Thursday, May 7, 2009

Remembering What Resonates

You've seen a lot of clips of documentary films in class throughout the semester. You've watched a number of documentary films outside of class, too. Of all of the films you've been introduced to in the past fourteen weeks, which one do you remember the most? What is it about this film thematically and/or aesthetically that's made it resonate for you?

Please answer this question in at least two paragraphs, detailing what it was about this film that sticks with you and why. Include in your answer how you think this film might influence your future work in documentary production.

I look forward to reading your answers, so please post them before our next (and final!) class.
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Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The Fog of War | Zoo

In class, we watched the beginnings of The Fog of War and Zoo. Based on these introductions, which film would you want to see more of? Would you want to see both? Neither? Why?

Please post a thoughtful response explaining the reasons behind your decision. Include in your post if/how considerations of subject and technique, etc. factor in. Feel free to compare and contrast the two films, thematically and aesthetically. Think about the ways in which they are similar and different.
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Friday, March 20, 2009

Documentaries galore! (part 3)

Choose another documentary from the list below (one you haven't seen), watch it and post a brief overview and critique of it here (i.e., what's it about? how was it structured? what approach or combination of approaches was used in its making? what did you like/not like about it? why?). The more specific you are, the better.
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Sherman's March | Symbiopsychotaxiplasm

In class, we watched the beginnings of Sherman's March and Symbiopsychotaxiplasm. Based on these introductions, which film would you want to see more of? Would you want to see both? Neither? Why?

Please post a thoughtful response explaining the reasons behind your decision. Include in your post if/how considerations of subject and technique, etc. factor in. Feel free to compare and contrast the two films, thematically and aesthetically. Think about the ways in which they are similar and different.
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Thursday, March 5, 2009

Why?

You've all chosen subjects for your midterm proposals, and we will discuss them in detail during our next class.

Before then, though, I would like you to articulate here - as honestly and as thoroughly as possible - what made you decide to focus on your chosen subject.
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Documentaries galore! (part 2)

Choose another documentary from the list below (one you haven't seen), watch it and post a brief overview and critique of it here (i.e., what's it about? how was it structured? what approach or combination of approaches was used in its making? what did you like/not like about it? why?). The more specific you are, the better.
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American Teen | Streetwise

In class, we watched the beginnings of American Teen and Streetwise. Based on these brief introductions, which film would you want to see more of? Would you want to see both? Neither? Why?

Please post a thoughtful response explaining the reasons behind your decision. Include in your post if/how considerations of subject and technique, etc. factor in. Feel free to compare and contrast the two films, thematically and aesthetically. Think about the ways in which they are similar and different.
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Interesting Ideas

At the end of last class, you all pitched ideas for a possible documentary project. Here's a very brief rundown of the subjects pitched (and the people who pitched them):
  • the Christian Brothers of St. Louis (Matt C.)
  • measuring the success of PETA protests (Scott)
  • people who suffer from epilepsy (Sean)
  • how technology is impacting the lives of middle school students (Liane)
  • inside the competitive world of turtle racing (Mike)
  • conflict between an oil company who is trying to buy land from a group of climbers (Max)
  • expansion of Boystown (Jermane)
  • conflict between a coal miner's union and the young people needing jobs (Ranell)
  • the communal living scene in Chicago (Erin)
  • examining the market flows of consumerism (Matt M.)
In a few sentences or so, let me know which idea interested you the most (beside your own, of course) and tell me why. Also, please include one question you'd like to ask the person about their project.
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Thursday, February 12, 2009

Documentaries galore!

The following is a list of documentaries I've compiled, complete with informational links I exhaustively attached to each one. Please research the titles on this list, decide which one you'd like to see, and email me with your choice.

I will provide details about the exact nature of the assignment based on your chosen doc in class this coming Monday.

Take some time and enjoy the process. There are some really great films here!
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Monday, February 9, 2009

Viewer's Choice

In class, we watched the beginnings of The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till and Harlan County, USA. Based on these brief introductions, which film would you want to see more of?

Please post a thoughtful response explaining your choice. Include in your post if/how considerations of subject and technique, etc. factor in. Feel free to compare and contrast the two films, thematically and aesthetically. Think about the ways in which they are similar and different.
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Thursday, February 5, 2009

Styles and Approaches in Documentary Filmmaking

In discussing the various approaches that can be used in putting together a documetary (open vs. closed, information vs. revelation, etc.), we watched excerpts from the following films (complete with links to more information about each):

American Revolution 2
Inquiring Nuns
Hearts and Minds
LBJ

Please write at least one to two paragraphs detailing which one of these films interested you the most. Identify its approach and explain why you found the method the director chose so effective. Feel free to compare and contrast with the other three films to better support your point.

Your response should be posted no later than noon on Monday, February 9th.
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