The power of documentary filmmaking

Advanced documentary filmmaking is the sixth episode of the fourth season of the nbc sitcom community, which originally aired on march 14, 20. Your world, your story this course explores the power of the moving image and helps students harness smart devices to produce their own short films. Power s war has taken nearly three years of extensive research and production to compete. Documentary proposal template documentary filmmaking. Below, weve listed the most important tools, as well as some basic guidelines, that youll need for your documentary filmmaking journey. Scribd is the worlds largest social reading and publishing site. Sabrina chammas, an undergraduate in the communication studies program at northeastern university, wants to use this power of documentary filmmaking to encourage the viewer to get off the couch and act.

In this episode, abed makes a documentary about changnesia in order to receive a grant, with jeff attempting to prove chang is faking his disease. Clarks analysis of standard 35mm film showcased that depending on the type of film used, the resolution fell between 4 and 16 million pixels. Jul 06, 2018 at a recent film screening of our new documentary film ocean cities, about connecting cities and marine environments, the panel discussion and questions that followed demonstrated clearly the value of these kinds of films. This era of documentary filmmaking has been partly defined by the emergence of playful chimeras, but in many ways, such works are throwbacks. Dec 20, 2016 documentaries have the power to educate. Lighting, music, and sounds have the power to evoke emotion and completely change how a film feels, so use them wisely.

A visceral and vicious depiction of the evil that powerhungry men do by koraljka suton theres an old rule among directors that you see a film in its totality about four. The power of documentary film blog doha film institute. A new era in film history began in this decade with the industrywide movement towards sound into film, creating new genres such as action, musicals, documentaries, social statement films, comedies, westerns, and horror movies, with stars such as laurence olivier, shirley temple, and director john ford rising to rapid fame. This film, made in 1987, is a grand sweep of bpas history, using bpas own vintage footage as.

Documenatry filmmaking ppt documentary film leisure. As a closing note, the nea is invested in this conversation because the documentary format, like any other form of art, has the power to enhance the value of individuals and communities, connect us to each other and to something greater than ourselves, and empower creativity and innovation in our society and economy. It touches on a specific example of the influence ads have had. I really thank him for his time and generosity to share his knowledge and experience with me who is dreaming to produce my first documentary film. Time and time again, cinema is mindlessly dismissed as escapism. Take the mystery out of documentary filmmaking process with this 7day crash course. It was the antidote to all i didnt like about fiction filmmaking. Most people not involved in filmmaking are not entirely aware of the power of the camera and editing to structure events in ways they would never expect. One of my favorite films from the past year is a short work from native american filmmaker sky hopinka, dislocation blues. Sep 23, 2014 documentary filmmakers are lurking in murky waters when it comes to ethical challenges. She hopes that her work could one day be featured in big film festivals like sundance and cannes. Were an international team based in scotland and we work with clients all over the world. I also believe deeply in the power of documentary storytelling as a means to share glimpses into lives vastly different from the viewers, to foster empathy, to engage, and to.

They serve as powerful tools that bring important topics to the table in a captivating way that also sparks conversation, and sometimes even social movements. Best cameras for documentary filmmaking 2019 top 5. The power of documentary filmmaking globally recruit. An ethical code of documentary practice allows us to address the imbalance of power that often arises between filmmakers and both their subjects and their audience. The creative impact award aims to honour those filmmakers whose documentaries bring burning issues to our attention. For penn laws regina austin, video is a powerful tool for legal advocacy.

Help your filmmaking skills flourish with a multimedia education. Top 50 filmmaking quotes to inspire indie film hustle. Susan sarandon on the power of documentaries indiewire. It is a type of film that is based on the real world and real people, depicting things as they are or telling about historical events in a supposedly truthful or objective manner. Specifically, we need to recon this essay grew from numerous sources of encouragement and stimulation. Documentary film is a broad category of visual expression that is based on the attempt, in one fashion or another, to document reality. Documentaries were once treated as cinematic spinach films that were good for you but now, nonfiction filmmakers have transformed a.

