Based on the given general topic (to be provided on ILearn), write a research proposal for a short documentary of around 15 mins. This is both a creative document and an essay. Ensure that your idea from the general topic is achievable and that has the potential for strong sounds and images, interesting characters, story or argument. 

The research proposal needs to be well structured. Describe the idea and themes that you are hoping to explore, any argument you may wish to make, the potential for an engaging story. Indicate any stylistic ideas you may be considering including the documentary genre you are working in, the people (social actors/characters) you may be including in the project and the research you have conducted.

The proposal should be around approximately 1500 words  (no more than 5 pages) and you are encouraged to include other material such as photographs, text, archival material or other references that help to describe the idea.

You are to summarise your proposal into a 10 minute presentation to be presented in class in Week 3.

Outlines will be assessed based on the following criteria:

Originality and strength of central idea

What is the central idea you are exploring? How original, interesting or imaginative is it? Does it offer potential for a documentary or could it be more easily explored via another medium? Does it have the potential to reveal something fresh about the given general topic? What themes does the idea suggest?

Story/Argument

Potential for engaging story and/or powerful argument about the given general topic.

Evidence of research

Successful documentaries are based on solid research. Research includes the factual, aesthetic and technical. Your research must demonstrate that the idea has depth. You must also indicate further research that is required.

Visual and aural potential

Research also includes considerations about style and approach. How does your idea lend itself to an exploration through sounds and images? Remember that digital video, as a time-based medium, is very different from a written text. Your proposal should demonstrate that your documentary concept contains the potential for an imaginative use of sounds and images. Please reference at least one screen work that is informing your visual style or perhaps works with a similar subject.

Awareness of documentary form

What kind of short documentary are you proposing? Please try to avoid the "current affairs" (infotainment) style. Documentary has a long history of conceptually and aesthetically innovative works. It is important that you begin to familiarise yourself with the range of possibilities available to you and consider the relationship between style and content.

Understand how to connect with an audience

Think about the intended audience for the documentary.  Who will it appeal to? How will you reach these audiences? What kind of distribution strategy will this documentary utilize?  What are the suitable festivals and distribution channels for this documentary?

Assessment criteria

1.  Strength and originality of documentary idea.
2. Depth and strength of research.
3. Demonstrated visual and aural potential.
4. Demonstrated understating of documentary form and distribution strategies.
5. Writing style: clarity, expression, grammar, presentation.

Select a person (from your proposal) to feature as an interviewee, conduct an on-camera interview with the person and edit it into a 3 minute (maximum) piece including cutaways of additional images or sounds.

Part One:

Written Plan

Include a written plan of no more than 2 pages (around 1000 words)  that includes:

• Name of character to interview. Justify your reason for selecting this person.
• Style of the interview. Justify the selection of style.
• Description of intended content, including cutaways (which may be accessed through sources that were researched in the project proposal or shot for the project during the interview shoot) and list of questions.

Include all production documents including interview schedule, call sheets, list of crew and equipment needed to capture interview and plan for accessing, crewing, transport and other aspects of production management such as release forms and insurance coverage.

PART ONE IS DUE IN WEEK 5 on iLearn.

Part Two:

Interview

Interview and record your subject using appropriate camera and microphones and lighting

INTERVIEWS MUST TAKE PLACE BEFORE CLASS IN WEEK 6.  BRING DIGITAL INTERVIEW TO CLASS IN WEEK 6 FOR IN-CLASS EDITING WORKSHOP

Edit the interview to a coherent and engaging 3 minutes maximum and lay in cutaways to enhance structure and rhythm and create juxtapositions that add insight, visual or audio interest or perspective Draft interviews must be presented in class in WEEK 7, final interview cuts DUE IN WEEK 8. Final Interviews must be exported in full resolution and placed in a folder on the AVID server. Further details will be provided on iLearn.

Assessment criteria:

• Effective and appropriate planning and technical competence;
• Coherence, structure, and engaging revelation of character through selection of subject, interview questions, shots, and sounds;
• Juxtaposition of  image and sound to create associations and deeper meanings of character and themes;
• Critical appraisal own work and that of others; providing clear, evidence based and constructive responses during process and in-class screenings.

Screen Production

Create a coherent, short non-fiction screen production based on your project proposal (Assignment 1).  You may use elements that you have shot in completing the Interview Assignment (Assignment 2). However, you need to record and employ additional elements for your film. Shape these elements into coherent short documentary of less than 15 minutes in length.  You are encouraged to complete the production and post-production aspects of this assignment in small groups (3 or 4 members) although you will be marked individually.  An assembly cut of the film is due in Week 12. A fine cut is due in Week 13 and the final submission is due in Week 14. Final films must be exported in full resolution and placed in a folder on the AVID server. Further details will be provided on iLearn.

Along with the film, you need to submit:

1. all production documents including release forms, call sheets, shot lists, schedules, etc.

2.  a report of around 1000 words analysing and evaluating the ways technical and aesthetic considerations have combined to realise (or not) the original concept.  This report is to be approached critically - this means that if the project has in some way not achieved its original goals, this should be addressed. Statements such as 'the production is really good' are not convincing. Think deeply about the work. Could it be improved? Discuss it in relation to other films (e.g. of a similar genre or style). How has your role contributed to the technical and aesthetic realization of the production? What more could you have done to improve the production? Outline the major learning challenges you faced in your crew role during the process and how you resolved it. Also critically assess the contributions of each member of your team (peer assessment); one or two sentences for each member should be sufficient. This report is to be submitted individually in Week 13 on iLearn.

3. Production portfolio of documents demonstrating your technical and creative research, preparation and process undertaken in your crew role and any other involvement you have in the production. For example, if you have chosen to edit the film, outline the strategies you took to learn AVID Media Composer. The portfolio is to be submitted individually in Week 13 on iLearn.

Assessment Criteria for Screen Production:

1. Originality and structure of completed project.

2. Effectiveness of creative choices in mise en scene, composition, shot construction, lighting, sound, design, editing, direction, production and logistics management, etc.

3. Degree that completed project has achieved creative goals.

Assessment Criteria for Report & Portfolio:

1.  Coherence, structure and argument of critical analysis.

2.  Clarity of writing style, grammar and appropriate referencing.

3.  Demonstrated effectiveness of contribution in crew role as evidenced in final production.

4.  Demonstrated commitment in crew role as evidenced by attendance at workshops, production meetings, technical workshops, tests, shoot and post-production and other activities as necessary.

5.  Demonstrated creative and technical preparation for crew role as evidenced in documentation provided.

6.  Capacity to critically reflect on learning experience.