Dokumentarfilm
Werkstattberichte
A filmmaker’s first documentary is the most special – and
the most difficult. Nine young filmmakers that were
mentored by well-known German documentarian Andres Veiel
for three years describe their happiest moments and biggest
crises in the course of making their films.
What do you do if you discover that your protagonist, who
you spoke up for, does not have enough screen presence? If
your cameraman gets detained at the border to Senegal? If
your drug-addicted protagonist suddenly disappears, but the
filming is not finished yet? Or if your own family refuse
to sign the required release forms?
From the early rough ideas to the first practical problems,
from moral conflicts to despair in the editing room, from
rejections by TV stations and distributors to the first
broadcast or first Berlinale award: Over the years the
young filmmakers of the Super-9 group mature with their
films. Their workshop reports tell about their lives, but
in particular convey a high amount of practical knowledge,
applicable lessons learned, and also solutions. Andres
Veiel contributed an essay and reflects on his experiences
with the young filmmakers.
Editors
After studying history, Béatrice Ottersbach worked in film
and television before she joined the publishing industry.
As freelance editor, she has been responsible for more than
40 books on the theory and praxis of film and television
work. Documentary filmmaker Andres Veiel has won numerous
awards for his films: » The Survivors « (1996, Adolf-Grimme
Award), »Black Box Germany« (2001, Prix Arte European Film
Award for Best Documentary) and » Addicted to Acting
« (2004, Berlinale Panorama Audience Award, among others).
He lectures on documentary filmmaking at the Deutschen
Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin (dffb film academy).
Currently Andres Veiel is working on a documentary-style
feature film called »Die frühen Jahre« about the early
years of the Red Army Faction (RAF).