Final project introduction

The process. 1. Pre-production.

What is expected from your final project?

📹
1. A reflection of concepts seen in class.
The main concepts of a classic documentary explained in class need to be present in
your film, such as the 3 act narrative structure, the visual composition rules, the 180º
rule… If they are not, you will need to justify as an innovation your proposal and
explain how and why do you decide to break the classic formula.

2. A visible and followed process.

🗓
As you are responsible for your creativity in the final result, the expectations within the
final project are related to the process. This means that the efforts that you make during
the process (in between the camera and your topic) and your statements will be the
main elements to be evaluated. Not the final result, but the steps that you followed.

3. A conscious perspective.
The different visual narrative techniques and narrative structures are not innocent. The
choosing of those will define your connection with reality, your context report, your
perspective. As so, it needs to be a conscious decision. 💬
…
 Phases Steps Description Outcomes Date

Text submission on
Script Synopsis and treatment.
Canvas
April 12

Relationship between form and

1. Pre-production Narrative Structure content. A way of organiz. ideas.
Class presentation April 13
Research Relevant information to our topic.

Characters, places, contacts,

Production plan needs, equipment.

Visual composition, visual April 20 /

2. Production Shooting techniques decided to use.
Class presentation
May 2

What was not as planned,

Documentation documentation of the process.

The adaptation of the script Text submission on

Re-script during the editing process. Canvas
May 3

3. Post-production Editing A draft of your final result. Class presentation. May 4

Text submission on
Presentation Final synopsis and description.
Canvas
May 9
 Phases Steps Evaluation criteria Points
20 pts.

Script Does the script present characters, places, and builds up a story? 2 pts

Is there a narrative structure proposed for the project that connects

1. Pre-production Narrative Structure with the topic? Is it related to the contents addressed in class?
3 pts.

Is the research comprehensive and relevant to the topic? Are the

Research pre-interviews well-prepared and engaging?
2 pts.

Production plan Is there a list of needs and a plan provided for the shooting session? 2 pts.

Does the shooting follow the rules of visual composition? Does it follow the 180º rule? Is
2. Production Shooting the lightning and audio recording taken care off? If not, is the visual proposal properly
justified with the topic and visual narration techniques offered before?
3 pts.

Has the challenges and difficulties been addressed in the project? Is

Documentation there an adaptive response? 2 pts.

Is the script modified in the case of a significant change during the

Re-script process? If so, is the modified script adapting the narration 2 pts.
techniques to the editing process?

Is there a use of clean cuts and a sense of visual continuity? If not, is there a narrative
3. Post-production Editing innovation technique that is related to the project proposal (effects, transitions, etc)? Is 3 pts.
the first draft organizing the general ideas of the documentary?

In the description text of your project, are the intentions, needs, and a
Presentation particular approach to reality reflected? Does the text complement / relates to 1 pts.
the final result of the project?
 Evaluation criteria Points

The student has presented in class the different production steps,

Class presentations and has done it following the schedule and structure.
5 pts

The student has submited to canvas the texts required before the
Texts submissions class presentations.
5 pts.

30 pts.

Film premiere! May 9!

🎟🎟🎟🎟🎟🎟🎟🎟
1. Pre-production
1.1. Presentation of a script and organization of ideas:
- Start by brainstorming ideas for your documentary film. What is the subject or topic
that you want to cover?

💡
- Write a potential synopsis.

- Consider writing down references of what you want to do. Film scenes, resources…

- Write a treatment following your ideas. This should include the characters and
context of the story.

1.2. Choosing a narrative structure.

🎢
- Organize your ideas in a way that makes sense. Consider creating a storyboard or a
visual outline / mind-map of the film to help you organize your ideas.

- Develop a script that outlines the story you want to tell and how you want to tell it.

1.3. Research and Pre-interviews.

📚
- Conduct extensive research on your chosen subject or topic. This will help you
gather information and develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

- Conduct pre-interviews with potential characters to get a sense of their stories

and personalities. This can help you determine who you want to feature in your
documentary and how they will contribute to the overall narrative.
2. Production
2.1. Production plan:

📅
- Set up a calendar & list of places for your shooting process and editing process. This
must be justified.

- Set up a list of needs, in terms of narration or production resources: i.e: Voice over,
subtitles, atrezzo… explaining what is it going to be used for.

2.2. Shooting [and Interviews].

-

-
Set up your equipment and start shooting footage.

Be sure to capture plenty of b-roll footage to use in the editing process.

