Module Details

Module Code: MEDI H3602
Module Title: Documentary Making
Title: Documentary Making
Module Level:: 7
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Cathal Nolan
Module Author:: Rolf Zaska
Domains:  
Module Description: This module aims to give students a critical understanding of documentary making and provide a practical application of the fundamental pre-production, production and post-production conventions of this genre.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Demonstrate the principal skills of a producer through sound editorial judgement, team leadership, problem solving, and an in-depth understanding of story and character progression.
LO2 Apply director skills through identifying and applying visual and aural evidence via production & post-production techniques.
LO3 Generate an edit that reveals new emotional or narrative information or meaning not told through dialogue or V/O.
LO4 Create and mix a landscape of sound that seamlessly heightens the overall expression and meaning of the story.
LO5 Demonstrate the ability to apply critiques of their work from an editorial and technical point of view.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
PRODUCING THE DOCUMENTARY
Understanding Story 1. Research 2. Narrative Spine 3. Finding and casting compelling contributors appropriate to story, brief and genre 4. Documentary arc 5. Collapsing and expanding time 6. Creative Approaches – case studies 7. Putting Together your Documentary Crew
DIRECTING THE DOCUMENTARY
Directing the Production 1.Preparation & writing a documentary script 2. Ethical judgements 3. Understanding visual ‘artefacts’ to reveal story, add mood and symbolism 4. Visual language and storytelling without sound or words 5. Camera placement and movement to enhance mood and story. Interview set-up with multiple cameras. 6. Audio techniques. Choosing an appropriate interior or exterior location, using multiple microphones, recording foley and atmosphere sounds on-set. 7. Lighting to complement location, enhance mood, story and internal and external struggle 8. Professionalism and ethics during a shoot
DOCUMENTARY POST-PRODUCTION
Editing the Documentary 1. Transcript editing 2. Editing the script 3. Logging 4. Openings 5. Middles 6. Ends 7. Pace & rhythm that enhance emotional content & audience involvement 8. Mixing a landscape of sound that heightens the overall story expression 9. Record and mix foley to recreate the reality of a scene 10. Utilising sound design to encode emotion, time and place 11. Knowing when to cut or boost sound to enhance the story 12. Employing and creating music appropriate to the mood, theme and character 13. Mixing sounds to create an effective balance between dialogue, music, & effects 14. First cut to the final cut
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Project50.00%
Practical50.00%

Assessments

Full Time

No Continuous Assessment
Project
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 50
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 1,2,5
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Pre-production for 15 min documentary project. Students will be graded on their pitch and supporting documents (pre-interview scripts, briefs, story arc, documentary script etc.). They will also submit a 1-minute pilot video.
Practical
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 50
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 2,3,4,5
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Production & post-production for 15-minute documentary film. Students will be graded on the production and post-production skills demonstrated in the making of the documentary film.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.
Reassessment Description
Learners that fail but achieve a minimum final percentage of 30% in the module will be eligible for one or more of the following: Submit assignment, Re-submit components, Practical examination, Interview or Presentation.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 1.00 1
Practicals Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Learning Non Contact No Description Every Week 1.00 1
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Andrew Zinnes. (2012), The Documentary Film Maker's Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Documentary Filmmaking.
  • Marsha McCreadie. (2008), Documentary Superstars: How Today's Filmmakers are Reinventing the Form.
  • Julian Stallabrass. (2013), Documentary (Documents of Contemporary Art).
  • Brian Winston. (2013), The Documentary Film Book 2.
  • Belinda Smaill. (2015), The Documentary.
  • Ilona Hongisto. (2015), Soul of the Documentary: Framing, Expression, Ethics.
  • Heila Curran Bernard. (2016), Documentary Storytelling: Creative Nonfiction on Screen.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
Discussion Note: