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| Documentary Filmmaking |
Chris Holstead made his thesis documentary, Life on the Edge.
Chris used a crane in the wilderness to capture cinematic images of the Colorado Plateau.
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Documentary Filmmaking Certificate
Documentaries are no longer simply dry material for the intellectual. Becoming much more popular for their entertainment value and still holding on to the cause of making a difference or simply exposing an unfamiliar world to a larger audience, filmmakers have never had a better chance at theatrical distribution. The recent success of "9-11", "Super Size Me" and many other great indie films are forging the way and audiences are loving it.
At the Zaki Gordon Institute the curriculum focuses on all aspects of movie making from concept to distribution. Learning from a small group of filmmakers and professionals in the film industry gives students the mentorship they need through the entire learning process. The state-of-the-art facilities and equipment is very supportive of the programs design, providing all students with an incredible amount of hands-on experience.
By the end of the year, students will have a short film and the opportunity to complete a feature length treatment. Students can return to produce a feature film under the guidance of ZGI. Many students continue their filmmaking education by attending both the narrative and documentary programs over a two-year period or apply for the advanced certificate.
Fall-the first semester
Students will write, produce and edit at least 5 short films, focusing on a different assignment each cycle. They will outline and write a thesis short film, and write a treatment for a full-length feature.
Day 1
With a screenwriter, students will watch a film from one of eight styles of documentary filmmaking. The film will be analyzed to reveal writing tricks used by the screenwriter to move the audience through the story. That night, the student will go home and write a treatment that will use one of the writing tricks learned that day in class.
Day 2
The class will be divided into groups of four. Each group will consist of a director, producer, camera and sound person. The students rotate to serve in each of these capacities. As a group, students select a treatment and go into pre-production. They secure locations, actors, props, wardrobe and they will shot list the scene.
Day 3
Each group will shoot scenes with equipment provided by the school.
Day 4
Their instructor analyses all shot footage for screen direction, coverage, lighting, acting, and composition.
Day 5
The raw footage is edited into a complete scene and the final cut is reviewed.
ZGI Master Workshops
Four intensive workshops on the topics of screenwriting, camera and coverage, interview techniques, editing, producing, managing post-production and distribution will be provided during the year.
Spring-the second semester
The Spring semester is all about production. Students direct their short thesis films while crewing up on the films of their classmates. In addition, they will write the first draft of a treatment for a full-length feature.
ZGI Master Workshops
Two intensive workshops, post-production (including contractual agreements for distribution) and guerilla filmmaking.
Total Credit Hours: 33
Cost
The Digital Filmmaking Certificate is a little over $9,000 for the full year, including tuition and production fees. For Arizona residents, the cost is roughly $4,000 for the full year.
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