Research & Script Development: A Case Study From the brainstorming stage to the final script – Analysis of a Feature Length Documentary. The research stage; finding the heart of the project; working with a scriptwriter; from the very first ideas to the final script; screenings of raw material to show some of the directing techniques, and an open discussion on the ethics of making a documentary:
From an Idea to a Premise Tutorial – Director and Producer together Evaluation of the current stage the project is in: Analysis of the themes, which require further development and work. From an idea to a premise. How can you tell if your idea has the potential of being developed into a strong and original script? From the pre-script stage to a workable outline and an individual schedule for the development of each of the selected projects.
Previous Work Analysis Previous works made by the participants are selected, presented on the big screen and analyzed. The filmmakers show their tutors and classmates their favorite scene from a previous work. These works are analyzed in terms of storytelling, documentary approach and style, and personal and professional abilities. This gives an opportunity for further feedback, group interaction, and the creation of a basic terminology for further discussions.
The Film Structure Screenings and analysis of examples of how to tell a documentary story; various storytelling approaches through expositions, film structures and ways of constructing a narrative. Emphasis is put on the documentary protagonist:
Further Script Development: Exposition and Synopsis Tutorial – Directors and Producers apart:
Director: "what is my film about?" and "why am I making this film?" "What are the basic script principals that my story has?" "What does it lack?" "What is my opening scene?" The filmmakers work on developing their expositions (as exemplary scenes) according to their own personal styles and approaches, with the assistance of their personal tutors.
Producer: Writing the synopsis in terms of film funding and marketing; how can the exposition help in writing the proposal and marketing the film, and what is the best way to present the story of the film; the role of the producer in writing the synopsis for financing, co-production, grants and funds.
The Exposition and Synopsis: Group Feedback Presentation of the projects in front of the whole group. The directors read out loud their option for opening their film and the producers pitch their synopsis. The tutors' and classmates' feedbacks are discussed.
Knowing Your Character / Initial International Budget Tutorial – Directors and Producers apart: Directors: work with their personal tutors on understanding their characters, what is expected of them in the film? Work on optional scenes with the protagonist, and the best way to realize them; personal instructions for developing the script, the scenes and the film's structure; 50 questions to assist in constructing a character(s) or gaining better insight into the "world" of their film. Producers: Building the initial international budget. Advanced producers: Mapping options for co-productions in Europe
Film Case Study: "Think Big" A screening of a feature-length documentary, in the presence of the director and the producer. Is there a "universal" storytelling approach? Should one stick to one's regional content and traditions of narration or join the global market by changing one's approach? What does a project need to make it to the big screen? What is the difference between a 50 min. documentary and a feature-length one? Is it the story? The storytelling technique? The cinematic approach? The budget? The PR? How to make your film attractive enough to persuade audiences to come and see it in their spare time? How to imagine the big screen right from the start?
End of Stage 1 | each project has a full synopsis, character guidelines and an international budget. Assignments for Stage 2: Directors: full development of a script’s first draft + a presentation of a character in an interview or a scene. Producers: Full international budget + initial financial plan including potential regional and international funds and broadcasters.
Research & Script Development: A Case Study
Analysis of the themes, which require further development and work. 
