Training

Other courses at this level

Shooting Documentary

Todays documentary filmmakers are required more and more to be multi-skilled. Not only are they asked to do the research, write the treatment and direct the documentary, they also have to shoot and edit it as well! In this practical hands-on course students are taught the main principals of Documentary Production, before going on to research, develop, schedule & plan a short documentary. Students then shoot the film on HD cameras over 2 days (a weekend), which they will then edit over several evenings and a weekend.

Course Tutors: (The production part of this course will be taught jointly by Filmmakers Sharon Woodward and Richard Duriez)

Sharon Woodward - Award winning documentary director, ( trained at The National Film and Television School, Newport Film School and BBC). She completed her latest 45 minute documentary "Thankyou Skiknhead Girl" in summer 2009.

Richard Duriez - Has more than 10 broadcast credits for Documentaries (as Producer and/or Director, Editor, Researcher). Produced numerous non-broadcast productions for NGO's, charities and government. He is also Course Manager at OFVM.

PLEASE NOTE: Participants on this course should have taken an introductory video course (such as OFVMs Shooting Video or similar courses elsewhere), or have made a short video themselves. Without this basic knowledge are unlikely to enjoy the full benefits of this course. Paricipants should have basic editing knowledge.

Dates
Starts 20th October 2010

Cost

£243 (includes10 per cent early booking discount if booked by 29th September 2010 - EU citizens)

£270 Subsidised rate for EU citizens

£320 Full price for non-EU citizens. (Non-Eu citizens with indefinite leave to remain can pay subsidised rate - proof required.)

£135 - includes 50% discount for people on benefits, proof required, (income support, JSA, Housing Benefit, Council tax benefit, pension credit (guarantee), asylum seeker, unwaged dependent of someone on these benefits

TIMES: This evening course runs over 7 weeks and consists of 7 evening classes at OFVM (from 7.00pm to 9.30pm) + whole weekend for a shoot + a Saturday editing day + 3 additional unsupervised sessions on a monday evening.

Criteria

Students should have completed shooting video or a similar course elsewhere, (if unsure e-mail course manager at office@ofvm.org).

This course is extensively student led with support from a tutor who is a professional filmmaker. Students will be expected to be highly motivated and self driven, as well as the ability to work collaboratively. In addition to scheduled classes, students would be expected to meet regularly with each other to develop their films.

Students will need to meet together outside of scheduled class times, particularly during the pre-production phase.

Week 1: 20/10/10: An introduction to documentary as a genre and exploration of key styles and directors. Discussion of important documentary issues and ideologies. Introduction to the Sony DSR 250 and Sony PDX 10 cameras and history of the effects of camera design and portability on documentary production. Guidelines for shoot and ideas workshop. 7.00pm-9.30pm

OUTSIDE CLASS: Plan ideas for a 4-8 minute documentary.

Week 2: 27/10/10: Pitch session. Two ideas are chosen by the group to shoot in week 4. Script development workshops and a look at the pre-production process. Camera set-up and creative control exercises. 7.00pm-9.30pm

OUTSIDE CLASS: Students meet in their groups to plan their shoot, this can be around someones house or the pub?

Week 3: 03/11/10: Major shoot exercise. Both groups will light and shoot a practice interview. 7.00pm-9.30pm

OUTSIDE CLASS: Students meet in their groups to help finalise plans for their shoot, this can be around someones house or the pub?

Week 4: 10/116/10: Final pre-production paperwork workshops. Shooting schedules, health and safety and interview questions to be finalised. Creative camera part 2 – hand held camerawork. 7.00pm-9.30pm

Week 4: Shoot weekend: 13/11/10 & 14/11/10. Saturday and Sunday for both groups. During the weekend both groups will go out on location to shoot their documentaries. Group members rotate production roles taking it in turns to direct, interview, operate the camera, light and sound record. The tutor will rotate between the two groups as they film. 10.00am-5.00pm

Week 5: UNSUPERVISED CLASS: 15/11/10 Groups have the opportunity to meet to plan the edit of their documentary including transcription and EDL - groups can meet at OFVM on this Monday evening until 9pm or groups can meet at one of their homes.

Week 5: 17/11/10: Review material. Finish Log and transcribe and start digitising. 7.00pm-9.30pm

Week 6: UNSUPERVISED CLASS: 22/11/10 Groups can work on this Monday evening until 9pm to continue their edit.

Week 6: 24/06/10: Editing evening. 7.00pm - 9.30pm

Week 6: Saturday: 27/11/10 Groups produce rough cut by end of day. 10.30am-5.30pm.

Week 7: UNSUPERVISED CLASS: 29/11/10 Groups can work on this Monday evening until 9pm to continue their edit.

Week 7: 01/12/10 Last minute changes and finish their edit and Master to DVD. Screening of finished films and critique. Accreditation. Introduction to distribution including festival submission. 7.00pm - 9.30pm

To book online or by post, see booking form.

Oxford Film + Video Makers is a registered charity no.: 1041014