Instructor: Jeff Goodman
Office: EDH 118-D
Office Phone: 262.2176
Home Phone: 828.675.9061
E-mail Address: goodmanjm@appstate.edu
 

Goals and Objectives

Schedule and Due Dates

Evaluation

Course Description:
Students view and analyze a variety of non-fiction films and videos in terms of both form and content.  Emphasis is placed on understanding the wide range of purposes for which non-fiction programs are made, and on examining the variety of techniques used to achieve those purposes.  Students also engage in hands-on experiences capturing reality on videotape as they explore what happens to reality when it is shaped into a film or video.
 

Course Goals:
At the completion of the course, each student will be able to view non-fiction film more critically and to better understand how any program differs from the reality being documented.  In addition, students will gain production and post-production skills and that will help them create compelling non-fiction video programs that communicate effectively to a range of audiences.
 

Course Objectives:
At the completion of the course, each student will be able to:

1.  Describe the ways filmmakers distort reality when filming and editing, and explain how some distortion is an inevitable part of the process of making non-fiction film.

2.  Define non-fiction film in terms of those elements that all documentaries have in common.

3.  Describe the ethical considerations that must be faced when creating a non-fictional film or video.

4.  Describe the differences in impact between a fictional and non-fictional film.

5.  Describe the major similarities and differences among modes of documentary programs, and cite examples from each type.

6.  Create documentary video using a variety of stylistic approaches and understand the implications of choices made in pre-production, production and post-production.

7.  Manage the technical tasks required to make non-fiction video.
 

Texts:

There is no comprehensive text for this course. Readings will be handed out in class.

Course Outline:
 
 

Date	Topic and Viewing	Assignment Due
8/22	Modes of Representation Expository: Nanook of the North Observational:  Central Park, Salesman Interactive: Sherman's March Reflexive:  Slow Food Fast Times
8/24	Viewing: Missing Allen Introduction to video camcorders Discuss The Lens, the Eye and the I: Self Portrait Project
8/29	Discussion Circles on Missing Allen	Finish Viewing Missing Allen and prepare for Discussion Circles
8/31	Digital video for the web and setting up your web page
9/5	Topics and techniques:  the explosion of forms   The Match that Started My Fire Glass Jaw Moses Pendleton on Moses Pendleton 32 Short Films About Glenn Gould Koyaanisqatsi Microcosmos Introduction to digital video editing	Sense of Place Due 9/6
9/7	Interview techniques Blues According to Lightning Hopkins Auto Bond Interview with Erol Morris Vernon Florida Gathering live audio and interviewing
9/12	Discussion Circles on Always for Pleasure Discuss Ten Images Assignment: A Sense of Place	View Always for Pleasure and prepare for Discussion Circles
9/14	Documenting already structured reality: concerts, lectures Don't Look Back Sympathy for the Devil Pred Fest footage Video conference footage
9/19	History of Cinéma Verité	Ten Images Assignment: A Sense of Place due
9/21	In-class Cinéma Verité experience
9/26	Discussion Circles on Born Into Brothels Discuss Interview assignment	View Born into Brothels and prepare for Discussion Circles
9/28	Documenting conflict Fast Food Women Harlan County USA
10/3	Introduce Final Project Structuring Documentary: 42 Up Spellbound Dr. Death Cheeks March of the Penguins	Interview assignment due
10/5	Documentary and history Times of Harvey Milk The Films of Ken Burns Radio Bikini
10/10	Discussion Circles on Mighty Times: the Children's March or To Towns of Jasper Discuss Final Project Ideas	View Mighty Times: the Children's March or Two Towns of Jasper (TBA) and prepare for Discussion Circles
10/12	Documentary as personal exploration My Father Sold Studebakers Sherman's March Same River Twice
10/17	Finish Same River Twice and discuss	Final Project Groups/ Topics Chosen
10/19	No Class: Fall Break
10/24	Documenting the Human Soul Grizzly Man Speedo The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg Be Here to Love Me Hearts of Darkness
10/26	Persuasion and Point of View Miss or Myth Power Bowling for Columbine
10/31	Discussion Circles on My Country, My Country	Detailed Treatment for Final Project Due View My Country, My Country (October 25, 9 pm on PBS) and prepare for Discussion Circles: NO WRITING IS DUE.
11/2	Propaganda and the News From "The Eternal Jew" Fear and Favor in the Newsroom Outfoxed Panama Deception Control Room
11/7	Discussion Circles on Six O'Clock News	View Six O'Clock News and prepare for Discussion Circles
11/9	Mediated Reality Winged Migration 20 Dates "Reality" TV programming Clips
11/14	Discussion Circles on Yes Men	View Yes Men and prepare for Discussion Circles
11/16	Documentary and change Paradise Lost 2 Thin Blue Line
11/21	Discussion Circles on Paradise Lost	View Paradise Lost and prepare for Discussion Circles
11/23	No Class: Thanksgiving
11/28	Documenting art and live events Press On Don't Look Back Mystery of Picasso The Year of the Horse New York Doll Monterey Pop	Raw footage for Final Project due
11/30	Strategies for Editing Documentary	Work on final projects
12/5	Strategies for Editing Documentary	Work on final projects
Final Presentations:  Friday, December 8, 2006 from 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM		Final Projects due

