The Basic Principles of Documentary Work

Subject guarantor:

Rudolf ADLER

Name of lecturer(s):

Rudolf ADLER

Learning outcomes of the course unit:

To introduce students to fundamental implementation methods of documentary makers.

Also to the process of dramaturgical though and design of a documentary project.

Mode of study:

Classes, analyses of film works, moderated discussions.

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

Appropriate completion of the following course from the 1st year:

Documentary Making Practical

Basic Work with a Camera

Image Etude.

Recommended optional programme components:

No elective requirements.

Course contents:

As defined by the common foundations of cinema, attention is devoted to the pivotal implementation methods of creating documentaries: The report method and all its conceived and direct forms. Then documentary reconstruction. In these contexts founding works of both methods and their potential, limits, mutual overlap, intersecting and, above all, contemporary application in making documentaries is analysed.

In this manner the course concurrently introduces student to the entire spectrum of documentary genres. Particular attention is paid to the conceived report, social and portrait documentary, time-shooting form, documentary essay and working with archive material.

A basic emphasis is placed on conceptual dramaturgical thought and its continuity throughout the entire preparation and implementation of a documentary project. For this reason the main dramaturgical ideas are defined and explained along the way. Particularly the relationship of the content to the topic. For this are samples and definitions of the topics of important documentary works and personal topics of their creators.

All general and theory information is applied at the practical level, corresponding to the situation which occurs in the implementation of film and TV documentary projects.

Though the course respects common trade practice and contributes to its successful practice through the necessary basic information, it stresses, primarily, creation, creativity, writer's positions and ethically sound definition of the approach to issues and the entire documentary profession.

An important part of the students' work in the course is the concept of their own documentary exercise subject matter.

Recommended or required reading:

BILL NICHOLS, Úvod do dokumentárního filmu, Akademie múzických umění v Praze a Jihlavský spolek amatérských filmařů, 2010, ISBN 978-80-7331-181-0

Guy Gauthier, Dokumentární film, jiná kinematografie, AMU Praha, MFDF Jihlava, 2004ISBN 80-7331-023-6

Rudolf Adler, Cesta k filmovému dokumentu, FAMU, AMU Praha 2001, / třetí rozšířenné vydání /, ISBN 80-8588š-72-4

Planned learning activities and teaching methods:

lectures, screenings, analysis classes, moderated discussion.

Assessment methods and criteria:

Credit is awarded based on:

Minimum of 40% attendance in instruction

Activity in class

Submission of a proposal for a documentary film.

Course web page:

Note:

Schedule for winter semester 2012/2013:

	06:00–08:0008:00–10:0010:00–12:0012:00–14:0014:00–16:0016:00–18:0018:00–20:0020:00–22:0022:00–24:00
Mon	místnost 233 Učebna 4 (Lažanský palác) ADLER R. 11:30–13:05 (paralelka 1)
Tue
Fri
Thu
Fri

Date	Day	Time	Tutor	Location	Notes	No. of paralel
	Mon	11:30–13:05	ADLER R.	Učebna 4 Lažanský palác		paralelka 1

Schedule for summer semester 2012/2013:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

• Scenáristika a dramaturgie - bakalář (qualification subject)