5 Best Shots from the documentary, Heal

Darrell and I watched the documentary Heal on Netflix and recorded a podcast, talking about it's cultural and personal impacts - give it a listen by going here. Otherwise we've got our top 5 shots from the documentary Heal, directed by Kelly Noonan Gores. ​

Shot #1 - The Overhead

Ahhh the drone perspective. An empty beach, a well framed solo figure with just enough of the ocean encroaching on the frame. This would make a good title shot... and there it is. A neat little button on the opening 4 minutes. ​

Shot #2 - Full Contact 

So many of the holistic healing methods involved touch. It struck me watching the film that often we humans don't get enough physical contact with other humans. This shot comes from the faith healing sequence, the "roughest" sort of physical touch in the movie, with the faith healer almost wrestling his patient (patient? subject? convalescent? not sure). Certainly nothing you'd see a medical doctor do and it highlights the differences between contemporary and holistic practices

Shot #3 - Talking to the Camera Gimmick

Here's a cool combo that I really like: We'd get a shot of Kelly talking to a computer or a cell phone and then jump to a shot of her talking to the camera. A neat trick, sort of like a ride along video blog. I'm sure this has been used before, but it made her moments of narration more visually interesting. Simple but effective. ​

Shot #4 - Subtle Themes 

​There's a never verbalized theme of water in this doc, which makes sense. The underlying current of meditation and healing is often associated with water and here's a great shot of Kelly in the ferry (I assume around NYC - though it's never stated). Empty space, clean lines, neat silhouette with the ever-present ocean in the background. 

Shot #5 - The Well Framed Interview 

Interviews are tricky to make visually effective. There's the very standard over the shoulder you then me, there's the talking head. I like this one. I'm a sucker for the profile perspective and the off-whites, ivories, and eggshells are contrasted beautifully by the blue square that seems to connect these two women's heads together. Nice imagery for a doc focused on the mind. ​

Bonus Shot: Roadtrip Shot! 

Our second doc in a row to include the roadtrip shot. Such a great motif. There were a couple to choose from as Kelly zips around town interviewing folks and friends, and with apologies to the eyes in the rearview mirror shot, I went with this one. A nice, sunlight homage to the open road. ​

Bonus Sequence: Unintentional Comedy

​Here's a great little two shot sequence of unintentional comedy. Talking about meditation we see Kelly meditating in various places with the finale being her meditating on a suitcase cart as it glides out of the frame. But they hold it just long enough for the bellhop in the door to give a great WTF look to the camera. Unintentional comedy at its best! 

Thanks for reading and check out the podcast, by going here.