University of Colombo

Sri Palee Campus

Department of Mass Media Studies
Workshop on Documentary 2014

Introduction:
The course will be conducted by Mr. Mahindapala, a cinematographer and famous
documentary maker in Sri Lanka and also a well-known filmmaker. Presently he is the
Freelancer. He is considered as an excellent teacher on cinema and Television.
The medium of the course is in Sinhala.

Venue:
University of Colombo, Sri Palee Campus, Wewala, Horana.

Duration:
March 13 (Thursday) to March 17 (Monday), 2014

Time Table:
09.00 am Morning snacks & tea
09.30 am Commencement of the morning session
01.00 pm Lunch
02.00 pm Commencement of the afternoon session
04.30 pm Tea
06.00 pm Conclusion of the day session
(Snacks, tea and lunch will be provided)

Course fee:
Rs. 10000.00 (Rupees ten thousand)

1
Payment mode:
Deposit the course fee at any Bank of Ceylon Branch to the credit of the following
account and send the receipt by email: cmb.ac.lk@gmail.com , fax (034-221 3457) or
by post.
Name of account: Sri Palee Documentary Team
Branch: Horana
A/C No: 0075323553
Also you could obtain a bank draft in favour of Sri Palee Campus and post it to the
following address under a registered cover.

Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo,Wewal Horana.

Certificate of Participation
A Certificate of Participation will be awarded with the signature of Mr. Mahindapala
only for the students who have participated for the whole five-day period.

Application Form:
Please submit the duly filled Application Form which is attached herewith.

Enclosed Documents:
1. Course Outline
2. Application Form
3. Short bio of Mr. Mahindapala
4. Tentative Budget 2014

Ms. F.S.Latheef
Course Coordinator
0710 483 110
Sharmilakandy@gmail.com

02nd March, 2014

2
 OUTLINE FOR THE 5 DAY DOCUMENTARY WORKSHOP
DATES: Mach 13th TO 17th 2014

The larger purpose of the workshop is to introduce aspiring candidates into the art of
Documentary with a specific focus into the world of Documentaries. During the span of
5 days they will get an opportunity to explore how the creative art of Television can be
used in the simplest of ways to explore the most complicated situations and aspects of
life at large. At the end of the session we will actually produce a short 5 to 7 minutes
Documentary from script to shooting to the final mixing.
Last but not the least we will also explore the various ways in which one can actually
make short Documentary into a wholesome career.
Each day will consist of 4 sessions of 2 hours each in which the talk will also be
accompanied by Documentary clips and other presentations.

Day One:

Session 1: Introduction film language- from word to image to meaning

Session 2: What is story-telling? Studying the borders between fact and fiction

Session 3: Elements of Documentary Script Writing- Reality versus Interpretation

Session 4: Mise-en-Scene: Understanding the power of filmic elements

Day Two:

Session 1: Documentaries- How many ways of telling the truth?

Session 2: Short Fictions- Ways of expressing meanings and feelings

Session 3: Experimental Cinema- Ways of using technology in Imaging

Session 4: Art of listening- Usage of sound tracks in a visual medium

3
Day Three:

Session 1: Pre-Production: Methodology of observation and participation

Session 2: First Scripting exercise as team based workshop

Session 3: The actual art of location scouting and interviewing

(From this stage the candidates will be clustered into smaller groups each being given
separate tasks)

Session 4: Second scripting exercise: Final ideation before shooting

Day Four:

Session 1: Shooting

Session 2: Shooting

Session 3: Previewing the material rushes and logging

Session 4: Discussion on shaping the material, picture and sound

Day Five:

Session 1: Going for the Final Cut; Working on the Commentary

Session 2: Final Mixing and Titling/ captioning

Session 3: Viewing it altogether and feedback collection process

Session 4: Summing up and valedictory

4
Every evening for the first 3 days there will be a screening of short Documentary
followed by discussions. Candidates will also observe the art of analyzing and deducing
certain conclusions.
From day two we will encourage candidates to conduct the discussions on their own
while we observe and guide them. The larger aim is to ensure that we encourage local
leadership who can take this short workshop forward in their own ways and in their
own respective communities also.

