. This approach is related to the study of anthropology, in which people are observed over a long period of time. In practise, the filmmaker chooses a character to portray, gets to know them and the people they interact with, follows them around and builds up a portrait that is as honest as possible. The art is in choosing an inspiring character who can communicate naturally in the presence of a video camera.
The observational technique avoids voiceovers, interviews and special effects. If done in the right way (with empathy and patience but without irony) the results can be extraordinary. But getting it right is surprisingly difficult -- even though it seems incredibly simple.
Fortunately we work with one of the best makers of observational films in Romania, Laurentiu Calciu. Laurentiu studied documentary in Britain's prestigious National Film and Television School (NFTS) in Beaconsfield. Laurentiu has made films in the Scottish highlands, the Greek islands and in Belgrade during the NATO bombing campaign. He won numerous awards for The Land is Waiting.
Commenting on a film we made about British aid in Russia, our Russian translator said "I have never seen true Russian life depicted in such a compassionate and realistic way".
It is rare for a filmmaker, or cameraman, to be able to film a scene from real life without influencing what is going on. And to make an ordinary scene “come alive” requires a certain magic that few posses.
If you would like to discuss documentary film with us -- or just hire a cameraman or take advantage of our low cost/high quality editing suite -- please contact us. We are experienced at helping filmmakers from all over the world find locations, partners and subjects in Romania. We also do a lot of film subtitles with our native English editors, and are considered a flexible and dynamic partner.
"Making a film is like entering a new relationship. It's based on respect, responsibility, affection. Euphoria and disappointment are always involved, sometimes conflict too, and sometimes you don't finish it." Laurentiu Calciu.
To see Laurentiu's showreel, please click here.
As well as making documentaries, we also offer the following services: avid editing, cameraman hire, photography, film concept development, proposal writing, location scouting.
A scene from our award winning documentary The Land is Waiting
Our approach to documentary film
The "observational" documentary film technique (also known as cinema verite, fly-on-the-wall or direct cinema) can be best described as "capturing the extraordinary in the ordinary" -- in other words observing daily life and showing the extraordinary things that go on right under our noses. This approach is related to the study of anthropology, in which people are observed over a long period of time. In practise, the filmmaker chooses a character to portray, gets to know them and the people they interact with, follows them around and builds up a portrait that is as honest as possible. The art is in choosing an inspiring character who can communicate naturally in the presence of a video camera.
The observational technique avoids voiceovers, interviews and special effects. If done in the right way (with empathy and patience but without irony) the results can be extraordinary. But getting it right is surprisingly difficult -- even though it seems incredibly simple.
Fortunately we work with one of the best makers of observational films in Romania, Laurentiu Calciu. Laurentiu studied documentary in Britain's prestigious National Film and Television School (NFTS) in Beaconsfield. Laurentiu has made films in the Scottish highlands, the Greek islands and in Belgrade during the NATO bombing campaign. He won numerous awards for The Land is Waiting.
Commenting on a film we made about British aid in Russia, our Russian translator said "I have never seen true Russian life depicted in such a compassionate and realistic way".
It is rare for a filmmaker, or cameraman, to be able to film a scene from real life without influencing what is going on. And to make an ordinary scene “come alive” requires a certain magic that few posses.
If you would like to discuss documentary film with us -- or just hire a cameraman or take advantage of our low cost/high quality editing suite -- please contact us. We are experienced at helping filmmakers from all over the world find locations, partners and subjects in Romania. We also do a lot of film subtitles with our native English editors, and are considered a flexible and dynamic partner.
Blog:
Video interviews with three of Romania's best film directors before they became famous.
Could you survive 2012 without a taste of beer, wine or something stronger?
Wherever there is political power there are lobby groups.
What really impressed me was the high quality of the restoration work.
I first came across Alina Serban on the 8th of April which is International Roma Day.
How To Prepare for An Earthquake
If you know disaster is coming and your government can't help, what can you do?
I first came to Romania in 1986 and it was a horrible experience.
Cycling in Bucharest is safe, as long as you follow some basic rules.
In my experience the cultural, ecological, hiking and biking types tend to love Romania.