Documentary Outline

Due Date: 05 March, 2016

Weight: 10%

Write an outline/proposal for a documentary of up to 5 minutes in length. This is a creative document, not an essay.  Choose an idea from the world around you that you think is achievable and that has the potential for strong sounds and images, interesting characters, story or argument. 

The documentary outline needs to be well structured and it should:

• Describe  the idea and themes that you are hoping to explore, any argument you may wish to make, or your perspective on the themes.  Make sure you articulate the project's potential for an engaging story. 
• the people (social actors/characters) you may be including in the project,
• the research you have conducted so far and further research you will need to conduct.
• Indicate any stylistic ideas you may be considering at this early stage of development, 
• describe the documentary form or forms you think you project will use - how will you approach the subject?
• Please also discuss the logistical challenges offered by the project and how you will meet them.  For example, if the documentary is a portrait of someone, what kind of access do you have to this person, where do they live/work?  If they live out of Sydney how will you deal with this?

The outline should be approximately 3 pages long and you are encouraged to include other material such as photographs, text, archival material or other references that help to describe the idea.

Outlines will be assessed and short-listed for production based on the following criteria:

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

• Strength and originality of documentary idea
• Evidence of preliminary research
• Demonstrated visual and aural potential
• Feasibility
• Writing style: clarity, expression, grammar, presentation

SUBMISSION: Proposals must be submitted on ilearn by midnight 05 March, 2016

Any assignment delivered beyond the due date may not be considered for production.

Assignment 2

Video Essay

Due Date: week 6 screening in workshop

Weight: 15%

A 3 to 4 minute (maximum) video essay analysing a documentary production that is relevant in theme, form, approach, visual or aural style to the one you are working on in MAS312.  You must coordinate with your team before commencing this assignment to insure that each video essay is on a different documentary, or a clearly distinctive aspect of a highly relevant documentary. 

Your video essay may be created using your own technology (eg. phones, laptops) however, editing on AVID is strongly encouraged.  If you do not have access to a phone or camera of any sort, some cameras may be available for borrowing for this assignment.  Your video must include relevant images and sounds and may not be only a direct to camera speech by you.  When you do use direct to camera speaking, demonstrate considered choices in frame and lighting.    

Video essays should include: 

• factual information on the  of the doco you are analysing, eg. title, makers, year, country, commissioning body or context,
• your summation of the documentary idea: succinctly describe subject, theme and argument or perspective 
• analysis of how it operates: discuss the ways in which it communicates its ideas, including form, structure (where does it start and end, what happens in between), characters, other content and tone
• the creative and technical strategies evident in the work  such as visual and aural style, rhythm and juxtaposition, and  how these may (or may not) contribute towards the film's meaning(s) 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

Evidence based critical evaluation of a documentary screen work's form, structure, content and style and communication of theme or ideas.

Clarity and accuracy of analysis of technical and creative strategies of the non-fiction screen works.

 Effectively prepared and structured video essay, responding to task requirements

SUBMISSION:  of this task is by screening in week 6 workshop, and uploading of a link to ilearn by the same date.  

Working in your production groups, prepare a Production Research Report to present in-class

Production Research Report Presentations will be up to half an hour and will be lead and coordinated by your Research & Development/Design crew member (or Producer on teams of 5), with each member of the crew being responsible for a segment.  Each person must submit printed one-page evidence of their preparation, in the form of notes and bibliography of links, readings, or workshops they have engaged with to develop an understanding of the production, its challenges and the responsibilities of their crew role.) 

Reports must include:

The research done into subject, theme and perspective including films watched, pre-interviews done, books & articles read, sites visited, other forms of research & development of idea. 

1. Present the research have you done into characters, context, themes, perspective and argument you are developing for your documentary
2. Provide a list and then reveal three or four of the top influences on development of your project
3. Briefly discuss the influence they have had – what you have taken from them as a group, into your project

Research into crew roles

1. Provide a list of relevant websites, books, articles or other resources you have looked into to deepen your understanding of your crew role this semester.  
2. discuss a challenge you have identified for your crew role in your production and how your are preparing to meet it 
3. You may include the specific research you have undertaken in relation to technical or other production aspects of your crew role. For example, if you are DOP have you attended additional camera workshops or practised with the camera outside class?  If you are a producer have you researched how to schedule the production? What preparation have you done as sound recordist or sound designer?

Assessment criteria

Demonstrated scope and relevance of creative research into subject, theme and perspective

Clarity and accuracy of analysis of technical and creative strategies of relevant film references

Demonstrated scope and relevance of technical and/or production research in crew role

Demonstrated synthesis of research by group into a coherent creative and technical pathway towards the planned production

SUBMISSION: via in-class presentation in crew groups in week 7.  Associated websites where materials have been collected by the group can be viewed during the presentations. Print and submit your notes and bibliography on the day of the presentation. 

Short Documentary

Due Date: Workshops Week 13

Weight: 40%

In this assignment each student will be individually assessed on their  crew role contribution towards the development and production of a short screen documentary of up to 5 minutes duration.  Each student collaborating on the production will be expected to undertake adequate creative, conceptual, technical and organisational preparation to support the production and the performance of their role.

 The production parameters for the documentary are:

1. Up to 5 shooting days

2. Edit plan completed prior to commencement of editing

3. 5 days picture edit per project

4. 2 days sound edit per project

5. All crew members are to make themselves available to attend all the planned testing and shooting period and to view and comment on edits in workshops and as required.  All crew members will present a short oral reflection on their process and contributions to production  in workshops after the shoot.  

 Assessment criteria:

• Coherence  of perspective, structure, image and sound in completed project
• Clarity and sophistication in conveying characters, ideas or stories 
• Effective research and application of research informed techniques or approaches
• Effectiveness of creative choices in composition, shot construction, lighting, sound, design, editing, direction of social actors, narration, production management 
• Thoughtful application of collaboration and problem solving strategies

SUBMISSION: Short Documentary Productions will be submitted via screenings in workshops in week 13 and exports of the production, as coordinated with the technical director for the unit.  

Active Workshop Participation

Due Date: ongiong, as per workshops schedule

Weight: 10%

Active workshop participation is more than simply being in attendance (which is compulsory). In order to receive high marks for workshop participation, students must be punctual and well-prepared,  complete any required in or out of class work including attendance at relevant technical demonstration sessions and production meetings, engage actively by asking and answering questions and participating constructively in exercises, meetings and group work as required.  The marks allocated for participation in this unit reflect the importance of student participation in a production course, particularly one such as MAS312 that focuses on communication and the production of a short collaborative digital video work.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

• Demonstration of skills development through execution of roles on workshop exercises
• Relevant, collegial, considered and succinct contributions to discussions and production meetings

SUBMISSION

In weekly workshops throughout the semester.  Nb: no workshops in week 1 or in weeks 8 and 9 during the production period