Documentary
Fundamentals

Learn about the dynamics and benefits of a workshop environment; the importance of, and relationship between, coverage and framing; and different documentary modes, from observational to performative and everything in between.

Writing a documentary script involves many of the same considerations as writing a fictional screenplay, including key considerations around adapting material; interviewing subjects; levels of detail; portraying characters; and more.

Where you shoot can be as important as who and what you shoot, and presents a range of opportunities and challenges, both creative and practical. Crewing is also an essential piece of the filmmaking puzzle that requires its own principles and skill sets.

Editing a documentary is almost like writing your script for a second time. It is its own discipline with its own set of principles, both practical and creative, which will allow you to articulate your voice and vision.

There are a variety of resources at your disposal to gather information that can add depth, purpose and context to your story. From libraries and archives to internet search engines and primary sources, each one has its own protocols and procedures.

There are several legal concerns to consider before you can put your documentary out into the world, from copyright, privacy and defamation to fair use and publicity rights.

Your final film will be 2-3 minutes in length and ideally will be a continuation of an exercise which comes earlier in the program, when you will make an observational study or portrait of a person or a place. This assignment is designed, first, to demonstrate your new understanding of documentary filmmaking processes and theories and, second, to start clarifying your own unique vision and voice.