Making a Documentary: how to Research, Write, Design the Process and Make a Low Cost Documentary

From 42.87 £ /h

What do you like about documentaries and what do you have to say to an audience? What insights can you give about your context? What stories near you have a meaning that matters? What images you see are powerful to touch the public? Your own ideas and experience is our main source for the decision making of what film are you ready to write and direct. The purpose of sharing my methods and process is that you find your own voice and style for developing meaningful documentaries and designing low cost production processes.

Extra information

You need to be able to shoot and to edit, no matter the equipment or the software.
You will learn how to do field research, how to make interviews and how to find the right participants and the best scenes.

Location

Online from Netherlands

About Me

At the age of 36 I was making documentaries when a Media School asked me if I could give a workshop and a new adventure started with the discovery of teaching. To my surprise (I always thought I wasn't good enough to teach) the students made more short videos and reports than ever in the previous years of the school. It seemed that I was good for them and to share my knowledge and skills was a great experience.
Nowadays, I give workshops and short courses or lessons, and I am developing games for education too. I am a passionate person who loves whatever I do because I like to know more, to have challenges and to work with others.

Education

Masters Degree Cinema and Television, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, 2007-2008.
Philology Degree, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
Bachelor of Audiovisual and Media, EMAV, Barcelona.
English for Teaching Purposes, Coursera Online Course.
Design and Development of Games for Education, MITx Online Course.

Experience / Qualifications

Documentary Filmmaker. Game Designer.
Lecturer at Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya. 2005-2016. Started teaching at Audiovisual Communication Studies and ended with a full-time job, completely devoted to my students and dedicated to creating new study projects and to the needed research. Meanwhile, I directed 18! Final Thesis Projects.
Guest Lecturer at International Institutions and much more.

Age

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Duration

60 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Spanish

Catalan

Skills

Filmmaking

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00)

New York

Online via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Speak Spanish through Conversations: a fun and practical course. Don't say vino, say [b]ino!

32.15 £ /h

With this course you will learn Spanish in a playful easy way: we will look at the words and the grammar as part of a game that we play. So every time we play, we are better at it!

Learning and practicing how to speak a language can be challenging. My method is based in playful learning while creating scenarios in which you will discover the words we need to use and the right way to make sentences in that situation. I prepare the scenarios based on the list of interests you have. Once we can have a small conversation in that scenario, we will repeat it at the next meeting and it will be included in our "refresh quarter" which is a 15 minute revision on all the words and ways of saying that you keep learning. My focus is on connecting the language to your needs and wishes, to make sure the learning is well grounded.

Pitch and Public Presentations: how to prepare yourself

41.98 £ /h

Being able to express your ideas and projects in public is a fundamental ability for your professional career. In the audiovisual field where I have been working for fifteen years, giving a good convincing pitch was the only way to find investors for my documentary projects. Later, working as a teacher at a Faculty of Media and Communication, I had the opportunity to help students prepare their presentations, and very especially their Final Thesis Presentations. All and all, I have my personal toolbox for preparing anyone (welcome shyness!) to feel confident and at ease in order to communicate with the verbal language, the body language, and the visual language.

Belgin

5.0

(1)

In this lesson you will learn the basics of filmmaking, from writing a screenplay to editing your own film. You will learn how to tell a story with images and sound, how to use a camera and a microphone, and what software you need to finish your film. You will also receive tips and feedback from an experienced film maker who will help you develop your creativity. This class is suitable for beginners and advanced students who want to increase their film knowledge and share their passion with others.

Antoine

5.0

(1)

— Methodology —

This course is designed for all levels, from beginners wanting to start their first project to professionals looking to refine their creative vision.

— Learning Philosophy —

I believe that learning is a dialogue. My approach is flexible and adapts to your needs: field case studies, participatory guidance during creation, and targeted training on specific aspects.

Sessions are scheduled according to your needs and constraints, ideally every two weeks to maintain a good rhythm.

— First Meeting —

During our first meeting, we will define the framework, method, tools, and objectives of the training together.

