Y9 - Documentary

Documentary Film Analysis and Production
Allow about 16 in-school hours for this project.

Analysis

Welcome to our 14-hour learning module on making a short documentary! In this exciting journey, you’ll analyze professional short documentaries, learn key filmmaking techniques, and create your own 1-2 minute documentary. This module combines analysis, hands-on demonstrations, and practical production, with resources designed for both in-class and remote learning.

First, we'll watch and analyse three inspiring short documentaries to understand how filmmakers tell compelling stories. The goal is to break down the elements of a documentary and learn how to apply them to your own work.

1. The World’s Smallest Cat – A fascinating look at the tiny rusty-spotted cat and its survival in the wild.

2. How I Built My Prosthetic Arm with LEGO Bricks – An inspiring story of creativity and resilience.

3. Stacking Cups SUPER Fast Changed His Life – A unique tale of how a niche skill transformed someone’s life.

Radio Edit

1. Listen to the First 1-2 Minutes: Close your eyes and listen to the opening of the documentary without visuals.

2. Discuss the Radio Edit: In small groups or via an online forum, answer these questions:

   • What story is being set up through the audio alone?

   • What emotions or themes are conveyed by the narration, interviews, or sound effects?

   • What kind of visuals do you imagine accompanying this audio?

3. Write a Short Prediction (100 words): Based on the audio, describe the images you expect to see (e.g., locations, objects, people, actions). 

Watch and Compare

1. Watch it again with vision.

2. Compare Your Predictions: Discuss in groups or online:

   • How did the actual visuals compare to your predictions?

   • Were there any surprises in how the filmmaker used images to tell the story?

   • Besides the subject of the shot, consider the framing and composition.

Analyse A-Roll and B-Roll

1. Define A-Roll and B-Roll:

   • A-Roll: Primary footage, such as interviews or main action, that drives the narrative.

   • B-Roll: Supporting footage that enhances the story, such as cutaways, scenery, or action shots.

2. Identify Examples: Rewatch a 1-minute segment of each documentary and list 2-3 examples of A-roll and B-roll. 

   • Notice different framing, camera angles etc.

Music, Effects, and Post-Production Techniques

1. Watch the whole film and pause to discuss the following:

1. • Music: How does the music set the tone or enhance emotions? Is it fast, slow, or dramatic?

   • Sound Effects: Do sound effects (e.g., footsteps, nature sounds) add realism or emphasis?

   • Shots, Slow Zooms/Accents: Notice any slow zooms or camera movements that draw attention to details.

   • Color Grading: Does the film use warm, cool, or vibrant colors to create a mood?

   • Titles: How are titles used to introduce the story or provide information?

Assessment Task: Written Analysis

Task: Write a 300-word analysis of one documentary, focusing on its use of radio edit, A-roll/B-roll, and one post-production technique (music, effects, zooms, grading, or titles). Explain how these elements work together to tell the story.

Marking Criteria:

1. Demonstrates understanding of: 

• • Radio edit (10 marks)

  • A-Roll and B-roll (10 marks)

  • Use of music and sound effects OR impact of shot composition and camera movement OR the effect of colour grading and titles  (10 marks)

2. Use of specific examples from the documentary to illustrate each of the terms above  (10 marks)

Production Task

For this screen production task, you will create a short documentary - 1-2 minutes.  You may choose to focus on any issue or topic that you have some expertise on, or you can base your film on a fellow student with an interesting story to tell.

You will be expected to work independently to:  

1. Shoot a short interview with a person who has an interesting story tell.  Make sure you choose a suitable location, frame up carefully and ensure there's not too much interfering ambient sound.

2. Do a Radio Edit.  A radio edit is where you edit for timing of the spoken interview, remove umms and ahhhs etc.

3. Add b-roll.  B-roll consists of images and video that help tell the story by complementing the interview.  Each shot should be significantly differently to the previous one.

4. Add music and sound effects to help tell the story.

5. Add any slow zooms or animated reframes.

6. Colour correct and grade.

7. Add titles.

8. Fine tune and deliver.