First-Year Studies: Documentary Filmmaking: Falling in Love With True Storytelling

Catalog description

In an age in which narratives shape perceptions and drive societal change, this course will invite students to explore the profound art of documentary filmmaking. The course will offer a comprehensive introduction to the practices and principles of creating compelling documentaries that illuminate the human experience. Students will develop a critical understanding of the power of nonfiction stories while investigating the narrative structures, technical skills, and ethical considerations that underpin the documentary form. Through hands-on workshops, screenings, group discussions, and individual projects, students will gain valuable insights into the creative process while developing their unique voice as filmmakers. The course will cover the foundational elements of documentary production and essential topics, including the historical evolution of documentary, techniques for effective storytelling and interviewing, research, camera and lighting styles, editing, and the role of the filmmaker as both creator and curator of real-life stories. By the end of the course, students will have conceived, filmed, directed, produced, and edited a three- to five-minute documentary short while also learning to capture the essence of life on film as they harness the power of true storytelling to inform, inspire, and engage. In fall until mid- semester, students will meet weekly with the instructor for individual conferences; thereafter through spring, individual conferences will be biweekly. History First-Year Studies: The Emergence of the Modern Middle East