Commision: Documentary

Documentaries:
-'Cinema, as Jean-Luc Godard wrote, is truth 24 times a second. Documentaries both prove and disprove the point'.
-Research, develop and set-up a brief documentary.
-Documentaries are real stories and real people in real situations.


Storytelling:
-Originality is key.
-Must be able to answer 'Why....?'questions- Journalism.
-Research develop and construct your documentary to tell this story.


Unit aims:
-Promote understanding of commissioned piece of work.
-Understanding of the ethical concerns and impact of representation in documentary production.
-Facilitate research for storytelling support and development.
-Support the development of relevant professional techniques.


-Will need to work in groups of 3 or 4 to produce a 10 minute documentary.
-Film must meet the brief outlined and consider relevant brand and audience expectations.
-Will pitch ideas as a group, receive developmental feedback.
-Assessment considers not just the final product but the preparation and development process. INDIVIDUAL INPUT.
-Be sure to EVIDENCE work to be able to gain marks in assessment (journal).


Outcomes:
-Demonstrate ability to synthesise creative skills in response to brief.
-Develop broadcast strategies for clients and audiences paying due regard to relevant ethical concerns/representations.


Assessment:
-30% online portfolio.
-70% documentary portfolio.


Contextual research:
-Pre-production research and development:
-Visual and written reference material to use to inform content and methods of documentary making.
-Evidence of preparation work.
-Choose a documentary TV programme to review, deconstruct and contextualise with reference to your own documentary.
-Minimum of two entries per week. Detail own work- what you have learnt, watch and read.


Online portfolio
-Workshop material
-Final film and all development.


Journal Portfolio content:
-R&D evidence
-Shoot reflections.




PROJECT BRIEF:
-Research, cast, script and edit a 10 minute documentary for a simulated 10 documentary strand.
-Ideas should seek to inspire and empower the teen audience- think of positive role models and emphasise diversity.
-Piece should be from 'teen's eye view'.


Ideas:
-Health/ wellbeing
-Family/ relationships
-Science/ technology
-Community/ social affairs
-Music/ arts/ culture
-History


Consider:
-Given information
-The duration, channel, branding and intended  audience (research thoroughly and evidence this research)
-Treatment- what format, style and storytelling mechanisms will you adopt?
-All films must include appropriate planning for shooting sequences, et ups, GVs and actuality- be creative.
-Will mean thinking about the people connected with the stories you tell, not just explaining issues and facts.


1. Establishing shots
2. Actuality interviews
3. GVs/ General Views
4. Sequences- Compresses time.
5. Commentary
6. Characters


Project Brief
Stage 1 details:
-Idea to be pitched on Monday 22nd March.
-Can use any preferred presentation method to present your idea. (PowerPoint, Clips, Video, Props etc.)


Completed draft script and research by 31st March (7th April- final sign off)


25th April- 5th May are the SHOOT WEEKS:


10th May= Sync Assembly Deadline
12th May= Rough Cut Deadline