This module is not currently running in 2023 to 2024.
Through technical exercises and presentation of film texts, students will engage with key aspects of non-fiction filmmaking. A series of practical projects will be contextualised through lectures drawing on a number of film texts, looking at examples from the history of the non-fiction film e.g. early cinema, direct cinema, cinema verité, and the film essay. The exercises are an opportunity for students to develop their creative practice. The development of a treatment / proposal leading to the production of final film project will use theory and critical analysis to develop students understanding of documentary practice.
Students will build on existing skills of collaboration (learnt on Exploring the Frame), improving competence in the planning, production and editing of practical, creative work. Students will develop an understanding of crucial aspects of non-fiction filmmaking -- in terms of both theory and practice -- and deepen their skills in the critical analysis of such texts. Students will build on existing skills of relating theory and practice, by analysing the implications (e.g. ideological, ethical) of their production decisions; the course will enhance student's ability to reflect self-critically on their own and other student’s practical work. Skills learnt on the module will contribute (along with Exploring the Frame and Introduction to Screenwriting) to the skills needed to progress to Moving Image Production.
5 contact hours per week for 12 weeks in the form of lecture/seminar/workshops/supervised practice/screenings = 60
20 private study hours per week for 12 weeks = 240
Total number of learning hours = 300
100% coursework assessed:
- Proposal (20%)
- Film / Video project (50%)
- Critical Analysis (30%)
Bernard , Sheila Curran,S. (2004), Documentary Storytelling For Video and Filmmakers, Focal Press 2004
Bruzzi,, S. (2000)Stella, New Documentary: A Critical Introduction,. Routledge 2000
Rabiger, Michael. (1992), Directing the Documentary, Focal Press, 1992
Renov, M.ichael ed. (1993), Theorising Documentary, Routledge, 1993
Renov, M. (2004)ichael, The Subject of Documentary, University of Minnesota Press, 2004
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. engage in the practice of non-fiction filmmaking; from formal aspects such as camerawork, sound recording/design and editing, to practices such as documentary 'casting', to the explicit and implicit truth claims embedded in documentary discourse.
2. apply techniques for producing audio-visual documentary, in relation to critical debates around representing reality, ethics, performance, authorship, narrative, truth.
3. identify, create and critique a range of technical, formal and narrative practices through which documentary is negotiated
4. produce work which demonstrates a systematic understanding of, and an ability to critically evaluate, relevant theoretical debates students have studied within the programme as a whole.
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