 

Evaluation:

A. Production projects. (40%) During the semester, you will complete three small production projects and one longer piece. The smaller production projects will each count for one grade. The longer piece will be graded at three stages -- treatment, raw footage, final edit -- with the treatment and raw footage counting for one grade each and the final edit counting for three. The projects will be graded on a three point scale according to the following criteria:

• Demonstrates a level of excellence and depth of thought as it meets the expectations of the assignment.
• Shows original thought and/or innovative design.
• Is technically advanced.
• Is well organized.
• Has no technical problems or problems with mechanics.

• Meets the basic expectations of the assignment.
• Shows technical proficiency.
• Is well organized.
• Has few technical problems or problems with mechanics.

• Meets the minimum expectations of the assignment.
• Has more than a few problems with mechanics, organization, and/or technical issues.

B. Viewings/ Discussion Circles (40%) Over the course of the semester, you will be asked to view eight films outside of class and come to class prepared to play an assigned roll in discussing them. Films will be on reserve in the Media Lab to be viewed there, though some are available from the library for check-out or may be rented. You will turn in your word processed notes that indicate your preparation for the discussion. These will be graded on the following criteria:

• Demonstrate a level of excellence and depth of thought in your preparation
• Indicate an excellent familiarity with the film being discussed
• Demonstrate leadership and engagement in the discussion
• Are well organized.
• Has no technical problems or problems with mechanics.

• Demonstrate thoughtful preparation for your role in the discussion
• Indicate a solid familiarity of the film being discussed
• Show a modest level of engagement in the discussion
• Are relatively well organized and professional

• Demonstrate some preparation for the discussion.
• Indicate a minimal familiarity with the film to be discussed.
• Show little engagement in the discussion.

C. Class preparation, participation and attendance. (20%) The discussions and interactions that take place in the classroom are an important part of this course. At times you will be asked to read, write or view something outside of class in order to be prepared for a discussion or activity. Class participation will also include oral and written feedback on other students' work. Since there are a number of activities that we will do as a class that will be difficult to make up if you are absent, it is important that you make every effort to come to every class. Please tell me if you know in advance that you are going to miss a class so I can fill you in on what you need to do. Missing class without contacting me, or missing class frequently (even if you let me know) will lower your final class grade up to one-half a letter grade for each class missed (e.g. B to a B-, B- to a C+ etc.).

A final note on grades: Education is not about grades but about learning. However, learning requires feedback, and an evaluation component in education is one way to give feedback. Still, I consider your grade only a part of this feedback; in many cases, you will learn more from the specific written or verbal evaluation of your work. If you are not happy with your grade on any project in this course, I encourage you to rework it and resubmit it. In addition, since it is my goal to help create the best learning environment possible, I strongly encourage you to give me feedback about the class as we go.
 

Note for Graduate students in section 5950. The required projects for this course are the same for you, though more will be expected of you as you meet these requirements. For instance, both your production work and your written work will be held to a higher standard for evaluation, and you will be expected to take more leadership in group work.