Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the special features of editing from the perspective of documentary expression. This will include questions of structure, rhythm, story arc, alternative dramaturgical models, different ways of presenting time, montage, etc. 

Credits: 2

Schedule: 15.03.2021 - 26.03.2021

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Arturo Delgado Pereira

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Arturo Delgado Pereira

Contact information for the course (valid 06.03.2021-21.12.2112):

Course: AESTHETICS OF DOCUMENTARY FILM EDITING (ELO-E1522)

DOCUMENTARY DRAMATURGY

With Niels Pagh Andersen

Majors in Documentary Film and Editing.

2020/2021

Department of Film, Television and Scenography

ELO, Aalto University

 

 

Dates: 15.03-26.03.2021

Time: See schedule below

Room: Online course. 

Link to all online lectures:  https://aalto.zoom.us/j/61146896193

Responsible teachers: Niels Pagh Andersen/ Arturo Delgado Pereira

Teaching Language: English

Credits: 4cr

E-mail: arturo.delgado@aalto.fi


CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    An in-depth course exploring the aesthetics of editing in terms of structures, rhythm, story arc, alternative dramaturgy, different ways of presenting time, or the tradition of montage, with varying thematic emphasis. The course will have its own small-scale exercise, which may be related to your own practice film production.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    DESCRIPTION by Niels Pagh Andersen. 

    Documentary editing is maybe the most challenging job for film-editors. There is no scriptand the ideas the director had of a structure before the shoot are often destroyed by the unpredictable reality.

    Far too often, documentary dramaturgy is used as a mechanical archetype instead of being engrained in film's most important power: to tell stories in emotional curves; in between words; or in between the pauses layered with images and sounds.

    Based on his own works, Niels Pagh Andersen will cover elementary and advanced aspects of storytelling. How to find a story within large amount of filmed material? How to work and build up characters?

    Identification, simplicity and moviemagic will be some of the keywords in this course. Starting from his own work, Niels Pagh Andersen will unfold his universe to touch upon how to regulate the emotional curve in a film and find the precise balance between the plot and the emotional logic the story intends to resonate. Niels will open up his toolbox from his editing room, furnishing his talks with tips, tricks and methods straight from his own editing work.


Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Lectures, film screenings, visiting lecturers and practical exercises. Passing the course requires attendance, active participation and the successful completion of the course assignments.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    ASSIGNMENT.

    In order to pass the course, students need to participate in all online classes during the first week (week 11) an attend 1-hour tutorial with Prof. Niels Pagh Andersen during the second week (week 12). Please write to arturo.delgado@aalto.fi if you cannot attend any of the lessons. 

    To prepare for your tutorial in week 12, please send your synopsis, short treatments, trailers latest Friday March 20 to  nielspagh@gmail.com and arturo.delgado@aalto.fi


Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Total workload of 54-108h.

DETAILS

Study Material
  • Applies in this implementation:

    NIELS PAGH ANDERSEN’S BIOFILMOGRAPHY. 

    Niels Pagh Andersen (born 1958 in Denmark)  Freelance film editor. Professor, The Norwegian Film School.

    Niels Pagh Andersen started his career as assistant editor on fiction films in 1974. Since 1979 he has worked as a freelance film editor and has edited more than 250 films of widely different categories. Some examples of his award winning work below. 

    Niels Pagh Andersen has worked as editor and supervising editor in the Nordic countries, Italy, Israel, Germany, Switzerland, Fiji Islands, Ghana, Brazil, UK, US, etc. Besides his work as editor, he has lectured and given master classes at film schools, universities and workshops around the world.

    In 2005 Niels Pagh Andersen won the prestigious lifetime achievement award, The Roos Prize, The DFI’s grand documentary prize for outstanding efforts in documentary filmmaking.

    In 2012 Niels Pagh Andersen became Professor in editing at The Norwegian Film School.

    In 2014 Niels Pagh Andersen got a 2-year grant from Norwegian Artistic Research Program for his project: Order in Chaos – an investigation and expansion of the language in cinematic storytelling.

    In 2015 Niels Pagh Andersen became a member of The Oscar Academy of Motion Picture.

    Some of Niels Pagh Andersen’s credits (very small selection): 

    Pathfinder (1987). Feature film by Nils Gaup. Nominated for Oscar Award.

    The 3 rooms of Melancholia (2004). Director: Pirjo Honkasalo. Venice Film Festival, Amnesty price, IDFA Film Festival, CPH-dox 1.price, PrixItalia.

    Betrayal (1995). Director: Fredrik von Krusenstjerna. Winner Nordic Panorama prize.

    The war within (1996). Directors: John Fuegi & Jo Frances. IDA best doc in 1996.

    Portal to Peace (1997). Director: Thomas Stenderup. Grand Prix Krakow &Dresden & 15 int. awards.

    Flying – Confessions of free woman (2006), Director: Jennifer Fox. Nominated Cinema Eye 2008.

    The Act of Killing (2012). Director: Joshua Oppenheimer. Winner of 52 international prices, including EFA and BAFTA awards, nominated for The Oscar Award

    Palme (2012). Directors: Kristina Linstrøm & Maud Nycander. Guldbagge Award for best editing.

    Concrete Night (2013). Director: Pirjo Honkasalo. 6 Jussi-Awards including for best editing.

    The Look of Silence (2014). Director: Joshua Oppenheimer. Venice Film Festival Grand Prix, Winner of 46 international prices, nominated for The Oscar Award

    Mogadishu Soldier (2016). Director Torstein Grude. Nominated CPH DOX.

    Human Flow (2017). Director: Ai Weiwei. 6 prices at Venice Film Festival, another 6 wins & 12 noms.

    Vivos (2019). Director: Ai Weiwei. Premiere Sundance 2020.


FURTHER INFORMATION

Details on the schedule
  • Applies in this implementation:

    SCHEDULE. 

    Link to all online sessions: https://aalto.zoom.us/j/61146896193

    All classes starts at 10 am. *All Finnish times. 

     

    WEEK 11

    Monday 15.

    10AM-2:45PM. Online class with Niels Pagh Andersen. 

    3PM: MA SEMINAR 1


    Tuesday 16-Friday 19

    10AM-5PM. Online classes with Niels Pagh Andersen. 

     

    *All Finnish times. 

     

    WEEK 12

     

    Monday 22

    Independent Study. 

     

    Tuesday 23-Thursday 25 

    Project tutorials with Niels Pagh Andersen. Please visit the google doc below to sign up for your tutorial time.  

     

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sY7z4DyQ5OH5zVIFSL_C4cX7tn7Ew_ykzozxsPJ3w1I/edit?usp=sharing

     

    Friday 26

    Independent Study.