BA Film Studies and French

Please note that this unit is delivered on-campus only and is therefore not available to remote learners

The course is designed to teach students different dramatic styles by integrating theory and analysis with practical work. In addition to attending seminars and screenings, the students will develop video production techniques and post-production skills to discover how different narrative forms are achieved with industry level camera equipment and editing software. Smaller production groups will be formed to devise a short dramatic film using documentary film techniques, which will then go into production, overseen by the tutor. The students will conduct research, develop a working script and learn how to cast and direct non-professional actors on location and through improvised acting. Each student will be required to carry out a variety of functions which could include: director, camera-person, sound-person, editor, production assistant and researcher.

• To give students an opportunity to explore different approaches to video production conducted in the borderland between fact and fiction, and to test those strategies through undertaking practical work on docufiction preproduction, production and postproduction.
• To conduct practice-based research on docufiction film by drawing on docufiction history and theory.
• To develop a critical understanding of media objectivism in historical and contemporary media by understand how an artifice of authenticity can be devised in media productions.

Demonstrate a critical and systematic understanding and knowledge of:

• the artifice of authenticity
• docufiction history and theory
• film production processes

Demonstrate critical understanding and ability to use -

• critical film analysis
• reflective practice
• editing skills

in order to develop, create and produce short films of industry standard or approaching industry standard.

Demonstrate advanced practical skills in:

• preproduction of docufiction film
• production of docufiction film
• postproduction of docufiction film

• Advanced interpersonal communication and team-working skills
• Critical thinking skills and creative group-work practice skills (problem-solving, thinking innovatively, drawing on creative approaches of others, evaluating arguments, giving and receiving feedback, time-keeping)
• Using effective leadership and group-work skills to solve complex problems
• Performing with confidence and precision for specific audiences/contexts, making use of diverse creative approaches and media

Hight, C. & Roscoe, J. 2001. Faking It: Mock-Documentary and the Subversion of Factuality

Owens, J. and G. Millerson. 2012. Video Production HandbookMurch, W. 2001. In the blink of an eye

Rabiger, M. 1992. Directing the Documentary

Rhodes, GD. and JP Springer. (eds.) 2006. Docufictions: essays on the intersection of documentary and fictional filmmaking

Rosenthal, A. 2002. Writing, Directing, and Producing Documentary Films and Videos

Ward, P. 2005. Documentary: The Margins of Reality