In 2012, Jason Scott, Rachel Lovinger & a small crew filmed a documentary about the 20th year of DEFCON. Over the course of the next year Jason edited it together, and we premiered it at DEFCON 21. We also did this talk about the making of. You can watch a video of the talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4VsmniMfpQ

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Making of
The DEFCON Documentary
Jason Scott & Rachel Lovinger
DEF CON 21, August 2, 2013

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I. HOW IT BEGAN

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I agreed to do it, but some questions
remained...

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How do you film hundreds of activities,
happening simultaneously over 4 days?

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How do you film people who have
traditionally rejected media attention?

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How do you capture the spirit of DEFCON –
past and present?

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How do you put it all together in 6 months?

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II. PLANNING

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DEFCON 18DEFCON 16
DEFCON 19

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Jason’s High School Yearbook Photo
[Photo taken by Rachel!]

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How do you film hundreds of activities,
happening simultaneously over 4 days?

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How do you film people who have
traditionally rejected media attention?

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III. PRE-PRODUCTION

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Meet the crew

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Alex Drew Eddie
Kyle Rick Steve
Jason
Rachel

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Prepping them for DEFCON
• Start walking a little every day
• Watch “Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope”
• Bring comfortable clothes and shoes
• Look over the schedule from last year
• Respect security and privacy concerns
• Stay fueled and hydrated

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Eddie Codel

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Meet the equipment

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The Gear
• 3x Canon Vixia HFG10
• 2x Canon 5D
• 1x Canon 7D
• 11x Kodak Playsports
• 4x H4N Zoom recorders
• 5x monopods
• 3x tripods
• 2x dual battery chargers
• Power strip
• USB chargers
• Card readers
• Hard drives
• Segway

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Social Media

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IV. PRODUCTION

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How do you capture the spirit of DEFCON –
past and present?

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The crew assembles at DEFCON

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“Film School” bootcamp
• Cameras DOWN near the casino
• Expect the unexpected
• Defer to the Goons in all things
• Mid-day check-ins to recharge batteries & copy footage
& audio files
• Stay hydrated
• Communications: TBD
• Give me your receipts

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Then we started filming…

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“We can’t have you shoot from that angle.
This machine violates the patriot act.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

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FAQs: Pretty straight forward
• Who are you working for?
• When is this documentary coming out?
• How will it be made available?
• Will there be a feelie/challenge coin?
• What if I don't want to be in it?
• How much have you guys shot?
• Are you guys getting any sleep?
• What kind of equipment are you using?

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FAQs: Let’s talk about these
• If I agree to be in it, will I be embarrassed?
• What kind of badge is that? Can I scan your badge?
• I need help.
• Who do I have to roofie to get one of those vests?
• Do you want a drink?
• You guys should do this every year.

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If I agree to be in it, will I be embarrassed?

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If I agree to be in it, will I be embarrassed?

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What kind of badge is that?
Can I scan your badge?

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I need help.

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Who do I have to roofie to get
one of those vests?

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Do you want a drink?

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You guys should do this every year.

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No breakage,
no lost equipment,
no lost footage.

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V. EDITING & FINALIZING

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How do you put it all together in 6 months?
You don’t.

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Download at http://media.defcon.org

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VI. CONCLUSIONS

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Documentary making is hard,
DEFCON Documentary making is doubly hard

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If all else fails, include a Segway

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Alex will always get in a shot

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Alex will always get in a shot

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Aim high with the goals, especially when
nobody has tried something like this before

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Ok, now who want to see some
bonus footage?

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Thanks
• Contact us: documentary@textfiles.com
• Twitter: @defcondoc
• Most images shown were shot by our crew
• Additional photos from amishrabbit (Dateline reporter fleeing), vissago
(various DC19 & DC20), hackerphotos.com (various DC20), Thomas
Hawk (Walgreens), Nicola (drugstore)