Jen&Jen's Fencing Short Documentary Treatment

In class, we watched the movie "Baraka" and it inspired Jenna and I to make a short film documentary. Jenna thought of the idea to do a short documentary on her fencing club, and I decided to go with this idea because it sounds interesting. I also wanted to do this topic because I don't really know what fencing is about, so during this project I will be learning and having fun making a short documentary. Jenna's fabulous idea is now going to turn into a short documentary.

Purpose: The purpose of this documentary is to inform people about the true life of a fencer and what fencing really is.

Contacts: Peninsula Fencing Academy: Jay Choi (fencing coach),  John Stayner (fencer)

Interview Questions:

1. What is fencing really?
2. What kind of protection gear do you have? 
3. What does it take to mentally and physically prepare for a tournament?
4. How has fencing become such a major part of your life? 
5. How big of a part does it play in your life?
6. Does fencing cause stress? If so, why do you continue? 
7. How do you cope with stress?
8. What goes through your head as you're fencing a bout?
9. How does your coach influence you and what do coaches try to do for their students?
10. What does victory mean to you?
11. What does it feel like to lose? 

General Flow: We are introduced to the main coach who talks about what fencing really is. They are in the Peninsula Fencing Academy on a break from coaching. As they talk, there is a typical class in session. Then there is going to be a private lesson going on in the background. As the coach talks about protective gear, all of gear is shown laid out, we see a fencer putting it all on.

Next the fencer is introduced and we learn how fencing plays major roles in their lives. So we see John enter the club. Then we see him leave hours later (clock). We see the particular fencers in medium close-ups working on skills with their coaches during adult classes.

We hear the coach's perspectives of what they try to do for their students and then we see the coaches helping John work on his skills. During this time there is a fencer having a private lesson on the fencing strip while coach is explaining how to do something to John. The fencer than does the action.

Next, then John talks about how he deals with stress (insert b-roll). John states why he still fence, even though it causes him stress (insert b-roll). John tells about his particular case where he got injured, but is still willing to fence in the upcoming tournaments.

Now Jenna catches a plane to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where a national tournament is going to be held. We are introduced to the rather huge venue, where all fencers are preparing for the tournament. At this time, we hear how John mentally and physically prepares, as we seehim warm up before the tournament begins.

Finally, John is ready to fence, and we see him all dressed up in their protective gear before his bout begins. We hear what its like to be on the fencing strip, and what it feels like after a bout. Through the mask see their expressions on the fencing strip. The two opponents are fencing in slow motion, but as one of the fencers hit, it cuts back to regular motion. We need a couple of more touches in a regular motion.

After the fencing tournament, we see John taking off their protective gear as we hear if they won or lost the tournament Also how it feels to win or lose. We see the last shot of the camera zoomed in to the protective gear than zooms out while a coach says that's what fencing is about.