Real life, real characters, unscripted...
DCI workshops and seminars provide a comprehensive overview of the documentary filmmaking process, with practical and aesthetic guidance from concept through completion. We promote the production of documentaries that are original, meaningful, and skillfully crafted. Each workshop is led by a team of accomplished filmmakers and experienced educators.
The Basic Series Workshops provide a comprehensive overview of the documentary filmmaking process, with practical and aesthetic guidance from concept through completion. Workshops are led by teams of accomplished filmmakers and experienced educators. Participation in the full series is strongly recommended, but not required.
Concept Development and Storytelling An interactive workshop with participants bringing ideas for development. Topics include research, treatment writing, and storytelling techniques. During the latter part of the workshop participants prepare brief treatments and practice presenting their ideas.
Saturday July 9, 10am - 5pm
Shooting the Documentary Provides an overview of the process of shooting documentaries. We cover technical and aesthetic approaches to shooting interviews and capturing life as it happens. Topics include planning and improvisation, shooting to edit, and elements of story. Participants receive instruction and practice in the use of cameras, lighting, and audio recording equipment in a studio and on location.
Saturday July 16, 10am - 5pm
Editing the Documentary Covers practical and aesthetic approaches to editing raw material. Areas covered include story structure, character development, integration of music, narration, and archival and graphic elements.
Saturday July 23, 10am - 5pm
All workshops meet at The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center, 4130 Tejon Street, Suite A, Denver.
Fees: $90 per workshop, DCI Members $75. Bring-a-Friend Discount: $75 each, per workshop.
Reserve your space by phone: 303-444-1351, or e-mail: info@documentaryinstitute.org.
Participant Reviews
The DCI workshops provided me with the exact combination of hands-on experience and networking that I was looking for. The program brings together people from various backgrounds and experience levels, which allows participants not only to learn from the instructors but also from each other. The small class-size and interactive nature of the workshops were also a unique benefit, and allowed me to really get to know the other participants and the instructors. - Sara Mckellogg
DCI helped to fill in the gaps in my knowledge with its organized and thorough presentation of the steps needed to create a documentary. I loved the hands-on approach in this workshop and this, for me, sets it apart from other workshops I have attended. - Larry Pritchard
I began the DCI workshops as one who enjoyed films but knew nothing about the process. I left with an appreciation of the art of film making, learned the techniques involved, the fundamentals involved, and I left with the confidence to shoot my first documentary. Everyone who attended added dimension to the discussions and hands on experience. - Sue Leister
The workshops really demystified the art and technical aspects of documentary filmmaking. After the series, I was confident enough to buy a camera and jump right in, not worrying about making mistakes but also succeeding in capturing great footage. I met someone who gave me an audio editing gig with song contribution and editing credits in a released documentary. - Richard Fuller
A strong command of camera, lighting, and audio techniques is key to capturing expressive material that serves the documentary narrative. These intensive hands-on workshops are designed to help filmmakers learn and improve their technical skills for the best possible production results.
Camera and Lighting for Documentary
This workshop covers the use of cameras and lighting for capturing stable, properly exposed and well composed footage in a range of documentary production situations.
Audio Recording for Documentary
This workshop covers the use of sound recording equipment for capturing high-quality audio in a range of production situations by recording directly to your camera.
Visiting Filmmaker Seminars
Our Visiting Filmmaker Seminars are intensive sessions for developing filmmakers focused on the process of documentary filmmaking and led by accomplished filmmakers. Presenters have included Herbert Sauper (2006 Oscar nominee for Best Documentary Feature) and Laura Poitras (2007 Oscar nominee for Best Documentary Feature).
Stories from Times Past: Approaches and Techniques of Historical Filmmaking
Focuses on the making of historical documentaries. Presenters share their experiences of making documentaries that approach historical events from personal perspectives. Topics covered include research, funding, narrative techniques, style, archival materials, and music. Come prepared to share your ideas and vision for your own historical film.