MMP310 Web Documentary
The Web Documentary course provides practical and theoretical knowledge about fact-based or fact-claiming narratives on the web. The course provides vocational and hands-on experience in the production of an interdisciplinary project for the web. It also provides critical analytical perspectives to understand narrative strategies for web-based media.
Web documentary is an evolving media genre involving elements of film, animation, journalism, web design and PR strategies. The genre has its roots in the long tradition of film and TV documentary's "creative treatment" of current and historical affairs, and of personal, local, regional, and global stories. As in traditional documentary, having a critical and independent voice, and being deeply engaged with an issue, are essential requirements for the successful production of a web documentary project. Yet web documentary also provides a space through which to explore non-linear narratives, and through which documentarists can expand the outreach of their projects. This involves understanding how to use multiple media channels and platforms, and understanding the uses of cutting-edge technologies (e.g. virtual and augmented reality in mobiles, location-based services) to deliver a fact-based history.
The course aims to provide specializations tailored to the student's own needs. For this purpose, students will work in small interdisciplinary teams where they can use their individual skills in the development of a practical web documentary project.
At masters level, the practical project expertise is complemented by the completion of a short applied research project in the first half of the semester and delivery of an individual research report. The applied research project gives masters students the opportunity to engage with current literature and use it to investigate current cases of web documentaries.
In accordance with the National Qualifications Framework the student will achieve the following learning outcomes after completing the course:
- Have advanced knowledge of design and production issues for web documentary, cross-media and transmedia production
- Understand narrative issues for non-linear fact-based storytelling
- Understand ethical and legal issues around the use of publicly available data (e.g. personal or institutional data) for web documentary
- Demonstrate thorough knowledge of technical and aesthetic opportunities of the use digital media for documentary production
- Have advanced knowledge of the global web documentary, cross-media and transmedia production environment, including existing funding, production an distribution models in Norway and abroad.
- Is able to independently develop a script and project proposal for a non-linear factbased storytelling project
- Is able to use efficient production processes for interdisciplinary media production teams in an independent manner
- Use data visualisation and creative coding techniques and tools
- Is able to work in a team to produce a polished, non-linear, fact-based narrative project (webdoc)
- Can make provisions to comply with the legal, ethical, and economic context of webdocumentary practice
- Is able to communicate and exchange ideas for the further theoretical development of the genre
- Can make use of the novel aesthetic and narrative opportunities that creating a multiplatform media product provides
The course relies on problem-based and active forms for learning, individually and in teams. Working individually or in teams, students will produce an interactive media product for online distribution. Participation in learning activities online and in presential or virtual team work and meetings is required, and fullfillment of practical project work is essential.
Teachers will provide guidance, and a schedule for team or supervisory meetings will be available in the semester plan. An overview of the organisation and delivery of coursework requirements is provided in the semester plan.
Refer also to Regulations governing studies and examinations at Volda University College, §7.3 on attendance/participation in teaching.
1. Project proposal
2. Documentary exercises
3. Research report
Requirements are evaluated as pass/fail and are compulsory for exam enrolment.
Grading will be done in accordance with the Regulations governing admission, studies and examinations at Volda University College.
| Assessment Form | Grouping | Duration | Grading scale | Proportion | Comment | Support Materials | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mappeeksamen | Individuell | 1 semester | A-F, der A er best og E er siste ståkarakter |
1. A portfolio that includes the team product in the form of a finished proposal or fully functional and live web documentary. Further details on technical requirements are to be provided during the course.
2. Method report
3. Evaluation of collaboration