TVR 11500 Introduction to Field Production

 Syllabus
 
 

MiniDoc

Learning Objective:

In addition to an expectation that your abilities to shoot good video and to tell a coherent story will improve with each assignment, this particular assignment should demonstrate your abilities to visually convey nonfiction subject in compelling visual narrative form I will look for careful blending of audio tracks, appropriate use of split editing to build flow, effective editing of soundbites with appropriate B roll video that includes natural sound.

At the Park School you will have opportunities to explore nonfiction and documentary production.  This assignment is intended to give you a taste of that genre. You can continue exploring nonfiction production in TVR 299, TVR 399, or by declaring a documentary production concentration as part of your B.S. degree in TV-R, or enrolling in the Documentary Studies and Production B.A degree program.

Assignment:

• You are to make a short documentary on a subject of your choosing.  Be sure to pick a subject with the project length in mind (not too superficial or too detailed).
• There are different documentary styles and in this assignment you will use some form of narration (so no cinema verité for this assignment).  You should try and provide a realistic portrayal of your subject, minimizing your manipulation of reality.
• Your subject may be a topic, event, or person, be nothing may be fictionalized.
• The key here is to assess what about your subject is compelling and find a creative way to convey that aspect of your subject in a visually compelling narrative. 
• The following list are the required elements:
  • soundbite of at least one person
  • B-roll with nat. sound
  • narration
  • include at least one sequence
• Make sure you still include natural sound from your B-roll when you mix audio channels.
• In addition to an expectation that your abilities to shoot good video and to tell a coherent story will improve with each assignment, this particular assignment should demonstrate your abilities to convey a compelling nonfiction story.
• Your FCP folder (titled MiniDoc-your names) with the project and all supporting media files and a QT version of the story should be placed in the class folder on the instructor's computer before class on the due date. A DVD version of the assignment should be turned at the beginning of class on the due date.  The DVD should be have the assignment name, students' names and the run time written on it with permanent marker. The paperwork accompanying the DVD needs to be complete, neat, in proper order and in a folder that includes a cover page with assignment information, student's names date and run-time.

Format and length of piece: 

• 5 sec. black with name/assignment graphic
• countdown
• credits
• 15 second of black at the end
• 3 minute maximum length

Deadlines

• MiniDoc treatment due March 22nd (have key interviews scheduled and access to locations cleared)
• The story must be shot by April 5th. At this time you will turn in a COPY of the complete shot log 
• Due date of completed assignment: April 19st.  Also due at this time is your paperwork package which will include in order:
• folder
• cover page
• treatment (the version with my comments)
• shot log shot log (the version with my comments)
• edit log
• self-evaluation
• peer evaluation

More unsolicited advice: **Leave yourself enough time shoot the story. Interviews have a habit of falling apart at the last minute.**

 

Contact:Dr. C
URL- http://www.ithaca.edu/faculty/ncornwell/115/115MiniDocAssignment.html
Revised-Jan. 1, 2010