Course Description
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Course Name
Documentary Film Making Theory and Practice
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Host University
Queen Mary, University of London
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Location
London, England
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Area of Study
Film Studies, Media Studies, Radio - Television - Film
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Language Level
Taught In English
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Course Level Recommendations
Upper
ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.
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UK Credits
15 -
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits4
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Recommended U.S. Quarter Units6
Hours & Credits
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Overview
Course description:
This module offers you an opportunity to put theory into practice, cultivating a sense of the history and theory of documentary film alongside the chance to make your own short non-fiction film The theory part of the module charts the historical development of documentary through the examination of films ranging from the early twentieth century to the present day, with the focus on issues of truth, ethics, technique and creativity. The practical part of the module supports you to create and complete your own short documentary film. Four key issues are central to the modules: 1) locating the truth you want to convey; 2) ensuring that you adhere to an ethical code whilst producing your film; 3) engaging with storytelling, exposition, visual and structuring techniques, including considering how meaning is made in post-production and 4) exploring creative formal approaches appropriate to your film.
Learning outcomes:
You will learn/develop:
• To show awareness of a wide range documentary films from different historical periods and national contexts.
• To be able to discuss the different ways documentary film has been theorised, taking into account issues of creativity, facts, narrative and ethics, and to apply this to your own creative practice.
• To produce an industry-standard treatment document.
• To undertake the planning, production and post-production of a documentary film.
• To grasp the interrelatedness of theory and practice through reflection on own filmmaking and examination of the work of other documentary filmmakers.
• To display the individual characteristics of a scholar-filmmaker - putting ideas into practice, relating own work to other filmmakers and theories of film - and 'self-starter' - harnessing creativity, surmounting practical problems, working to a tight deadline.
• To be able to work as part of a team of creative practitioners, displaying co-operation, support, and critical insight into your own and others work in a group setting.