Documentary Film Assignment
A
documentary is defined as a work, such as a film or television program,
presenting political, social or historical subject matter in a factual and
informative manner and often consisting of actual news films or interviews
accompanied by narration.
There are
many different formats of documentaries, some of which include:
·
INTERVIEWS
·
B-ROLE
·
DOCU-DRAMATIC (DRAMATIC RE-ENACTMENT –
FAKED ARCHIVAL)
·
ARCHIVAL (EXISTING FOOTAGE, PHOTOS ON
THE SUBJECT MATTER – SOURCED
VIA BOOKS, INTERNET, SERVEILLANCE FOOTAGE, TV,
ETC.)
·
MONTAGE (VISUAL POINT MADE IN MULTIPLE
IMAGES, USUALLY WITH MUSIC
B.G.)
·
HOST/CELEBRITY INTERACTING ON LOCATION,
WITH PARTICIPANTS OF SOURCE
Your
assignment is to choose a topic of interest to you (Social, Political, Pop
Culture, Science)
Some examples might be:
Social – Smoking, drinking, etc.
Society – Impact of the media
Political – Obamacare
Using an
interview format, and at least two other formats from the list above, you will
show your Point of View (POV) to the audience through your documentary. The film must communicate to your audience
what you and your partner’s personal views on the subject are. The documentary
must be like any other film and have a clear beginning, middle and end.
The
MAXIMUM length of these films will be 5:00 Min.
Your
final plan will be in the form of a shot list. Your shot list needs to
communicate:
1. Shot Type
2. Camera movement
3. Action
a. The action in your shot needs to
include a images to support your message. Please include establishing shots for
setting and characters.
4. Title and credit shots
5. Sound including any music you
might need to play during the shot
6. All shots need to be numbered on
your shot list
7. Indicate INTerior or EXTerior
Once you
have your complete shot list, you will need to rehearse and prepare for all
shots. You are responsible for props, costumes, sound, titles/credits, dialogue
and any effects that you feel would enhance your final product.
It is
required that you rehearse your scenes at least twice before filming to ensure
that you are comfortable with the dialogue that is taking place.
All films
must include
1. Wide shot
2. Medium Wide Shot
3. Medium Shot
4. Medium Close Up
5. Close Up
6. Low Angle Shot
7. High Angle Shot
Assessment:
Films
will be assessed by peers and instructor, areas that will be evaluated are:
|
Rhythm and Flow of the Film:
The film is smooth and
consistent throughout
There are some gaps in the
rhythm of your film
The flow is inconsistent and
ineffective
|
5
3
1
|
|
Camera Shots:
All shots listed above are utilized to effectively
communicate a story
Not all shots listed are utilized to
effectively communicate story
Camera shots were NOT effectively
utilized
|
5
3
1
|
|
Documentary Format:
Your complete film includes more than three formats and
forwards the story/ engages watchers
You have used at least three formats and they help
forward the content
Your film lacks documentary content and/or is not
forwarded by the content produced
|
5
3
1
|
|
Teamwork:
You cooperated and collaborated to the
benefit of your production
Cooperation and collaboration was
inconsistent
Lack of cooperation negatively affected
the film and learning
|
5
3
1
|
|
Total
|
/25
|