— Topics Covered —

Preparation

• Defining the specifications, objectives, and intentions
• Concept development
• Research
• Pre-existing similar projects
• Narrative/visual aesthetics, inspirations
• Directing concepts: the director’s responsibilities
• Production concepts: the producer’s responsibilities

Scriptwriting/Outline

• Formatting
• Structure
• Dialogues
• Effective formulas

Budgeting

• Breakdown

Preproduction

• Theoretical concepts: the hierarchy of a production
• Responsibilities of a production manager and assistant director
• Artistic direction
• Storyboarding and image grammar
• Scouting (technical)
• Material preparation, rental management
• Workflow
• Rehearsals

Shooting

• Sound recording
• Mastering the camera and viewpoint
• Visual storytelling
• Using light to influence emotions
• Building a cinematic image
• Directing actors

Postproduction

• Editing: techniques and grammar
• Sound design: sound effects, audio narration
• Interaction with a music composer
• Color grading: the power of image treatment and visual aesthetics
• Introduction to special effects with After Effects

Amy

5.0

(1)

If you need expert support in your creative writing, whether it's turning that idea into the screenplay you've always dreamed of, or improving your confidence in your writing voice, this class is perfect for you.

Each class will be tailored to you and your needs, so that you are both supported and challenged.

You are in good hands! I have a Diploma in Script Development from the National Film and Television School, one of the top five international films schools. I graduated with a First Class Honors in English Literature and Creative Writing, specializing in fiction and screenwriting. I have worked for the BBC for years in scripted television, as well as other major London production companies.

Andrea

5.0

(1)

Creative Writing is a subject for those with imagination, talent, and a passion for literature, film and television, poetry and so much more. Whichever pathway you wish to discover, this class will give you the necessary skills to develop and explore different styles of writing, giving you an example of industry-standard work.

This class can help you work towards English Language/Literature/Creative Writing qualifications at many different levels, hopefully inspiring you to pursue a university education or career in this field. However, if you simply wish to explore your talent in fiction writing, I can provide insight into the industry and university level education of this subject.

Mohammed

5.0

(1)

As we can all see as technology advances, this is a skill we all need now. In this course, you will learn all about shooting with a digital camera. The courses will ensure that you are completely ready to take any photographer or videographer to the next level. Learn how to use your equipment correctly, manually for most cases, automatically for specific applications. This course can be applied to any field, from fashion and architectural photography to the production of documentaries, films, extreme sports videos and music videos.

- Handling a camera or a DSLR
- The different types of lenses, their materials, opening angles, depth of field
- Fixed lenses and zooms, compensated wide angles and fisheyes.
- The different types of mounts, CCD, Cmos, Full Frame, APS-C sensors
- The different types of SD, HD, Full HD, 2K, 4K formats and their use in production
- 35mm and its real meaning
- Shutter speed, ISO sensitivity
- The dynamics in the colors
- The different types of plans
- The different types of lamps
- The times of the day to film without flashes or light
- Rigs (Travelling, Shoulder Pad, Steadycam, Crane and Jib Arm)
- Rotate on Green Screen or Blue Screen
- ....

Adrian

5.0

(1)

I am here to support and guide you in making your film idea come to reality.

My name is Adrian. I am a feature film director and screenwriter. I have worked in the film and video industry for over twenty years. I have directed and written nine feature films and produced and directed over thirty documentaries, commercials, short films, and social media videos. I have won various awards for my film works at different international film festivals, including best director in the Hollywood International Golden Age Festival and New York Movie Awards, best short film in the Paris Cinema Awards, 10 Best Chinese Feature Film Award, Fukuoka Audience Award, Fukuoka International Film Festival, Japan and more. In my film career, I also have worked on many international film projects and collaborated with various international famous filmmakers and actors such as Jackie Chan, Peter Greenaway, Ewan McGregor, Claude Van Damme, Benny Chan, Andy Lau, Aaron Kwok, Louis Koo, Leslie Cheung, and Tony Leung.

Education
Master of Arts, Film Directing
University of West London/MetFilm School, London, United Kingdom

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Film and Video
University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Affiliations
Associate Member of Directors UK, 2022-present
Member of Hong Kong Screenwriters’ Guild, 2019-present
Member of Hong Kong Film Directors’ Guild, 2005-present
Professional Jury of Hong Kong Film Awards, 2010-present

Teaching Experiences
I am passionate about teaching and sharing my knowledge and experience with those passionate about filmmaking all over the world. I have accumulation of many years of teaching experience. I was a part-time lecturer at the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the guest Lecturer in Digital Media, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Also, I have done over one hundred sharing and film seminars at universities, high schools, and different communities. And I have served as a judge and special guest speaker in various academic film festivals.

Course outline:
Introduction of the making a film and documentaries (workflow, different film crew positions and professional filmmaking terminology)
Finding your idea
Developing your idea
Script writing
Producing/budgeting/scheduling/casting
Directing (how to become a good director)
Storyboard
Shooting technique (from professional equipment to a mobile phone shooting)
On set shooting (camera/lighting/blocking/sound recording)
Editing (premier pro) and sound mixing

About the lesson (You can choose and discuss which is match your needs)
All Level
Tailor made private lessons
Film Project Support and Tutorial

Ana

5.0

(1)

Online and/or face-to-face methodology.
I have several years of experience as an audiovisual teacher, I have taught subjects such as audiovisual culture, history or production. I also give script classes and analyze audiovisual projects as a script doctor.

