Documentary Storytelling
FILM 384
Spring 2025
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01
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This course explores the range approaches, methods and techniques employed by a diverse set of documentary filmmakers to tell their stories. After an introduction to elements of creative nonfiction storytelling, we will spend the semester looking at films organized by topical lens. Through close reading of documentary texts, filmmaker statements and academic writing, we will examine how past and current documentaries successfully - and sometimes unsuccessfully - have tackled a wide variety of subject areas including poverty, gender, ethnography, conflict/war, class, nature and science, sexuality, current affairs, ethnicity, arts, culture and history. During the semester, students also will develop an original documentary film idea based on a book or long magazine article and demonstrate their storytelling knowledge through final verbal pitches and a pitch deck. Industry guests visit to share their insight into documentary storytelling and provide students with additional pitch feedback. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA FILM |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: FILM307 |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (FILM-MN)(FILM) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Reading provided by instructor
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Examinations and Assignments:
Readings, screenings, analysis exercises and presentations. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
It is highly recommended, but not required that students take FILM385 Documentary History: An Introduction prior to enrolling in this class.
POI: If you have taken the documentary history courses FILM385 and/or FILM386, please include that in your email of interest. Explain why you want to take the course, but previous documentary experience is not required for admittance. Priority is given to students who have taken FILM385.
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| Instructor(s): Strain,Tracy Times: .M.W... 01:20PM-04:40PM; Location: CFS112; |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 16 | Permission of instructor approval will be granted by the instructor during pre-registration through the Electronic Portfolio. Click "Add to My Courses" and "To request a POI electronically, click here" to submit your request. |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 1 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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