SCA 301
FALL 2008 18480D/ 4 Units
Mondays 7-10
p.m.
Lucas 306
CREATING THE NON-FICTION FILM
Research and writing challenges of non-fiction film
(documentary, educational, industrial, political, etc.),
from treatment to finished script.
INSTRUCTOR: CARROLL HODGE
E-mail: chodge@usc.edu
Office hours: Mondays 3-5 p.m.(before & after class or by
appointment)
Phone: 310 455-3103 or 310 487-3372 (cell)
Creating the Non-Fiction Film
The object of this course is to research, develop and write
a documentary treatment that is ready for production. We
will explore a broad range of documentaries and a variety of
research methods and resources that will enable you to find
the most appropriate style and approach to your chosen
subject. The course will also explore the similarities and
differences between fictional and non-fictional films and
the possibilities of finding work in educational and
documentary filmmaking.
Video Equipment Access:
Video Interviews: Students will record and edit documentary
interviews as a class assignment. The final class
presentation will include either a short, edited video
trailer, or a PowerPoint-type visual/sound trailer. You may
use your own digital video equipment or sign up in
partnerships to gain access to CNTV digital cameras and the
RZC editing lab. The CNTV equipment and insurance coverage
is covered by the Lab fee (and may be shared by a group of 3
students). To sign up for this coverage and get a production
number, go as a three-some to the Physical Production office
(Lucas 400). Fee: Fall 2008, $150.00. ($50.00 each).
Your non-fiction project will have the following elements:
* a 2-3 page film proposal
* a 4-8 page research report for the proposed film or
video
* (2) - 5 minute excerpts of 2 video interviews related
to the proposal topic
* Final (oral) Presentation with a visual trailer
(video or PowerPoint)
* (3) drafts of a 10-15 page final treatment
GRADES: You will be graded A through F (including pluses and
minuses) upon completion of the course. Grades are based
upon the following:
10% Class participation (discussions,
critiques)
70% Written Assignments & Class
presentations
20% Video Interviews
ABSENCES/LATENESS:
Two unexcused absences: lowers grade one full grade point;
three unexcused absences: lowers grade two full grade
points; four unexcused absences: request to withdraw from
course BEFORE the LAST DAY to Withdraw. Three late arrivals
or early departures count as an absence.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a
disability is required to register with the Disability
Services and Programs (DSP) each semester.
A letter of
verification for approved accommodations can be obtained
from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me as
early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU
301 and is open 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.
The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776.
Required Reading:
Michael Rabiger, Directing the Documentary, Fourth edition.
(You can share this book with a classmate or buy it onlinecheck campusbooks.com and half.com).
Current articles on documentary issues will be handed out
in class for discussion.
RESOURCES:
IDA/ International Documentary Association
POV- Point of View series (Public Television)
FRONTLINE
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/
301 CLASS SCHEDULE:
(Films are subject to change so that we may screen works relevant to
your projects.)
WEEK 1
8/25
General orientation. Review syllabus & schedule.
Course Questionnaire
Screen & discuss MURDERBALL
HOMEWORK: (emailed Monday, 9/1 by 9 a.m.- include date,
chapter titles)
Journal 1:
Read and comment on a specific ideas in each of the
following chapters in the
Rabiger text, Chapters 1:
Director’s Role, Ch.2: history of the doc, Ch.3: Elements
of the Doc, Ch. 4: Evidence & POV. Make sure to include the
chapter headings
above each of your responses to an
idea/concept. Include the course number and
"Journal" with
number in the "Subject" line of your email.
***Note: On all written work for this class, make sure you
include your name in
the body of the assignment, include
the actual date you turned it in, your name
and the
course title.
WEEK 2
9/1- Emailed Journal 1 due by 9 a.m.
LABOR DAY- NO CLASS
HOMEWORK:
1- Journal 2- Read/comment on 3 ideas in Rabiger's chapters
- Ch. 5: Time/
Structure, Ch. 6: Authorship, Ch.8: Doc.theory &
representation. Email.
Due in class1. Write three short paragraphs describing three
possible ideas for your 301 documentary treatment. (20
min. length)
2. Watch 3 doc trailers on websites (Frontline, POV or IDA)
and summarize the
idea and whether the trailer was
effective.
WEEK 3
9/8
Emailed Journal 2 due by 9 a.m
IN CLASS:
Turn in copy of 3 ideas and trailer summary.
