You can make a documentary on just about anything.  At least, that’s what I learned from my crash-course, community class on documentaries this past weekend. 

It was weird being back in a campus setting, but our instructor was not only informative, she was very thoughtful, bringing snacks and chocolates to keep us awake under the fluorescent blandness of our stuffy classroom for 6 hour sessions. 

After watching many clips of sample documentaries, I was amazed that so many people are out there, working alone with just a camera, 1 light source and a wireless mike, making good films.  Not only that, but some of them are dedicating 7 years of their life to make 1 movie, tracking a person or subject for a long, span of time.

Most of all, I was struck by how documentarians can make even the most mundane things interesting.

Like Helvetica font:

Or toast:

(This was such a sweet short, and I love “I’m the king of toast”. )

On our suggested viewing list was “The Natural History of the Chicken,” and watching the first 6 minutes of this film does not disappoint.  In fact, I have to say that some of the best reenactments I have seen in a documentary are showcased right here by Janet Bonney and her chicken “Number Seven”.   I would go as far as to say that if I ever required a chicken to act in a scene, I would hire Number Seven.