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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
F/TVD057B
Course Title (CB02)
Nonfiction Workshop II: The Documentary
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2021
Course Description
This course covers advanced techniques in nonfiction film and television, including cinematography, sound, lighting, postproduction editing, and directing. An analysis of the modern film and television documentary with an emphasis on production of a completed documentary video will also be included.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is intended to meet the requirement of the AA degrees and certificates in Film/TV: Production and serves as a CSU transferable undergraduate course. This course meets student demand in the area of nonfiction and documentary production. Advanced skills are built progressively to culminate in a nonfiction production.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours3.57.0
Laboratory Hours1.50.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
42.0
Laboratory
18.0
Total
60.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
84.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
84.0

Prerequisite(s)

F/TV D057A

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative projects

Assignments

  1. Readings from text
  2. Writing the funding proposal
  3. Documentary Project Pitch
  4. Edited Documentary Project

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Final exam based on assigned reading, in class discussions, and lecture topics that demonstrates analysis of concepts learned in the course
  2. Evaluation of written documentary funding proposal based on feasibility, completion of research, and quality of pre-production preparations such as schedules and budgets
  3. Final documentary project pitch presentation to class to assess student's ability to communicate their idea and details of production coherently and effectively to an audience
  4. Screening of raw footage, rough cuts, and completed documentary in class to assess the student's progress and development of storytelling in editing through various stages of the post-production process

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Video recording media, cameras, lighting, sound gear, and additional supplies needed for individual projects
Essential College Facilities:
  • Nonlinear editing facilities, sound editing facilities

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Rabiger, Michael. "Directing the Documentary." 6th Edition. Focal Press, 2014.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Artis, Anthony Q. "The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide: A Down and Dirty DV Production." 2nd Edition. Routledge, 2014.
Bernard, Sheila. "Documentary Storytelling: Creative Nonfiction on Screen." 4th Edition. Routledge, 2015.
Bruzzi, Stella. "New Documentary." 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 2006.
Dancyger, Ken. "The Technique of Film and Video Editing." 6th Edition. Routledge, 2018.
Honthaner, Eve Light. "The Complete Film Production Handbook," 4th ed. Woburn, Mass.: Focal Press, 2010.
Kilborn, Richard and John Izod. "Confronting Reality: An Introduction to Television Documentary." Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1997.
Klotman, Phyllis R. and Janet K. Cutler, ed. "Struggles for Representation: African American Documentary Film and Video." Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1999.
MacDougall, David. "Transcultural Cinema." Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1998.
Nichols, Bill. "Representing Reality: Issues and Concepts in Documentary." Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1992.
Ouellette, Laurie. "A Companion to Reality Television." 1st Edition. Wiley-Blackwell, 2016.
Renov, Michael, ed. "Theorizing Documentary." London: Routledge, 1993.
Stubbs, Liz. "Documentary Filmmakers Speak." New York: Allworth Press, 2002.
Trump, Maxine. "The Documentary Filmmaker's Roadmap: A Practical Guide to Planning, Production and Distribution." 1st Edition. Routledge, 2018.
Waldman, Diane and Janet Walker. "Feminism & Documentary." Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1999.
Winston, Brian. "Lies, Damn Lies and Documentaries." London: British Film Institute, 2000.
Winston, Brian and Vanstone, Gail and Chi Wang. "The Act of Documenting: Documentary Film in the 21st Century." Bloomsbury Academic, 2017.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Produce, direct and edit a documentary video from inception to finish.
  • Practice advanced techniques of nonfiction video production, including camera, lighting, sound, interviewing, editing, and direction.
  • Distinguish and analyze different documentary story approaches.
  • Explain methods for securing funding and distribution of a nonfiction program.
  • Recognize ethical issues arising from documentary theory and production.

CSLOs

  • Research and write a proposal and shooting plan for a documentary production.

  • Apply advanced production techniques in the completion of a documentary project.

Outline

  1. Produce, direct and edit a documentary video from inception to finish.
    1. Production scheduling, releases, and research
    2. Directing non-actors and crew
    3. Interviewing: on camera and for research
    4. Camera, sound, and lighting for documentary
    5. Archival research and acquisition
    6. Casting and directing the narrator
    7. Documentary editing techniques
    8. Graphics and titles
  2. Practice advanced techniques of nonfiction video production, including camera, lighting, sound, interviewing, editing, and direction.
    1. Cinematography
    2. Lighting
    3. Sound recording
    4. Interviewing
    5. Transcribing and organizing footage for a paper edit
    6. Animation of photos and graphics
    7. Editing interview and b-roll footage
    8. Audio soundtrack editing and mixing
  3. Distinguish and analyze different documentary story approaches.
    1. Poetic
    2. Expository
    3. Observational
    4. Participatory
    5. Reflexive
    6. Performative
  4. Explain methods for securing funding and distribution of a nonfiction program.
    1. Funding resources and organizations, online fundraising
    2. Writing funding proposals
    3. Preparing sample reels
    4. Pitching the documentary project
    5. Publicity and promotion of non-fiction programs
    6. Exhibition and distribution of non-fiction programs
  5. Recognize ethical issues arising from documentary theory and production.
    1. Representation of subjects
    2. Quality and accuracy of evidence
    3. Point of view
    4. Fairness
    5. Right of privacy
    6. Exploitation and audience voyeurism
    7. Legitimacy of various documentary forms and conventions
    8. Cultural diversity

Lab Topics

  1. Interviewing Techniques for Camera and Research
  2. Directing the Voice-over/Narrator
  3. Camera for Interviews and Action
  4. Lighting for Documentary
  5. Sound Recording for Nonfiction
  6. Combining the Elements in Documentary Editing
  7. Multilayer Audio Editing
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