Unit 6: Documentary
Objectives:
In the weeks to come, you will be making your own documentary. In order to understand the complexity of what it takes to create a high-quality film, you must first understand the responsibilities of the different jobs and tasks associated with a filmmaking. Upon the completion of this project students will know how to approach members of their community in a professional manner, and how to conduct an on camera interview using proper lighting techniques. Students will know how to create and maintain a production budget and how to write a documentary script. Students will also understand time management as it pertains to the creation of a documentary film. Students will establishes a context where they will co-construct knowledge with others and understand multiple perspectives. Students will use technologies and processes that professionals use in this field daily. This project will be measured with the use of a rubric.
In the weeks to come, you will be making your own documentary. In order to understand the complexity of what it takes to create a high-quality film, you must first understand the responsibilities of the different jobs and tasks associated with a filmmaking. Upon the completion of this project students will know how to approach members of their community in a professional manner, and how to conduct an on camera interview using proper lighting techniques. Students will know how to create and maintain a production budget and how to write a documentary script. Students will also understand time management as it pertains to the creation of a documentary film. Students will establishes a context where they will co-construct knowledge with others and understand multiple perspectives. Students will use technologies and processes that professionals use in this field daily. This project will be measured with the use of a rubric.
- Research and submit a topic
- Outline and submit a budget for the project
- Write and edit a script
- Interview people specific to your topic
- Use camera and lighting techniques to enhance your film
- Use editing software to create the look and feel of your documentary
- Reflect on your experience
Standards:
AVTFII-1: Demonstrate employability skills required by business and industry.
The following elements should be integrated throughout the content of this course.
1.1 Communicate effectively through writing, speaking, listening, reading, and interpersonal abilities.
1.2 Demonstrate creativity with multiple approaches to ask challenging questions resulting in innovative procedures, methods, and products.
1.3 Exhibit critical thinking and problem solving skills to locate, analyze, and apply information in career planning and employment situations.
1.4 Model work readiness traits required for success in the workplace including integrity, honesty, accountability, punctuality, time management, and respect for diversity.
1.5 Apply the appropriate skill sets to be productive in a changing, technological, and diverse workplace to be able to work independently, interpret data, and apply teamwork skills.
1.6 Present a professional image through appearance, behavior, and language.
AVTFII-2: Demonstrate use of multiple types and formats of programs and productions.
2.1 Identify and explain a script using the following types/formats of programs and productions:
2.3 Demonstrate editing a program using appropriate production format.
2.4 Prepare a finished production for distribution via multiple delivery formats (i.e., phone, web, DVD, TV, and Blu-Ray).
AVTFII-3: Identify and demonstrate specified operational and set-up/maintenance procedures.
3.1 Review basic electrical needs for a production
3.2 Review types of audio/video/data connectors and cables.
3.3 Describe data transfer devices and protocols.
AVTFII-4: Perform advanced editing operations.
4.1 Edit multiple layers of video/audio and perform split audio/video edits.
4.3 Demonstrate matching action/matching frame editing
4.4 Demonstrate special effects processing to include color correction, keying and digital compositing.
AVTFII-6: Demonstrate correct operations for studio and field lighting.
6.1 Demonstrate setting lighting required for field production (i.e., using reflectors, on camera lights, and portable lighting instruments).
6.4 Demonstrate using light modifiers (i.e., reflectors, bounce cards, flag, cookies, and gels).
AVTFII-7: Create production graphics.
7.1 Design and produce computer motion graphics and animation.
AVTFII-1: Demonstrate employability skills required by business and industry.
The following elements should be integrated throughout the content of this course.
1.1 Communicate effectively through writing, speaking, listening, reading, and interpersonal abilities.
1.2 Demonstrate creativity with multiple approaches to ask challenging questions resulting in innovative procedures, methods, and products.
1.3 Exhibit critical thinking and problem solving skills to locate, analyze, and apply information in career planning and employment situations.
1.4 Model work readiness traits required for success in the workplace including integrity, honesty, accountability, punctuality, time management, and respect for diversity.
1.5 Apply the appropriate skill sets to be productive in a changing, technological, and diverse workplace to be able to work independently, interpret data, and apply teamwork skills.
1.6 Present a professional image through appearance, behavior, and language.
AVTFII-2: Demonstrate use of multiple types and formats of programs and productions.
2.1 Identify and explain a script using the following types/formats of programs and productions:
- Film: including short film, long form, documentary
2.3 Demonstrate editing a program using appropriate production format.
2.4 Prepare a finished production for distribution via multiple delivery formats (i.e., phone, web, DVD, TV, and Blu-Ray).
AVTFII-3: Identify and demonstrate specified operational and set-up/maintenance procedures.
