DAR 285 - Documentary Television and Film

1. Discuss the history of nonfiction film.
2. Analyze the difference between early European and American documentaries.
3. Operate a video/film camera in a fast moving environment.
4. Identify various film/video techniques as applied to documentary.
5. Describe television news documentary techniques.
6. Apply television themes to documentaries and produce a documentary program.
7. Solve location problems typical to non-fiction video/film.

1. History of Documentary Production
   1. European influences
   2. German influences
   3. Dutch influences
   4. Russian influences
   5. French influences
   6. Other countries
2. European vs. American Documentary Makers
   1. Cinema verite
   2. Direct cinema
   3. Methods of funding
   4. Approaches
   5. Propaganda
   6. Government
3. Operating the Camera
   1. Film
   2. Digital video
   3. Choosing film over video
   4. Sound applications
   5. Lenses
   6. Lighting
4. Film and Video Techniques
   1. Direct cinema
   2. Cinema verite
   3. Surveillance
   4. Undercover
5. Television Themes
   1. Broadcast
   2. Cable
   3. Special
   4. News
   5. Investigative
   6. Breaking stories
   7. Live events
   8. Human interest
   9. Feature news story
6. Production of a Television Documentary
   1. Research
   2. Hypothesis
   3. Synopsis
   4. Treatment
   5. Support personnel
   6. Budget
   7. Approach
   8. Equipment
   9. Locations
   10. Travel
   11. Crew
   12. Production
   13. Post production
   14. Distribution
7. Location Problems
   1. Permits
   2. Visa/passports
   3. Permission to shoot
   4. Private vs. public property
   5. Power requirements and voltage for foreign countries
   6. Crowd control
   7. Safety
   8. Remote vs. studio locations