Video 2B

Documentary Assignment

Initial Concept: 10 points

Script: 25

Video: 100

 

OBJECTIVE: To produce a three minute documentary using many of the conventions of the medium.  The goal is to enter the documentary into on of the two contests listed below. 

 

PROCEDURE: Select one of the three contest categories below: 

 

The Teen Digital Reel

1. Perspectives on the Environment

Are you concerned about the health of the planet? Perspectives on the Environment will give you the opportunity to speak out on an issue that will affect humanity for generations to come. Topics may include, the air we breath, the water we drink, bio-diversity, endangered species, the effects of commercial development on the natural landscape, overpopulation, our role as planetary stewards, and any other topic about our relationship with our natural environment.

 

2. The Art of Partnership

Address what cooperation means to you. What does it mean to live by working creatively with others? Show how partnerships can bring out the best among people, influence our lives and help us achieve our goals. Everywhere we look people combine their talents and abilities to improve our lives, society and the economy. Partnerships may include anything such as those in school, community, family, friends, business and the media arts.

 

3. Special Civic Category: School Government (3 minutes or less)

We invite entries that present the current or future form, values, and/ or effectiveness of school based student government.  Is student government real?  Does it advance the possibilities and practices towards youth empowerment, genuine democratic governance? How?  Does it play a role in influencing school and community policies or relationships?  Is it a legitimate precursor of formal local, state and national government experience or realities?  Entries may address any or all of these issues to look critically at student government and office holding.

 

 

NOTE: If you enter the Teen Digital Reel contest, the documentary cannot go over three minutes.

 

 

The Sacramento Educational Cable Consortium - SEVA Awards

3. Documentary

An in-depth educational study about classroom curriculum topics, issues or people in current events or history.

 

Watch an excerpt from the documentary that won 1st place in 2005. 

http://www.egusd.net/franklinhs/MediaCom/studentfilms/barren.mov

 

Take a look at the winners of the Sacramento Educational Video Awards (SEVA) from 2005 and from 2006. 

 

 

 

CONCEPT PROCEDURE

Within your row group discuss different ideas for a documentary within each of the three entry categories.  As a group select one of the categories and then decide on a basic concept for your documentary.  Select a typist in your group.   Use Microsoft Word to type your proposal.  List the names of each member of the group.  And make the document name list last names of each member in the group (example: Jones_Smith_Brown1.doc). Place it in the appropriate folder on the server for approval by your teacher. 

 

CONCEPT GRADING CRITERIA
1. List the names of each member of the group.

2. List the working title of this project (you may change this later).

3. Name the director of the project.

4. List the contest category your group has selected.

5. Describe in a paragraph the concept you have for your documentary.

6. Describe what you want to accomplish with you documentary.  Do you want to build awareness, change attitudes, or bring people to action? 

7. Discuss possible sources you will use for this idea.  This can include on-camera interviews with experts, field visits to actual sites, and the use of archival materials. 

 

 

Archival Resources

The Library of Congress has a large amount of online archival material, including music, recorded narratives, photographs and motion picture footage.  For example. see their online collection of “Slave Narratives,” which were recorded in the 1930s. 

 

The Prelinger Archives offers an amazing collection of advertising, educational, industrial, and amateur films made between 1927 and 1987.  No permission is needed to download or reuse data files that you have downloaded from the Prelinger Collection at the Internet Archive. Their website states: “You may download data files from the Prelinger Collection at the Internet Archive, incorporate them into your own production, and distribute, sell or license your own production in any way you please.”  They ask that you credit Prelinger Archives and the Internet Archive for films or footage that you use.   They have some remarkable things in their collection such as the Hindenburg Disaster. 

It is recommended that you stream the small files to preview the footage before you download the MPEG 4 files. 

 

VIDEO PROCEDURE

Use the internet to research your topic. Identify any local experts you might be able to interview.  Identify any archival footage you will require.  Videotape any experts and locations.  Write a voice-over narration.  Edit.

 

You may use archival footage in accordance with the provisions of Fair Use of the U. S. Copyright Law. 

 

Fair Use is the right, in some circumstances, to quote copyrighted material without asking permission or paying for it. It is a crucial feature of copyright law. In fact, it is what keeps copyright from being censorship. You can invoke fair use when the value to the public of what you are saying outweighs the cost to the private owner of the copyright.

Source: Center for Social Media

 

Understand the four categories of Fair Use. 

http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/rock/examples.htm

 

 

 

VIDEO GRADING CRITERIA (100 points total)

  1. Content (40% of total):  
    1. The content of the production is well organized and leads the viewer to a well supported conclusion.
    2. If original video footage is used, then proper camera use is in evidence.

                                                               i.      Camera composition (follows rule-of-thirds, proper headroom, proper framing).

                                                             ii.      Camera technique (color balance is correct; tripod is set properly.

                                                            iii.      Direction (shots have motion that will match when cut to; actors directed to give appropriate performance; retake scenes if needed).

                                                           iv.      Coverage (shooting enough footage to edit, including a variety of shots (CU, MS, OTS, LS, etc.)

                                                             v.      Creativity in shot selection.

    1. Archival Media

                                                               i.      Use of archival media follows copyright law. And is permitted by copyright holder or under Fair Use. 

    1. Narration

                                                               i.      Delivery of lines (phrasing appears natural; volume appropriate).

                                                             ii.      Affect (emotional response is appropriate for the content).

 

 

  1. Editing (40% of total)
    1. Demonstrate competent use of editing software.

                                                               i.      Effective selection of available takes.

                                                             ii.      Appropriate use of cuts and/or transitions.

                                                            iii.      Pacing moves the story along without sacrificing clarity.

                                                           iv.      While it is not required that you use still photos, if you do, you must use key frames to pan and zoom into them (this can be subtle)

                                                             v.      Opening title sequence lists the title (and optional subtitle). This sequence uses motion key frames on still images or video footage to create a collage.

                                                           vi.      Credits at the end list the following:

Directed by _________

Narrated by ________

Original Music by ______

Edited by __________

Credit any sources for the media you are using.  If you are making a Fair Use claim then list it in the end titles. 

 

  1. Sound (10% of total)

                                                               i.      Appropriate use of sound effects if needed for story

                                                             ii.      Feature all original music composed in GarageBand

                                                            iii.      Music at start and end of video (over credits). And where appropriate throughout video.

 

  1. Professionalism (10% of total) 
    1. Professional attitude.

                                                               i.      Works well with others.

                                                             ii.      Follows classroom and school rules.

    1. Assignment completed in a timely manner.

                                                               i.      Assignment delivered in proper format and properly labeled.

 

 

 

Closing credits list the director, narrator(s), camera operator, original music, and editor.

Original music is composed in GarageBand.  (No other music sources are allowed unless you have cleared (or are attempting to clear) the copyright)