🎬
2.3. Continuity and Documentation:
- Keep detailed records of everything that happens during production, including

🗒
shooting schedules, locations, and interviews. The most important moments,
quotes from interviews, or events that happened on camera.

- Take notes on any important details that may impact the editing process.
3. Post-production

📝
3.1. Re-script:
- Gather the information of what didn’t go as planned and what you can take out of it during
the editing process.

- If the process has led you to another set of editing ideas, modify your original script.

3.2. Editing:

✂
- Review all of your footage and select the best clips to use in your film.

- Create a rough cut of your documentary, making sure to follow your script and maintain
continuity.

- Add music, sound effects, and other elements to enhance the viewer's experience.

📢
3.3. Presentation:
- Modify your synopsis if there have been significant changes during the process.

- Write a description (expanded synopsis) of your film.

1. Pre-production
Script, ideas organization, and narrative structures.
What is the story we want to tell? Characters and context.

How are we going to tell it? Narrative structure.

What can we use as inspiration? Visual narration techniques.

Do I know everything I need to know? Research and sources of information.

1.1. Script
What is the story we want to tell?

1. Brainstorming.
If you have a vague idea of what to focus on, try to
think about similar concepts that can surround what
you are trying to achieve.

2. Write a potential synopsis.

Take your ideas down to 1 sentence. That will tell you
what’s the most important point of your project and
what you want to focus on.

3. Consider references and inspiration.

Knowing different movies or cultural references about
the context that you want to address will help you to
develop ideas that you already have in mind, and
consider different visual techniques that you can follow.
1.1. Script
Example: ‘Hot wheels’, a documentary about the use of the cars in cities.

1. Brainstorming.
If you have a vague idea of what to focus on, try to Cars; pollution; environment; mobility; families; distances;
think about similar concepts that can surround what consumption; dependency…
you are trying to achieve.

2. Write a potential synopsis.

The cars in cities are always present and became invisible,
Take your ideas down to 1 sentence. That will tell you but our way of living in cities has completely changed since
what’s the most important point of your project and they appeared. How do the presence of cars affects us as a
what you want to focus on. society?

3. Consider references and inspiration.

Knowing different movies or cultural references about Urban Symphonies; Man with a Movie Camera; Cinéma
the context that you want to address will help you to Vérité Style; Instructional Movies narrative…
develop ideas that you already have in mind, and
consider different visual techniques that you can follow.
1.1. Script
What is the story we want to tell?

1. Brainstorming.
Practical session: 05 min.
If you have a vague idea of what to focus on, try to Write down 10 different words surrounding
think about similar concepts that can surround what your documentary project
you are trying to achieve.
1.1. Script
What is the story we want to tell?

2. Write a potential synopsis. Practical session: 10 min.

Take your ideas down to 1 sentence. That will tell you Write down a sentence that defines your project in
what’s the most important point of your project and a nutshell.
what you want to focus on. *Avoid: “My project is about…”
1.1. Script
What is the story we want to tell?

3. Consider references and inspiration.

Practical session: 05 min.
Knowing different movies or cultural references about Try to think about different techniques that we’ve
the context that you want to address will help you to seen in class and their references if they are
develop ideas that you already have in mind, and helpful to you.
consider different visual techniques that you can follow.
1.1. Script
What is the story we want to tell?

Topic #1
Characters
Topic #2
Context
Topic #3

Events Locations Story

Treatment
1.1. Script
The influence of cars in urban contexts

Different characters: Family, students, old people, living in

the outskirts of the city, and moving daily to the city center. #Mobility

Urban context: Sevilla, 2020s

#Ecology
#Sustainability

Different journeys during

Sevilla representative places.
the use of cars

Treatment:
‘This documentary presents different kinds of car users that talk about their
relationship with mobility in Sevilla. They address the facilities and the
inconveniences of the use of cars in a Cinéma Vérité Style, through interviews in
cars, following the characters in their daily journey from the city outskirts to the
city center. They will have the freedom to talk about what kind of car do they
use, when they started / stopped using their car to move to the city center, and
express their own opinions…’
1.1. Script
The Treatment & Script

What is a treatment document?

A treatment is a document that presents the story idea of your film before writing the entire script. Treatments are
often written in present tense, in a narrative-like prose, and highlight the most important information about your
film, including title, logline, story summary, character descriptions, and narration techniques to address them.

How is a documentary film script?

The script structures the treatment with the visual and narrative ideas that you pursue. The documentary script
evolves during the process, but having a first draft of your thoughts and how to organize them can help you to start
to get your work done.

