Maurice Cormier: A Short Observatory Documentary - Review

Director: Michael Chandler
Screenplay: Michael Chandler
Genre: Documentary (Sub Genre: Observatory) 
Running Time: 15 minutes
Studio: Backyard Productions, Mohawk College


Maurice Cormier: A Short Observatory Documentary  is one of the most astonishing, and interesting observatory documentary to come out of the independent film circuit of this year. The documentary centers on the day to day working life style of Maurice Cormier, a graduating TV Broadcast student at Mohawk College.

At the very start of the film, we see the subject of Maurice (or "Moe" as he's nicknamed by his co-workers), tackling through the daily job tasks in the world of television/film production. Throughout the film's fifteen minute time span, we see Maurice filming and editing ENG packages for Ignite News using Final Cut 7 and Avid Media Composer. As well as Maurice operating a camera in a TV studio, designing a web site with a producer for upcoming documentary called Scooterville, setting up HD camera equipment, and microphones in a local (heavily rainy weathered)  football stadium for a local TV station called TV Cogeco. The film also examines a bit of Maurice working on pre-production for a documentary, which  he will be directing next year called Normal: A Documentary, a 15 minute film that explores individuals living with Autism.   

Filmmaker Michael Chandler explores five key strengths of Maurice Cormier, using each precious minute to examine each strength set. These five strengths are

• Communication - Maurice's dialogue in  film is heard by communicating with others will working on production, explaining tasks to others, expressing ideas for the two documentaries he's working on, both creatively and technically. As well as engaging others by telling stories, and ideas for production.
• Significance - Throughout the film, Maurice's goal is to stand out from a group, and puts extra effort in production to be recognize as a hard worker who put quality in producing media content. As well as motivating others to work hard. 
• Achiever - The film shows Maurice spending extra hours at school, finish editing content, filming news stories, and writing scripts on a tight deadline. Cutting out all distractions, including family to get the job done, which pleases him the job is finished on time.
• Input - To film his documentaries, Maurice collects information to make the content he produces more authentic, and knowing more to excel at his job.
• Discipline - Maurice in this documentary constantly organizing with his work load, schedule, personal life, and sets goals to accomplish his tasks in this film.

By filming the daily life of an individual working in media, Michael Chandler allows the viewers watching this documentary see the actual lifestyle of one accomplished like Maurice Cormier in a constantly busy industry such as film and television. I would strongly recommend this documentary to anyone, regardless of working in media or not.

5 Stars out of 5 Stars