This teaching blog is being used as a part of the RMIT Undergraduate Media 2016, Semester 2, Media 2 and Media 4 studios (COMM2625/2627) for the studio Documentary Design. It is written by Seth Keen. The perspectives here are part of an ongoing exploration into teaching online and are not those of RMIT University.

The RMIT Part B course guide Media 2 and Media 4.

Studio description:

In this hands-on studio the focus is on making content and learning through a practice-based inquiry. The aim is to learn practical skills in a real world context, in this case a project that engages with communities externally. Practical skills will be supported with theory, in regards to the integration of design methodologies into professional media practice and developing an understanding of interactive documentary as an expanding mode of new media practice.

Studio participants will work on the design and production of an interactive documentary that is potentially put forward for screenings, exhibition and publication online. Technically you will work with video across a range of cameras and software, including preparing and authoring video for online viewing. The portfolio outcomes will be a collection of linear video works that are used to create an interactive documentary.

Aims of the Studio

● To design and produce an interactive online documentary.
● To work with the affordances of video, computers and the network.
● To examine how design methodologies can be utilised to adapt to changing media practices.