Taught by Andi Reiss and Hosted by Film Oxford
Next course: 14 September 2020 to 15 October 2020
7pm – 8pm. 5 weeks, two sessions per week: Mondays and Thursdays – 2
Cost: £138, £124 (early booking discount by 1st September), £99 concessions.
Making documentaries is one of the most rewarding and challenging endeavours you can be involved in, and whether you’re at the beginning of your journey looking for documentary ideas, in the middle of production seeking videography, lighting or interviewing tips, or you’re just trying to figure out how to write a script, making documentaries is a wonderful adventure. Documentary has been a staple in filmmaking for the past couple of centuries and we will explore the ins and outs of the full process, along with discussing how you can develop your own documentary, from the initial concept to the final distribution. We will look in-depth into documentary filmmaking as an art, and assess how you can research, produce and market your own documentary for the world to see.
Throughout the course there will be some home study and work for you to present to the group, and this will hopefully give you all a social network as much as anything. We’d like you to all come together as a team of students, supporting and sharing ideas within.
Filmmaking is an art, not a science, and the only way to truly learn how to make documentaries is to make documentaries. That said, Film Oxford’s educational introduction will give you knowledge and confidence to do it.
Are you ready to dive in?
The ten sessions break down as follows:-
SESSION 01 – WHAT IS A DOCUMENTARY?
SESSION 02 – HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR DOCUMENTARY TOPIC
SESSION 03 – DEVELOPING YOUR DOCUMENTARY
SESSION 04 A – CREATING A TREATMENT AND A PRODUCTION TIME
SESSION 04 B – PRACTICE YOUR PITCH
SESSION 05 – HOW TO CREATE AN ACCURATE DOCUMENTARY BUDGE
SESSION 06 – IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL CREW
SESSION 07 – A QUICK LOOK AT NECESSARY KIT ‘N KABOODLE
SESSION 08 – HOW TO FILM YOUR DOCUMENTARY
SESSION 09 – DOCUMENTARY POST PRODUCTION
SESSION 10 – FESTIVALS & HOW TO DISTRIBUTE YOUR DOCUMENTARY
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This online weekend lab is again designed for Confident beginners wanting to make their first documentary, and improvers looking to make better work that reaches wider audiences. The course doesn’t particularly focus on technical equipment, although it is mentioned, but more aimed at giving you the skills and knowledge you need to get great stories into production and out to audiences.
Saturday
Part 1: Documentary Modes and Story Development
Part 2 : Funding, Financing and Budgeting
Sunday
Part 3 : Shooting and Editing
Part 4 : Festivals and Distribution.
A concise set of notes will be provided for your reference and future use.