Not Only, But Also... Documentary

A small two minute extract from a documentary I'm working on. The extract which was filmed in October on location on the English Riviera and focused on the life of the founding father of the satire boom Peter Cook.

Not strictly a comedy but a documentary about comedy and more importantly one of the greatest comedians.

The additional interview was done at uni so any mention of BBC Two is to make the production more professional.

Tell me what you think and what I can improve if I do a full documentary.

Not Only, But Also...

Interview with myself on a Univeristy magazine show

For more info on the show http://jamescotter.webs.com/notonlybutalso.htm

Hey James, I'm also doing a documentary at university and straight away I can say from a technical side of things the sound is not very good quality, the cars in the background and waves are louder than your speaking, you have to re-access your location choices or try to dull the sound and make your voice more prominent.

Hey James, I'm not doing a documentary at university, or anywhere else - and straight away I can say that the traffic and tide is drowning out your voice (which for some, could be a good thing).

Interesting that you quote Peter Cook; "I was reared in Torquay".

'Jonathan Miller says his Beyond The Fringe co-star Peter Cook had doubts over his sexuality. 'He had what in fact certain public school boys have, an armour of decorum and of repression and, I suspect, also not quite knowing whether he was gay or not'.

http://tinyurl.com/ycdfhzl

Hi James.
Have you ever considered teaching Ravens to fly underwater?

Seriously though, as regards improving the Documentary, I'd suggest having more clips of Peter Cook performing.

James,
Putting the sound issues aside, your presenting style in the documentary looked a bit wooden and as if you were reading from cue cards. You didn't really engage with me. I then watched the clip where you were being interviewed and your delivery of the same subject matter was 10 times better and engaging. I know Jack shit about film making of any sort but If you loosened up and winged it a bit I think it could be a lot better. Look at Alex Riley for example

Like just about everyone else on the planet, I've read Harry Thompson's excellent biography of Peter Cook, as well as the biography by Wendy Cook and the two anthologies edited by William Cook. Have also watched a few documentaries (Heroes of Comedy - Peter Cook, Some Interesting Facts About Peter Cook, Peter Cook - At a Slight Angle to the Universe, and Private Eye) and the biopic Not Only But Always.

So what else is new and needs to be said? Plenty no doubt. I'd like to know how much he was paid for each movie he appeared in, as well as for voicing Roger Mellie for Viz. Was his biggest movie paycheck for his worst role - Nigel in Supergirl? And by way of comparison, how much was Dudley Moore earning for his films? Thanks.

Once again, another valiant effort from Der Cotterhausen.

Couple o' tings -

Sort out your radio mic. I know you have them because in the interview clip, your mate with 'the hair' is moving around and rubbing against it. Your camera man should be wearing headphones and letting you know about the sound levels.

Torquay, great backdrop but try and choose areas of the town which have some sort of correlation with Peter Cook - such as 'he was born in this house' and 'went to this school' or find an art gallery to mirror the Pete and Dud sketch, etc. Just sitting next to a busy road or wandering the beach seems kind of pointless. Also, start with an establishing shot or general view of Torquay, so the viewer knows exactly where you are, then you can cut into your talky stuff.

Big jump from Peter Cook being born to starting college. If he grew up in Torquay, then we need to hear about him growing up in Torquay. Otherwise the whole point of the doco is useless and it comes across as he was born here, thought it was shit and then f**ked off to college.

I did like the cutaways to the photographs and I think you have approached the Peter Cook angle in a good way by using Torquay. There are a number of documentaries about Peter Cook, so you need to come up with a unique selling point for yours and that must be 'How did Torquay shape Peter Cook's humour?', what is it about Torquay that played such a pivitol role in Cook's life?

Finally, your presenting style on this one is a bit mealy mouthed. I know that like a true follower, you only wish to talk about Peter Cook in hushed, reverend tones but it comes across as being weak, arse licky and dull. Where did all that Cotter energy go? Show enthusiasm and passion for the subject and the audience will go with you.

I can't wait to see it on Thursday on BBC 2.

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ January 26 2010, 1:14 PM GMT

Torquay, great backdrop but try and choose areas of the town which have some sort of correlation with Peter Cook - such as 'he was born in this house' and 'went to this school' or find an art gallery to mirror the Pete and Dud sketch, etc.

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I can tell you where you can film at his old school.

Quote: Dolly Dagger @ January 26 2010, 1:30 PM GMT

I can tell you where you can film at his old school.

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Really where is it?

Quote: James Cotter @ January 27 2010, 12:57 PM GMT

Really where is it?

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A few miles outside Oxford. http://www.radley.org.uk/

But where's the first school he attended? It was a day school somewhere in Torquay, after which he was sent to board at St Bedes prep school near Beachy Head, Eastbourne, before going to Radley.

Quote: Dolly Dagger @ January 27 2010, 1:24 PM GMT

A few miles outside Oxford. http://www.radley.org.uk/

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Thanks.

I used to live there.

Radley? Boo!