What are the forms? Observational, Political, Current Affairs, Historical, Authored or Docu Drama. Looking for stories.
The elements of documentary film-making: Research, Writing Proposals, Pitching, Budgeting, Shooting, Post Production and distribution channels. Know your market: Commissioning and/or Funding.
Introduction to cameras.
Week Two
The paper stage, and research. The Pitch. Evolution of ideas.
Techniques of storyboarding and story construction. Aspects of Directing. Exploring ideas of rhythm, pace, authority. Planning a shoot: Safety and legal issues. More on cameras. Elements of screen craft. Elements of recording sound.
Week Three
Preparing the shoot in detail. Permissions. Rights. Location issues. Story styles and crafting an ending.
More camera: Shutter Speeds, Gain, White Balance. Lens choices etc. Choosing a visual style. Camera positions and angles.
Why storyboard a documentary shoot? Why recce? Paperwork: logs and release forms.
Week Four
Finalising projects and shooting plans. Discussion and analysis: story structure and marinating interest. Interview techniques: putting interviewees at ease. Planning an interview.br> Week Five
FILMING DAY, 10.30am - 7pm
7pm - 9pm Digitise footage and Digitise any photographs/ stock footage etc.
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Weeks Six, Seven,and Eight
Postproduction with professional software. Here you will take your raw footage and capture it onto the computer, then digitally edit, construct and mix a soundtrack, colour correct and finally export onto DVD.
Satisfaction Guaranteed!
A diploma in 'Documentary Film Making' is awarded by The London Academy of Media, Film & Television to students who successfully complete this course.
You also receive a High quality edited DVD showreel.
This is a no frills attached introduction to the documentary. You have the ideas and now want to put them onto a screen. You're ready to make a start.
Here is where you do just that, beginning with the rudiments of developing an idea and pitching it, before moving on to research and script it. You'll have a crash course in camera techniques so that you're ready after only four weeks to get out there and shoot a documentary.
Course tutors: Adam Roberts and Catalin Brylla
Adam Roberts has worked in all areas of broadcasting, including as editor, director and producer. He has also worked in programme acquisition and commissioning. He has worked on Panorama and Newsnight, as well as more recently as a producer developing documentaries at Zenith Entertainment.
Catalin Brylla Head of post-production, a freelance editor and filmmaker, Catalin supervises our editing courses and teaches documentary production. His area of expertise is Avid and any technical issue involved in the editing process.
Learning how to make a documentary will sharpen your sense of what makes a good idea. Working in a group will give you the resources and the space to follow through on your ideas.
Along the way, you'll take in interview techniques, structuring stories and ideas, legal issues, practical restrictions, and audience expectations. You'll leave with a show reel and have a good idea about where you are going next.
You will edit your projects professionally, and the Academy tutors will teach you everything you need to
take your project through from capturing footage to burning a DVD of your work to take away.
The accent on this short course is developing necessary focus, a critical eye and the confidence to carry through the programme making from start to finish.
One thing you will need is your own set of headphones, for the cameras and for the editing. The health reasons should be obvious!
