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Documentary Creation Assignment

The document outlines the requirements for a group documentary project. Students must create a 5 minute documentary that informs, persuades, educates or entertains on a topic of their choice. The documentary will be evaluated based on its application of film techniques like shots, angles and sound, its demonstration of the documentary genre through elements like interviews and narration, and how well it achieves its intended goal of educating, persuading, informing or entertaining. Students must submit a storyboard planning out the documentary scene by scene, specifying visual and audio details. Suggested documentary topics and filmmaking considerations are also provided.

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554 views

Documentary Creation Assignment

The document outlines the requirements for a group documentary project. Students must create a 5 minute documentary that informs, persuades, educates or entertains on a topic of their choice. The documentary will be evaluated based on its application of film techniques like shots, angles and sound, its demonstration of the documentary genre through elements like interviews and narration, and how well it achieves its intended goal of educating, persuading, informing or entertaining. Students must submit a storyboard planning out the documentary scene by scene, specifying visual and audio details. Suggested documentary topics and filmmaking considerations are also provided.

Uploaded by

api-291123127
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Documentary Unit Final Project  

Group Names:  
Project​: To create a mini documentary on a topic of your choice. It should be no more than five minutes long. Your goal is to inform,
persuade, educate, or entertain (funny or mockumentary). All films will be played in class.

Criteria
You must demonstrate that you understand the basics of ​all ​films by considering:

❏ Angles
❏ Shots
❏ Transitions
❏ Sound

You must demonstrate that you understand the elements specific to the ​documentary genre​:

❏ Interviews (rule of thirds)


❏ Cutaways (still photos or long pause shots)
❏ Narration (think of nature documentaries)
❏ Cinema verite (live action/footage)
❏ Archive (photos, news articles, news clips)

You should have a clear topic in mind and you should storyboard your documentary before you film it. Use the planning sheets to
develop your documentary plan. These should be submitted with your film.
Here is an example of a storyboard plan for the first scene:

Scene   Plan  Video Details  Audio Details 

Opening shot of the school front First, establishing shot - long with a Narrator: “It is february 2021 - the year of

1 doors with kids in line to enter.

Title should fade out.


zoom to a close up shot detail of the
school name.
Covid-19. The temperature is -5 billion
and we are all waiting outside until the
doors open.”
Music: ________

● The Audio column will show the words or music the viewer is hearing. Copy your narration into the Audio column.
● Your visuals may be still (photos, newspapers, etc.) or video footage. You should write a description of the visual.
● Use the Notes column to write down any reminders for yourself that you may need to create your documentary.

Your film should have a title at the beginning and credits at the end!  
 

Images courtesy of gstudioimagen / Freepik


Documentary Unit Final Project  

Topic: ________________________________________________________ 
Title: _________________________________________________________ 

Scene  
Plan   Video Details  Audio Details 

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Images courtesy of gstudioimagen / Freepik
Documentary Unit Final Project  

Rubric  5  4  3  2 

Film  Project Project Project The project is


Techniques (shots,  demonstrates a sound demonstrates some demonstrates a limited in its application
understanding of shots, angles, understanding of shots, angles, developing of film techniques. The
sound, angles)  and sound. Project showcases and sound. Project showcases understanding of shots, project may show
a variety of film techniques and a variety of film techniques. angles, and sound. confusion about film
their proper application. Project may showcase a technique application.
few film techniques, but
application may be
lacking.

Genre Knowledge  Many elements of documentary Some elements of documentary The project shows some The project shows a
(elements)  films are included and are films are included and are understanding of the limited understanding of
masterfully applied to full effect. applied to moderate effect. elements of the genre. the elements of the
genre.

Film Goal (educate,  The project goal is specific and The project goal may be The project goal may not The project goal may be
persuade, inform, or  clear in some or all of the general but evident. The goal is be clear to the audience. confusing, undefined, or
elements of the film. The goal is somewhat achieved. Achievement of the goal unrelated to the genre.
entertain)  fully achieved. is difficult to determine.
(/2) 

Storyboard (/2)  The storyboard is complete and The storyboard may be The storyboard is The storyboard is mostly
detailed. complete but is quite general. somewhat incomplete or incomplete and of little
may be too vague. use.

Ideas for Documentary 

● Pandemic realities of school


● Family history
● Nature /Science
● Social Media
● Getting outside (skateboarding, skating, hiking, skiing)
● Hobbies
● Extracurricular activities (dance, art, music, sports)
● Pets
● Siblings or families
● Winter in Edmonton

Things to consider: 
● Interviews with experts (or fake experts)
● Actors needed (if recreating anything)
● Animations (only permitted for some portions of the film)

Images courtesy of gstudioimagen / Freepik

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