DOC 372: 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.