Documentary Film Making Theory and Practice

Overview

Academic Lead: Hazel Falck

Syllabus: SUM506E Documentary Film Making Theory and Practice 

This module offers you an opportunity to put theory into practice, cultivating a sense of the history and theory of documentary film alongside the chance to make your own short non-fiction film. The theory part of the module charts the historical development of documentary through the examination of films ranging from the early twentieth century to the present day, with the focus on issues of truth, ethics, technique and creativity. The practical part of the module supports you to create and complete your own short documentary film. Four key issues are central to the modules: 1) locating the truth you want to convey; 2) ensuring that you adhere to an ethical code whilst producing your film; 3) engaging with storytelling, exposition, visual and structuring techniques, including considering how meaning is made in post-production and 4) exploring creative formal approaches appropriate to your film.

Course content is subject to change.

Course aims

This course aims to:

• Analyse a wide range documentary films from different historical periods and national contexts. 
• Examine the different ways documentary film has been theorised, taking into account issues of creativity, facts, narrative and ethics.
• Use  historical and theoretical understanding to inform the planning, production and post-production of a documentary film.
• Offer experience of working as a part of a small team on an industry-standard treatment document.
• Actively explore how to find the right creative formal approaches appropriate to your film, through discussion of storytelling, exposition, and appropriate production and post-production techniques.

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, film screenings and field trips. 

Learning outcomes

You will:

• Show awareness of a wide range documentary films from different historical periods and national contexts. 
• Be able to discuss the different ways documentary film has been theorised, taking into account issues of creativity, facts, narrative and ethics, and to apply this to your own creative practice.

You will be able to:

• Produce an industry-standard treatment document.
• Undertake the planning, production and post-production of a documentary film.
• Grasp the interrelatedness of theory and practice through reflection on own film-making and examination of the work of other documentary filmmakers.
• Display the individual characteristics of a scholar-filmmaker - putting ideas into practice, relating own work to other filmmakers and theories of film - and 'self-starter' - harnessing creativity, surmounting practical problems, working to a tight deadline.
• Work as part of a team of creative practitioners, displaying co-operation, support, and critical insight into your own and others work in a group setting.

Fees

Additional costs

All reading material will be provided online, so it is not necessary to purchase any books.

You will be required to pay your travel costs to and from any field trips.

For course and housing fees visit our finance webpage

Entry requirements

How to apply

Have a question? Get in touch - one of the team will be happy to help!

Applications close 26 May 2025