Silver

Margot Wagner: Performer

Neuqua Valley

Documentary

Entry Description

This is a 5 minutes compilation of a 20 minute documentary about Margot Wagner, a performer who is visually impaired and how she overcome this obstacle.

Judge 1

Positives: Awesome interview framing. I love the fire in the background of her shot. A professional's life saver for setting up an interview is if there is a fireplace nearby. Great storytelling. The story was chronological and the information was neatly organized in the piece. I wasnt thrown into different thoughts throughout.

Improvements: Minor note: Lower third name on first shot. Even though I just saw it in the title card, I dont know right away if the next person on screen is Margot, or a friend, or what. The lower third on the first shot of a person will let the viewer instantly acknowledge who we are talking to and why what they have to say is important. Subtitles may have been a good idea for her mother. In honesty, the goal is for every viewer to be able to watch and understand the story easily. It was a little difficult to make out everything her mother was saying. Part of that was microphone muffle and the other was her English. I think subtitles would have helped. When you have b-roll over an interview, try to cut out as much of the interviewee's "umms" and giggles and stop starts so that your interviewer sounds definitive and intelligent. Sometimes they can add to her personality, but hearing her correct herself or pause to think can get distracting and subconsciously discredits your talent in a way.

Judge 2

Positives: The placement of the interviews had a nice ambiance with the fireplace and homey feel. The b-roll of all of her performances were a great touch to this documentary. It allowed me into her world to see what she absolutely loves. It was through this lovely b-roll that I found out all of the different talents Margot has despite her blindness.

Improvements: It was very hard to understand Margot's mother. I think subtitles would have helped. Some of Margot's interview could have been tightened and there were moments that could have been fixed if you had her retake some of her lines. The part where she describes what her actual disease is - she clearly messes up the description of the disease and that could have been so easily fixed by having her redo that line. I do feel like the documentary would have been strong if halfway through there was more discussion on how she is able to perform and play these instruments with her disease and how she has overcome this. It would have been so special to actually hear her play these instruments.

Judge 3

Positives: Great use a broll (home videos, photos and performances) to enhance the story and connect the audience with Margot. Great pacing and flow in the edit. The music was a great choice that helped move the video along and matched the pacing of the edit.

Improvements: Great story but I would have liked to hear about her as a performer. The title is "Margot Wagner:Performer." The broll was great in showing her performing but there wasn't any talk about what she does and how her disease will effect her art. I know this is an excerpt but I feel it should have been retitled or recut to include more information on that.