Graduate Documentary Storytelling and Research Cluster

Through a variety of documentary film screenings and readings, students will analyze the epistemologies, ideologies, aesthetic elements, narrative structures and strategies that filmmakers employ in their storytelling. The course will examine new trends and conventions in the documentary genre.

Students will focus on how documentary filmmakers use archival media materials (photographs, motion pictures and audio recordings) in their films. Students will become familiar with several media archive holdings, learn about various media formats and how to use archives for media productions and related activities such as the process of requesting footage and licensing fees. Students will learn about career opportunity in media preservation and contemporary trends in the profession. Students will work with local archives, such as Lindenwood and the St. Charles Historical Society.

This course will teach students how to research a topic, find media source materials, conduct interviews, select appropriate consults and on-camera talent. Students will learn how to write a proposal, a short documentary script that incorporates a well-crafted narrative structure and grant applications.