Strengths and Weaknesses of DSLR

The first strength to mention about the DSLR is the price. For beginner filmmakers the DSLR cameras are the first access to actually put the hands on a camera and practice the filmmaking process, switching lenses to build meanings to a scene, changing aperture, racking focus, etc... Since the professional cameras are too much expensive. That aside, another strength point is the portability of the camera, allowing the filmmaker to carry it along whenever he is going, or to put it small place to film.

On the other hand, its own design was made for still photography rather than actual filmmaking, resulting in a difficult maneuver by it's operator and lack of stability on the frame composition and to avoid that, some accessories like rigs will be needed. Another problem present on the DSLR cameras concerns about the sound. The microphone in DSLR is often tiny and of low quality, so the filmmaker will probably need an external mic to get a better sound.

Lessons learned from storytelling assignment:

Hey again, this one is a bit difficult to do because require a lot of auto critical thinking, working your mind to revisit the moments during the production (that is not really easy if your memory is not that great) and reflexion about your work and the choices you made. 

But well, here it go:

First of all, it's kind of obvious but if you plan to do a documentary, do it about something that is compelling to you. If you don't have a minimum of interest about what you're filming, this will reflect on your final product and more likely the audience will also be not interested.

Always visit location for a general view not only of the place but the final piece that you're planning to produce. The preproduction visit should be as complete as the visit of the shooting day, or even more deeper, since you will have more time to plan a detailed shot list and manage not to miss important spots for a “portrait of a place”.

In the visits, try to speak beforehand with any potential interviewee to clarify what the documentary is about and to get a prior permission to film in particular places. Also, try to find potential sources of light beforehand so you can already plan nice angles with the camera. Even so, it's good to consider new angles that can appear during the shooting, so be open minded about changes and see if your DP had developed ideas of his own of where to put the camera, or different angles for the project. Just don't forget what is the main idea of the film, the rest is complement.

Before moving the camera to another place, take a deep breath and double check your environment: you might have missed something interesting. I think that there's aways a small and beautiful detail in every place that could render a touching shot for someone, if not the general piece. Still, watch out for your schedule! In the end, its all about the judgment of your choices because the time is running out and you have to see what is worth to film in that day.