11 WEEK DOC SYLLABUS
SAMPLE SYLLABUS FOR 11-WEEK QUARTER COURSE MEETING TWICE A WEEK
FOR TWO AND A HALF HOURS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Course: Documentary Video Workshop
Single Quarter
Baseline: Students who have taken a basic field video production course. Class size: 20 max.
Documentary Video Workshop is designed to provide students with a framework for
production of various documentary styles. The instruction uses readings, screenings, analysis,
discussion, equipment and process orientation, and unsupervised field production/editing. We
will work with digital video to develop media production skills.
Requirements:
Attendance and participation in class discussions
Reading assignments and supplementary screenings
Completion of five assignments:
1)
Proposal (individual project) due second week
Each student will submit a three-to-four page (double spaced) proposal for a
documentary topic of their choice. The instructor will indicate which elements are
needed from the list of proposal segments in Chapter Four. The Proposal will form
the basis for the pitch the students will complete in the class.
2)
Pre-production presentation (group) due fifth week
This is the first group graded project. Each group will present their research and plans
for characters and sequences. They should be able to discuss the feasibility of the
plans and demonstrate pre-production planning including location surveys of difficult
sites.
3)
Trailer 1:30 (group project) due sixth week
After instruction in editing and the viewing of various documentary trailers, each
student will edit a 1:30 trailer for their group documentary. The Trailer will include a
music bed and inter-titles.
4)
Production screening Work-in-Progress (group) due ninth week
This is the second group graded project. Each group will present to the class the
rough cut (should be full-length) that is finished at that point. They will discuss the
differences between the pre-production plans and the outcomes. Any field production
problems should be discussed.
5)
Final screening Premiere (group) due eleventh week
Attendance is mandatory for this event. Each group will present their film along with
press kits and publicity material. Films, depending upon equipment availability and
access, could be 10–12 minutes. Each should have audio post and any graphics.
Each group will detail any distribution plans.
Texts: Hewitt, John, and Gustavo Vazquez, Documentary Filmmaking: A Contemporary
Field Guide, 2nd edition New York: Oxford University Press, 2014.
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11 WEEK DOC SYLLABUS
Grading: Regular Attendance and active participation in class discussion
First assignment—Proposal (Individual score)
Second assignment—Pre-production presentation (group)
Third assignment—Trailer project (Individual version of group project)
Fourth assignment—Production screening (group)
Fifth assignment—10 to 12 min. documentary (group)
Course Outline
Read the assignment BEFORE class.
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WEEK ONE
READ: Chapter 1. Begin the Journey by Developing Your Idea, Diving
into Research, and Nailing Down Access
Chapter 2. Critical Needs: Characters and Strong Sequences
Chapter 4. Paying for It: Fundraising
In-class material: Overview and assignments; definitions/styles/trends.
Documentary samples shown to demonstrate styles.
Equipment orientation and proposal previews.
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WEEK TWO
Assignment due: Individual Proposal
Students pitch in class
READ: Chapter 3. Preparing for Collaboration
In-class material: Discussion of classic documentary styles and production
situations. Discussion of proposals and selection criteria.
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WEEK THREE
Assignment due: Selected group projects, submit crew lists and
production schedule estimates.
READ: Chapter 5. Preparing for the Long Haul
Chapter 6. Planning for Effective Interviews
Chapter 7. Sound Considerations
In-class material: Interviewing and sound considerations.
Documentary examples of varied interviews. Discussion of techniques.
Students pitch ideas to class.
Class evaluates ideas ranks projects and semester group projects selected.
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WEEK FOUR
Assignment due: Pre-production presentation by groups.
READ: Chapter 13. Editing the Documentary
In-class material: Editing instruction and examples of trailers.
Explain trailer project.
Demonstrate whichever editing system the school uses.
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11 WEEK DOC SYLLABUS
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WEEK FIVE
Initial research and material acquisition, interview, and b-roll for trailer.
READ: Chapter 8. Natural and Portable Lighting
Chapter 9. Field Production: Shooting the Documentary
In class material: Lighting workshops/production workshops.
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WEEK SIX
Assignment due: Trailer projects (Group projects—individual cut)
READ: Chapter 10. Producing for Small Screens and Mobile Devices
In-class material: Producers’ and distributors’ websites. Discuss conventional
venues and innovative Internet screening venues.
READ: Chapter 12. Finding Structure for Short and Feature-Length Documentaries
In-class material: Many examples of documentaries as examples of
structure. More production workshops.
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WEEK SEVEN
Full production schedule.
No formal class. Instructor meets with group representatives.
Assignment due: Unit managers meet with instructor for updates and progress on
press kits and publicity materials.
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WEEK EIGHT
Full production schedule.
No formal class. Instructor meets with group representatives.
11 WEEK 1 QUARTER COURSE DOC SYLLABUS PAGE 4 OF 4
Assignment due: Unit managers meet with instructor for updates and progress on
press kits and publicity materials.
_________________________________
WEEK NINE
Assignment due: Group must present Work-in-Progress screening.
In-class material. Screen and review presentations. Discuss structures.
Discuss postproduction schedules.
Discuss audio post.
READ: Chapter 11. Using Music in the Documentary
Chapter 14. Starting the Buzz and Going to Festivals
Chapter 15. Distribution
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WEEK TEN
Fine cuts are finished. Picture lock is established and audio tracks are given to
audio editors for sweetening and audio post.
All graphics are added.
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WEEK ELEVEN
All groups attend Premiere screening.
All press kits and publicity material displayed and turned in for evaluation.
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