Documentary

Code:

MM0057

Acronym:

DOC

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Visual Arts
OFICIAL	Communication Sciences

Instance: 2017/2018 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Informatics Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Multimedia

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MM	7	Syllabus	1	-	6	45	162
			2

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Provide students with fundamental knowledge about the aesthetics and techniques of the documentary form:

• Learn and apply the aesthetics and techniques of the documentary form


• Create video projects employing a non-fiction, documentary approach


• Use screenings, discussions and reading to stimulate the student ability to tackle their own documentary projects


• Pitch his/hers documentary project


• Make a production folder for his/hers documentary


• Make an electronic press kit for his/hers documentary

Learning outcomes and competences

 At the end of the course the student will be able to: 

• Create video projects employing a non-fiction, documentary approach
• Pitch a documentary
• Make a production folder 
• Make an electronic press kit 

Working method

Presencial

Program

• Brief introduction to the history of documentary


• Pitching


• Introduction to story


• Pre-production: introduction to the production folder (synopsis, treatment, script, schedule, production lists, budget and contracts)


• Introduction to camera and audio


• Directing – elements and grammar


• Documentaries genres


• Production


• Post-Production: editing theory and editing software


• Distribution: electronic press kit (biographies, scene pictures, poster)

Mandatory literature

Michael Rabiger; Directing the Documentary
Christopher Vogler; Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
Robert McKee; Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting

Teaching methods and learning activities

These theoretical and practical classes provide an introduction to the documentary form and provide students with the opportunity to develop an understanding, language and appreciation for the aesthetics, history, theory and techniques of non-fiction film. Each student will individually make a 3-minute documentary and will also take part in the making of a 10-minute documentary with his/hers classmates.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	50,00
Trabalho de campo	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	52,00
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	20,00
Estudo autónomo	45,00
Frequência das aulas	45,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Do not exceed the maximum number of absences and participate actively in the development of the proposed documentaries and production folder and electronic press kit.

Students with worker statute or equivalent are exempted from classes but must present the progress of their work, and should make their presentation together with ordinary students.

In each evaluation topic, the student should obtain a grade equal ou higher than 10.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final mark is calculated by the following formula:

 

FM = ID * 30% + P * 10% + PF * 5% + GD * 40% + EPK * 5% + C * 10%

 

Legend:

ID: Individual documentary
P: Pitch
PF: Production folder 
GD: Group documentary
EPK: Electronic press kit
C: Participation in class

Classification improvement

The final grade can only be improved in a new edition of the course.