TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Students write a script for a documentary film on a topic of film history or...

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTSStudents write a script for a

documentary film on a topic of film history or theory

Externally AssesedWorth 25% of IB MArk



HL: 12-15 page scriptSL: 8-10 page script



HL: 12-15 page scriptSL: 8-10 page scriptUS letter size paper

12 pt. Courier font, single spaced

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Rationale – a brief, reasoned explanation of the concerns of the topic

in no more than 100 words


Rationale – a brief, reasoned explanation of the concerns of the topic

in no more than 100 words

Annotated list of sources – as an appendix, including the main source

films


At HL, the script must draw on a minimum of 4 films from at least 2

countries


At HL, the script must draw on a minimum of 4 films from at least 2

countries

At SL, the script must draw on a minimum

of 2 films from at least 2 countries


The target audience for the documentary is film students 14-18

years old


The target audience for the documentary is film students 14-18

years old

The “voice” of the documentary must be that of the student, who will also act

as the narrator and on screen host


Scripts must employ an established documentary script format such as “side by side” or “split page” with

columns for audio and video (video left, audio right)


Scripts must employ an established documentary script format such as “side by side” or “split page” with

columns for audio and video (video left, audio right)

Descriptions of audio and video elements must be detailed and specific


The script must clearly indicate the relationship between the audio and

video elements. Audio and Video columns must be “proficiently linked.”


The script must clearly indicate the relationship between the audio and

video elements. Audio and Video columns must be directly aligned to

establish the “link”

Use of time code can support the video description but cannot stand

alone


Sources listed in the bibliography must be annotated to indicate how

they were used in the script. Students must ensure that any comments or ideas coming from others are fully

supported by detailed references in the annotated bibliography.

TOPIC CHOICE

Students are required to engage in an unfamiliar cinematic tradition (artistic

method, style, movement, genre)

TOPIC CHOICE

Students are required to engage in an unfamiliar cinematic tradition (artistic

method, style, movement, genre)

Students must research this tradition and incorporate the research into the

script

TOPIC CHOICEFilm History or Theory

Film History – topics relating to the chronological development of film

TOPIC CHOICEFilm History or Theory

Film History – topics relating to the chronological development of film

Film Theory – topics focusing on what makes film work as a medium and art

form

TOPIC CHOICE

Some topics might include aspects of both, such as the development of

“movements” like Expressionism or Neo-Realism

TOPIC CHOICE

Some topics might include aspects of both, such as the development of

“movements” like Expressionism or Neo-Realism

Film theory includes concepts like narrative, genre, use of light, editing,

auteur film theory, feminist film theory, etc.

TOPIC CHOICE

Start with a big, general idea such as “Editing”

TOPIC CHOICE

Start with a big, general idea such as “Editing”

Decide on some arguments or points relating to the general idea – fast

cutting enhances excitement, cutting compresses time and space, cutting

shows reactions

TOPIC CHOICE

Find resources (other than the main films) that will support the general idea – web sites, texts, critical writing, etc.

TOPIC CHOICE

Find resources (other than the main films) that will support the general idea – web sites, texts, critical writing, etc.

Search data bases, web, library for key words – editing, montage,

Eisenstein…

TOPIC CHOICE

Create a list of films that would connect to the general idea: Battleship

Potemkin, Psycho, Kill Bill Vol. I, Crash…

TOPIC CHOICE

Create a list of films that would connect to the general idea: Battleship

Potemkin, Psycho, Kill Bill Vol. I, Crash…

Select extracts from the films that illustrate the general idea – Odessa

steps, shower scene, opening sequence in Crash…

TOPIC CHOICE

Develop a title, making sure it deals with some aspect of film history of

theory – “How Russian Editing Theories Influenced Filmmakers in

America”

TOPIC CHOICE

Develop a title, making sure it deals with some aspect of film history of

theory – “How Russian Editing Theories Influenced Filmmakers in

America”If necessary, limit the topic – “How Editing, as seen in the Odessa Steps

Sequence, Influenced 1960s American Filmmakers”

TOPIC CHOICE

Select the best primary films – Battleship Potemkin and Psycho

TOPIC CHOICE

Select the best primary films – Battleship Potemkin and Psycho

Select the “clips” and the “voice over” video to be used from these films

TOPIC CHOICE

Select the quotations or paraphrases to be used as “interviews” or voice over

TOPIC CHOICE

Select the quotations or paraphrases to be used as “interviews” or voice over

Audio can be clips, voice over, “interviews,” music

Video can be clips from films, video from films, other appropriate video

TOPIC CHOICE

Topic must be “discussed primarily in cinematic terms”

TOPIC CHOICE

Topic must be “discussed primarily in cinematic terms”

Go beyond plot, character and setting. Discuss camera, light, sound, editing,

color, movement, composition, etc.

TOPIC CHOICE

Instead of tell who shoots whom in a gun fight, talk about…

How tension is supported by the scoreHow rapid cutting increases suspense

How use of slow motion draws the viewer into the scene

COMMON PITFALLS

Choosing a topic better suited to a literary, social or political discussion

COMMON PITFALLS


Not discussing the topic in cinematic terms

COMMON PITFALLS



Using celebrities or imaginary characters as narrator or host

COMMON PITFALLS



Using celebrities or imaginary characters as narrator or hostScripts over or under length

COMMON PITFALLS

Topics that do not represent an unfamiliar cinematic tradition –

comparing Casino Royale and Mission Impossible

COMMON PITFALLS



Limited use of sources, depending on Wikepedia, IMDB, “special features” on

DVDs

COMMON PITFALLS



Limited use of sources, depending on Wikepedia, IMDB, “special features” on

DVDsScripts “padded” by creative spacing

and margins

My Role

Give advice on a first draft, although do not heavily edit. The next version

must be the final one.

My Role

Give advice on a first draft, although do not heavily edit. The next version

must be the final one.

Go over the exemplars on the OCC

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Students write a script for a documentary film on a topic of film history or...

Documents

Transcript of TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Students write a script for a documentary film on a topic of film history or...