This course will give students an introduction to documentary film and video production, with a special emphasis on the practical challenges of producing films in the real world. Students will learn fundamental filmmaking techniques from a professor with thirteen years experience running her own film production company, as well as a handful of guest professionals in the fields of cinematography, casting, and editing. Production and critique of student work will be augmented by film screenings, readings, and discussion of the effects that practical realities can have on the creative process.
Sample reading list:
Andrei Tarkovsky, The Artist’s Responsibility
Daniel Franklin, Politics and Film: The Political Culture of Film in the Unit
Werner Herzog, My Best Friend
Abby McDonald, Whip It Good: Hollywood, Women and the Faint Green Shoot
Geeta Gandbhir, When the Levees Broke
Reading/Writing assignments:
Four short films: Interview, character study, journalistic documentary treatment, narrative documentary treatment. 4 to 6 hours per week viewing films for discussion in class; brief but frequent writing assignments
