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!
Posted by at 12 comments:

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.
Posted by at 10 comments:

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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