Docuseries are an increasingly popular format to craft and develop a story that does not fit within the boundaries of a feature documentary. However, to make a docuseries work there are many creative and financial decisions that filmmakers must take into consideration. In this three-hour live Master Class, Liz Garbus, the award-winning director of the films WHAT HAPPENED MISS SIMONE? and ALL IN: THE FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY and docuseries, I’LL BE GONE IN THE DARK; and Dan Cogan, the award-winning producer of more than 100 documentaries and series including ICARUS, WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?, and THE COVE, will share their insights on how to create a compelling and engaging docuseries from both the creative and business perspective.


Topics covered include:

  • Determining if a story will work as a series
  • The differences between a docuseries and a documentary feature
  • How to craft a story arc and a characters’ journey over multiple episodes
  • Strategies for successfully pitching a project
  • An analysis of the current marketplace
  • Special considerations for multi-episode funding


Resources:

Download the list of resources from Liz Garbus, Dan Cogan and Sundance Co//ab

Liz Garbus
Instructor
Two-time Academy Award®-Nominee, two-time Emmy Winner, Peabody Winner, Grammy Nominee, DGA Nominee, and BAFTA-nominated director Liz Garbus is one of America’s most celebrated filmmakers, renowned for her documentary work and also for her breakthrough scripted debut. Her work has been featured in film festivals from Sundance to Telluride to Toronto and the New York Film festival and has appeared in theatres and across streaming platforms as well as premium cable television, and she is known for her propulsive, socially incisive storytelling across genres. more...
Dan Cogan
Instructor
Dan Cogan is one of the most prominent non-fiction producers working today. Both an Academy Award®- and Emmy Award®-winner, Dan founded Story Syndicate with Liz Garbus in 2019. Previously, Dan was the founding Executive Director of Impact Partners. He has produced more than 100 films and series, including ICARUS, which won the 2018 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?, which won the 2019 Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary, THE COVE, which won the 2010 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and THE APOLLO, which won the 2020 Emmy for Outstanding Documentary. more...
Tags:Nonfiction

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