Assignment 4: Proposal for a Final Project – DUE JANUARY 12



Department of Film Fall/Winter 2006/07

FA/FILM 3002/4002 6.0 DOCUMENTARY PROJECT WORKSHOP

Documentary Proposal Outline

Due Date – October 10th

Write a professional proposal that consists of a synopsis, a short treatment and storyboard or visual treatment for your documentary as outlined below. This will form the basis for the production go-ahead for your project.

In any proposal, even for a documentary, you must think into the future and describe what you imagine your film will be like. Even if the final film ends up being very different because you are planning an observational film which will follow your character(s) through uncharted locations and situations, you should have a script or outline in mind. The proposal will give your readers (and possible funders/producers) a strong sense of the themes, formal structure and visual storytelling methods you will be using. If you are doing a poetic work, for example, make the writing as poetic as possible, if you are doing a rhetorical film or taking up social justice issues, your proposal should reflect the mode and concerns.

A well-written proposal is essential if you want to approach arts councils, commissioning editors, producers or private funders. But, as importantly, if not more importantly, it’s an invaluable process for you because it makes you think concretely and coherently about your film. You will find yourself envisaging new sequences and possibilities and discarding ideas that don’t work. Areas for further research will become evident and you will begin to get a strong sense of the stylistic approach your content leads you to.

PROPOSAL CONTENTS

1. Cover page that should include strong visuals, your film title, date and name.

2. Table of Contents

3. Format of your film (eg. Digital Video, 16mm, etc.), colour or black and white, proposed length.

4. One-liner that descriptively and compellingly introduces your film.

5. One paragraph synopsis, written using visual language and suggesting stylistic approach

6. Treatment which describes your theme, your story outline, structure, style, documentary mode, point of view, potential interviewees, questions you and the film will be asking, locations, music, etc. (2 to 5 pages). Include notes on structure, style, music, additional material such as archival images, Super 8, etc. will you be using (Super 8, photographs, digital imaging, music etc.)? Is there a shooting or editing style that will convey your structure or content? Are you using narration? Are you personally in the film? If so, what is your function? Is there a particular genre or convention that you are using? This section should indicate your overall style and approach.

7. Audience: describe the communities you hope to attract, organizations that you hope will use your film, educational institutions, what broadcasters would be appropriate, etc.

8. Background and Research: This can include the current status of the project, why you are drawn to the subject and/or a particular stylistic approach/documentary mode and a summary of your research to date. Discuss visual material (archives, etc.) you may include.

9. Production personnel: Include a full resume for yourself – the director – and a brief resume/bio for each of your crewmembers: Director, Production Manager (if you have one), Cinematographer, Sound Recordist, Picture Editor, Sound Editor.

10. Written documentation describing your prior work, contributions, etc. You could also include a sample reel and a

11. Storyboards: You may include storyboards or visual examples that will help the reader to envisage your project. Visual elements may include paintings, photos of participants, a collage or drawings, for example, that give a feel for your aesthetic approach to your documentary.

12. A budget

13. A schedule of your film from start to finish.

Remember, you may include visuals throughout your proposal. Your aim should be to make your presentation as dynamic and memorable as possible.

MAKE A COPY OF THE PROPOSAL FOR YOURSELF TO WORK WITH. I will be keeping the copy you hand in for marking purposes.

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