The power and potential of performative documentary film by. When the legendary director werner herzog was 19, he stole a camera and made his first movie. Documentary filmmaking equipment list digital filmmaker. The direct economic impact of film is clear, but the effect to the wider economy is also significant. How the decades best documentaries chart radical changes. For example, clarks study noted that fujifilms provia 100 film produced a resolution around 7 mp while fujifilms velvia 50 produced a resolution around 16 mp. Documentary filmmakers are lurking in murky waters when it comes to ethical challenges. They serve as powerful tools that bring important topics to the table in a captivating way that also sparks. Cameron is currently working on developing a series based around the power shootout as well as a follow up western history documentary film. Its a way to tell clients stories, place complicated issues quickly in context, and put faces and names to issues that may not see the light of day in more traditional media outlets. Raising a question when i ask the students in my film classes at the university if they can define or at least somehow describe what makes a film a documentary, they usually come up with answers like this. Documentary films are an in depth and informative resource which are a perfect platform to. Ken burns teaches documentary filmmaking official trailer. Documenatry filmmaking ppt free download as powerpoint presentation.

The episode was written by hunter covington, and directed by jay chandrasekhar. Cinematography, documentary, filmmaking, interview, screenwriting, screenwriting 101 sweet smell of success. Although cinema is sometimes a vehicle for escapism, allowing us to put on the. I anxiously waited for subsequent films and lectures but none were ever made. Why documentaries have the power to change the world. Those devices will function as a powerful extension of our minds as we explore the question, what makes film so powerful and how can we tell our own stories. Documentary has been described as a filmmaking practice, a cinematic tradition, and mode of audience reception that is continually evolving and is without clear. In ken burnss masterclass, the documentary filmmaker teaches his techniques for distilling complex truths into captivating stories like the vietnam war and brooklyn bridge. Whilst films are predominately created for entertainment purposes, it would be a mistake to reject their worldchanging potential.

It affirms, among other things, the principle of informed consent for subjects, inflected to acknowledge that documentary filmmaking is more of an artistic practice than a. Powers war has taken nearly three years of extensive research and production to compete. So lets look at five of the best video camera options for shooting video in documentary filmmaking. Ken shares why hes teaching his masterclass, what youll learn, and encourages you to break free from the rules of conventional filmmaking. River of power 1987 bonneville power administration. Documentary filmmaking as catalyst for change cara lee birch may 12, 2014 like the eminent voices of the past now woven into the citys fabric sinclair, algren, wright, brooks and terkel, among othersthey take an intimate, informed and impassioned approach to. A joyful noise, the musician speaks of the limitations of earthly creation and the creative power that comes from outer space.

Addressing the need to make documentary filmmaking a viable career, she said you dont get paid for this part, but you need. I can without a doubt say that the course is just giving me a university degree in documentary filmmaking in addition to the experiences shared by adam. Dec 15, 2016 documentary, nonfiction, factual, reality, news shooting there are many ways of describing it, but the art of making a documentary video requires essentially the same film making equipment tools across the board, no matter what you call it. San antonio four thank the power of filmmaking at glaad. Training tomorrows lawyers through the power of documentary filmmaking. It is a given that films have the capacity to influence people and lead them to new. Why documentaries still have the power to change the world world.

Dec, 2012 training tomorrows lawyers through the power of documentary filmmaking for penn law s regina austin, video is a powerful tool for legal advocacy. To hear from the filmmakers, to meet their characters, illuminates our world in a way that only documentary filmmaking can. Rapid response to covid19 puts the power of innovation to the test. Documentary filmmaking in the himalayas penn today. A documentary film is a nonfictional, motion picture intended to document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education, or maintaining a historical record. It is a type of film that is based on the real world and real people. They are aware that boundaries need to be set and that there should not be an abuse of power, yet there arent any clear solutions to ethical challenges. Documentary, nonfiction, factual, reality, news shooting there are many ways of describing it, but the art of making a documentary video requires essentially the same film making equipment tools across the board, no matter what you call it. At the heart of documentary production is the relationship between filmmaker and subjectsnot often an equal balance of power. But first, some questions on the particular property of documentary film. I decided to put together a list of some of my favorite filmmaking quotes from some of the masters of the medium. Anyone who has ever listen to the ifh podcasts knows that i start off every episode with a filmmaking quote. As a closing note, the nea is invested in this conversation because the documentary format, like any other form of art, has the power to enhance the value of individuals and communities, connect us to each other and to something greater than ourselves, and empower. Should documentary filmmakers expect to really speak to power.

This is a documentary highlighting the impact advertisements have on societal opinions. In this film class, youll learn storytelling, cinematography, location scouting, selffinancing, documentary interview techniques, and how to bring your ideas to life. Hearing, watching, touching, smelling and tasting are the only doorways to the outer world. An extraordinary documentary about the art of sun ra the. How to deal with ethical challenges in documentary filmmaking.

