FIL 4301C – Documentary Production I

Overview

As a student enrolled in FIL 4301C – Documentary Production I, you have additional resources available to you to complete coursework and the production of creative projects. Details are outlined in the article below.

Policy Requirements

Students are required to complete the Film Student Policy Form before they can checkout equipment or use facility spaces. This form has to completed once each semester to cover all courses.

Facility Access

In addition to the resources outlines in the Undergraduate Resource article, enrolled students can electronically access the Advanced Media Lab | NSC-172. Please use the Activity Calendars located on the NSCM Media Lab resource page to help determine when these spaces are available for open and assisted lab hours.

When engaged in post-production for their creative projects, FIL 4301C – Documentary Production I students can also access the Film Editorial Suites 1-4 – NSC-171, 174, 176, & 178. These rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. Please use the Production Lab | NSC-143 when not engaged in post-production activities to ensure that editorial workstations are available for use by other students.

The Color Correction Suite | NSC-175 and Sound Recording Suite | NSC-172B & C is available upon request and requires a trained operator. Please contact Film Production Services for additional information.

If you are working with an editor on your Intermediate or Capstone project, please contact Film Production Services to have editorial suite access provisioned for them.UCF ID card, please fill out the Access Card Issue Form for assistance..

Equipment Checkout

Equipment List for Assignments

The current list of equipment that can be checked out for assignments can be found by clicking the button below.

Express Checkout

Express Checkout is completed through the Zeus Now Portal, and all requests must be made during either the Weekend Checkout Block or the Weekday Checkout Block.

Weekend Checkout Block	Friday: Checkout Day Equipment Room Hours: Open 9 to 5	Saturday/Sunday: Shooting Equipment Room Hours: Closed	Monday: Checkin Day Equipment Room Hours: Open 9 to 5
Weekday Checkout Block	Tuesday: Checkout Day Equipment Room Hours: Open 9 to 5	Wednesday: Shooting	Thursday: Checkin Day Equipment Room Hours: Open 9 to 5

Please use the Zeus Now Portal to request a checkout in advance.

Zeus login credentials will be emailed to you by the Film Equipment Room Supervisor, Devon Orand. If you cannot locate this email, search your inbox for “Assignment Window Open – Documentary Production” or check your Junk Email folder. If found in Junk Email, Report these emails as ‘Not Junk’. 

Please email Film Production Services if these solutions do not work or if you have any questions.

Production

Documentary Production is a series of stacked studio courses with both Intermediate and Capstone projects being developed and produced concurrently.

All Documentary Intermediate and Capstone projects must be greenlit by the instructor-of-record to commence physical production.

Junior-Level Intermediate Project

Juniors progressively gain access to equipment throughout the Fall semester as they receive training. The principal photography of their Intermediate Project takes place during the Spring Production Season which starts mid January and closes by Spring Break.

Senior-Level Capstone Project

Senior-Level Capstone Project

Capstone projects can start production in the Fall once they have received a greenlight from faculty. Please be mindful to plan your production during the Production Season which typically opens in late September / Early October and closes by Thanksgiving for the Fall. In Spring, it begins mid January and ends at Spring Break..

Please see the Master Production Calendar for exact dates for each semester.

Mid-Service Productions

Mid Service Productions can request additional resources beyond what is currently available through Express Checkout.

Each capstone student may request up to two Mid-Service checkouts during the Fall semester. Beginning in January, junior and capstone students will be eligible to request two additional Mid-Service checkouts for the Spring semester. Prior to checking out Film Production Services must receive an email confirmation from the instructor-of-record to Greenlight your production.

To submit a Mid-Serivce request, please complete the Microsoft Form linked below at least three (3) days before your desired checkout date. When completing the form, you must:

• Select the desired checkout block:
  • Weekend Block: Friday – Monday
  • Weekday Block: Tuesday – Thursday

In addition to the standard checkout blocks, each student is permitted one extended 6-day checkout during the semester:

• Extended Block 1: Tuesday–Monday
• Extended Block 2: Friday–Thursday

Due to limited staffing and equipment availability, we are unable to accommodate requests outside of these established checkout periods. Please plan your production schedules accordingly. 

Mandatory Training

If you plan to use the DJI Ronin RS2 Gimbal Package or the Zoom F6 Sound Package, please ensure that the appropriate crew members have completed the required training before your checkout date. The Zoom F6 Sound Package requires that a deciated Sound Mixer is operating the equipment on set.

Training sessions can be requested through the booking links provided below.

We also strongly encourage students using the Ronin RS2 to schedule additional practice sessions in the Equipment Room before their production dates. Practice sessions can be arranged by emailing Film Production Services.