Documentary Film

Content

Today there is an explosion of interest in documentary film production. The digital revolution has brought new ways of organizing production, exhibition and distribution of documentary films in the broadcast, independent and web-based media.

On the MA Documentary Film we offer a broad grounding in the entire documentary film production process in each of these roles including practice and guidance to pitch and compete for funding and commissions. You will have opportunities to create films emerging from your passions, from investigation or activist films through to the traditions of verite and observational filming, or approaches that embrace documentary film as a fine art practice in galleries. The course weaves industry experience with academic insight across the field of documentary production. We focus on your creative and academic development to nurture documentary ideas which you'll study and make, culminating in you directing your own film.

Whilst exploring the great traditions of international documentary film, the course offers modern documentary production facilities which include training in shooting and directing on high-definition cameras and editing in final cut pro. Practice is integrated with theory so that film-making is held within the context of critical and conceptual thinking about the history and practice of documentary film.

Structure

Phase 1

Unit 1.1 - Documentary: process & practice
A Short documentary film (3-5 mins) including proposal, treatment, research documentation and a self-evaluation of your role(s). Assessment is based on the final film and accompanying proposal & contextualising report (1,500 words) exploring your role in the film, quality of research, your ability to succinctly convey the idea in the proposal and/or treatment, including showing an understanding of target audience.

Unit 1.2 - Documentary: history & theory (1)
An essay of 2,500 words examining the relationship between a specific text (either film or television programme) and the methodologies that informed its production. Assessment is based on the awareness of historical and theoretical issues, and the thorough articulation of critical issues.

Unit 1.3 - Documentary practices: ethics & methodologies (including legal issues)
An essay-based submission of 2,500 words, assessed on the clarity of presentation, thoroughness of research, evidence of sensitivity to specific research methods including connection of theory with practice. It should evidence an ability to reflect on legal and/or ethical questions associated with the chosen subject, examining this in a specific documentary film context.

Phase 2

Phase 2 commences with two elective units involving choices that allow you to pursue study according to your specialist interests.

• Unit 2.1 - Elective choice A
• Unit 2.2 - Elective choice B

Unit 2.3 - Documentary Practices: Taster Tape & pitch & critical context
Students pitch their main documentary film idea for their Major Project in a timed (up to 15 minute) presentation, featuring a short 'tester tape' of up to five minutes to support their pitch. The 'Tester Tape' is not a finished film but will include sequences and identify possible lead character(s) and location(s). The whole presentation is assessed in the format of a pitch for commission/funding rather than the tester tape being viewed as a stand-alone film. The pitch is accompanied by a proposal (1 page) and treatment (up to 3 pages) and a 1,000 word creative and critical context report.

Unit 2.4 - Documentary: history & theory (2)
An essay of 2,500 words examining the relationship between a specific documentary film in relation to a theoretical issue. Assessment is based on the awareness of historical and theoretical issues, and a thorough articulation of critical issues.

Phase 3

Unit 3.0 - Major Project
Individually authored documentary film (15-20 mins) accompanied by a research Dossier. The Dossier is comprised of: proposal and treatment, with a related 3,000 - 5,000 word critical and evaluative report. Assessment is based on the creativity and originality of your project; the ability to succinctly convey the idea in the proposal and treatment; rigour of the approach (including thoroughness of the research and an awareness of related issues); the ability to utilise specific research methods; an appreciation of legal and ethical issues with clear analysis; a knowledge of the audience; self-reflection in relation to the production of the research dossier enabling analytical and evaluative approach; an effective structure and clarity of presentation.

Dedication

45 weeks, full-time.