Description
Documentary Filmmaking Application – Please submit before registering.
Documentary filmmaking drives some of the most successful content being produced today. Whether you want to be a professional filmmaker, a digital journalist, or a YouTube creator, documentary skills will help you discover unique stories and develop them into a compelling narrative.
In this one-semester class, students won’t just study the documentary genre; they’ll learn the basics of documentary filmmaking by developing, filming, and editing their own short documentary. Through this hands-on approach, students will learn how to use the technical language of film (framing, camera angles, and lighting) along with the emotional language of storytelling (narrative structure, interviewing, and editing)
As they craft their nonfiction narratives, students will explore stylistic choices, location scouting, interviewing subjects, budgeting, scheduling, rights and clearances, and ethical considerations.
Course Objectives
Through this course, students will:
- Understand different documentary styles and analyze how filmmakers use them to persuade or educate an audience
- Structure a compelling nonfiction narrative
- Evaluate the ethical responsibilities of documentary filmmaking
- Learn to create effective questions and conduct an interview with a subject
- Create and follow a production schedule and budget
- Plan and follow a shot list to capture footage
- Utilize editing software to assemble footage
- Use B-roll to visually support the narrative
Course Structure
This is a “studio” class, meaning students will learn by doing. Homework will be assigned each week through Canvas.
- Form and Narrative:
- Students will begin the semester by watching and analyzing excerpts from landmark documentaries to understand the genre, its styles, and its use of narrative structure.
- Preproduction:
- Students will focus on developing ideas for their documentary, conducting any necessary research, planning interviews and shot lists, and creating a production schedule and a sample budget.
- Production:
- Students will conduct interviews, film footage, and gather any archival images they might need.
- Postproduction:
- Students will assemble and edit their footage into an initial cut.
Who should enroll?
Technology Requirements
- Video recording device (smartphone or dedicated camera)
- Editing software (such as Adobe Premiere or DaVinci Resolve)
- High-speed, broadband Internet
- Sound card and microphone (for live sessions)
- Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
Evaluation and Feedback
Communication
I’m always available for questions from both students and parents. I can be contacted through Canvas or via email at mamos[at]aimacademy.online.
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