Documentary and Factual Film Making Short Courses
This course offers students, who are interested in working within the media or who want to develop an idea for a documentary, the opportunity to learn about 'documentary and factual filmmaking'. It will provide students with a theoretical understanding of the documentary genre and explore how 'reality' is constructed in factual formats - from 'fly on the wall' to observational filmmaking.
It will provide students with an insight into the way the broadcast landscape works and offer sessions that will help students learn how to transform an 'idea' for a documentary into a 'programme proposal' - through the use of core production skills, such as research, interviewing techniques, pitching and taster tapes.
During the course, specialists, whether documentary makers or development producers, will share their industry experience with students. The course is a comprehensive introduction to documentary and factual filmmaking and would offer a useful theoretical framework for students enrolled on the Digital Filmmaking and Film Editing with Final Cut Pro courses.
Course Information
| Start Date | Start Time | Duration | Cost | Course Code | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 23 January 2013 | 18:30 - 20:30 | 10 weekly classes | £350.00 | CE2315 | Apply Now |
| Wednesday 1 May 2013 | 18:30 - 20:30 | 10 weekly classes | £350.00 | CE2315 | Apply Now |
Tutor Info
Nicola Gibson is an award winning documentary maker. She won the prestigious Input International Documentary Award in 2007 and has been nominated for Grierson and Royal Television Society Awards.
She worked at the BBC as a documentary director and producer for 12 years, on Modern Times, Inside Story, Living the Dream and the award winning series, My Life As A Child. She left the BBC in 2009 and now runs her own multi- media production company.
She is a qualified teacher with a Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education and a Fellow of the Higher Education Authority. She is also a Visiting Lecturer at the London Film School, Goldsmiths College - London University, Westminster University and University of Surrey- Roehampton.
Eligibility
It is useful but not compulsory to have an idea for a documentary or factual TV programme that you would like to develop.
English Requirements
Documentary filmmaking course applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.
What will I learn?
This course analyses fashions and trends in documentary and factual television programmes. It will take a historical look at the development of the documentary genre and students will learn to recognise and understand the nature of programme formats and how they are used within the context of the broadcasting schedules and commissioning process.By examining how you can turn an idea for a documentary into the reality of one, you will build upon your knowledge of factual formats and learn skills that will help you develop, research and write a programme proposal. You will also have the opportunity to practice interviewing and pitching techniques and look at how to structure a 'taster tape'.
Sessions will include viewings and excerpts of archive material, TV programmes and feature length documentaries, which will be discussed and analysed in the large and small groups, to support course learning and group activities in class.
Teaching and Assessment
There is no formal assessment but students will give presentations either verbally or visually of their documentary ideas at the end of the course. The course will include viewings, group work and presentations as well as two sessions with guest speakers who will share their skills and knowledge of the media industry.Recommended Reading
While we encourage you to read the books on the reading list for your course, we recommend that you speak to the tutor before investing in the purchase of any essential text.
Macdonald, K. & Cousins M., (1996) Imagining Reality: Faber Book of Documentary, Faber
Rabiger, M., (1992) Directing the Documentary Focal Press, Boston & London
Rosenthal, A., (ed) (1988) New Challenges in Documentary, University of California Press
Barnouw, E., (1974/83) Documentary: A history of the Non-Fiction Film, Oxford University Press
Leads To...
Digital Filmmaking: a practical introduction
Film Editing with Final Cut Pro