Documentary filmmaking on Saturdays

About this course

The course follows the process of developing a short documentary, from identifying a story and creating an outline or storyboard to planning a shoot. Participants examine documentary formats, translate ideas into visuals and speech, practise camera positions and automatic camera operation, and record an interview and sound to a brief. Teaching combines demonstrations, discussion, group and individual exercises, tutorials and reviews of participants’ work. The course also introduces an industry-standard editing package and considers how recorded material can be assembled into a finished piece.

What you'll learn

• Create an outline for a documentary project
• Identify at least two documentary formats
• Develop a basic storyboard
• Operate a camera on automatic to capture footage
• Distinguish commonly used shot types
• Record footage and sound to a brief

Is this course right for you?

This introduction is intended for learners with no previous documentary filmmaking experience. The beginner level indicates an emphasis on fundamental principles, while prior experience shooting moving images and comfort using a computer may be helpful. Participation includes group and individual exercises, work reviews and encouraged study between sessions.

• No previous experience is necessary
• Some prior moving-image shooting experience may be helpful
• Comfort using a computer may be advantageous
• The course encourages homework and independent engagement between sessions

Before you go

• Removable storage may be useful for keeping course data, although learners have an account in class for accumulating work.
• A PC-formatted portable hard drive or USB stick can be read by Apple Mac computers but cannot be written to.
• Handouts, manuals and worksheets are available.