TV, FILM AND CREATIVE PRODUCTION: EXTENDED DIPLOMA

LEVEL 3 YEAR 1 (2022-23)

Tutors: Aimee Gourlay, Richard Simms, Gina Hele and Devvon Wishler-day

PROJECT 1: DOCUMENTARY
Unit 1: Introduction to media processes and technical skills
Unit 2: Introduction to design and research skills in creative Media Production
Unit 3: Introduction to Professional Practice in Creative Media Production

Launch Date: 16/09/22

End Date: 23/11/22
PROJECT AIM: To produce a 10-15 minute original documentary on any subject of your choosing
1
PROJECT OVERVIEW
A documentary film documents non-fictional events for educational and entertainment purposes, they
usually provide a unique insight into an unfamiliar interesting subject.

By creating your own documentary film you will be introduced to the typical media processes and
technical skills involved in video production. You will also gain an understanding of the importance of
research and professional practice in the media industry.

You will work as a team to research, pitch, plan and produce an original documentary. Each student will
fulfil a specific role and demonstrate organisational skills, teamwork, and professionalism throughout the
whole production process.

WHAT ARE YOU BEING ASKED TO DO?

You will work in a production team of 4 (selected by your tutors) to develop an original documentary. You
will plan each stage of production to create a final film that will be screened to your year group. The
documentary must be 10 – 15 mins in length – No shorter or longer.

Although you are working in a team, you will be assessed on your individual contributions that you will
evidenced on your online journal and from observations by your tutors in class. You will be assessed on
four areas of criteria: Context, Research, Practical Skills and Reflection and Evaluation.

TASK LIST
1. Pitch Presentation – You will prepare and deliver a professional pitch to provide Context for your
documentary idea to an industry panel consisting of your tutors and peers. DEADLINE: Friday 14th
October 2022

2. Group Pre-production Folder – Each production group will compile and complete necessary pre-
production paperwork submitted in the form of a pre-production folder to support and document
your Planning process. DEADLINE: Thursday 3rd November 2022

3. Documentary Film - You will evidence your Practical Skills by producing an original 10-15 minute
documentary film. You will also engage in numerous workshops and learn a series of essential
filmmaking techniques. DEADLINE: Thursday 17th November 2022

4. Individual Online Journal - You will undergo and document continuous Research to support your
documentary idea. You will also regularly Reflect on your progress in an online journal that
evaluates each production stage from beginning to end and culminates in a final Evaluation.
DEADLINE: Wednesday 23rd November 2022

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 CONTEXT
REFERRAL SATISFACTORY GOOD EXCELLENT

Work submitted fails to Work submitted meets Work submitted meets Work submitted meets
meet one or more of all of the assessment all assessment criteria all assessment criteria
the assessment criteria criteria and is of a and is of a high and is of a very high
and is of a poor satisfactory standard standard standard
standard

Limited understanding Understanding of Good understanding Comprehensive

of subject context, subject context used and knowledge of understanding and
lacking clarity in aims appropriately to make subject context used to knowledge of subject
and purpose. judgments, describe make sound judgments, context used to
aims and clarify articulate ambitions communicate complex
purpose. and clarify purpose. concepts, articulate
ambitions and clarify
purpose.

1) Pitch Presentation – You will prepare and deliver a 10 minute pitch presentation to an industry
panel consisting of your tutors and peers. Your pitch presentation should include:

• What is your idea?

• What job roles have each of you taken on and why?
• What is the aim and purpose of your documentary? (why are you making it?)
• How are you going to do it and what will you need? (Equipment, crew, contributors, locations,
budget, timing etc.)
• How has your Research aided in the development of your idea and who/ what has inspired you?
• Who is your target audience? and what is your unique selling point? (why would anyone watch it?)
• Codes and conventions – What technical techniques are you thinking of implementing?
• Style – What documentary mode might you implement for your idea?

You will present your pitch as a group in front of the panel in the TV studio

DEADLINE: Friday 14th October 2022 @ 9:30am

2) Pre-production folder - Produce a Group Pre-production Folder to support the development of

your Documentary. This folder should consist of:
Proposal Treatment Script
List of Contacts/ Location Recces Permission Forms –
Contributors Location & individual
Risk Assessments Contingency Plans Equipment List
Budget (industry and Shooting Schedule Call Sheets
Actual)

Submit your folder via hand-in and upload a copy of each document to the context section of your Online
Journal.

DEADLINE: Thursday 3rd November 2022 @ 4:30pm

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 RESEARCH
REFERRAL SATISFACTORY GOOD EXCELLENT

Work submitted fails to Work submitted meets Work submitted meets Work submitted meets
meet one or more of all of the assessment all assessment criteria all assessment criteria
the assessment criteria criteria and is of a and is of a high and is of a very high
and is of a poor satisfactory standard standard standard
standard

Little or no evidence Sufficient relevant Thorough and sustained Independently

presented or information has been research and identified, thorough
information does not gathered, documented investigation of relevant and sustained research
relate sufficiently to and used in the sources, interpretation and investigation of a
task. development of ideas. and synthesis of range of relevant
information used to sources, insightful
inform, support and interpretation and
develop ideas. synthesis of information
used to inform, support
and develop ideas.

