Documentary Production- Practical

Paper Code: 
25SJMC401
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to analyze documentary filmmaking characteristics and conventions, emphasizing location scouting and management in pre-production. It will evaluate cinematography, sound recording techniques, editing fundamentals, and non-linear workflows to craft compelling narratives.

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning outcome

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course

title

25SJMC

401

Documentary Production- Practical

CO175: Identify compelling documentary subjects and synthesise research techniques and script writing fundamentals to develop a coherent concept note and rough voice-over script

CO176: Develop a crew management strategy, assigning roles and responsibilities, budget and create a recce plan for the project

CO177: Implement interviewing and directing strategies to elicit authentic performances and compelling stories from documentary subjects

CO178: Implement editing, sound mixing, VFX and graphics to enhance storytelling, clarify information, and create engaging content in documentary projects

CO179: Design a promotion plan incorporating print and AV mediums to market the documentary film 

CO180: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

Approach in teaching: 

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration

Learning activities for the students: 

Self-learning assignments,  Simulation, Seminar presentation, Field practical

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects, software learning, handling professional cameras still and video both.

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Contemporary Documentary Landscape
  • Understanding the Documentary Genre
  • Finding compelling subjects: methods for selecting documentary topics
  • Crafting narrative structures: research techniques and script writing fundamentals
  • Develop a concept note for a documentary subject of choice
  • Create a rough VO script
12.00
Unit II: 
Pre-production Planning and Logistics
  • Location scouting and management
  • Logistics planning
  • Budgeting and resource management
  • Crew recruitment and coordination
  • Recce relevant locations for the documentary shoot
12.00
Unit III: 
Production Techniques and Execution
  • Camera Operations and Cinematography
  • Sound Recording and Design 
  • Interviewing and Directing Subjects
  • Crowd Management Strategies for On-site Shooting
  • Draft interview questionnaire and set-up expert interviews
  • Shoot documentary and interviews
12.00
Unit IV: 
Post-production Editing and Enhancement
  • Editing Fundamentals
  • Non-linear Editing and Workflow
  • Sound Mixing and Post-production Audio
  • Visual Effects and Graphics
  • Edit and present the final documentary film
12.00
Unit V: 
Distribution Strategies and Audience Engagement
  • Distribution Platforms and Strategies
  • Marketing and Promotion
  • Impact Measurement and Evaluation
  • Create a poster and short promo/ reel to promote the film
Essential Readings: 
  • Rabiger, M. (2009). Directing the documentary (5th ed.). Focal Press.
  • Chawdhary, N. K. (2009). How to write film screenplays: Illustrations for aspiring screenplay writers and readers. New Delhi: Kanishka Publishers, Distributors.
  • Dhar, V. P. (2012). The art of movie making: A complete handbook of film technology and terminology. Jaipur: YKing Books.
  • Chatterji, S. A. (2015). Filming reality: The independent documentary movement in India. New Delhi: SAGE.
  • Jayasankar, K. P. (2016). A fly in the curry: Independent documentary film in India. New Delhi: SAGE.
  • Public Service Broadcasting Trust (India). (2006). The open frame reader – unreeling the documentary. New Delhi: Rupa & Co. in association with Public Service Broadcasting Trust.

Suggested Readings:

 

  • Rosenthal, A. (2013). Writing, directing, and producing documentary films and digital videos. Southern Illinois University Press.
  • Rabiger, M., & Hurbis-Cherrier, M. (2017). Directing the documentary (6th ed.). Routledge.
  • Nichols, B. (2010). Introduction to documentary (2nd ed.). Indiana University Press.
  • Brown, B. (2012). Cinematography: Theory and practice (2nd ed.). Focal Press.
  • Rabiger, M. (2010). Developing story ideas: The power and purpose of storytelling. Routledge.
  • Curran, S. (2012). Documentary storytelling: Creative nonfiction on screen. Focal Press.
  • MacKay, R. (2012). Camera & craft: Learning the technical art of digital filmmaking. Focal Press.
  • Child, D. (2017). The practical guide to documentary editing. Taylor & Francis.
  • Rosenblatt, J. (2016). How to make a documentary: A practical guide from concept to distribution. Routledge.
  • Winston, B. (2015). The documentary film book. Palgrave Macmillan.
References: 
Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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