Framing the World

In class on Thursday, we watched segments of documentaries and examined several types of shots commonly used in the documentary genre. For your documentary projects, you'll be focusing on two types of shots: interview shots, also called "talking heads," and b-roll, which is anything that is used to "cut away" from your main subject. For your assignment due on Tuesday the 18th by midnight, all groups should post a 30-second video as an individual post (rather than a comment).

This video should include some original footage (i.e., shot by you with your camera) and fall into one of the two categories discussed above. Please include a short description of the footage. What types of shots are included? Where were they shot? When? What kind of camera did you use?

Secondly, you'll need to purchase a notebook. Any kind of notebook will do--a little pocket sized one, a big college ruled situation, something you got for free from a hotel. I want you to put your name in it and title it Production Log. Reflect on this assignment for your first entry in the Production Log, which you'll keep like a journal of the work you do on your documentary. At various points throughout the remainder of the semester, you'll turn the Log in for homework credit. At the end of the semester, you'll use it to help create your "Director's Commentary," which comprises half of the grade for your Writing Project Three. It will also be useful in the course reflection, which comprises 5% of your grade.

What do you write in it? You'll use it to plan your documentary, plan your shots, to keep track of the hours you've put into the project, to write notes to yourself when you're at the mall and you think of the perfect edit or interview question, and to write reflections on the work you're doing. Bring your notebook to class on March 20th.

Have such a great Spring Break! Be safe and be happy!