Cameron Babcock TMA 273 Mix Tape: Fit for the Kingdom

Fit for the Kingdom 


Wow! This series is one of the most pure documentary series I have ever seen. While I watched the five short films from this series, I noticed not only was my mind engaged but my heart as well. The filmmakers were able to help the audience feel the emotion of the stories. I realized that I cared about the subjects and wanted them to succeed in their goals. A tool that helped the filmmakers accomplish that was the use and style of the handheld, home video recording. I imagine that the films were shot on a basic, family home video camera which helps the subjects feel more comfortable. They are used to a basic camera because generally for family trips or for school projects that's the camera that is used. The filmmakers using the zoom and the fluidity of the camera really helps the viewer feel personal and intimate with the subjects. In all of the shorts I watched, there are close ups of the subjects many times. The use of close ups come at emotional beats where the subject is talking about something they truly care about or personal experiences they have had. Being charitable with your subjects is important because they are trusting the filmmakers to create and share their stories in an interesting way and not in an exploitation way. The filmmakers had great trust from the subjects. The subjects appear so comfortable on screen. The viewer can feel that the subject is opening up and talking with you. At the end of the shorts, one feels like they know the subject very well. Having Dean Duncan involved in all of the phases of production for this series is one of the main reasons why this series is able to find truth in a charitable way. A part of the manifesto from Fit for the Kingdom states,
  • "To lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen the feeble knees, to insure that the seats and centres of power provide means through which the silent can speak and the obscure be acknowledged; to create through such exchanges the compassion and the conscience and the humility that counter pride and leaven privilege, that the teacher may learn and the learner may teach, that equality and mutual edification be our aim and our ultimate accomplishment."
  • http://fitforthekingdom.byu.edu/index.php?page=about&piece=depth

The five shorts that I viewed from this series were Greg (2007), Primary South London (2006), Emilia (2005), Mike (2008), and Angie (2006). A lesson I learned from viewing Mike is you have to pay attention to your surroundings while you are shooting a documentary. One of my favorite parts from this short film about Mike is when he talks about his family and the documentarian framed him up with the family credit sign in the background. The background supports what Mike is saying. As a documentary filmmaker, you can't solely focus on the visuals and not listen to what your subject is saying. You need to listen and you need to think is there anything around you that can give more context or that can be symbolism.

The titles for these films are the person's names. There is power in a name. People are human beings who are trying to enjoy the good times and endure the hard times. When someone says a name of a person you know, thoughts and experiences that you have had with that person can flood the brain and the heart. Names influence us with our identity. Even though you can have the same first name with someone, doesn't mean that you are exactly like. People are different from each other and act in a variety of ways. That is okay and that is part of the plan.

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