Screening: Student produced documentaries
Discussion of documentary styles and approaches,
producing logistics.
and interview excerpts from various documentaries.
Interview a classmate about their best idea for a doc.
Summarize the contents to the class/ discuss result.
HOMEWORK:
Email Journal 3- Read/reference Rabiger Ch. 10: Artistic
Identity, Ch. 11:
Developing Story ideas, Ch.
24: Interviewing
Due 9/15 in class,
Choose & research your doc topic. Bring in copies of 3
published articles (major
print newspapers) that
provide background for your topic.
Describe your idea in a one page summary- describe what it
is about, visual
action and images that will accompany
the subjects’ interviews, possible subjects
you might
interview, why it matters to you, and to an audience. print 2
copies
WEEK 4
9/15 Email Journal 3.
IN CLASS:
Discuss your project proposal with a partner. Give each
other feedback.
Summarize your project to the entire class.
Personal essay docs- the Arts, the environmentHOMEWORK:
Email Journal 4: Read/reflect on Rabiger- Ch.16: Research
leading to shoot.
Due in class: a. Re-write/revise your one-page description
of your project.
b. Locate, contact/pre-interview, and write
descriptions of three potential
subjects for your project. c. Research and create a
list of existing documentaries similar or related to
the one you are proposing.
WEEK 5
9/22 Email Journal 4.
Screen: Historical and archival research docs- Long Way
Home
HOMEWORK:
Read Rabiger- 15: Research & Draft proposal
Interview (on digital video) your first subject
WEEK 6
9/29 Screen interview #1 clips. (5 min. segment of each
interview)
Screen: Documenting War, (Iraq, Vietnam)
HOMEWORK: Continue research.
Interview second subject, select 5 min. segment for class.
WEEK 7
10/6 Screen and discuss second interview segments.
Screen: Character-based docs
HOMEWORK: print copy due in class.
Prepare a 4-8 page research report, including a
bibliography of
films, print & resource persons you have consulted or
intend to consult.
WEEK 8
10/13
Turn in and give oral summary of your research report.
Discuss: Preparing a treatment, review sample
treatments
Screen: Personal/Social Issues:
SUNSET STORY- aging & politics, BACKSEAT BINGO- aging
and sex
HOMEWORK:
Write outline of sequences for treatment- turn
in
WEEK 9
10/20
Screen edited version of interviews
Capturing a political event as it happens:
HARLAN COUNTY
HOMEWORK:
a. Write topic outline
b. Write first draft of treatment, include visual and
aural images.
Bring in copies for your critique group &
Carroll.
b. Read Rabiger: Chapter 7- Re-enactment,
Reconstruction, Docudrama
WEEK 10
10/27
LINE
Re-creation and reenactment: THE THIN BLUE
Turn in your outline & treatment to your
feedback group and Carroll
HOMEWORK: Critique treatments (write 2-3 paragraphs
on each
treatment (separate page for
each), bring 2 copies of each to class)
Design visuals for oral presentation for 11/24
Option A: photo essay on iPhoto, or Powerpoint
Option B: edited video of interviews with added
visual and aural images
WEEK 11
11/3
Screen clips: Documentaries about filmmaking.
Discuss first draft treatments in groups of 3, hand
out critiques
HOMEWORK: Write second draft, using notes from group
members
WEEK 12
11/10
Health/ activist/community campaigns
Screening online websites: SICKO, Blue vinyl
*Turn in second draft, sign up for conference
HOMEWORK:
(for 11/24)Design & prepare for your oral pitch with
visual support
** mid-semester CONFERENCES with Carroll (outside class, in Lucas
403- Tu/Wed/Thur)
- Discuss Second Draft Treatments
WEEK 13
11/17
Screen clips: Embedded Values and Social Impact
HOMEWORK:
Continue preparing your oral pitch with visual support
for 11/24.
WEEK 14
11/24
Oral Presentations of documentary projects.
min. each.
Class response.
10-12
HOMEWORK:
Re-write a final draft of your doc treatment.
WEEK 15
12/1
(last class)
Final treatments due in class
(counts as final, returned to Writing Office
mailboxes by mid Dec.)
Screen: RIDING GIANTS- guest AGI ORSI, producer
Making a living writing and producing documentary
films.