Year 9 Media Arts

Subject Description

In this course, students explore the power of documentary filmmaking as a tool for storytelling, persuasion, and social change. They analyze a range of documentary styles, from observational to participatory, examining how filmmakers use cinematography, editing, sound, and narrative structure to shape meaning. Through practical projects, students will develop their own short documentaries, learning key skills in scripting, filming, and editing. This unit encourages critical thinking about media representation and challenges students to create compelling, authentic narratives that inform and engage audiences.

Concept

Clean and Green Futures.

Structure

Unit 1: Documentary Genre
  • The documentary genre
  • The basic sub-genre of documentary films: expository, participatory, observational and poetic
  • Blocking and staging a film set
  • Plot-structure mapping and analysis
  • Three-column scripting
  • Multiple cameras to capture dialogue between characters
  • Rules for 180° and 30°
  • Adjusting the tempo and timing of cuts in the editing room to enhance drama and tension on-screen
  • Controlling time with film ramping, jump cuts, linear narrative and non-linear narrative
  • Green screening and chroma keying

Assessment

Short documentary film and written analysis.

Contact

Mr Rob Neale

rneale@mfac.edu.au

Request our College

Prospectus

Request our Prospectus

Book a Personalised

College Tour

Book Your Tour