Documentary Filmmaking

About this course

Participants develop a documentary from initial research and concept development through planning, filming and post-production. The course covers visual storytelling, narrative structure, documentary styles, on-camera interviews, camera and sound recording, and editing in Adobe Premiere. Learners work in a small production crew and rotate through key roles, gaining experience across the production process. Documentary subjects can be developed as a new group concept or drawn from opportunities connected with other classes.

What you'll learn

• Develop documentary concepts through research and subject exploration.
• Plan, storyboard and structure a documentary narrative.
• Apply visual storytelling techniques suited to documentary filmmaking.
• Record footage, interviews and sound using professional filming equipment.
• Conduct on-camera interviews and shape questions for documentary subjects.
• Edit a short documentary in Adobe Premiere, balancing pacing, rhythm and clarity.

Is this course right for you?

The course is designed for complete beginners and learners with limited filmmaking experience, including those interested in developing a documentary specialism. Participation is crew-based, with learners sharing production responsibilities and rotating through different filmmaking roles.

• Work takes place as part of a small production crew.
• Participants rotate through key production roles rather than remaining in one specialism.

Before you go

• Professional filming and sound equipment is provided; participants may bring their own equipment if they are familiar with using it.
• Participants produce a short documentary with their team and can take the finished film away after the course.