COURSE TITLE: COM 3950-004 Documentary Making

TERM: Fall 2003, Tuesdays 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The course examines the genre of documentary filmmaking, including viewing a variety of international works and producing a documentary in DV format using single-camera field production techniques. Viewing and discussion of selected documentaries augment instruction in the production skills necessary to shoot and edit documentaries on DV. Exercises, ranging from script writing through post-production, culminate in production of a completed documentary as the final project.

INSTRUCTOR: Mark A. Hauck, SAC 235. Phone contact: (on campus) ext. 97888, (off campus) 610.519.7888, cell phone 610.772.0972, or e-mail mark.hauck@villanova.edu

HOMEPAGE: http://www.homepage.villanova.edu/mark.hauck/index1.html

OFFICE HOURS: By appointment

SUGGESTED READING: TBA

ATTENDANCE POLICY: The instructor must be notified in advance (via phone call or email) of an absence from regular class activities. More than one absence will require a written excuse or some proof of an extenuating circumstance, otherwise, the student will have 10 points deducted from their Attendance grade. Repeated tardiness will also translate into point deductions from the Attendance grade. Athletes will be required to submit official forms signed by their respective coaches in the event of travel.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND GRADING POLICY: see the VU Student Handbook 2003-2004 pg. 66-70 for a description of what is expected of students.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES NOTICE: It is the policy of the University to make reasonable academic accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are a student with a disability please contact the instructor after class or during office hours and make arrangements to register with the Learning Support Office by contacting 610-519-5636 or nancy.mott@villanova.edu as soon as possible. Registration is needed in order to receive accommodations.

GRADING PROCEDURE: The students’ grades will be based on the following:

Attendance = 50 pts. 20%

Final Project = 100 pts. 40%

Documentary Journal = 100 pts. 40%

GRADING SCALE (%): A = 95-100; A- = 90-94; B+ = 87-89; B = 83-86; B- = 80-82;

C+ = 77-79; C = 73-76; C- = 70-72; D+ = 67-69; D = 63-66; D- = 60-62; F = below 60

COURSE SCHEDULE

WEEK 1

A. Course overview

B. TOPIC: Subculture: View and discuss “Dogtown and the Z Boys.”

WEEK 2

A. TOPIC: First Person Narrative. View and discuss “All Water Has a Perfect Memory.”

B. Scripts and shot sheets

WEEK 3

Introduction to single camera field production technique and procedures

1. Camcorders

2. Tripods

3. Wireless microphones

4. Lighting kits

WEEK 4

A. LAB EXERCISE #1 Using the Camcorder in the Field

B. Review tapes shot in LAB EXERCISE 1

WEEK 5

NON LINEAR EDITING (NLE)

1. Basic Editing Theory and Purpose

2. Intro to Avid Xpress DV editing software

WEEK 6

A. More NLE practice with footage shot in Lab Exercise 1

B. Script treatments due

WEEK 7

TOPIC: Political Figure Biography: View and discuss “Mandela.”

WEEK 8

TOPIC: Artist Biography: View and discuss “Imagine: John Lennon.”

WEEK 9

TOPIC: Event Chronicle: View and discuss documentary “Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse.”

WEEK 10

TOPIC: Mockumentary: View and discuss “Bob Roberts.”

WEEK 11

TOPIC: Documentarist as Activist: View and discuss “Roger and Me.”

WEEK 12

TOPIC: Documentarist as Pop Icon: View and discuss “Bowling for Columbine.”

WEEK 13

TOPIC: Countercultural Activism: View and discuss “Weed.”

WEEK 14

View and discuss Final projects

WEEK 15

View and discuss Final Projects