Documentary film course syllabus

The use of the film medium to interpret creatively and in social terms the life of the people as it exists in reality. Students will produce a second 3 5 minute film of their choice. You will be exposed to the work of a number of great documentary photographers and photojournalists, as well as to writing about the documentary tradition. Readings from the nichols book are denoted by id and those from the winston book by dfb. Much as we will do in class each week, your project should analyze the portrayal of the past in the film, exploring the perspective including biases or objectives of the filmmakers, the historical accuracy of the portrayal in a detailed and a broad sense, and the relative success and reliability of the film as a. Special attention will be given to the successful renewal of the spanish and in special cases, the catalan film scene in the last 15 years. In this course, we will explore the history of this expressive form of culture, noting its most important technological and cinematic innovations.

Introduction to documentary filmmaking course instructor. For more information about the undergraduate program at the center for documentary studies at duke university, or questions regarding registration, contact the cds undergraduate education director. Please read the entire syllabus carefully before continuing in this course. Projects are due at the start of class on the day they are due. Throughout the course we will learn how to develop a historical appreciation of film based on a survey of cinematic traditions contained within narrative, documentary, and experimental forms, and acquire a critical, technical, and. The final goal is to produce a documentary of industry standard. Eightweek documentary filmmaking is an intensive and practical course that equips you with fundamental filmmaking skills and focuses on the challenges of the documentary genre, such as working with people and filming reality.

Understanding story, screenplay and other scripts formats character analysis project planning and creative team film. The academic program is focused around developing a critical analytical framework to frame the documentary journey. This is adapted from a one month training curriculum made by nelson walker. One of the primary platforms well use for the work of this course is medium, where the syllabus you. Syllabus documentary photography and photojournalism. Its vibrant mix of peoples, outstanding natural beauty, rich music and cultural scene, from surfing to worldclass galleries and restaurants, make cape. Documentary dilemmas introduction to the course and contentious issues around the documentary form.

Mar 02, 2014 documentary production course curriculum. Course syllabus video documentary comm 33920e loyola. During this period, students will read relevant texts on film theory and view documentary films. The module also addresses the international impact of film and television from scandinavia. Miflmjrnwra 211 documentary history and theory syllabus. Diploma in documentary film production, syllabus, eligibility.

Find out how you can join their ranks and make compelling, marketable. Slos, course policies, assignments, and other information is. Jay elliott and dan wack philosophy, photography, film syllabus course description this will be a course in both philosophy in particular, that branch of philosophy known as aesthetics or the philosophy of art and art history in particular, the history of the theory of film and photography. In this paper, we will examine some of the major documentaries to emerge since film began. Best documentary film courses online here is a list of the best online documentary courses. Pdf syllabus documentary film undergraduate daniel. How best to get the most out of preproduction and shoot in order to maximise the creative outcomes for a film.

Through illustrated lectures, selected screenings, and discussion, students will develop a historical appreciation of film genres including narrative, documentary, and experimental, and of the legacy of major filmmakers. Focus of the course this course covers the history and development of the documentary film from the genres beginnings to the present day. Course aim this course will give students a handson experience of independent documentary making. The first lesson offers an introduction to main trends in the contemporary scandinavian film and television culture, focusing among other things on how the national film and television cultures relate to ideas of the welfare state. After a brief theoretical introduction to documentary film theory, we will discuss and analyze selected documentaries treating issues of. In addressing these questions this course considers the documentary film in relation to a wide variety of contexts. Many great filmmakers have made documentaries in different stages of their careers, and today the form is more relevant and popular than ever with the advancement of digital technology. Hugh baddeley focal press, 1963 filmography is included under the syllabus, under each week and documentary film modes. Basic film production cinema 24 download the full syllabus as a pdf here note that this is a daily schedule only. If youd like to learn more about sound design, this may be interesting for you. The course begins with intensive theoretical learning combined with handson workshops of dslr hd video camera, lighting, and of course location sound recording. This program is located in cape town, south africa, one of the most soughtafter destinations on the planet.

The seminar includes a practical exercise where the student can discover his particular way of seeing spanish reality. Tuesdays 122 andor by appointment course description. Jay elliott and dan wack philosophy, photography, film syllabus course description this will be a course in both philosophy in particular, that branch of philosophy known as aesthetics or the philosophy of art and art history in particular, the history of. Understanding ways of cinematic storytelling forms of film making. Its an introductory course, so its not just focused on sound for film, but they touch on that too. From the margins to the mainstream course outline 2017 visiting professor daniel bernardi school of cinema, san. To complement the process we will critically analyze a variety of documentary films. Nmc 282 introduction to documentary film new course proposal. The syllabus page shows a tableoriented view of the course schedule, and the basics of course grading.

