Documentary and Factual Film Making Short Courses
The Documentary and Factual Film Making short course will look at the development and nature of documentaries providing students with both a theoretical and practical understanding of the way they are made and the diversity of formats that exist within the genre today. The documentary filmmaking course will explore the differences between 'fly on the wall' and reality TV at the same time as helping students understand and practice core productions skills such as researching and interviewing. The documentary filmmaking course will help prepare students to pitch an idea for a documentary or structure a taster tape or film that they wish to make
Course Information
| Start Date | Start Time | Duration | Cost | Course Code | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 25 April 2012 | 18:30 - 20:30 | 10 weekly classes | £330.00 | CE2315 | Apply Now |
Tutor Info
Nicola Gibson is a documentary maker who worked for the BBC for 12 years. She worked on classic documentary strands such as Modern Times, Reputations, Inside Story and Living the Dream. She recently left the BBC and now runs her own production company.
Eligibility
You must have some experience of the film and television industries or have completed a relevant course. 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 the fashions and trends in documentary and factual TV programme making .By examining the form and structure of this genre, the course will look at how to turn an 'idea' into a programme proposal. You will develop the skills to research and write a pitch for a proposal, practicing interview techniques and looking at scheduling issues. The course will involve viewing TV programmes and documentaries made for cinema.
The course will prepare you to be able to identify and discuss the nature and present status of television documentaries in television schedules currently in Britain; identify the different film and interview techniques used and their effects on the subject matter; research, write and present a documentary proposal on a topic of your choice.
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