London Film Academy - Intro to Documentary Certificate

Intro to Documentary Certificate

Gain an understanding of the basics of documentary filmmaking, including the UK/EU film market, budgeting and funding, in this intensive overview of the industry. This five-day course is designed to provide first-time filmmakers with the skills and strategies they'll need to get a factual film project off the ground and to the finish line.

Work with current industry professionals, learning how to apply effective research and storytelling skills, and come away with the ability to develop your factual film idea into a full treatment, complete with the knowledge of how to pitch to the industry and how to successfully promote your completed documentary project.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Duration: 5 days, full time
Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 GMT

This documentary filmmaking course provides you with all the information you need to get your first documentary made. It focuses on the challenges that first-time documentary filmmakers are up against and provides practical strategies that enable you to get to the finish line. Furthermore, the course takes into consideration the challenging limitations that COVID-19 presents to filmmakers as well as highlights new online initiatives and collaborative tools designed to support and promote documentary filmmaking through these challenging times.


You can apply for the course with a project already in development, but this is not a prerequisite. The week is used for project consultations as well as group work that will help you to move your project forward. The course includes documentary development, pitching, paperwork, budgets, production, directing and post-production. Case studies are used to explain different production strategies and the course culminates in pitching techniques for project presentations.


In addition to your project work, we offer practical advice on thinking through a documentary film career, with an emphasis on a multi-disciplinary approach and strategies for making, presenting and distributing in a wide variety of formats in order to ensure your success.

 

  • Gain an intensive overview of the documentary industry, including festivals, broadcasters and funding bodies
  • Skills in researching “the story”, producing and conceptualising, scriptwriting, defining your audience and finding your key team
  • You are given example documents, including treatments, release forms, schedules and permissions
  • Insight into budgeting – crew size, camera format, sound set-up, length of shoot and postproduction – and how to balance practical and artistic considerations.
  • How to film an interview discreetly, ethically and safely
  • Post-production needs of your documentary, from viewing and logging footage to producing a finished film ready for distribution
  • Exhibition, distribution and broadcast strategies are discussed with a range of case studies from traditional TV documentaries to new media platforms.

 

This course takes place in person at LFA, 52a Walham Grove, London SW6

COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
  • All applicants must be fluent in English: English Language Level: Upper Intermediate
  • Minimum age 18

VISA REQUIREMENTS

For in depth Visa information please visit our Visa page.

UPCOMING COURSE DATES

To apply online please click on the course date below.

  • 03 June 2024 - 07 June 2024
    Course Fee: £ 695

    Only 1 space available

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  • 14 October 2024 - 18 October 2024
    Course Fee: £ 695
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