If you are interested in the traditions of the documentary film this course will explore how different documentary styles have developed over the years and how the documentary film shapes its stories about events and people. We will consider how the form of the documentary film can offer a particular perspective on a given subject. Documentary film is a process of storytelling. Each week's film focus will be supported and informed by a range of additional viewing and reading resources via Canvas, which is our online learning platform. Film excerpts will be provided before sessions for students to view ahead of a given class. We will not view excerpts from films within a class. Each session will include a presentation by the tutor about a particular film and its aspects of interest. In part, this will then serve as a starting point for group discussion.
Course aim
Our course will explore ten key documentary films as a way of providing an introduction to the form. We will look at documentaries that investigate a range of varied subjects.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Define various types of documentary style.
- Consider some of the ways that documentary filmmakers have 'authored' their films.
- Identify some aspects of film style.
- Identify a number of documentary filmmakers of note and influence.
- Discuss responses to particular films in relation to the wider culture.
What else do I need to know?
The only expectation would be that students will have the opportunity to view some, if not all, of the resources provided for each week's film focus by accessing these materials online on the Canvas system.
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