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Clp 1040 what is a documentary
This document defines a documentary and outlines its key elements and structure. A documentary presents factual information about real people, places, and events using real footage and interviews. It has three main parts - the set up grabs the viewer's attention, the body presents facts and interviews to inform the audience, and the conclusion summarizes what was covered and sometimes includes the producer's perspective. The document provides guidance on finding a topic, researching, writing a treatment, filming interviews and b-roll footage, creating graphics, writing voiceovers, editing, and assembling the final documentary.
Clp 1040 what is a documentary
- 1. What Is ADocumentary? "Documentaries bring viewers into new worlds and experiences through the presentation of factual information about real people, places, and events.” Sheila Curran Bernard, Documentary Storytelling
- 2. A Documentary Has •Factual Information • Real People • Real Places
- 3. A Documentary Has: •Factual Information – Not distorted – Not one-sided • Daniel Patrick Moynihan – “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
- 4. A Documentary Has: •Factual Information – Not distorted – Not one-sided • Real People – Actors - sometimes such as in Civil War films – Recreations – sometimes in crime reports
- 5. A Documentary Has: •Factual Information – Not distorted – Not one-sided • Real People – Actors - sometimes such as in Civil War films – Recreations – sometimes in crime reports • Real Places – Maps – Graphics
- 6. Essential Elements • TheOpen – Grabs Your Attention – Sets up the subject matter – Draws in the viewer
- 7. How To DoThat • Emotion • Shock • Interesting Video • Interesting Information
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- 12. The Documentary • SetUp • Body • Conclusion
- 13. The Documentary • TheSet Up – Tell them what you are going to tell them – Brief outline of the subject – Make the audience want to watch
- 14. The Documentary • TheBody – Tell them what you are telling them • Voice Over narration • Video that shows the subject matter – B-roll – Sometimes voice over – Sometimes full sound • Interviews that add information, impact or emotion • Graphics that enhance the viewer’s understanding
- 15. The Documentary • TheConclusion – Tell them what you just told them • Summary of important elements – Use different graphics – Additional information – Opinion of the producer • The viewer has the information to understand the subject • Now the producer can present a point of view
- 16. The Close • Title –Music Full Sound • Credits • Fade to black
- 17. How To GetThere From Here! • Find a subject – Something you are: • Want to know more about • Angry about • Confused about – Something related to a constitutional issue • Free speech, Freedom of Religion, Free Press • Interstate commerce • Taxation, Gun control, Criminal prosecution
- 18. How To GetThere From Here! • Do some research – Get the basic information – Find potential interviews – Locate places for B-roll video
- 19. How To GetThere From Here! • Write a treatment – A basic outline – Explains the subject – Tells why we should care – Shows how you will get it done
- 20. How To GetThere From Here! • Line up and shoot interviews – First prepare questions – Listen to responses and follow-up – Take notes
- 21. How To GetThere From Here! • Shoot B-roll video – Match video to elements of interviews – Use video to show subject matter – Video is essential to cover voiceover narration
- 22. How To GetThere From Here! • Produce a Rundown – An outline of the documentary – Lets everyone know the order and flow – Organizes elements for everyone working on the video
- 23. How To GetThere From Here! • Create Graphics – Help explain subject – Reinforce visually the narration
- 24. How To GetThere From Here! • Write the voiceovers – Provides the basic information – Short declarative sentences – Keep them tight and to the point – Remember to coordinate with the video
- 25. How To GetThere From Here! • Edit the elements – B-roll edited to match the narration or vice-versa – Interviews edited for proper effect • For emotional impact • For credibility – Cut for proper length
- 26. How To GetThere From Here! • Assemble the documentary – Pull all the elements together in a cohesive piece – Trim videos or re-cut when necessary – Rewrite and record voiceovers where necessary