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 learn about the special features of documentary film idea development, screenwriting and pre-work, and the diversity of the screenplay in the documentary genre. Students will develop tools to successfully take their project from film idea to film proposal. Students will familiarize with how to present their documentary projects both in writing and in oral presentation (i.e. pitching)
Credits: 4
Schedule: 28.09.2020 - 09.10.2020
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Arturo Delgado Pereira
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Arturo Delgado Pereira, Salla Sorri
Contact information for the course (valid 22.09.2020-21.12.2112):
Course: Planning and Writing Documentary Film 2 (ELO-E1533)
Major in Documentary Film
2020/2021
Department of Film, Television and Scenography
ELO, Aalto University
Dates: 28.09-09.010
Time: 10:00-15:30 (See schedule below)
Room: Hybrid course (partly via Zoom/partly presencial) Room info for contact sessions will be provided.
Zoom link for the course: https://aalto.zoom.us/j/62865806348
Responsible teachers: Salla Sorri /Arturo Delgado Pereira
Teaching Language: English
Credits: 4cr
E-mail: arturo.delgado@aalto.fi / salla.sorri@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:
The course will be used to brainstorm, develop, write and work on an MA thesis film and listen to guest lectures by industry professionals, which will open up the diversity of documentary screenwriting and film project presentation.
Applies in this implementation:
Description.
This course aims to provide students with creative tools to develop their documentary projects from film idea to film proposal. During the course, students will have the time, space and support to think and brainstorm their film ideas, as well as sharing them with fellow students and visiting lecturers, who will include documentary producers, directors and industry professionals. Students will also have the opportunity to know the different film production routes available for ELO students. Participants in the course will be asked to present their projects in the form of a written film proposal as well as pitching them in order to gain the credits.
Learning Outcomes.
- Students will develop tools to successfully take their project from film idea to film proposal.
- Students will familiarize with how to present their documentary projects both in writing and in oral presentation (i.e. pitching)
- Students will get to know of the different production routes available for ELO students.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Participation in the course, developing your own idea towards the script and creating a film project proposal.
Applies in this implementation:
Pre-assignment.
Write shortly about 3 ideas, of which you would be interested in doing a short documentary. Write all together max. 1 A4. Please send by Sunday 27 Sept to salla.sorri@aalto.fi and arturo.delgado@aalto.fi.
Final Assignments.
As a final assignment for the course, students will write and submit the following elements of a project package: Synopsis, Description of Subject (character, or topics/themes, story, context), Mood Boardand Director’s Words (motivation, creative approach).
Students will also present their project on the last two days of the course to the class and teachers.
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Lectures: 27-54h
Workshops/Independent study: 54-81h
Applies in this implementation:
Schedule.
Link to all classes: https://aalto.zoom.us/j/62865806348
Monday 28.9. (10AM-3:30PM) Väre. Room Q201. Also via zoom.
10-12: Presentation of the course.
Discussion of preliminary tasks.
1-2:30: Short lecture: Approaching your idea.
Assignment: Homework (Due Thursday 1.10):
Michael Rabiger: “Recognizing Your Artistic Identity” (excerpt)
“Developing Your Story Ideas” (excerpt)
Kanerva Cederstöm “Hetken ja sattuman kirjoitusta”
3-5 PM: MA1 Seminar. Zoom link: https://aalto.zoom.us/j/66475895440
Tuesday 29.9. (10AM-3:30 PM) Via zoom.
10-11:30 Lecturer visit: Ilkka Mertsola, ELO Producer: Producing Documentaries at ELO.12:30-3: Independent Study: Watch Resistente and Donkeyote.
Donkeyote (2017, 86 min)
Password: DonkeyoteAalto
Resistente: (2012, 15 min)
Password: search
Wednesday 30.9 (10AM-3PM) Via Zoom. Possible in person session (TBC)
10-11:30: In class discussion: Resistente and Donkeyote.
Focus: Documentary script as process.
12:30-3: Introduction to script elements.
Judith Weston’s exercise.
Thursday 1.10. (10AM-3:30PM) Via Zoom. Possible in person session (TBC)
10-12:00. Discussion: Judith Weston’s exercise.
Discussion: Readings from Monday 28.9
PM: Students work on project (they need so send some material to Iikka on Friday 2)
Friday 2.10. (10:30AM-3:30PM) Via Zoom.
10:30-13:30. Noé Mendelle: Developing Creative DocumentariesPM. Assignment due: Students send synopsis to Iikka Vehkalahti
Week 41
Monday 5.10. (10:30AM-13:30PM) Via Zoom.
10:30-13:30: Noé Mendelle: Feedback on exercises. Feedback on projects.
Tuesday 6.10. (10:30AM-3PM) Via Zoom.
10-12: Iikka Vehkalahti’s lecture.
1-3: Central Image and Mood boards.
Director’s Words.
Wednesday 7.10. No class.
Students work independently on project presentations.
Thursday 8.10. (1PM-3:30PM) Via Zoom. Possible in person session (TBC)
1-3:30: Iikka Vehkalahti. Presenting your project and feedback.
Friday. 9.10. (1PM-3:30PM) Via Zoom. Possible in person session (TBC)
1-3:30: Iikka Vehkalahti. Presenting your project and feedback.
Final assignment due.
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Course materials related to theme.
Applies in this implementation:
Main Visitors
Noé Mendelle (Friday 2 and Monday 5 October)
Noé is a research professor at University of Edinburgh. She started her film career with Steel Bank Films (1982), a Channel 4 film workshop based in Sheffield. She is an experienced director, producer & exec producer on the international scene, having worked on numerous award-winning documentaries for festival and broadcast (Ch4, BBC, Arte, RTP, RTBF…) Her last award-winning documentary was “Sculpting the Spirits” (2016).
In 2003, Noé set up Scottish Documentary Institute based in Edinburgh and created several schemes to develop creative documentaries in Scotland such as Bridging the Gap, This is Scotland, Right Here andEdinburgh Pitch to connect Scotland with the International Documentary network.
Noé acts as executive producer on SDI award-winning features: “Freedom Fields” (2018 TIFF/IDFA), “Becoming Animal” (2018 CPH Dox/IDFA) “Time Trial” (2017 IDFA) “Donkeyote” ARTE/ZDF (2017 Rotterdam) / “Seven Songs for A Long Life” BBC/POV (2016 SXSW) /” Where You Are Meant to Be” BBC (2016 EIFF/Sheffield) Grierson Award (2016).
In collaboration with British Council Noé runs a series of international workshops in Asia and the MENA region called Stories.
In 2019, Noé was made a member of the Academy for the Documentary section.
Iikka Vehkalahti (Tuesday 6, Thursday 8 and Friday 9)
Iikka is Executive Producer of Rough Cut Service and Dare To Dream Asia. His own company IV Films is producing and tutoring documentary films.
Iikka was a Commissioning Editor for the Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE Documentaries, in Finland from 1998 until March 2015. He was an Executive Producer for Steps For The Future and is one of Generation Africa project also.
IV Films is one of the main producers of “Machines” by Rahul Jain and co-producer in “Winnie” by Pascal Lamche. Both were awarded at Sundance 2017. He is now producing Rahul Jain’s new film and Rough Cut service has been working already with more than 60 films, many of them festival winners.
- Teacher: Delgado Pereira Arturo
- Teacher: Sorri Salla