trakAx

Make a Mini-Documentary

This lesson can be integrated with many other subjects on the curriculum and could be a collaboration between classes. As there are so many elements to this module, it could be taught over an entire semester, focusing a various elements every week.

Themes could include:

• Local Event
• School Event
• History Topic relevant to season (Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Columbus Day etc.)
• Artist Biography (Poet, Writer, Artist etc.)
• Science Topic
• Business Topic
• Foreign Language Assignment

What you’ll need:

• Internet Access to view example documentary
• trakAxPC Pro
• Microphone
• Video Camera / Camcorder / Webcam
• Audio tracks (CD / MP )

Introduction

To start, students can view a documentary online and dissect:

• How the piece has been compiled – break down the storyboard
• What were the primary video resources and which were secondary sources?
• How did the piece affect them?
• How did the journalist engage the viewer?
• How was the voice-over integrated?
• Discuss the layout of scenes (interviews) and the position of interviewees on the set.
• How did the edits and scene transitions work?
• Was there a soundtrack, how did this add to the mood of the piece?

Resources for Teachers & Students

These may vary in suitability depending on age group.

Documentary Video techniques and tips from Art Wolinsky (Educational Technology Director of WiredSafety)
http://www.wiredsafety.org/wiredlearning/vidtips/

A nice introduction to the must-know basics of Documentaries
http://documentaries.about.com/od/introtodocumentaries/u/Documentaries101.htm#s1

A helpful list of important filmmaking topics that should be considered when creating and distributing a Documentary
http://creativehat.com/filmmaking.htm

Some helpful tips when shooting your documentary
http://dvworkshops.com/newsletters/fiveelements.html

A great resource for Documentaries (Free Access)
http://www.snagfilms.com/films/

Examples

CNN YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/cnn?blend=1&ob=4

History Channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/historychannel?blend=2&ob=4

National Geographic Channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/NationalGeographic

Discovery Channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/discoverynetworks?blend=2&ob=4

Biography Channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/biographychannel?blend=5&ob=4

Current TV
http://www.youtube.com/user/current?blend=2&ob=4

Lesson Structure

As this is quite a large project, there is no real time limit to how long each class or section should take. The Documentary length should range between 5 – 10 minutes. You may wish to suggest writing the Documentary script as homework which will free up more class time.

Class Activity 1 - Pre-Production Phase

Teacher spends time discussing documentaries and documentary techniques. Ask students if they have ever seen a Documentary and the emotions they felt. Discuss what makes a good documentary and what were the goals / achievements of it. Discuss topics that students feel emotional about or would like to see a documentary about.

Procedures:

• Students organise teams
• Students define their role within the project (Writers, Directors, Actors, Camera-person etc).
• Students plan the project and develop the storyboard.
• Students begin to research topic.
• The script is written.
• Folders are set up for each student.

Class Activity 2 - Production Phase

Teacher reviews proposed documentaries with the students. Rewrites can be made if necessary. Allow some time for the students to record footage. Video techniques and tips can be discussed as students record their footage.

• Students record the video they require. Students should pay particular attention to the shots they record - directors cut between angles to keep things interesting, students must bare this in mind when recording their footage.
• Assemble photos, images, charts and other videos required to tell their story
• A voice-over is recorded
• If a soundtrack is needed, this is created – (for royalty-free audio content, please see http://www.trakax.com/software/about/volume_discounts_for_educators/).

Class Activity 3 - Post-Production Phase

Students upload footage from their camcorders / cameras and media devices and begin to edit video and audio in trakAxPC. Students should save the original footage so any edits / cuts will not destroy the original footage.

• Students assemble the project in trakAxPC Pro
• Video / Audio is edited as required
• Transitions added between scenes
• Titles and text is added
• Students create a Rough cut of the project
• Students create the Final Cut

Class Activity 4 – Distribution

• Each group of students presents their documentaries and critique the various decisions behind the project – theme chosen, imagery used,editing decisions etc.
• Discussion on the documentaries and its effectiveness. Peers can give their opinion on the various documentaries and discuss what elements worked, what elements could be improved, etc.
• Students can submit a short written piece on what they have learned about the importance of documentaries in society, the process of creating a documentary, team work within the group etc.
• Awards ceremony for students (Best Doc, Best Writer, Best Director, Best Music etc.)

Fair Use of Copyrighted Material

If students are creating a reportage on a current or historical event, they most likely will want to use radio and video clips as well as photos that are copyrighted. However, if the distribution is purely within the classroom and will not be distributed outside the classroom, then the content is covered by the Fair Use Guidelines of Copyright.

Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as for commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching or scholarship. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use for more information.

trakAxPC Tutorials

Text
Adding Titles and Text/Titles to identify people, places and things.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or40l0uf3wY&feature=player_embedded

Transitions
Students will want to add transitions between scenes; some scenes may fade into each other, some may use natural transitions and some may simply cut from one to another in a quick chain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrP5MxTcsyI&feature=player_embedded

Recording Voiceovers
Students can record in voiceovers directly into trakAxPC Pro.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr_TWX8CvsY&feature=player_embedded

Envelopes
Students will need to control volumes, video brightness etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpfBbk1x9x0&feature=player_embedded

Saving
Saving the video for future editing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCnCqqCHvec&feature=player_embedded

Export
Export the final cut to popular file formats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx1QioSUUQs&feature=player_embedded