Documentary Filmmaking: Pre-Production To Distribution
Documentary filmmaking can be challenging whether you’re just getting started or have some experience in the field. This 2-day graduate level certificate workshop will guide you through all the stages of producing a successful documentary, with tips and strategies on the essentials of independent documentary filmmaking for both short and feature-length films. The course will include an overview of documentary film financing, story development, production essentials from shooting to the final edit, creative marketing, and strategies for distribution.
Course Overview
After successful completion of this course, you will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Assess the suitability of story ideas for documentary storytelling
- Identify diverse resources for documentary film funding
- Understand the fundamentals of budgeting, treatment writing, and scheduling
- Employ strategies for working with documentary film subjects
- Plan for the stages of postproduction, including editing, working with music, color grading, and sound mix
- Be knowledgable about and consider a wide range of distribution methods
Gail S.Terrific! Sheleece is a remarkably engaging instructor who was able to maintain our attention through lots of material. The class worked because it was so well organized and she was so skilled and inspiring.
Director
Martha W.I greatly appreciate Shaleece's breadth and depth of the materials we covered in the past two days. More importantly, her openness to all of our questions regarding her impressive Real Boy film was very welcomed. She has the unusual ability to make complex issues simplified.
Freelancer
Victoria F.Very thorough. I felt that I'm able to take this back to current & future projects. The resources alone were a gift!
Assistant Editor
Who Should Attend?
Documentary Filmmaking is ideal for those new to documentary filmmaking, videographers, film producers, content creators, journalists, editors, new media managers, media professionals, content marketers, communications and PR, publishers, and educators.
Instructors & Facilitators
Instructors subject to change.
Shaleece Haas
Tuition
$695 USD
We encourage team work! Bring a colleague or friend and receive additional tuition discounts. Contact Alexandre Bui at alexandre.bui@berkeley.edu for more information.
When?
New Dates Coming Soon
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Instruction begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.
Morning coffee and catered networking lunch provided.
Requirements & Prerequisites
- The workshop is a beginning graduate-level workshop. Please contact us if you have questions about the pace or content.
- Participants must be comfortable with technical subjects and learning in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in English.
Questions & Additional Information
We suggest staying in the Berkeley area. Nearby hotels include:
– Faculty Club (on UC campus)
– Graduate Hotel
– Hotel Shattuck Plaza
– Bancroft Hotel
– Extended Stay America or Executive Inn and Suites
– La Posada Guest House
Many of our participants have also found luck with Airbnb.
The closest parking to North Gate Hall, where Berkeley Advanced Media Institute is located, is the Lower Hearst Parking Garage. For public parking, you must enter on the second floor via Scenic Ave and park next to a gold pillar. Many spots in this garage are permit parking only, so please be vigilant of posted signs. Parking is $2/hr, max $20/day.
Another option for parking is the Stadium Parking Garage, located under Maxwell Field and between California Memorial Stadium and the Greek Theater. Parking here is $25/day with variable hourly rates.
If you wish to utilize public transportation, North Gate Hall is about 15-20 minute walking distance from Downtown Berkeley BART Station. There are also multiple AC Transit bus lines that stop in front of the building.
For more information on different parking garages around campus, visit the UC Berkeley Parking and Transportation website.
• Cancellations must be received in writing by email to advancedmedia@journalism.berkeley.edu.
• Cancellations made up to 15 days prior to the start of the program registered for will receive a refund of all monies less the $175.00 cancellation fee. We are unable to refund any fees for registrations cancelled within two weeks of the start of training.
• Failure to appear for the training will result in forfeiture of the full course fee.
• Changes to the registration at anytime are only by approval of Berkeley Advanced Media Institute administration.
• The Berkeley Advanced Media Institute reserves the right to cancel or reschedule training due to low enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of Berkeley Advanced Media Institute. In this case, applicants are entitled to a full refund of the program fee.
• The Berkeley Advanced Media Institute will advise applicants at the earliest opportunity of changes to schedule program. The Berkeley Advanced Media Institute is not responsible for travel fees, or any expenses incurred as a result of cancelled programs.
• If you purchased your class through CourseHorse, then our Refund & Cancellation policy applies to your purchase.
We currently do not offer transfer option between workshops. However, you may cancel the current workshop to receive a full refund less the cancellation fee and enroll in the preferred course. Please contact us directly at advancedmedia@journalism.
In-depth information can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page. No video or audio recordings of the materials presented are permitted in any workshop.