3.1 Review basic electrical needs for a production
3.2 Review types of audio/video/data connectors and cables.
3.3 Describe data transfer devices and protocols.
AVTFII-4: Perform advanced editing operations.
4.1 Edit multiple layers of video/audio and perform split audio/video edits.
4.3 Demonstrate matching action/matching frame editing
4.4 Demonstrate special effects processing to include color correction, keying and digital compositing.
AVTFII-6: Demonstrate correct operations for studio and field lighting.
6.1 Demonstrate setting lighting required for field production (i.e., using reflectors, on camera lights, and portable lighting instruments).
6.4 Demonstrate using light modifiers (i.e., reflectors, bounce cards, flag, cookies, and gels).
AVTFII-7: Create production graphics.
7.1 Design and produce computer motion graphics and animation.
Essential Questions:
Why is it important to have a clearly defined goal or objective before beginning any video project?
What makes your video worth watching?
Why is it important to have a clearly defined goal or objective before beginning any video project?
What makes your video worth watching?
ACTIVITIES
Activity 1: Videos and Links
STEP 1 : In order to create a documentary you must first review the building blocks that will make your project successful. Read the following links and watch the following videos. Take notes on techniques that could benefit your group moving forward. Then move to Step 2.
LINKS:
VIDEO Examples:
Tutorials:
TIPS AND TRICKS
- Clearly define the goal of your video project in the beginning and stick to it.
- Any interesting story is about people. Even if you are doing a documentary on an object (such as an historic train), focus on a person who can tell the story of that object. The people who are related to the story are why an audience will or will not keep watching.
- Use a microphone when doing interviews and make sure that the speaker speaks clearly. Don’t be afraid to ask the question again in another way if anything was unclear.
- Make sure that the light is on your subject, not behind them.
- Think visually. When you do not have video, figure out how you can still convey your ideas visually. Can you use still pictures? Charts? Diagrams?
- Always write to the video. Use the powerful medium of video to make your story matter.
- Give all PROPER credit at the end of your video
- B-Roll: Always shoot Wide, Medium, & Tight
Activity 2: Pre Production
STEP 1: You must contact the person, place or organization that will be included in your documentary. You must submit your topic and your contact information via your Google Classroom to be reviewed and approved by the teacher. .
STEP 2: You will need to write an outline for your documentary, which you can find HERE
STEP 3: After deciding which equipment to use and your production schedule, submit the budget for your project. Read this BASICS OF A BUDGET INFORMATION to gain insight on the overall basics of a budget. Then use this form BUDGET APPROVAL FORM to fill in the amounts you think you will use for your production.
Activity 3: Production
STEP 1: The next step is to make sure that all of your interviews and B Roll have been shot. Sign off with the teacher when you have completed this.
STEP 2: After you have your budget set, you must now begin writing and adapting your script. Use the script template to create the audio that will correspond with your video. SCRIPT TEMPLATE
Need Help With Doc Script Writing? Click HERE
STEP 3: Once the script is complete and your interviews have been fully transcribed, you must go back and rewrite your script adding in fully transcribed sound bytes.
Activity 4: Post Production
STEP 1: Now you are ready to fully edit your video. Watch this video to get the creative juices flowing!
STEP 2: Once editing is complete, you should upload your documentary to your Vimeo account as well as putting it in your class folder in deathstar Backup.
STEP 3: Be sure to submit a final version of your script through Google Classroom with Video
STEP 3: Be sure to submit a final version of your script through Google Classroom with Video
Conclusion:
Submit your reflection to me via Google Classroom. It must be no less than 5 sentences about your experience during this unit.
What did you learn?
What was easy and difficult?
What would you like to experience next based on what you have learned?
Unit Completion Checklist
___ Submit Topic through Google Classroom
___ Submit Outline through Google Classroom
___ Submit Budget through Google Classroom
___ Watch all tutorial videos
___ Submit Rough Draft of Script through Google Classroom
___ Submit Final Version of Script through Google Classroom
___ Uploaded Video to Classroom with script
___ Submit unit reflection via Google Classroom
Submit your reflection to me via Google Classroom. It must be no less than 5 sentences about your experience during this unit.
What did you learn?
What was easy and difficult?
What would you like to experience next based on what you have learned?
Unit Completion Checklist
___ Submit Topic through Google Classroom
___ Submit Outline through Google Classroom
___ Submit Budget through Google Classroom
___ Watch all tutorial videos
___ Submit Rough Draft of Script through Google Classroom
___ Submit Final Version of Script through Google Classroom
___ Uploaded Video to Classroom with script
___ Submit unit reflection via Google Classroom
