FV1S32 - Filmmaking 1: Documentary 08 Jul 2021 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: FV1S32
Module Title: Filmmaking 1: Documentary
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Film and TV
Faculty Sub Group: Film and TV
Module Leader: Joseph Sudlow, Gwyneth Moore
Module Team: Mandy Carpenter,
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100441 - film production
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 08 Jul 2021
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

• Develop an awareness and understanding of filmic storytelling concepts, techniques and aesthetics for documentary filmmaking.
• Familiarise students with the critical skills of analysing and constructing images and sounds and awaken an awareness of the strong relationship between story, sound and visual imagination.
• Introduce students to the concepts of ideas generation, research practices and production development.
• Develop interpersonal and communication skills necessary for collaborative teamwork and industry employability in the film industry.

Content Summary

This module will require the engagement with the foundation stones of storytelling – images and sound, on a highly practical level, through seminars, lecturers and assignments.

The topics of the content will mostly relate to documentary, but there will be some fictional narrative input to help build a relationship between these two filmic disciplines:

Introduction to film language and audio-visual narrative concepts in a factual landscape, with regards to cinematography, sound design, and editing;
Research and development techniques for film production, including the application of primary and secondary research, research to inform production management, and research in the development of film ideas and pitching documentation;
Employability (on an introductory level) through the presenting and pitching of film projects including the importance of teamwork within all aspects of filmmaking, communication, and an understanding of Film industry segments.

This module contains a six-week immersive learning element, which will involve a series of set tasks that will build towards a final documentary film project.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 10
Seminar 6
Practical classes and workshops 20
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 64
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Define the mechanics of audio-visual storytelling and collaborative competences in planning, researching and executing film projects.
LO2 Research and review fact-based subject matter and present evidential supporting material.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 1 Portfolio to include a Short (3- 4min) Documentary Film with Research Folder & Production Paperwork. 0 N/A 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Portfolio 1

Reading List

Bordwell, D. and Thompson, K. (2010) Film Art: An Introduction. 9th edn. London: McGraw-Hill.
Curran, S. (2012). Documentary Storytelling. Boston: Focal Press.
De Jong, W. (2009). Creative Documentary: Theory and Practice. Boston: Focal Press.
Rabinger M. Developing Story Ideas, (2000) Focal Press
Foss, B. (1993). Filmmaking: Narrative and Structural Techniques. Silman-James Press.
Long, B and Schenk, S. (2011). The Digital Filmmaking Handbook. Delmar Cengage Learning.
Rabiger, M. (2004). Directing the Documentary. 5th edn. Boston: Focal Press.