Master Class: Social Activism Through Storytelling with Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk (AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL: TRUTH TO POWER)
About this Master Class
Master Classes are in-depth, interactive learning experiences focused on craft and career building and led by renowned industry experts. Topics include fiction and documentary filmmaking, TV writing and production, and navigating and succeeding in the entertainment industry.
At the heart of every successful social activist movement is a compelling story. This three-hour, live, online master class dove into strategies for making media that moves the needle on social issues and galvanizes its audience to make change.
Topics presented include:
- Identifying your story’s core message
- Strategies for impactful storytelling
- Partnering with relevant organizations to spread your message
- Taking your story beyond screens with an impact campaign
- Potential roadblocks and ethical considerations of activist storytelling
- Successful examples of activist storytelling in both fiction and nonfiction
Please watch these three films by instructors Bonni Cohen & Jon Shenk before the master class:
- The Island President on iTunes and Amazon Prime
- Audrie & Daisy on Netflix
- An Inconvenient Sequel on Hulu, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Vudu and Google Play
Resources:
Recommended Resources from Bonnie Cohen and Jon Shenk
Master ClassTeam
Bonni Cohen
Co-Instructor
Bonni Cohen has produced and directed an array of award-winning films. Most recently, Bonni co-directed An: Truth to Power which was selected to be the opening night film of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, short-listed for the 2018 Oscars and nominated for a 2018 BAFTA for Best Documentary. In 2016 Bonni co-directed the Peabody Award winning film Audrie & Daisy, which premiered in competition at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and was picked up as a Netflix Original film. In addition to her directing work, Bonni served as Producer on The Island President, winner of the 2011 Toronto International Best Documentary. Her work as producer and director on The Rape of Europa earned her a PGA and WGA nomination and was short-listed for the Oscars. In addition, Bonni produced Jon Else’s Sundance film, Wonders are Many and together with Else co-directed Inside Guantanamo, which was nominated for an Emmy for Best Documentary in 2009. Bonni also Executive Produced 3.5 Minutes and Art and Craft, both films were selected for the Oscar shortlist in 2015. Together with Lisa Chanoff, Bonni is the co-founder of the Catapult Film Fund.
Jon Shenk
Co-Instructor
Jon Shenk has directed and photographed many award-winning films. Most recently, Jon co-directed and photographed AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL: TRUTH TO POWER which was selected to be the opening night film of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, short-listed for the 2018 Oscars and nominated for a 2018 BAFTA for Best Documentary. In 2016 Jon co-directed and photographed the Peabody Award winning film AUDRIE & DAISY, which premiered in competition at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and was picked up as a Netflix Original film. In 2011 Jon directed THE ISLAND PRESIDENT, winner of the 2011 TIFF’s People’s Choice Award and IDA’s Pare Lorentz Award. Jon was awarded the 2004 Independent Spirit Award for directing LOST BOYS OF SUDAN. Shenk was the DP for the 2008 Academy Award-winning SMILE PINKI, and he won an Emmy for BLAME SOMEBODY ELSE, 2007.