1) Online Journal - You should include a wide range of research to support the production of your
Documentary idea. You should have evidence of primary and secondary research in three areas:

Content Research
• Historical context
• Conventions (Genre, Style, Narrative, production techniques, performance etc.)
• Background information on your chosen Topic/ Subject
• Similar Documentary analysis
• Inspiration and influences
Market Research
• Primary Research – Questionnaires, Surveys, focus groups etc.
• Secondary Research - existing documentaries, trends etc.
• An outline of the target audience
• Distribution – Format and Platform
Production Research
• Production techniques – Camera, Sound, Editing etc.
• Mise-en-scene – Locations, props, costumes etc.
• Actors and Contributors
• Copyright Considerations
Remember to always consider and explain WHAT, WHY and HOW that research is useful.
(E.g WHAT did you find out? WHY is it relevant? And HOW can it be useful for your Documentary?)

Submit your online journal by uploading a link via Teams Assignments

DEADLINE: Wednesday 23rd November 2022 @4:30pm

4
 PRACTICAL SKILLS
REFERRAL SATISFACTORY GOOD EXCELLENT

Work submitted fails to Work submitted meets Work submitted meets Work submitted meets
meet one or more of all of the assessment all assessment criteria all assessment criteria
the assessment criteria criteria and is of a and is of a high and is of a very high
and is of a poor satisfactory standard standard standard
standard

Limited range of Adequate range of Consistent and In depth understanding

processes processes, skills and appropriate processes, and aesthetic
demonstrated, knowledge skills and knowledge awareness, imaginative
judgement and demonstrated. applied to extend and flexible processes,
execution of techniques Competent execution enquiry and develop skills and knowledge
is poor. and application of creative solutions applied in extensive
techniques used to enquiry to develop
develop ideas. creative solutions.

1) Documentary Film - Working in a groups of 4 you will plan, film and edit your own original
documentary

The documentary can be on any topic of your choosing, but your film must include the elements below:
• It must be a minimum of 10 minutes or maximum of 15 minutes in length.
• Must clearly display a range of technical skills found in film production including directing,
camerawork, audio, production values and editing.
• It must contain at least 75% of original footage filmed by yourselves.

Your Documentary should take into consideration all the typical conventions and styles of documentary
such as camerawork, audio, editing and presentation.

You will have a designated production window for production of these products.
The production window dates are: Friday 4th November – Thursday 17th November 2022

Documentaries must be submitted onto the Course Dropbox in time for the screening

Screenings for documentaries will take place Friday 18th November 2022 @ 9:30am

Copies of your documentary should also be uploaded onto the Practical Skills section of your Online Journal

DEADLINE: Thursday 17th November 2022 @4:30pm

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 REFLECTION AND EVALUATION
REFERRAL SATISFACTORY GOOD EXCELLENT

Work submitted fails to Work submitted meets Work submitted meets Work submitted meets
meet one or more of all of the assessment all assessment criteria all assessment criteria
the assessment criteria criteria and is of a and is of a high and is of a very high
and is of a poor satisfactory standard standard standard
standard

Insufficient evidence of Clearly communicated Effective Accomplished and

ongoing evaluation, lack evidence of valid communication of professional
of or only basic analysis evaluation and realistic analysis and communication of
and little or no analysis independently interpretation, perceptive analysis and
justification for ideas. used to inform and independent synthesis interpretation,
develop ideas. of information and demonstrating clarity
application of reasoned and sophistication in
decision making to thinking and maturity in
inform development of decision making to
ideas. progress ideas.

1) Weekly reflections - You should reflect and evaluate your progress regularly considering what you
learnt/did towards your project. You should ensure that your document reflections throughout the
following stages of your production:
• Idea Development and Research
• Pre-Production
• Production
• Post- Production

Remember it is useful to consider and explain WHAT, WHY and HOW you did some-thing.
(E.g WHAT did you do? WHY did you do it? HOW did/could it benefit you?)

2) Final Evaluation - Upon completion of your Documentary you will participate in a screening for all the
documentaries, where you will receive and provide constructive feedback.

This feedback will help you summarize the whole production process in an Evaluation reflecting upon the
following:
• What was the constructive and positive feedback received by your Peers & Tutors?
• Did your documentary meet the conventions and style of a documentary film?
• Did you meet your original intentions?
• Were you happy with the final outcome and why or why not?

There will be a Mid-way checkpoint with your tutors to review your progress on Tuesday 11th October

Submit your online journal by uploading a link via Teams Assignments

DEADLINE: Wednesday 23rd November 2022 @ 4:30pm