Resources
DCI meets the needs of emerging filmmakers by providing opportunities to connect with other filmmakers, develop skills, access resources, and exhibit work.
Workshops and Seminars
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.
Basic Series Workshops
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.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 the studio and on location.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.
Special Topics Workshops
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.
Current Offerings
Basic Series Part I: 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.
Contact us for further information and registration.Basic Series Part II: 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 the studio and on location.
Contact us for further information and registration.Basic Series Part III: 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.
Contact us for further information and registration.
Resource Center
We are in the process of raising support for the DCI Resource Center, which will contain a film library, reference area, screening room, and editing facility which will be available for use by Filmmakers' Circle members. We currently facilitate mentorships and provide information and access to library holdings.
We are currently accepting cash and in-kind contributions for the Resource Center. All contributions are tax-deductible. Resource Center Needs: Digital nonlinear editing equipment, office equipment, screening equipment, books, films. Contact us to make an in-kind contribution.
Support the DCI Resource Center
Visit our support page to find out how to make a donation >>