Shaping Your Documentary Story in Post

In documentary filmmaking, the story can largely be crafted after your footage has been shot. In this course, you will learn how to develop your film’s story during the editing process with an accomplished documentary filmmaker as your guide. You will deepen your understanding of the post-production process with a specific lens on your work-in-progress documentary.

Over the course of four weeks in this live, online course, you will gain the expertise you need to shape your story. You will analyze documentary scenes across genres and styles to learn how to create the world of your story, “write” your documentary, and elevate your film in post-production. The course will include case studies and interactive exercises to offer space to share and connect with other filmmakers in the course. Weekly assignments will include research exercises designed to deepen your understanding of the post-production process.

By the end of the course, you will:

• identify various documentary formats and determine your own film’s cinematic and storytelling approach.
• understand the technical post-production workflow and how to successfully collaborate with your editor.
• determine how to find the strongest themes, characters, and storylines from among your logs and footage.
• learn how to write your documentary “script” using tools such as beat sheets and a paper edit.
• understand how to structure scenes, the effective use of sound, and sourcing archival footage and music rights.
• learn the steps for finalizing and delivering a project to your distributor.

This course will:

• provide tools and techniques to apply to any documentary project.
• connect you with other creators via a discussion board where you can discuss core concepts and share your work.
• highlight successful documentaries in a variety of genres, illustrating how their narratives were constructed in the edit room.
• provide opportunities to pose questions to the instructor in an open forum.
• recommend reading and viewing for outside the class.
• provide creative prompts and allow space to share your work during class.

This course is ideal for:

• filmmakers with an idea for a documentary or who have shot footage and are looking for guidance in organizing their project to create the most compelling story.
• directors, producers, or editors who are currently in the post-production stage on a documentary project.

A limited number of need-based scholarships are available and are considered on a rolling basis as they are received. Those who apply earlier will have a greater chance of getting support. To apply for a scholarship, please complete the course registration form.

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.