ARTS 644
Documentary Filmmaking
Lisa Molomot
Course Overview | |||||||||||||
This course is designed to give a basic understanding of how documentary films are made, providing technical training and practical experience in shooting and editing digital video. Through a series of exercises and in-class critique sessions, students will learn how to compose shots, obtain proper exposure and white balance, record sound, and edit using the Final Cut Pro post-production platform. Students will also develop a greater understanding of the form through lectures on the history of documentary film and on the issues facing documentary filmmakers today. |
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Course Goals | |||||||||||||
This course has three major goals, which are interrelated: A) To teach students the fundamentals of video camera technology and editing equipment. |
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Methods of Instruction | |||||||||||||
A. In-class lectures, demonstrations, and discussions
C. Four exercises (to be completed outside of class) |
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Evaluative Criteria | |||||||||||||
A. Production Exercises (80%) NOTE: All exercises must be completed to receive a passing grade for the class. B. Class participation (20%) |
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Course Expectations | |||||||||||||
Attendance and Punctuality. Class attendance and punctuality are of critical importance. Because each exercise builds on the last, it is especially important to be present at all class sessions. |
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Course Schedule | |||||||||||||
Class 1 |
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Class 2 |
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Class 3 |
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Class 4 |
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Class 5 |
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Class 6 |
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Class 7 |
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Class 8 |
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Class 9 |
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Class 10 |
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Class 11 |
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Class 12 |
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Description of Exercises | |||||||||||||
Exercise #1 - (Composition exercise, 10% of grade) --Leading lines Exercise #2 - (Exposure & Camera Moves exercise, 10% of grade) Exercise #3 - (Interview, B-Roll and Editing exercise, 20% of grade) Next, follow your subject through their activities and gather material of them engaged in their work. You may wish to interview them through part of this, but also take care to gather non-sync B-Roll material that can be used in your final edit. Working on Final Cut Pro, each student will make their own edit of the resulting material. Exercise #4 - (Final Project) Students will bring the rough cut versions of their projects to class for group critique. The final versions will be due the final day of class. |