The power filmmaking kit is a comprehensive, multimedia book and dvd package that empowers you to produce your own hollywoodquality movie. The uk house of commons culture, media and sport committee in a 2002 report on the british film industry stated, of the 23 million people who visited the uk in 2001 spending approximately. Training tomorrows lawyers through the power of documentary. Where all these intersect is at the core subject of this book. Documentaries matter because a successful story has the power to allow others. Aug 15, 2019 one thing every aspiring documentary filmmaker absolutely needs is a high quality camera. Some of the comments reflected a sense of being inspired by what other cities were doing thats a great idea, we continue reading ocean cities. Suber indirectly reveals why the first 100 years since the birth of cinema were only the tip of the iceberg and that we are only now beginning to tap into the subliminal and sublime ways in which film affects us. We create innovative outreach campaigns for your films, grounded in our own background in documentary filmmaking. Movies have the power to create a shared narrative experience and to shape memories and worldviews. Powers of ten takes us on an adventure in magnitudes. Documentary filmmaking tips be on air media schools.

Form and style documentary techniques the partridge nest. Ken burns teaches documentary filmmaking masterclass. It screened at the national gallery of art in washington dc and the film forum in new york city. At a recent film screening of our new documentary film ocean cities, about connecting cities and marine environments, the panel discussion and questions that followed demonstrated clearly the value of these kinds of films. Also called stock footage, this is film or video that can be used in other film productions. Documentary filmmaking as catalyst for change cara lee birch may 12, 2014 like the eminent voices of the past now woven into the citys fabric sinclair, algren, wright, brooks and terkel, among othersthey take an intimate, informed and impassioned approach to social justice issues. British film director beeban kidron invokes iconic film scenes from miracle in milan to boyz n the hood as she shows how her group filmclub shares great films with kids. Over the past few years, these movements have all been impacted by powerful documentary films. Documentary filmmaking in the himalayas supported by national geographic and other grants, seniors alina peng and charles zhang traveled to bhutan to discover how villagers are coping with the effects of water scarcity and climate change. Why documentaries have the power to change the world one. Films can have an impact far greater than first imagined. River of power completes nearly 50 years of bpa documentary filmmaking.

The power and potential of performative documentary film by john arthur little a thesis essay submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of master of fine arts in science and natural history filmmaking montana state university bozeman, montana april 2007. Documentary filmmaking high school journalism institute. This course explores the power of the moving image and helps students harness smart devices to produce their own short films. This film, made in 1987, is a grand sweep of bpas history, using bpas own vintage footage as well as period newsreels and new footage. Creativity, hard work, and inspiration are all key components of a successful career as a documentary filmmaker, but having the right skills is important as well.

Sep 16, 20 should documentary filmmakers expect to really speak to power. Directed by keith fulton and louis pepe, this documentary tells the story of. Jan 19, 2017 i was getting bored with sets and hierarchies, and fell in with the documentary community. So you can imagine my excitement when i came across the power of film on amazon in august.

When i was at school getting into documentary, i dreamed up a project for senior year, where i went to israel and palestine to work on a documentary project. Nov 19, 2014 susan sarandon on the power of documentaries. I learned more about film, filmmaking and life in general from these lectures which run concurrently with the film then i have from any book or film course. Aug 09, 2018 in ken burnss masterclass, the documentary filmmaker teaches his techniques for distilling complex truths into captivating stories like the vietnam war and brooklyn bridge. Starting at a picnic by the lakeside in chicago, this famous film transports us to the outer edges of the universe. Your life experiences, personal goals, and early films are all fodder for your career as filmmaker. With a critical need for equipment that can help protect frontline healthcare workers, the penn community has come together to help fabricate 20,000 face shields by mid. San antonio four thank the power of filmmaking at glaad awards. Addressing the need to make documentary filmmaking a viable career. Stock footage is often images of cities and landmarks, historical events of importance or images of the natural landscape and wildlife.

But theres definitely a lot more that goes into the filmmaking process, aside from an artistic eye and technical knowhow. Knowledge comes in different ways through our five senses. Documentary makers commit years of their lives in an effort to bring us these vital and often complex stories and in. Why documentaries matter now more than ever guest column. And while many documentarians will tell you that the camera itself does not make the story, it can be helpful to have one of the better tools for the job.