Documentary Filmmaking

Course Overview

This course introduces students to documentary filmmaking’s art, techniques, and ethics. Students will explore the history and evolution of documentaries as a form, understand key genres and styles, and gain hands-on experience in creating their short documentaries. Emphasis will be placed on storytelling, research, interviewing, and technical skills, including camera operation, sound recording, and editing.

Students will also learn about ethical considerations and responsibilities in documentary work, including truth representation, subject relationships, and audience impact. By the end of the course, students will have a completed short documentary that reflects their personal vision and storytelling ability.

You Will Be Able to:

Understand Documentary Foundations: Gain a foundational understanding of the history and evolution of documentary film, its various genres, and its societal impact.

Develop Storytelling Skills: Learn to identify compelling stories, conduct research, and structure engaging and informative narratives.

Practice Ethical Filmmaking: Recognize and apply ethical standards in documentary filmmaking, understanding the importance of fair representation, transparency, and respect for subjects.

Master Technical Skills: Acquire essential technical skills, including camera operation, sound recording, and basic lighting setups.

Interview and Research Techniques: Develop effective interviewing techniques and research skills to support documentary storytelling.

Edit and Post-Produce Films: Gain hands-on experience with editing software to structure and refine footage into a coherent narrative.

Produce a Short Documentary: Apply learned skills to produce an original short documentary, from conceptualization to final editing, showcasing individual creativity and perspective.

Critique and Analyze Documentaries: Develop critical analysis skills to evaluate both professional and peer documentary work, focusing on technique, ethics, and storytelling effectiveness.