.

You will be introduced to key debates on and approaches to the representation of ‘reality’. You will develop skills in documentary camerawork, sound recording and editing. You will work in a group and engage in substantial research and fieldwork that culminates in the production of a short documentary film.

You will engage with one or more prescribed themes in developing the film. As a production group, you will work in self-forming crews. You will cultivate skills in documentary research and conceptualisation, in the organisation of location filming, and in the derivation of a structured narrative from documentary material.

In your practical and written work, you will be expected to engage with the technical, critical and theoretical concepts and ideas discussed class lectures and workshops.

An understanding of the different forms that documentary can take within industrial and independent production will make you aware of potential career opportunities. This module encourages you to study independently, effectively manage your workloads and to meet deadlines. You will also work collaboratively and the module provides you the opportunity to develop your creativity (collectively and individually) within the requirements specified by a brief. You will develop study and communication skills, specialist technical skills, critical analysis, and the evaluation of your performance and achievements.

On completion of the module the student will be able to:
LO1: Develop insight into the critical debates surrounding documentary film;
LO2: Consider work in the context of critical debates;
LO3: Extend research skills to extract, synthesise and record appropriate information from a wide range of sources;
LO4: Translate research into ideas for a structured documentary narrative that utilises an appropriate mode of representation;
LO5: Perform collaboratively in documentary direction, production, camera-work, sound recording and editing.