Documentary Fundamentals Workshop

With participation from The New York Times Op-Docs, this course gives developing storytellers the tools they need to complete a short film.

Students will explore documentary styles, the language of film production, and the legal and ethical considerations involved in chronicling the lives of their subjects.

DFW includes readings, pre-recorded video lectures, self-prep exercises, and screenings of classic and modern films. The course culminates with each student making a 3-5 minute digital doc.

Students can book two one-on-one sessions with the instructor, and schedule time with their classmates to view work and provide feedback.

Time Commitments and Instructor Involvement

• It is recommended that students spend at least three hours per week on this workshop.
• Each student will have two 1:1, 10-15 minute live video sessions with the instructor. Students can schedule these at any point via the Smashcut online platform.
• DFW does not include live, mandatory meetings with the instructor and the entire class.
• Students will submit assignments to the instructor for review; additional optional self-prep exercises will not be reviewed.
• The workshop includes solo assignments, and one collaborative project, and culminates with an individual final documentary film project.
• New York Times Op-Docs staff will participate via the pre-recorded lectures; students will also hear from filmmakers who have had their work featured on Op-Docs.

Grading

Grades will be based on the following:

• On-time completion of assignments, including written work, production, and post-production.
• Additional evaluation will be based on your ability to be a team player and participate in crew activities—which include giving your peers feedback in the self-prep exercises.
• Your films will be evaluated based on their ambition and integrity, and the formal success of their realization.
• You are welcome to refine and re-submit work that you are unhappy with, and this can improve your grade.
• However, we won’t have time for critiques of work turned in for a second time. All work must be completed by the end of the course.

Equipment

Each student is required to provide a cell phone or personal digital video camera, as well as a computer with Premiere Editing software. It is recommended students purchase the app FilMic Pro for their phones. The use of any additional gear you might want to employ for the course can be discussed with the instructor. You’ll find out early on if the equipment you have is appropriate for the class. We feel strongly that we will be able to work with the gear that you have available.

At the conclusion of this course, students should have:

• Learned how to tell a documentary story visually
  
• Experienced the collaborative nature of the filmmaking process
  
• Learned various cinematic skills necessary to complete a short documentary film
  
• Been exposed to a variety of documentary styles and techniques
  
• Developed an understanding of basic film language and production terminology
  
• Learned how and where documentaries are distributed
  

Sample Lecture Topics

• Framing and Coverage
• Locations
• Internet & Libraries
• Primary Source Material
• Guests
• Contracts and Releases

Sample Assignments

• Mosaic - Choose an action and film it three ways and observe how each shot size offers a different perspective.
• Location - Select a location and tell a story from the elements within the environment.
• Portrait of a Person - Tell a visually compelling story about a person through film.