Week 1 – January 21 – No Class – MLK Day
Week 2 – January 28 – Introduction & Screenings of Short Documentary Films / George Perec Reading & Observation Writing/Film Assignment / Lecture & Discussion: Research approaches for documentary films – in class example = Global Warming
Perec Reading & Observation Writing/Video Assignment Due to Blackboard Week 3 – Friday Feb 8 @ 12 noon.
Week 3 – February 4 – Technology demonstration: camera & lighting systems / Interview Setup – Introduction of Interview Project Midterm Assignment
Week 4 – February 11 – Lecture/Screening Modes of Documentary Filmmaking: Poetic / Expository / Participatory documentary films with examples
Week 5 – February 18 – Lecture/Screening Modes of Documentary Filmmaking:Observational / Reflexive / Performative & Experimental documentary films with examples
Week 6 – February 25 – Individual Meetings & Discussions on Final Documentary Subject matter and approach
Week 7 – March 4 – Midterm Interview Screenings and Critiques. Final Documentary Film Assignment & Discussion of Subject and mode
Week 8 – March 11 – Spring Recess
Week 9 – March 18 – Check in from break. Visiting Lecture – Santiago Echeverry: Documentary Practices in New Media. Lecture and discussion of his ongoing project Cabaret.
Week 10 – March 25 – In Class Planning for Final Documentary / Final Film Sequence Summaries Due Week 10
Documentary Final Production Documents:
Set up Google Docs Folder with the following information:
Production Book/documents including:
links to research
location releases / talent releases
photographs of locations
journal entries and notes on production
Final Summary to include:
- Treatment for documentary
- Statement on subject matter and mode (style) of production
- log line
- Film Freeway account link to your project
Grading Rubric:
Final Documentary Film: 50%
Rough Cut: 10%
Production Book/documents: 10%
Final Film: 30%
Week 11 – April 1 – Lecture/Demonstration: Documentary Sound Recording. Field recording techniques, and strategies for sound editing and mixing
Week 12 – April 8 – Lecture/Demonstration: Documentary Motion Graphics and Post Production
Week 13 – April 15 – Lecture: The Contemporary Documentary Film – styles / top film festivals and the future of the form in AR/VR & Experiential modalities
Week 14 – April 22 – General Work Day and Progress reports on Final Films
Week 15 – April 29 – Final Documentary Screenings + Submissions to Blackbox Film Festival