FILM 250 Documentary Exercise

Each group of 4 students should shoot approx. 60 minutes of material for a documentary which will have an edited length of 4 to 5 minutes (including title and credits). Scenes can be interiors or exteriors, but there should be an interview, and an action sequence with at least four shots. Sound should be recorded while shooting. Each student should do some of the camerawork.

The subject must be cleared with Derek before beginning shooting. Remember also that this is not a mockumentary or a TV news report -- it should not include an on-camera reporter, and it should have a structure beyond simply recording an event.

Suggestions: Choose a subject simple enough that you can do it justice in a short film. Do not try to edit in the camera, but obtain all the coverage that will be necessary to edit each sequence (i.e. establish the location and use medium and close shots and cutaways.) An action scene that repeats or continues long enough to allow you to get all your coverage makes shooting easier. A string of short "person-on-the-street" comments does not qualify as an interview; find one or possibly two people to interview in depth. Ask your interview subjects to sign a release form (from the website). Check that all lighting, sound and camera equipment is working before you go on location.

Dailies for at least one sequence will be screened in class in the Lab on 18 November, to avoid a 5% reduction in mark.

The finished film on DVD is due in the Lab on 2 December. The DVD and its case should be labelled with the title, and the names of all group members should be on the case.

A one-page self- and peer-evaluation from each student should assign a suggested grade to each member of their group, and is due on paper before leaving Kingston for the break, to avoid a 5% reduction in mark.

Total marks: 15%

FILM 250 Documentary Exercise

Each group of 4 students should shoot approx. 60 minutes of material for a documentary which will have an edited length of 4 to 5 minutes (including title and credits). Scenes can be interiors or exteriors, but there should be an interview, and an action sequence with at least four shots. Sound should be recorded while shooting. Each student should do some of the camerawork.

The subject must be cleared with Derek before beginning shooting. Remember also that this is not a mockumentary or a TV news report -- it should not include an on-camera reporter, and it should have a structure beyond simply recording an event.

Suggestions: Choose a subject simple enough that you can do it justice in a short film. Do not try to edit in the camera, but obtain all the coverage that will be necessary to edit each sequence (i.e. establish the location and use medium and close shots and cutaways.) An action scene that repeats or continues long enough to allow you to get all your coverage makes shooting easier. A string of short "person-on-the-street" comments does not qualify as an interview; find one or possibly two people to interview in depth. Ask your interview subjects to sign a release form (from the website). Check that all lighting, sound and camera equipment is working before you go on location.

Dailies for at least one sequence will be screened in class in the Lab on 18 November, to avoid a 5% reduction in mark.

The finished film on DVD is due in the Lab on 2 December. The DVD and its case should be labelled with the title, and the names of all group members should be on the case.

A one-page self- and peer-evaluation from each student should assign a suggested grade to each member of their group, and is due on paper before leaving Kingston for the break, to avoid a 5% reduction in mark. Please put your section number or lecture time at the top of the page.

Total marks: 15%