Project Overview

Form

15-minute poetic observational documentary

(A poetic documentary uses visual associations and contrasts to make meaning, rather than relying on explicit modes such as interview. An observational documentary is a fly-on-the-wall style that aims to capture moments as if the camera were not there, and generally looks at more intimate and personal scenes.)

Logline

Three dedicated yoga teachers take contrasting approaches to the challenge of making a living from yoga, whilst also upholding a life guided by its philosophy.

Themes

Primary: Capitalism, Spirituality, Teachers

Secondary: Individualism, Class, Femininity, Labour, East/west r'ship

Tone & Style

The film will be a poetic observational documentary, emphasising slow fly-on-the-wall visuals with diegetic dialogue. Shots will be predominately static, with close-ups and details emphasised. The mundane elements of each practitioners lives will be intercut, allowing the audience to draw meaning from their juxtaposition. The tone will be playful and open, with empathy towards the practitioners and receivers of today’s spiritual guidance.

Story Structure

The story will be structured as a collective narrative. While initially, the yoga teachers appear to be in contrast with one another, it will then become apparent that their larger and common antagonist is the system that complicates their relationship to the spiritual side of their yoga practice.

Reference Films

White Lotus - themes
Mistress Dispeller - tone
Bikram: Yoga, Guru, Predator - subject matter
Gayby Baby - story structure