Producing Documentaries

FILM TV X 478.733

Explore the stylistic and narrative, as well as technical and business approaches to successful documentary filmmaking from inception to distribution, and create your own project proposal based on the strategies learned.

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What you can learn.

Develop an understanding of effective documentary storytelling for several genres
Understand the development of both television and feature documentaries
Draft a synopsis for a one-hour television documentary
Learn how to properly pitch and elaborate on your personal project

About this course:

Learn about the opportunities available to the independent documentary producer in this overview of the entire documentary production process, from idea through distribution. Emphasis is placed on today's market--for both television and theatrical one-to-two-hour programs--through screening and discussing examples of documentary genres. Lectures emphasize story, structure, and style and address related budget, financial, and technical aspects of television documentaries. Each participant conceives and drafts a written synopsis for a one-hour television documentary with the option to independently produce a presentation video. Specialists with expertise in archival footage, interview techniques, location shooting, editing, and other areas are invited as guest lecturers, subject to availability.

Summer 2021 Schedule

Available Format(s):

Remote Instruction

Remote instruction courses are taught online in real-time with regularly scheduled class meetings held via Zoom. Course materials can be accessed any time through an online learning platform.

Available