A Portfolio consisting of:-

An essay (2000 words) which will compare at least two different styles of documentary.
A report (1000 words) which will thoroughly review what is required to translate the brief into production.

Learning Outcomes [1-5]

You will listen to a range of documentaries, examining the production techniques and discussing the effectiveness of different styles. Working in small groups, you will consider the research needed to prepare a specific documentary, such as matters of fact, targeting style and content to the identified audience, scouting locations and potential contributors, sourcing archive material,
and what permissions you may need to obtain.

A series of workshops will introduce the theory and practice of documentary making, with examples and discussions, enabling you to write an essay comparing at least two different styles of documentary. Working in small groups you will negotiate a practicable brief for a specific documentary project and then write a report thoroughly reviewing what is required to translate the brief into production.

Media centre
Marantz recorders
Digital audio recording equipment
Radio studios
Adobe Audition
Archive sources where applicable to the project
Library resources
Blackboard virtual learning environment

Beaman, J. (2011) Interviewing for Radio, London: Routledge
Cemm, A (2002) Researching for Television & Radio, London: Routledge
Fleming, C (2010) The Radio Handbook (3rd ed.), London: Routledge
Hausman, C. et al (2010) Modern Radio Production: production, programming and performance, Boston: Wadsworth
Starkey, G. (2014) Radio in Context, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

A full reading list can be found in the module handbook

1. CARRY OUT TARGETED RESEARCH FOR A DOCUMENTARY PROJECT WITHIN A LIMITED TIME FRAME AND CRITICALLY APPRAISE ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FOR FULFILLING A PARTICULAR BRIEF [Enquiry]

2. UNDERSTAND THE THEORY OF RADIO DOCUMENTARY MAKING AND RECOGNISE THE CODES AND CONVENTIONS THROUGH WHICH AUDIENCES RECEIVE INTENDED MEANINGS [ Knowledge and Understanding]

3. EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DIFFERENT STYLES OF DOCUMENTARY IN COMMUNICATING KEY MESSAGES
[Analysis]

4. EVALUATE AWARENESS OF DOCUMENTARY FORMS IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY FUTURE LEARNING NEEDED TO DEVELOP A COHERENT, PROFESSIONAL PITCH [Learning].

5. DEMONSTRATE AWARENESS OF THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND PRODUCTION PRACTICES IN THE RADIO INDUSTRY [Practical and Professional]