At the end of the course you will be able to:

- Identify different documentary styles and techniques

- Translate an idea about your reality to an audiovisual representation

- Organize a film production from script to projection

CONTENTS (THEORY AND PRACTISE)



1. Pre-production: Researching and developing the idea

2. Audio-visual language, documentary modes and styles

3. Documentary production (filmmaking and editing)

4. Documentary screen writing and narrative

5. Production (pitching, budget, financing plan)

6. Distribution, exhibition and commercialization

METHODOLOGY



This workshop combines theoretical and practical classes. The student must apply theoretical concepts in his/her film practice. The project-led learning process in based on both individual assignments and collaborative work.

ASSESSMENT SYSTEM



1. CONTINUAL ASSESSMENT

Course grades will be based on practical assignments developed through the semester.

Both the process and the results will be taken into account for final assessment.



Breakdown of the weight for each component of the final grade:



Minor assignments: 50%

Final short documentary: 50%



If the student cannot follow continual assessment (for justified reasons) there is a possibility to opt for the FINAL EVALUATION.



FINAL EVALUATION OPTION:



Students who cannot follow regular classes and/or participate in the continuous evaluation system can be assessed in a final exam. The grade of this exam will be 100% of the final grade.

Students willing to choose this option should discuss it with the professor. Deadline and procedure: According to art. 8.3. of the Regulation of Student Evaluation, students willing to abandon the option of continuous evaluation and opt for a single final exam must write a letter of resignation within the first 9 weeks of the semester.



RESIGNATION TO THE EXAM (ABSENCE FROM EXAMINATIONS):

According to art. 12.2. of the Regulation of Student Evaluation, students can resign to do the exam and directly take the exam of the second call if they notify the professor one month before the end of classes. An official resignation letter must be presented to the professor of this course.





*This assessment system will be applied both face-to-face and/or non-face-to-face, in the event that the situation demanded.

MATERIALS OF OBLIGATORY USE:

Materials available on the online platform “egela” (moodle): https://egela.ehu.es/ (you can access with your LDAP name and password).

Basic bibliography

DE JONG, Wilma; KNUDSEN, Erik; and ROTHWELL, Jerry (2012) Creative Documentary. Theory and Practice (Pearson Education Limited/Longman).

In-depth bibliography

NICHOLS, Bill (2010) Introduction to Documentary (Indiana University Press: Bloomington)
RABIGER, Michael (1987) Directing the Documentary (Focal: Boston)
ROSENTHAL, Alan (1996) Writing, Directing and Producing Documentary Films and Videos (Southern Illinois University Press: Carbondale)
VALLEJO, Aida, and WINTON, Ezra (eds.) (2020) Documentary Film Festivals Vol 1: Methods, History, Politics. Palgrave MacMillan: Cham, Switzerland.
VALLEJO, Aida, and WINTON, Ezra (eds.) (2020) Documentary Film Festivals Vol 2: Changes, Challenges, Professional Perspectives. Palgrave MacMillan: Cham, Switzerland.
WINSTON, Brian (2013) The Documentary Film Book (BFI: London)

Journals

ACADEMIC JOURNALS:
Studies in Documentary Film: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rsdf20
Doc On-line: http://www.doc.ubi.pt/
Cine Documental: http://www.revista.cinedocumental.com.ar/
Images Documentaires: http://www.imagesdocumentaires.fr