Module: FSS6102-40 Short Form Documentary Making

Credit Value: 40

Module Tutor: Sharon Alcock

Module Tutor Contact Details: S.Alcock@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

You will investigate documentary as “the creative treatment of actuality” and produce a short documentary that might form a practical example of work to offer prospective employers when you graduate.

On completion of the module you will be able to present a short documentary that demonstrates your thoughtful, creative decision making, your pre-production planning and production effort and your interpersonal and team skills, a piece that challenges your existing film knowledge and adds to your broader portfolio of work in Film and Screen Studies.

2.Outline syllabus:

The module is organised around three-hour long workshop sessions. Alongside screenings exploring the breadth and history of documentary, students will come forward in the first two weeks with initial ideas for potential group films set in Bath for examination and development with the tutor’s guidance. The tutor will help form production groups. Initial camera exercises will then lead to the first group assignment “Impressions” (mood impressions of a given Bath location). Then sustained research and film planning starts for the major film, alongside regular screening discussions. Attention is given to all rushes, shared and discussed with the class. Here the structure of documentary storytelling and the precise visual style aimed at are constantly examined, alongside the evolution of an edit plan. Ways of ‘telling’ are discussed from the start (observational, stylistic, with or without interviews or narration, the role of music, montage, captions and sound). Attention is given to the building and establishing of good relations with those filmed. Finally logging and edit planning leads to the rough cut, fine cut, final sound work, graphics and grading. Students then reflect on the production experience and the results.

3.Teaching and learning activities:

There will be a series of classes and screenings where the philosophical, ethical, narrative and genre aspects of documentary as filmed ‘truth’ will be discussed in relation to the evolving story of this subjective art form. There will be work to prepare you for the independent research and film practice necessary to produce your own documentaries in small teams. Tutorials will screen and discuss your film underway. You will log your progress throughout in a journal and write a final reflective evaluation.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: 8-10 minute Documentary (5000 words equivalent)

• % Weighting: 50

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Portfolio (5000 words equivalent)

• % Weighting: 50