Not so long ago prime-time television was reserved for sitcoms and dramas, while documentaries fought for whatever time was left on Public Television. Not anymore. Fuelled by the growth of cable networks dedicated to non-fiction programming and the current popularity of 'reality' television, there are many new and exciting opportunities in documentary production.

Students at the University of Miami have a chance to tell their real-life stories through the School of Communication's Documentary Unit. Guided by professors, students gain hands-on experience in the art of creating documentaries. They write, produce and direct documentaries on issues that affect our communities and our lives, and deliver these messages to a wide audience beyond the University campus.

History

Professor Sanjeev Chatterjee founded The Documentary Unit in 1994 with a view to provide students the opportunity to take their skills beyond the college campus. Co-Director is Professor Grace Barnes. Since its inception, the Documentary Unit has produced documentaries that provide insightful observations about the environment and social issues.

The Documentary Unit has earned an impressive collection of national awards for its productions:

Sharks: A Bimini Journal was awarded the Alpha Epsilon Rho Award of Excellence in 1995. This documentary attempts to counter the image of sharks as mindless eating machines.

 

Cry of the Sirens was awarded the Alpha Epsilon Rho National Award in Chicago in 1997. This documentary explores survival issues of the West Indian manatee in Florida waters.

 

Breaking Ground was winner of the grand prize at the National Broadcasting Society Convention in 1998. This video documentary focuses on alternative therapies for cancer.

Big Plans was presented at the National Student Production Showcase of the Broadcast Education Association Convention in April 1999. It also won an Award of Excellence at the 1999 Berkeley Film Festival. This documentary follows the life of UM football player Nate Brooks.

Projects

The Documentary Unit produces two projects a year, each approximately 30 minutes in length. The second project each year is larger in scope and ambition than the first. These documentaries are produced to broadcast quality standards using digital video technology.

The School of Communication provides some funding for projects. The Documentary Unit also develops partnerships with local cultural, academic, and media entities. For example, Miami's PBS affiliate WPBT has often access to equipment and facilities as well as an avenue for broadcasting completed projects. The city's Wolfson Media History Center serves as a resource for archival footage.

In addition to producing documentaries, the Documentary Unit sponsors panel discussions among documentary filmmakers. Documentary 2000, part of Communication Week 2000 brought together four of the best documentary filmmakers of our time for discussions and screenings. During Communication Week 2001, the Documentary Unit brought filmmaker Ross McElwee to the school to present his work and participate in panel discussions

Alumni

Alumni of the Documentary Unit hold positions with major motion picture companies in Hollywood and across the nation. Others have gone on to pursue MFA's in broadcasting and motion picture studies at the nation's finest institutions.

Get Involved

The Documentary Unit is open to all UM students. Students interested in joining are encouraged to attend the UMTV meeting at the beginning of fall semester.