Course Brief

Documentaries play an important function within society and are very different to fiction. The documentary is used to record, portray, inform, educate and interpret events and experiences. The documentary form across different media and platforms seeks to expand our knowledge by exposing aspects of the subject to further scrutiny and examination. Hybrid and new types of documentary are evolving that use technologies in creative ways beyond the traditional film and television spheres.

Documentaries communicate in different ways and can be shocking, controversial, informative, humorous and emotional. There are an inexhaustible range of subjects and people to document, and the genre has sparked the careers of many authors, film makers, radio presenters, podcasters and media producers.
This unit allows students to explore the documentary genre conventions, learn about context, where the genre came from and consider its future. Students will learn how to find a subject, research, plan and produce a short documentary.

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Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. Discuss the features of documentary form through research into historical and
contemporary precedent
2. Develop documentary pre-production materials and plan, for a specific media
format, based on research
3. Produce a documentary work, in a specific media format, using industrystandard
tools and techniques
4. Present a documentary work to an audience, responding to commentary and
feedback.

  • BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) in Creative Media Production

    Employment Focused; Affordable; Globally Recognized Qualifications in Creative Media Production.

    Build and validate your interest, knowledge and skill with the Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production at SBCS. This internationally recognized, practical qualification prepares students for employment in the media sector, in areas such as Radio, Television, Film, Journalism, and Multimedia. Not just focused on the technical side of things, it also covers the business aspects of Corporate Communications and Freelance employment.

    Click to learn more about what is an HND.  

    The programme comprises of 15 units where you can learn and practise a variety of techniques to develop a substantial portfolio of work. This programme also sets the foundation for an exciting career in the creative industries. 

    Graduates of this Level 5 Higher National Diploma will be accepted onto to the final year of our BA (Hons) Mass Communications.