5
University of Colombo
Sri Palee Campus
Department of Mass Media Studies
Workshop on Documentary 2014
March 13 (Thursday) to March 17 (Monday), 2014

WORKSHOP APPLICATION FORM

Please print or type all information. Separate from must be used for each delegate. Please print
clearly.

DELEGATE DETAILS

Prof A/Prof Dr Mr Ms
Title
Other
Delegate Name
Institution Name
Daytime telephone
No.
Mobile No.
Fax No.
Email address
(Must privet for
conformation
purpose)
Personal Address
Country
I hereby request to
reserve a place for
me to take part in
the Workshop on
Documentary 2014

Signature:
Date:

6
Short bio of Mr. Mahindapala
Full Name: Mudalige Don Mahindapala

Date of Birth: 26th May 1951

Postal Address: 63F, 9th Lane, I. Jothipala Mawatha,Malabe, Sri Lanka

Mobile No: 0714318763

E mail: mdmahindapala@gmail.com

Nationality: Sri Lankan

Profession: Cinematographer

Educational Qualifications:

Passed General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Examination in Bio

Science Stream in 1972

Professional Qualifications:

Passed Diploma in Photography Course Conducted by the Government School of

Aesthetic Studies (presently the Faculty of Aesthetic Studies of The University of
Colombo) in 1973

Professional History:

Still Photographer since 1965

Trainee Cameraman Government Film Unit of The Department of Information Sri
Lanka from 1973 to 1976
Documentary and News Cameraman (GFU) from 1976 to 1982
Television Cameraman National Television Corporation of Sri Lanka (Rupavahini)
from 1982 to 1990
Trainer- Sri Lanka Television Training Institute from 1990 to2006
Manager Training- Sri Lanka Television Training Institute from 2001 to 2006
Visiting Lecturer University of Kelaniya, Colombo, Sri Jayewardenepura, Moratuwa,
National Youth Council, Digital Film Academy of SLFI and SLTTI
Cinematographer (freelance) since 1990
Trainer in Film and TV since 1990
7
Professional Training Received abroad:

Television Program Production Training at NHK Japan in 1981

Training Course on Population and Development
Communication 1988 in Pakistan
Advance Video Editing course at SFB Berlin in 1995
Workshop on Television in an Ageing Society- Thailand in 1999

Countries visited on professional assignments:

India, Thailand, Japan, Germany, Mexico, France, Qatar. Pakistan

Professional carrier:

Director of Photography in 10 Theatrical feature films

Do over 10 Television dramas
Do over 50 documentaries
Published 5 books and over 100 articles on Cinema and TV
Translated one Novella titled Bringing Tony Home
Jury member in numerous National Film and TV Award Festivals
Performed as committee member in various National film and TV Forums

Awards received:

Presidential Award
Sarasavi Award
Unda Award
Signis Award
Sumathi Tele Award
Critics Award

8
 University of Colombo
Sri Palee Campus
Department of Mass Media Studies
Workshop on Documentary March 13th to March 17th, 2014
Tentative Budget 2014

Description Budget Rs.

A Rate Qty Total Rs.

i. Application forms fee 1,000.00 15 15,000.00
ii. Tuition fee 8,000.00 15 120,000.00
iii. Registration Fee 1,000.00 15 15,000.00
iv. Total income 150,000.00

Total 150,000.00
B
Course Administration
i. Payment for Lecturers 1,000.00 7 35,000.00
ii. Honorarium - Course Coordinator 3,000.00 15,000.00

C
Selection and Requisition of Student
i. Printing / Issuing applications 200.00 15 3,000.00
ii. Preparing IDs 200.00 15 3,000.00
iii. Course Material 500.00 15 7,500.00
iv. Transport 5,000.00 5,000,00
v. Refreshment 100.00
200.00
300.00 17 5,100.00
D
Expenses for Examination
i. Certificates 200.00 15 3,000.00

E
Other Expenses
i. Advertisements 1,500.00 1,500.00

9
G
Indirect Cost
i. Total cost 78,100.00
ii. Profit 71,900.00

Total Expenditure
150,000.00

Course Coordinator

Date:

10