I started production on the documentary, but I’m still figuring out all of my plot lines. I know I plan to follow Kimi Yoshino, the editor-in-chief and I was planning on following Imtiaz Patel, the CEO, but (spoiler) he just announced he’s leaving (new storyline!). I need more though. There are about 100 employees at the Baltimore Banner, I need to figure out which threads will make the best story.
I’ve spent the last month introducing myself and talking to as many people in the newsroom as possible. I’m trying to figure out what their beat is and if it would make a compelling story for the documentary. It almost feels like I’m in casting. It’s a strange feeling.
It’s different from my other documentaries because this is more of an ensemble than following one individual. In Queen of the Capital, Muffy Blake Stephyns, was the main subject. She also was the most organized drag queen I could have ever asked for. The Ballet documentary I’m working on started out as an ensemble piece, but one dancer emerged as our star so we shifted. This documentary takes place in an office, with a bunch of strong personalities.
I’ve scheduled and had coffee with a few reporters and their editors, asking about their plans for the year and how they plan on covering their beats, while at the same time, pitching them on participating. I’m not doing a hard sell, just letting them get to know me and what the project is about. I feel like I’m working a new beat right now.
I’ve found some really interesting storylines so far. First, the business of creating a sustainable news organization. This is the left brain of the documentary. The logic. Newspapers are failing, how are they going to make this one work? Kimi, the search to find Imtiaz’s replacement and whoever replaces Imtiaz will cover that plot line. That will be a mix of veríte and talking heads. I also am thinking about following some of the employees who do the fundraising, since that’s not an aspect of a traditional for-profit paper (and they’re making it work).
The right-brain part of this story is the actual journalism. The process of reporting. This will be all veríte. So far, the Banner is letting me into its investigative unit. They’ve already done some incredible work. There’s a mayoral race in Baltimore during our production window, so I plan on following the city hall reporter as she navigates crazy Baltimore politics. The Banner has a strong Diversity, Equity and Inclusion reporter, which is not a beat many news organizations have, so that’s a thread I may also look at. There’s a reporter who was instrumental in getting funding for the Banner and interesting columnists and data reporters and on and on.
There’s so much, my plan now is to focus and pre-interview. I know the story will really develop in post, but I’m creating a plan. I need to film as much as I can, without losing the plot.