Zarkowski since thomas edison patented americas first motion picture camera in 1891, telling americas history through film has become a large part of our culture. Storytelling across film, television and other forms of media. They are also expected to create a digital research project and take a midterm and a final. By the end of the course, you can expect to be able to define documentary films and identify their major components, speak and write critically about a few of the most important american documentaries ever made, understand the historical development of documentary films in terms of their technology and content, develop skills in the critical. Students will explore traditional and contemporary approaches to documentary photography through five individual photography assignments, lectures and readings, and a semester long. During this course, you will develop professional standards whilst making you own documentary. In this course, we will explore the techniques, tools, and artistry involved in documentary filmmaking. For many people watching a hollywood film on america is their only way of getting. Sample syllabus this syllabus is provided as a sample. This is a rigorous, demanding and intensive course. During this course, we will learn how filmmakers adopt different roles of authorship to create works that bend the line between fact and fiction. Course description comm 33920e is an advanced video production course that is designed to give students an introduction to the practical considerations of making a documentary film as well as exposure to various types of documentary styles and subject matter. This syllabus contains the policies and expectations i have established for documentary film. This is a survey course designed to introduce you to the broad range of theoretical, formal, and historiographic issues specific to cinema.

This new course proposal seeks to add a new course to the college of liberal arts. New trends, new formats, presents the new trends and. Slos, course policies, assignments, and other information is available via the download link above. The class syllabus notes what portions of the text should be read before each class meeting. Emf 355 electronic media and film law and regulation 3 examination of the laws and rules that affect the file and electronic media industries and the regulatory framework through which they are applied. The teaching days will be split between teaching practical skills and academic work. An introduction to the history of film from its beginnings in the late nineteenth century to the present. Introduction to documentary filmmaking programs and courses. As we move to preproduction for the final films the course will go into a workshop mode in the. In contrast to narrative films, documentary film production is the art of selection and most are made in the editing room. Through inclass demonstrations, lectures, readings and handson projects, this class offers students the opportunity to begin learning, or advance, skills and techniques of hd video field production and postproduction. Documentary films are gaining more critical and commercial prominence these years, especially the ones increasingly pushing the.

These policies and expectations are intended to create a productive learning atmosphere for all students. Syllabus for european documentary film dis study abroad. Unit ten documentary, propaganda, and political statements. Details of diploma in documentary film production which includes diploma in documentary film production syllabus, eligibility, duration, institutes and job options. Students in a degree course learn to shoot on a wide spectrum of film, which includes 16mm, 35mm, hidef, super 16mm, red dragon, red epic and red scarlet cameras. Will participate in the shooting and editing of a short documentary movie. Learn to apply theoretical thinking to analyze documentary films.

This course will fulfill the western culture bac core by identifying significant events, developments, andor ideas in the western cultural experience and context through an examination of documentary film over the past century. Weve included courses and seminars from coursera, mit, teded and others. Categories, models, and the expository and poetic modes of documentary film in introduction to. Other than your research paper, all course material will be drawn from class lectures, screenings, and the above text. This might be a photography exhibit, a documentary radio or film production, a documentary web site, or a. But we do engage an extensive array of conceptual and practical material during the six months of the program. Course objectives this course covers all aspects of producing a documentary, including production of a 18 to 20minute finished film. Todays media landscape is largely made up of regular folks who know how to spot a good story and use basic gear to document the world around them. We make no pretense in being able to cover everything offered by a twoyear film school. When enrolling in a course at the new york film academy, students will have access to the best possible equipment in order to prepare them for the real world of filmmaking. Course syllabus documentary institute of south africa.

Learn to master the craft and put it into practice under the guidance of our expert instructors during the first two weeks. Heres a list of 10 online courses on film and filmmaking you can take for free. Develop a basic understanding of the history of documentary film. New york film academy offers a handson 6week documentary workshop this is an intensive program that combines inclass instruction and handson production workshops. This affords students the singular chance to watch and. Within a couple of days you will learn from top documentary professionals how to write, structure and shoot your documentary.

Handson 6week documentary filmmaking workshop nyfa. Nmc 282 introduction to documentary film new course. Applicants should think of the institute experience as a boot camp for documentary filmmaking. London, bfi 20 electronic course packet available on collab under resources films listed on the syllabus, available on reserve at clemons library. We will see how how some film makers take a removed stance, while others embed themselves in the films as direct storytellers and even actors. The course is designed to provide you with a strong intellectual basis with which to engage with documentary films as a scholar, audience member, and filmmaker if you choose to make documentaries yourself. Course listings center for documentary studies at duke. You can find more information in the university handbook and in.

United states history through film course syllabus rob p. Brief history of documentary photography part 1 war, the witness and the rise of social documentary, straight photography, picturing native. This is an introductory film course with a focus on the crosscultural study of film from multiple world traditions. Students are expected to attend all classes, read all assigned texts, watch all assigned films, and participate in class including posting to the course wiki.

We will discuss the development and production of a documentary, including the discovery of the story and techniques for presenting that information on screen. Still images of a world in motion, we will explore both those questions, and consider various answers to them. The syllabus does include a very brief list of weekly. Firstly, it will aim to provide students with skills and different approaches to reading documentary films that deal with social issues. Course syllabus course information film 3321 contemporary documentary film spring 2017 thursdays. The course culminates in the production of your own short documentary film. Film direction full course history of film and tv industry. First, students will learn the basics of film analysis and terminology, using material from a short guide to writing about film, along with other texts provided. The history of american documentary film fall 1998. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Introduction to documentary studies university at albany. This course is a requirement for the mfa in film and electronic medias concentration in political, cultural and social impact.