Pennsylvania State University 3 credits COMM
Advanced exploration of documentary production techniques and aesthetics through the completion of a short video project. COMM 437 Advanced Documentary Production (3 per semester/maximum of 6) This course is designed to enable students to produce portfolio-quality work while bringing together ideas, processes, practices, and theories in the service of documentary production. Students will explore the history, conventions and theory of the documentary film form, while developing and producing a film or video work for screening at the end of the semester. Working in small crews with others from the class and using sophisticated production equipment, students will write and produce short digital video projects. Utilizing a workshop structure, class time will be focused on discussion and analysis of the challenges faced by individual productions as well as on providing the support, guidance, and critique necessary for a successful production. Particular emphasis is given to the traditions of social criticism, the creative treatment of actuality, the individual and collective points of view. The history of documentary form is illustrated by comparing the work of the American 'Direct Cinema' style embodied in the work of Drew Associates to the French 'Cinema Verite 'style developed by Jean Rouch. The evolution of these styles into what we now just refer to as 'Verite' filmmaking is put into practice through a series of exercises that incorporate a variety of points of view. Analysis of the above works, as well as examples from Barbara Kopple, Errol Morris, and Frederick Wiseman, provide students with a springboard to develop their own style, vision, and personal creative voice. An examination of Bill Nichols taxonomy of non-fiction film classification further contextualizes aesthetic and theoretical issues for students. A series of lectures, discussions, readings, and screenings move students through the personal and collaborative process of documentary production.
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