SAT NOV 8: 10 AM to 4 PM
Great West Life Theatre at Red River College (Downtown Campus - 160 Princess St)
Part 1: Basic Documentary Structure
This first seminar-presentation makes use of clips from classic and currently popular documentary films to illustrate common types and facets of documentary structure as well as evaluate their effectiveness. The underlying assumptions and basic principles of structure are examined in detail, as are: the advantages / disadvantages of structure, the risks of structuring too early or too late, and what is needed to create the three necessary parts of structured narrative - the beginning, middle and end. Most importantly, Don outlines a practical, effective method for developing the foundation structure needed for any documentary film.
ONE HOUR BREAK
Part 2: Applying Dramatic Structure to Documentary Film
The secnd seminar covers the principles that lie behind dramatic three-act structure and illustrates how these principles can be used to structure the middle of a documentary film by examining such well-known documentaries as Capturing the Friedmans and Touching the Void. Topics discussed include: the nature / movement of dramatic acts, how dramatic units combine to define structure, the differnt functions of major turning points, and how character development and conflict can be used to carry viewers inescapably from start to finish. Because the emphasis is always on the practical, Don describes an easily grasped method for filmmakers to use when applying dramatic structure to their documentary films.
About Don White
Don White has been a writer, director, producer, consultant, mentor and teacher for over thirty years in the documentary and film industries. He has writter and / or directed drama, corporate and major educational documentaries and has won over 20 international awards for his film and video production. Numerous films on which he has consulted or workshopped have been broadcast on national and international television and many have garnered major awards.
Acknowledgements
The Winnipeg Film Group acknowledges the financial support of Film Training Manitoba in enabling us to offer this program.
