Documentary Film: A Practice

Subject guarantor:

Rudolf ADLER, Martin ŘEZNÍČEK, Miroslav JANEK, Helena TŘEŠTÍKOVÁ, Karel VACHEK, Martin MAREČEK, Jan GOGOLA

Name of lecturer(s):

Rudolf ADLER, Martin ŘEZNÍČEK, Alice RŮŽIČKOVÁ, Miroslav JANEK, Helena TŘEŠTÍKOVÁ, Karel VACHEK, Martin MAREČEK, Jan GOGOLA

Learning outcomes of the course unit:

Aim of the Practical: Allow each 1st year FAMU student, in the Winter semester, to experience basics of shooting a documentary report = practical exercise of fascinating reality.

Mode of study:

The instructor, possibly a graduate student, explains to 1st year students camera technical parameters and go into the field, where the instructor finds filmable scenes and the students shoot them.

After this, in pairs or threes, they go out and shoot their own topic; in the afternoon the shooting material is consulted with the instructor. The following day students shoo again to acquire supplementary shots for their narrative.

In the second part (editing phase), the Documentary Dept. instructor with Master's students direct the finishing of the film (2 days editing). The completed films are shown together later and a majority of students from various departments including Production, Camera, Dramaturgy and Photography, etc, create their film. Important is the experience in further collaboration of students in the crew managed by a Directing students.

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

Attendance at the Assembly in Poněšice for 1st year students is required.

Recommended optional programme components:

No additional elective requirements.

Course contents:

Instructors: Karel Vachek, Rudolf Adler, Jan Gogola, Miroslav Janek, Martin Mareček, Helena Třeštíková, Alice Růžičková, Pavel Koutecký, Martin Řezníček (+ Documentary Dept. students at the master's level of study, who assist in camera work instruction and Avid editing room 212 at KDT)

The student is, upon entering the practical, require to think of competent subject matter for a short report.

Extent: 2 x2 days (shooting material in the field and report editing at KDT

Place and time + procedure:

The practical takes place in two phases, in principle, one after the other with one week in between (see the practical schedule):

a) Shooting the report on a MiniDV

- Thursday - meeting at 9:00 at the entrance to the FAMU Studio at Klimentska 4, where there will be an introduction and pick-up of cameras on the 3rd floor with Ms. Noskova. Then the practical continues according to instructions of the guide/instructor (commented outing with the instructor to the shooting location - station, market, metro, and the like. After a short look around each student will shoot max. a 15 minute shot of the situation according to the „on the spot“ selected concept. During the day will be the opportunity of continuous consultations over the recorded material at KDT - until 17:00); Upon return to rm. 211 at KDT will be dramaturgical evaluations.

- Friday - at 9:00 in rm. 211 of KDT will be feedback on the recorded material, opportunity to shoot missing shots, prepare the basic material for editing (returning the cameras to FAMU Studio either on Friday by 14:30 or at the latest on Monday by 9:00).

b) Editing of the report in the Avid DV Xpress editing facility

- Thursday, Friday (possibly Saturday, Sunday) - from 9:00 in the AVID editing facility room 212 at KDT. An edit of a 5-10 minute report under the guidance of the KDT instructor.

Attestation: Credit will be awarded after presentation of the finished report.

Recommended or required reading:

No education requirements.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods:

exercises

Assessment methods and criteria:

Credit is awareded based on:

Exercise participation and completion of the product - a short documentary film (sequence of a documentary film)

Course web page:

Note:

The practicals are intended for students of all study fields, though they may never direct a documentary film, but attempt to understand their role as a collaborator on a film.

Schedule for winter semester 2013/2014:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2013/2014:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

• Animation - Master (faculty subject)
• Documentary Film - Bachelor (faculty subject)
• Scriptwriting and Dramaturgy - Bachelor (faculty subject)
• Film Directing - Bachelor (faculty subject)
• Cinematography - Bachelor (faculty subject)
• Production - Bachelor (faculty subject)
• Audiovisual Studies - Bachelor (faculty subject)
• Editing - Bachelor (faculty subject)
• Sound Design - Bachelor (faculty subject)
• Photography CZ - Bachelor (faculty subject)