Course | Madison College Outline of Instruction

20801253Introduction to Documentary Storytelling

Course Information

Description

Documentary Storytelling is an introduction to the craft of telling non-fiction and news stories through the medium of digital video. This course will teach news reporting and writing skills needed for the documentary format, along with journalism theory, law, and ethics of video journalism. Students will also learn basic digital camcorder operation, storyboard development, video editing, sound editing, and podcasting.

Total Credits

Course Competencies

Operate different types of digital camcorders

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by producing a how-to report, either written or oral

by completing several documentary projects using a digital camcorder

Criteria

you understand the basic operation of a handheld digital camcorder, including zoom, playback, record, light setting, and microphone setting operations

you understand how effective camera operation impacts the quality of video files contained within documentaries

you know how to store and maintain a digital camcorder
Operate different types of microphones used in video production

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by producing a how-to report, either written or oral

by completing several documentary projects using a microphone with a digital camcorder

Criteria

you understand the basic operation of using different types of microphones needed in documentary production

you understand how different locations impact sound quality in video production

you understand how to store and maintain camera microphones
Use light to enhance storytelling techniques

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by producing a how-to report, either written or oral

by completing several documentary projects in which both natural and artificial light is used

Criteria

you understand how to use natural and artificial light for video scenes

you understand how different lighting situations impact shot locations

you understand how to store and maintain lighting equipment
Select locations that support story themes

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by producing a how-to report, either written or oral

by completing several documentary projects that include shot locations

Criteria

you understand how shot locations impact video scenes

you know how to select both private property and public property locations for video shoots

you know how to develop a budget and checklist for location shoots
Apply the conventions of journalism to non-fiction storytelling in documentary form

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by producing analysis and evaluation reports, either in written or oral form

by completing several documentary projects in which journalism theory is applied to each assignment

Criteria

you comprehend the conventions of news writing style as it applies to both short-form and long-form journalism

you can name and describe specific documentaries that are socially significant and important

you understand the role of journalism in a democratic society

you analyze purpose and audience to determine what non-fiction stories need to be told, and what non-fiction stories do not need to be told
Apply an understanding of journalism law and ethics during the development of documentaries

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by producing analysis and evaluation reports, either in written or oral form

by completing several documentary projects in which legal and ethical decisions are made during the pre-production, production, and post-production stages

Criteria

you understand journalism laws: libel, sunshine, shield, and copyright

you understand ethical dilemmas and boundaries in both journalism and documentary storytelling
Comprehend the societal importance of the documentary form in a democratic society

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by producing analysis and evaluative reports, either in written or oral form

by completing several documentary projects in which a clear understanding of societal impacts of documentaries is exhibited

Criteria

you understand how the documentary form evolved both in the U.S. and throughout the world

you understand how noteworthy documentaries have impacted world civilization
Apply storytelling techniques used in documentaries

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by producing analysis and evaluative reports, either in written or oral form

by completing several documentary projects in which storytelling style is considered during the pre-production, production, and post-production stages

Criteria

you understand how documentaries use different storytelling styles i.e. investigative, historical, biographic, personal narrative when constructing the storyline

you understand how the literary journalism techniques i.e. plot, character development, conflict, and resolution -- can be applied to the documentary form
Pursue pre-interview strategies before conducting location interviews

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by completing several documentary projects in which pre-interview strategies are effectively used

Criteria

you understand the important of developing background research to effectively prepare for a source and/or location interview

you know how to use quality databases for background research

you know how conduct primary research strategies prior to shot interviews
Interview sources on location

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by conducting several location interviews for documentary assignments

Criteria

you use different types of interviewing strategies for location interviews

you use your knowledge of journalism ethics and law to conduct interviews that are legal and ethical
Find audio files to support video files

Assessment Strategies

by locating quality free-use audio files that are later inserted into assignment storyboards

by obtaining permission rights for use of audio files, when appropriate

Criteria

you apply your knowledge of copyright laws to the selection of audio files for documentary storytelling assignments

you understand how to locate free-use visual files on the Internet
Find visual files to support video files

Assessment Strategies

by locating quality free-use visual files that are later inserted into assignment storyboards

by obtaining permission rights for use of visual files, when appropriate

Criteria

you apply your knowledge of copyright laws to the selection of specific visual files (i.e. still photos, cartoons) for assignments

you understand how to locate free-use audio files on the Internet
Operate video editing software to compile and merge all files video, still images, text, audio in a video file

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by using both open-source and proprietary video editing software during the post-production stage of various documentary assignments

Criteria

you understand how to operate the basic functions of both open-source (i.e. Windows MovieMaker, iMovie) and proprietary video editing software (i.e. Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere)

you know how to save the video file in different file size formats for different purposes

you know the software/plug-ins the viewers need in order to access the video file on both Windows-based and Mac systems
Operate audio editing and compression software

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by creating and editing audio files used in various documentary assignments

Criteria

you know how to use open-source podcast software (i.e. Audacity) to create and edit audio files

you know how to insert audio files in video editing software

you know how audio file sizes impact the transportability and publishing of video software
Write a 30-second PSA script

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by writing a 30-second script for a 30-second public service announcement

Criteria

you know the conventions of script writing for the public service announcement format

you apply the conventions of communications and persuasion when writing a public service announcement

you use your knowledge of journalism law and ethics when writing a script
Write a one-minute broadcast news script

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by writing a one-minute script for a one-minute news-focused video file

Criteria

you know the conventions of script writing for current news reporting conveyed through a short (one-minute) video file

you apply the conventions of journalism theory (i.e. inverted pyramid, newsworthy and timely reportage that relate to short (one-minute) broadcast-style video files
Write a two-minute news feature script

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by writing a two-minute script for a two-minute news feature video file

Criteria

you know the conventions of script writing for a news feature approach conveyed through a two-minute video file

you apply the conventions of journalism theory (i.e. feature story structure) that relate to two-minute video files with a news feature approach
Write a four-minute script.

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by writing a four-minute script for a four-minute documentary

Criteria

you know the conventions of script writing for a longer documentary form

you apply the conventions of long-form journalism and literary journalism (i.e. narrative arc, dialogue) as they apply to the documentary format
Narrate a script as a voice-over (VO)

Assessment Strategies

by creating different VO narrations for various documentary assignments

Criteria

you can determine the qualities of an effective VO narration in documentary form

you know how to create a smooth and effective VO using your own public speaking voice
Apply knowledge of the documentary form to the process of peer reviewing the works of fellow students

Assessment Strategies

by providing both written and oral feedback that is constructive in helping others elevate the quality of their assignments

Criteria

you understand the importance of peer review and collaborative work when developing a documentary project

you know how to effectively critique the projects of fellow students
Publishing video files to different platforms

Assessment Strategies

by taking quizzes

by publishing the final projects of your documentary assignments to different platforms

Criteria

you understand what different document extensions mean in relation to different video editing systems, and how these different document extensions impact audiences with different computer systems

you know how to publish the final products of your documentary assignments to different platforms, such as the Internet, DVDs, CDs, for instance