Documentary Filmmaking: An Introduction to Project Learning
FILM 104
Fall 2018
| Section:
01
02
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This course is an immersive, hands-on introduction to the documentary film process, in which students will examine the world around them to create compelling stories where real people are the protagonists and the narratives are informed by real life. Through close study and analysis of feature-length and short documentaries, and active research, writing, producing, directing, shooting, sound recording, editing and re-editing, students will rigorously explore the power and possibilities of nonfiction storytelling. The course is a dynamic combination of individual and group production work, in which students will be expected to produce their own exercises, as well as collaborate with their classmates on a short documentary video. Individual and group exercises will focus on the idea of portraiture and how to make effective visual and aural portraits of a place or person, with a particular emphasis on the stories of first generation Americans. This course is designed to introduce fundamental production concepts and techniques through lectures, projects, and lab experiences. Film production experience is not required, and experience with film-editing software is helpful but not required. Production lessons include discussions of how to build partnerships with documentary subjects, conduct interviews, shoot observational video footage, record sound, and edit digital video. Students will present works in progress in all phases of the creative process and participate in constructive critical discussions. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA FILM |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (HRAD-MN) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Readings will be provided by the professor and include work by Sheila Curran Bernard, Bill Nichols, and Errol Morris.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Pre-Production portfolio, production exercises, rough cut, final cut |
| Instructor(s): Shepard,Sadia Dana Times: .M..... 01:20PM-04:10PM; ...W... 01:20PM-04:10PM; Location: CFS128; CFS190; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 12 | | SR major: X | JR major: X | | |
| Seats Available: 0 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: X | JR non-major: X | SO: X | FR: 12 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 5 | 1st Ranked: 1 | 2nd Ranked: 3 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 1 |
| SECTION 02 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Readings will be provided by the professor and include work by Sheila Curran Bernard, Bill Nichols, and Errol Morris. |
Examinations and Assignments:
Pre-Production portfolio, production exercises, rough cut, final cut |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Answer the following two questions in no more than 500 words total: What is your favorite documentary and why? This fall our films will focus on the stories of first-generation Americans. What ideas do you have for a short documentary on this topic that you could make in Middletown? Please email your answers to Professor Shepard at sshepard@wesleyan.edu by MON, SEPTEMBER 3rd AT 11:59PM |
| Instructor(s): Shepard,Sadia Dana Times: .M..... 07:10PM-10:00PM; ...W... 01:20PM-04:10PM; Location: CFS128; CFS190; |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 9 | Permission of instructor will be granted during the drop/add period. Students must submit either a ranked or unranked drop/add request for this course. |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 1 |
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