Documentaries
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| Students viewing a documentary. |
You may use slides, power point, or videos to present your documentary. Many students have access to sophisticated software and editing programs; others have only basic tools like slides or a personal video camera. Any of these devices can be used effectively to create documentaries. If the program is created in power point, I suggest that you transfer it to video. Programs usually show better on video than on computer. Always include narration in your project.
A documentary that requires the judges to read the text is not effective. Keep in mind that vcrs are provided but computers are not. If your project requires a computer, you must supply your own. This is true at every level of competition.
Each documentary may be 10 minutes in length. Be sure to use all of the time allotted to you.
Be careful about appearing in your documentary. That is not to say that it should never be done, but you should do so sparingly. Most documentary producers do not appear in their work. People who want to perform should use the performance category.