I remain at your disposal for any questions :)

Dan

5.0

(1)

Learn how to make films from script to screen.
Learn the whole process, taking ideas to scriptwriting through to directing and camera to editing.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn professional film production this is the class for you.

Also available: Scriptwriting and film directing.

As an award winning feature film director and film tutor at many of Londons top 5 film schools, I can help you succeed at filmmaking, whilst having fun and helping you by nurturing your creative talents to your full potential.

Alexander

5.0

(1)

In this class, aspiring filmmakers will learn the core skills of professional editing, from pacing and transitions to sound design, to shape engaging stories. Through hands-on projects, you’ll build technical expertise in editing software while mastering the art of cinematic storytelling. Tailored assignments and feedback ensure you progress quickly and confidently, leaving with a portfolio of polished, impactful scenes.

Zoran

5.0

(1)

This class is for Filming with video camera, editing, recording sound, light setup, live streaming. The focus is to learn how to film, edit and deliver. You'll learn a variety of video techniques to cut down on costs and time in a relaxed and fun environment.

Hunter

5.0

(1)

A class analyzing the history and trope of the final girl in horror films, we as a class over multiple lessons will go through films such as 1978's Halloween, Scream, Nightmare on Elm Street, and many more

If you have any spicific films you need to go over for any reason let me know and I will happily work it into the schedule

Carlsen

5.0

(1)

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of screenwriting for film. Through lectures, readings, and writing exercises, students will learn core storytelling concepts including three-act structure, character development, conflict, visual storytelling, and dialogue. Emphasis is placed on crafting short scripts and learning how to communicate ideas cinematically through action and imagery. By the end of the course, students will have completed a polished short screenplay and gained a solid foundation in the creative and structural tools used by screenwriters.

Sojeong

5.0

(1)

With over 10 years of experience in documentary filmmaking, I offer professional training in cinematography, editing, and color grading. I studied Film, Video, and Multimedia in Korea (both bachelor’s and master’s degrees) and am currently pursuing a Master’s in Film at the Netherlands Film Academy in Amsterdam. I have also completed specialized cinematography training in Seoul and the official DaVinci Resolve color grading course. My work spans short films, art films, and performance films in both Seoul and Amsterdam.

Who this course is for:

-Students planning to apply to film schools who want a solid foundation in filmmaking techniques.
-Hobbyists or professionals in video production who want to refine and strengthen their technical skills.
-Filmmakers with prior experience who want to deepen and expand their existing knowledge.

Course Outline:

Beginner: Camera Operation
-Choosing the right camera for your needs
-Understanding exposure, depth of field, and field of view
-Using aperture, shutter speed, and ISO for proper exposure
-Understanding frame rates
-Understanding codecs, containers, and bitrate

Intermediate: DaVinci Resolve
-DaVinci Resolve interface and settings
-Color grading techniques using DaVinci Resolve

Professional:
-Understanding cinema camera digital sensors
-Analyzing data and applying color grading techniques for RED and ARRI cinema cameras

Learn from real-world experience and elevate your filmmaking skills to the next level!

André

5.0

(1)

With a Master's degree from TAI School, and having taught two courses there since 2024, I now offer one-on-one tutoring to help you improve your writing and let your ideas take flight. And all in English. As an American with real-world Hollywood production experience (on films like The Neon Demon and the Oscar-winning Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), I bring not only a solid foundation in narrative and storytelling, but also practical insight into how your writing influences production, performance, and even financing.

Having lived in Spain for almost a decade has given me a global perspective on film and a deep understanding of international and cultural narrative paradigms. With three short films screened at international festivals (and a fourth premiering this year), I can confidently guide you toward stronger, clearer, and producible writing that stands out and, hopefully, comes to fruition. Not confident in your English? No problem! With extensive experience teaching the language, I'll also help you with translation (from Spanish, of course) so your writing style becomes more fluid and natural.

Alina

5.0

(1)

Looking to start writing your first screenplay, play, or something else of your liking? Want help with something you're currently writing? In this class, you'll learn how the structure of a story functions and improve upon any part of storytelling you want to get better at.

Practices in class include writing exercises, in-class proofreading, and delving into other pieces of work to see what makes them a good story.