Documentary Filmmaking: Core Elements (On Demand)
About this On Demand Course
This is an On Demand course. On Demand courses allow you to watch pre-recorded lectures at your own pace, with curated resources and other materials to support your work. You can begin taking this course at any time.
In order to serve more of the Sundance Collab community, we developed this On Demand course from existing self-paced course content. By doing so, we are able to offer Documentary Filmmaking: Core Elements (On Demand) at a price that allows more people to benefit from the course content.
This course does not offer feedback on your work. If you would like feedback from a Sundance Advisor and to network with other filmmakers, consider taking Documentary Filmmaking: Core Elements (Self-paced).
You have an idea for a documentary film, but now you want an expert in the field to help guide you as you take the next step. In this introductory level On Demand course, you will learn how to move from concept through post-production with a documentary film. Along the way, you will develop a compelling proposal for potential funders of your project.
Along the way you will:
- gain an overview of a wide variety of formal approaches to documentary.
- understand the difference between your topic/issue and your story.
- learn tips to identify ethical issues in documentary filmmaking.
- develop an approach to access and cast your characters.
- understand interview techniques and best practices.
- learn methods for achieving your aesthetic goals.
- understand the basic considerations of production, including assembling your team and gear and anticipating potential roadblocks in the field.
- develop methods to organize and prepare your material for post-production.
- gain an overview of strategies for outreach and engagement campaigns.
This course is ideal for:
- creatives new to documentary filmmaking who want structured direction for crafting their project with a flexible schedule for completing weekly lectures and exercises.
- documentary filmmakers with an idea for a short or feature-length documentary who could use help putting together their funding proposal.
View the Outline tab for more details on the course.
On Demand CourseAccessibility
Sundance Collab provides accommodations and support services to participants with disabilities. Accommodations and services are designed to meet the needs of each participant. Please email us at accessibility@sundance.org to arrange for services.
Outline
Topics covered include:
- What to expect from the course
- Understanding documentary approaches, practices, and the reasons to make them
- Creating visual treatments
- Overview of the Nonfiction Core Application
Topics covered include:
- Where to find stories and determining which stories to tell
- How do you move from topic to story?
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of the three act structure?
- Identifying possible story “signposts” during your research
- Formulating key questions to guide the story ideation process
- Matching language in your proposal and your audio-visual language
Topics covered include:
- How to achieve your aesthetic goals
- The power of observational scenes
- How to access and cast characters
- Understanding documentary ethics
- Crafting your logline
Topics covered include:
- Finding a producer and assembling your team
- The pros and cons of self-producing
- How to create a project timeline
- Pre-production approaches
- Budgeting and scheduling
- Working with various crew sizes
- Addressing accessibility for D/deaf, blind/low vision, disabled, and neurodiverse crew and/or film participants
Topics covered include:
- How to prepare for the unexpected in the field
- Common production roadblocks
- Must-have gear for your kit and other tech considerations
- Backing up and protecting your material and data
- Legal considerations and releases
- Interview techniques
- The power of observational moments
- Sustainability on set and on screen
Topics covered include:
- Developing your post-production workflow
- Outlining
- Music rights
- Fair Use
- Working with an Editor
- Considering sound design in pre-production and production
- Working with a composer
- Knowing your audience
- Test screenings
Topics covered include:
- Sources of funding
- Creating fundraising trailers and pitch decks
Topics covered include:
- When to begin outreach and engagement
- Outreach and engagement strategies including social media
- Navigating film festivals and publicity
- Creating a sustainable career
Instructor
Patrick Shen
Patrick Shen is a filmmaker and the founder of Transcendental Media. Patrick’s cinematic works include the award-winning films Flight From Death: The Quest For Immortality, The Philosopher Kings, LA Source, and the SXSW 2016 film, In Pursuit Of Silence, which was released in 150+ theaters in 8 countries via Cinema Guild and Roco Films. His films have received 24 awards and 12 nominations, and have been featured on the TED blog, CNN, Huffington Post, NY Times, LA Times, Boston Globe, and the Washington Post. Over the years he has presented work at hundreds of film festivals, cinemas, museums, and major academic institutions all over the globe including SXSW, CPH:DOX, Sheffield Doc/Fest, Full Frame Film Festival, USC School of Cinematic Arts, The Smithsonian, The Hammer Museum, The Music Center, Princeton, and Harvard University.
Patrick’s first experience with non-fiction work came in 1999 when he served as second unit director and art director on the Emmy-nominated We Served With Pride; his work on the film earned him a visit to the Oval Office to meet with President Clinton.
In 2009, Patrick was the recipient of the Emerging Cinematic Vision Award from Camden International Film Festival and since 2012, Patrick has been lecturing and teaching filmmaking workshops all over the globe as a film envoy for the U.S. State Department and the USC School of Cinematic Arts for their American Film Showcase. He’s also served as mentor and Creative Advisor for Film Independent Global Media Makers. In 2023 he began a new role as adjunct professor at USC School of Cinematic Arts where he teaches directing in the graduate documentary production course.
From 2020-2021, Patrick released the crowd-sourced COVID-19 lockdown-inspired film The Dawn Chorus (which premiered at DC Environmental Film Festival and The Walker Art Center), the award-winning film Day Of A Stranger and the L.A. Times short doc The Picture Taking Experiment. He is currently at work on two new films: As Slow As Possible and In Praise Of Shadows.
FAQ
Sundance Collab’s On Demand courses provide flexibility to learn on your own time, whenever you’re ready. On Demand courses do not provide you with feedback on your work, but they do provide suggested activities and curated resources.
Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion for all of the On Demand courses and the certificate will include the name associated with your Collab account.
You can find any courses that you are enrolled in or have already completed in the profile section of your Collab account under “Courses.”
Sundance Collab provides accommodations and support services to participants with disabilities. Please contact us at (435) 776-7790 or email us at accessibility@sundance.org to ask any questions or to discuss your specific needs.