The module is designed to enable students to research, devise and complete a documentary production in parallel with other academic modules. There will be a combination of tutorials, training sessions and team presentations alongside independent research and production work. Students will research and agree production roles, and will present an individual dossier on that production role as part of a team presentation to a panel of staff to 'pitch' their proposed video before it goes into production. Teams will then be trained on camera and editing equipment and carry out all production and post-production processes to bring the video to completion. The finished piece will be presented to a panel of staff, and each team member will subsequently submit an individual written reflection on their contribution to the production, the skills they have acquired and an appraisal of the video itself.

The assessment will be an individual 2500-word dossier of research into your personal role in the production team, delivered as part of a team presentation to pitch the proposed production [Learning Outcomes 3, 4, 5, 6, 9]

One documentary video production of a length negotiated at the semester 1 pitch [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10]

The writing of a 2500 word reflection on the module [Learning Outcomes 1, 4, 8, 10]

Chapman, J. (2007) Documentary In Practice, Cambridge: Polity.
McLane, B. (2012) A New History of Documentary Film, London: Continuum.
Rabiger, M. (2014) Directing the Documentary, London: Focal.
Stevenson, S. (2012) The Grammar of Documentary Editing, London: Methuen Drama.
Winston, B. (2013) The Documentary Film Book, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan/BFI.

See module handbook for a full listing of reading texts.

As well as the above you will access initial whole-group sessions, view a selection of short student and independent videos, read selected texts, attend occasional talks by professionals and view instructional videos. There will be small group tutorials to chart progress of individual productions. A group production log will be compiled as the production process progresses. You will be given advanced camera, sound and edit training. You will be advised on potential filming locations and be given help in casting experienced actors if required. As a team you will show your finished video to a panel of staff and discuss with them your aims, audience and achievements of the production.

Media Lab, Video camera, sound and editing equipment, internet, library, TV/DVD/Video