The Audiovisual Documentary: Production & Theory (2025/2026: Semester 2 – Summer)

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Cursusdoel

After compleating this course students are able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge on documentary films from various cultural contexts, time periods and sub-genres.
2. Position yourself within key-debates surrounding audiovisual documentaries (e.g., fact- fiction dichotomy, verisimilitude, truth claims, etc), while using relevant terminology and conceptual frameworks.
3. Apply the method of film analysis when examining documentary films and produce a written essay consistent with academic standards and scholarship situated in Media Studies.
4. Develop basic knowledge of audiovisual documentary creation: from treatment and production plan to film production and editing.
5. Execute all these skills while working on a short audiovisual documentary (between 10 and 20 minutes long) in a small film crew (3 to 5 people).
6. Use a professional digital editing programme (Da Vinci resolve) in collaboration with your film crew and apply cinematic language to create a documentary narrative.

Alignment of assessment and course goals
Assessment Weight Assesses which course aims?
Take-home journal 15% 1, 2, 4
Analytical Essay 30% 1, 2, 3
Practical Assignment. Documentary Film Production (Group) 35% 4, 5
Practical Assignment. Documentary Film Editing (Group) 20% 4, 6

Vakinhoudelijk

In the realm of film documentaries, the concept of a 'document' and its association with 'truth' holds significant weight. Traditionally, this genre has been defined by notions such as the 'factual representation of reality' and 'authenticity,' but recent years have witnessed challenges to these claims. This course delves into the relevance of questioning this perception within our contemporary context and explores whether dismissing assertions of truth(fulness) altogether is warranted. Such debates serve as a springboard for students to delve into film analysis from both formal and conceptual angles.

This theoretical and practical course aims to provoke reflection on the increasing popularization of audiovisual documentaries and our evolving relationship with these images, both as audiences and, increasingly, as producers. Through critical tools introduced in film analysis, students will scrutinize documentaries with depth and rigor. The course will encompass both historical milestones and contemporary exemplars to hone students' theoretical understanding and practical skills. Notable filmmakers such as Jorge Furtado, Godfrey Reggio, Maya Deren, Jennie Livingston, and Sam Feder will serve as key examples.

Moreover, students will actively participate in a collaborative endeavor to produce an audiovisual documentary short film. This hands-on experience will be guided by the instructor and supplemented by support from Utrecht University's Media Lab, providing an invaluable opportunity for students to apply their newfound knowledge and skills.


Format
  • Film theory (e.g., history of documentary, the fact-fiction dichotomy, classification, the mockumentary, etc.)
  • Film analysis
  • Film production (including pitching ideas,
    project planning, film production, editing, crew dynamics, etc.)
  • Film screenings of selected documentaries

Each class is structured as follows: two sessions before lunch break and two in the afternoon, with a 20’ break between sessions. Each session will be one hour long. Some of the sessions will be devoted to learning practical skills, while the more theoretical seminars will be dedicated to introductory lectures to various topics, discussions of readings, documentary screenings followed by group discussions, project presentations, etc.

During the last two weeks students will mainly work on their short documentary film projects in small crews. During this period students will receive guidance from the instructor.


Teacher
Agustín Ortiz Herrera
Contact: agustinortizherrera@gmail.com

Werkvormen

UCU HUM 2 course

Toetsing

Take-home journal (Individual)

Verplicht | Weging 15% | ECTS 1,13

Analytical Essay (Individual)

Verplicht | Weging 30% | ECTS 2,25

Practical Assignment. Film Production (Group)

Verplicht | Weging 35% | ECTS 2,63

Practical Assignment. Film Editing (Group)

Verplicht | Weging 20% | ECTS 1,5

Ingangseisen en voorkennis

Ingangseisen

Je moet minimaal 30 punten van het bachelor programma hebben behaald

Voorkennis

1 HUM course recommended

Voertalen

  • Engels

Competenties

  • Academisch schrijven
  • Debatteren / discoursanalyse
  • Kritisch lezen
  • Luisteren
  • Community based learning / community based research
  • Samenwerken

Cursusmomenten

Gerelateerde studies

Tentamens

Er is geen tentamenrooster beschikbaar voor deze cursus

Verplicht materiaal

Er is geen informatie over de verplichte literatuur bekend


Aanbevolen materiaal

Er is geen informatie over de aanbevolen literatuur bekend

Coördinator

N. Köll MA N.Koll@uu.nl

Docent

Inschrijving

Let op: deze cursus is niet toegankelijk voor studenten van andere faculteiten, bijvakkers mogen zich dus niet inschrijven.

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