Creating an effective documentary that stands out and gets noticed is challenging. This track is designed to help filmmakers create a documentary from the inside out. Start with an idea and form it into a logical, structured work of art that tells a compelling visual story.

Purchase the entire track and save:
$725 SFFS members (save $50)/$840 general (save $50)

Take the following classes:


Ethics in Documentary Film
Are there basic ethical principles in documentary filmmaking? What is the filmmaker’s responsibility to his or her subjects? What builds trust and what erodes it? Join documentary theoretician Bill Nichols as he investigates these questions. Read more...

Producing and Directing Documentary Films
This intensive two-day workshop covers crucial issues of producing and directing a documentary, including selecting a provocative topic, researching the subject, writing a proposal, fundraising, preproduction, casting, directing, technical craft and more. Read more...

Grant Writing Essentials
Learn how to craft an effective blueprint proposal for your project that can be adapted for multiple applications. Discover how to create a compelling logline, background, synopsis, treatment, fundraising strategy, marketing and distribution plan, key personnel bios and project status reports. Read more...

Sound Essentials
This hands-on class assists beginning and intermediate filmmakers with field recording and related issues. Learn about boom technique, microphones and recording devices, choosing and troubleshooting locations and organizing postproduction recording. Read more...

The Aesthetics of Editing
SOLD OUT. This class investigates the many competing issues that editors must keep in mind when cutting a film. Students will analyze early versions of scenes from documentary and narrative works, comparing them to the finished scene. Read more...

Shooting Digital Video
Learn to use your HD or SD camera to its maximum potential. Ideal for first-time shooters and intermediate students who want to improve their shooting skills, this crash course will cover the basic operations of DV cameras as well as aesthetic considerations. Read more...