Intro to Documentary Production - In Person - 5 Saturdays

DATES

3/25, 4/1, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29 (No class on 4/8) | 5 Saturdays from 10 am - 4pm including 1 hour for lunch

DESCRIPTION

This hands-on class for new filmmakers focuses on how to plan, shoot and edit a short documentary. The class will introduce participants to visual storytelling by combining an interview with B-roll and still photos/archive images. The workshop will include hands-on experience with digital video cameras and the Adobe Premiere editing system.

Camera equipment and access to a computer lab with the Adobe Premiere editing system will be provided. Participants will work in small teams to produce a 3-minute documentary profile piece. Each team will develop their own subject. In addition to learning how to use the equipment, work in a small crew, and plan and structure your story, the class will focus on the interviewing process and filming B-Roll to create the short. Asking well thought out questions not only provides you with the information you’re looking for and helps structure the narrative of your video, it also develops trust and rapport with your subjects. Completed films will be screened at the 2024 Community Stories Film Festival.

SAFETY GUIDELINES

This class is held in person at Docs in Progress. The safety of participants and staff remains the top priority for Docs In Progress. Docs In Progress complies with State & County health regulations and follows the safety measures of the MCPS guidelines.

Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination of workshop participants, the teaching artist and staff is required. Masks are not required. Participants, teaching artist and staff are encouraged to be respectful of an individual’s preference to wear or not wear a mask.

IN PREPARATION OF THE COURSE

Documentary topics will be Personal Profiles, highlighting the character and work of a featured individual. Participants should come to the first session of class with a person in mind to "pitch" as a documentary subject. Subjects may be participants themselves, relatives, or other members of the local community. An ideal subject will be one who is accessible (i.e., available to be interviewed), and associated with a visually interesting location or activity. The more research you put into your pitch ahead of class, the more prepared your production could be. The class will vote on several of the pitched projects to be produced, then divide into teams of 2 or 3 participants to create each Personal Profile. Filmmaking is a team experience. The finished production process must begin and conclude with all team members.

In addition, participants should plan on spending 4-6 additional hours outside of class time between the third and fourth week of class for shooting B-roll. Participants who want additional edit time for their projects will also have the option of staying for two extra hours after the forth class session.

LOCATION: Docs In Progress

8560 2nd Ave Suite 113, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Docs In Progress is located on the ground level of the Alexander House. The entrance of Docs In Progress is on Apple Ave. Parking garage, walking distance: Cameron Street Garage. Free parking on weekends. Metro Station Red Line: Silver Spring (walking distance 5-7 minutes).

TEACHING ARTIST: Michael Anthony

Michael Anthony has 20 years of content creation experience crafting web series, narrative films, live stream shows, and documentaries. His films have been screened at numerous film festivals around the country, including Martha's Vineyard, Chicago, and Atlanta to name a few. His short film, “Choices” won best short narrative film at the Spaghetti Junction Film Festival, and his documentary “Walls that Bleed” was nominated for some very prestigious awards including one sponsored by HBO. Michael Anthony holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Professional Theater with a concentration in Directing from North Carolina A&T State University, and a Master of Fine Arts in Experimental and Documentary Arts from Duke University.

FEE

$595 if you register and pay by February 14

$615 if you register and pay by March 20

$625 if you register and pay on or after after March 21

FAQs

What's the refund policy? If your circumstances change and you must withdraw from a class after registering, please be aware of our refund policy:

Withdrawal 20 or more calendar days before the first day of a program: 75% refund

Withdrawal 11-19 calendar days before the first day of a program: 50% refund

Withdrawal 10 or fewer calendar days before a program: No refund

Is it okay if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends? You should register the name of the person who will be attending the class even if you are using a different credit card to pay.

Is this program convenient to public transportation or parking? Yes and yes. Docs In Progress is located in downtown Silver Spring, about a 5 minute walk from the Silver Spring Metro and a block from a parking garage.

How can I contact the organizer with any additional questions? If you have questions about Docs In Progress educational programs, contact us at artisticdirector AT docsinprogress DOT org.

Check out past documentaries produced by students enrolled in this class. Watch below on YouTube.

Michael Anthony, Teaching Artist

Below, please check out examples of short docs that have been produced in a pervious class.

Host or Publisher Docs In Progress