Documentary

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