CI 4950
Non-Fiction Film and Video
Fall, 2001
 


Instructor: Jeff Goodman
Office: EDH 112-D
Office Hours:  Tuesday  7-8, 9:30-11, 12:30-3:30, 5:00-6:30  Thursday 7-8, 9:30-11, 5:00-6:30 or by appointment
Office Phone: 262.2176
Home Phone: 828.675.9061
E-mail Address: goodmanjm@appstate.edu

Media Lab EDH 212: phone 262.6090
Curriculum and Instruction Equipment Checkout at Room 113C:  MWF 9-11, TR 1-3

Class web page: http://pm.appstate.edu/~goodmanj/4810/CI4950f01.html
 
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: (jump to September)   (jump to October)   (jump to November)
 
 
Date
Topic and Viewing
Assignment Due

August 16
Modes of Representation
  • Expository: Nanook of the North
  • Observational:  Central Park, Salesman
  • Interactive: Six O'Clock News
  • Reflexive:  Slow Food Fast Times
Introduction to video camcorders
Discuss The Lens, the Eye and the I: Self Portrait Project I

August 23		 Topics and techniques:  the explosion of forms
 
  • The Match that Started My Fire
  • Glass Jaw
  • Moses Pendleton on Moses Pendleton
  • Dr. Death
  • 32 Short Films About Glenn Gould
  • Koyaanisqatsi


Introduction to digital video editing
Ten Images Assignment: A Sense of Place due

 The Lens, the Eye and the I: Self Portrait Project I due

August 30		 Interview techniques
  • Auto Bond
  • Interview with Erol Morris
  • Vernon Florida
Gathering live audio and interviewing
Discuss Interview assignment		 Ten Images Assignment: A Sense of Place due

September 13		 (Documenting already structured reality:
concerts, lectures
  • Bringing it All Back Home
  • Pred Fest footage
  • Video conference footage)
Postponed until later.
Discuss Response to Current Events		 Interview assignment due

September 20		 Propaganda and the News
  • From "The Eternal Jew"
  • Fear and Favor in the Newsroom
  • Lines in the Sand
  • Panama Deception
 Discuss News Analysis		 Response to Current Events due
September 27
Documenting conflict
  • Fast Food Women
  • *Harlan County USA
Discuss Conflict/ History Project		 News Analysis due

October 4
Documentary and history
  • Times of Harvey Milk
  • Jazz
  • *Radio Bikini

October 18
Documentary as personal exploration
  • My Father Sold Studebakers
  • *Sherman's March 
Discuss Self-portrait project II		 Conflict/History Project due
October 25
Documenting the human soul
  • The Cruise
  • The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg
  • American Movie
  • *Hearts of Darkness
Documenting the Creative Arts Porject (counts double)		 Self-portrait project II due

November  1		 Documenting art and live events
  • Bringing it All Back Home
  • Picasso
  • The Year of the Horse
  • Hype
  • *Monterey Pop

November 8		 Mediated Reality
  • 20 Dates
  • "Reality" TV programming
  • Clips
  • *This is Spinal Tap
Discuss Mediated Reality Project		 Documenting the Creative Arts Porject due (counts double)

November 15		 Persuasion and point of view
  • Miss or Myth
  • Power
  • *The Big One
Discuss Persuasion Project		 Mediated reality project due
November 29 Documentary and change
  • Paradise Lost
  • Paradise Lost 2
  • *Thin Blue Line


 

 Persuasion project due

Final Presentations: 
Saturday, December 8, 12- 2

 
 


 

Evaluation:

Production/analysis projects. (70%) Each Thursday, you will be given an assignment that will give you an opportunity to explore in more depth the ideas we have covered in class and/or to practice some hands-on production skills. A word-processed one-page narrative reflection connecting the production process to the films viewed the previous week is expected.  These projects may be completed alone, or when noted, in groups of up to three; when completed in groups, each person should submit his or her own narrative. The projects will be due the following week and will be graded on a three point scale according to the following criteria:

Please Complete a Self Evaluation Form for each project you turn in.

Three points if your project: Two points if your project: One point if your project: Your total points for all twelve assignments will determine your grade for this component of the course:

28-36 points = A
26-27 points = A-
24-25 points = B+
22-23 points = B
20-21 points = B-
18-19 points = C+
16-17 points = C
14-15 points = C-
12-13 points = D+
10-11 points = D
8-9 points = D-
<8 points = F

Final Presentations. (15%)  Each student will prepare a compilation tape of clips of his or her work over the course of the semester, as well as a written reflection on this work.  It is expected that this reflection will connect the production work to the viewings and readings completed in class and show a developing sense of the student as critic, producer and videographer.

Class preparation, participation and attendance. (15%) 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 affect your grade.


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.