Script
Treatment Sectioning the text in a specific
Text description of the story structure: Tables, mind-maps,
drawings, etc.
This is the class submission!
1.2. Narrative Structure
How are we going to tell it?
1.2. Narrative Structure
How are we going to tell it?
1.2. Narrative Structure
Different visual narrative structures:

Chapter structure
The chapter narrative structure is a storytelling
technique that involves dividing a longer work,
such as a novel or memoir, into distinct chapters.
Each chapter typically has its own narrative arc and
structure, with a beginning, middle, and end, and
may focus on a particular character, setting, or
theme. The use of chapters can provide a clear
and organized structure for the story, as well as
create natural breaks for the reader to pause and
reflect on what has been read. Chapters may also
be used to create a sense of suspense or
anticipation, as the reader looks forward to what
will happen next.
1.2. Narrative Structure
Different visual narrative structures:

‘Piece of life’ structure

The "Piece of life" structure is a storytelling technique
that focuses on a small, everyday moment or event in
the life of a character, and there is only one breaking
point in the protagonist's life. This technique aims to
capture the essence of a character's experience and
to convey a sense of emotional depth and resonance,
even in seemingly ordinary or mundane moments. The
"Piece of life" structure often emphasizes sensory
details and internal reflection, as the character
reflects on their surroundings, emotions, and
memories. By zooming in on a single moment or
event, the "Piece of life" structure can reveal the
complexities and subtleties of the human experience,
and provide insight into the character's inner world.
1.2. Narrative Structure
Different visual narrative structures:

‘Anti-Structure’
It is reflective and contemplative in nature.
It poses a relationship between reality and
fiction (either of the two is broken): the
cinema within the cinema; a split reality
occurs and even the audience can
influence the story.
1.2. Narrative Structure
How are we going to tell it?

Decide a Narrative Structure that suits to the story you want to tell.
The classic option is always a good option, but if it doesn’t work for you, you should consider others in
order to tell your story. Have a look at the List of narrative Structures in the Course Materials section in
Canvas to see the full list! When you have a structure decided use it to structure your treatment text.

If you want to experiment with the medium, design your own!

If you don’t feel like what you want to talk about suits in any of the narrative structures provided, you
can always design your own! If you do so, please explain to the class and in the written text how does
it work and how are you planning to develop it in the documentary film.
Narrative Structure + Treatment:
Example: ‘Hot wheels’, a documentary about the use of the cars in cities.

Chapter structure
Having a chapter structure, I can cover different
perspectives on different ways to use the cars in
the city, having each one of them a beginning,
development and ending, offering a complex
portrait of what’s like to be surrounded by cars in
the city. The chapters will be divided as:

1. The nuclear family use of cars.

2. A student’s use of cars.
3. An old couple relationship with cars.
4. Children’s relationship with cars.

The introduction and resolution part can be

covered with historical context and opinions of
experts, covering also a historical perspective on
the topics addressed.
Narrative Structure + Treatment:
An example of a classic filming script.

Duration Location Character Image Sound

[Plaza de España [Wide shot; Horse

[00:01 - 00:05] [Name] [Ambient sound]
square] cars; Daylight]

[Close-up shot;
[Plaza de España Standing up in front [Ambient sound;
[00:05 - 00:10] [Name]
square] of horse cars; music “song” starts]
daylight]

[Transition; [“song” keeps on; voice

close-up of a over starts: “It’s a nice
[00:10 - 00:15] [SE-30 Highway] [Name]
flower; cars passing day to visit Plaza de
España today…”]
by it ]
Narrative Structure + Treatment:
Other kind of scripts

Interview with Rose Lowder

1.3. Research
Finding your key questions and information

A. Who can provide valuable info?

B. Who are the people around your story?

C. What other sources of information can I use?

1.3. Research
Finding your key questions and information

A. Who can provide valuable info?

B. Who are the people around your story?

C. What other sources of information can I use?

Eventually this research process will lead you to:

What questions can I ask during interviews?
What pieces of information do I want to be present in the film?
1.3. Research
Example: ‘Hot wheels’, a documentary about the use of the cars in cities.

A. Experts of urban mobility can provide useful information.

B. Different car users and families are people surrounding the subject.

C. I can talk about historical experiences with information online.

Class presentation
Tips and requirements

1. Introduce your storyline and characters: A summary of your

treatment.
2. Use visual support: mind-maps, schemes, to present the narrative
structures and visual techniques.
3. If you find references or inspiration, include them in your
presentation, explaining how they can be relevant.
4. Present your sources of information to approach to your topics.
5. Talk about the possible difficulties and challenges.

A conversation will be conducted in class to help collectively with the pre-production process.