DOC 472: Documentary Law and Ethics

Students will explore the legal and ethical issues that can arise in the course of documentary and non-fiction media production. The course will discuss standards and practices; decision making and creative control; archival footage and its fair use, legal requirements and implications; the question of informed consent; and ethical issues ranging from paying subjects, staging and reenactments, to sale and resale footage. Case studies of selected documentary films will be presented and analyzed by the class. (2 quarter hours)