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The good news is that we live in a time when it's incredibly easy to just go out and shoot a documentary.
The bad news is that most peoples' efforts are unwatchable and un-sellable.
On this intensive 5 day course you will learn how to develop a documentary idea and turn it into an emotionally engaging film that an audience or broadcaster will want to see.
Each morning will be spent developing the participants' own documentary ideas.
Then for the rest of each day, different aspects of directing a documentary will be explored: Interview style and technique - Camera, lights and style - Editing and sound - Selling your documentary.
In order to get most from the course, please come with 1 or 2 of your own ideas that you can develop throughout the week as each morning is dedicated to developing the participant's documentary ideas.
Comments from previous courses include:
“I really have been inspired by Col. He didn’t pander, he was tough, but it was necessary to come away with something so invaluable in only 5 days.”
“Col although very clear cut, is an extremely good tutor. I arrived with a stupidly vague documentary idea and left with a clear documentary. His views and structure are very clear and can be applied to most documentaries.”
“I think that Col is a really energetic, honest inspiring tutor who doesn’t look to boost your ego but instead pushes you to question your ideas helping you to gain clarity and confidence for the films you want to make.”
“Thank you for a great week of learning and inspiring. I feel I’ve learned so much. Things that will be invaluable for the rest of my career. My brain hasn’t worked so hard in years!”
“Col pushes hard yet is very inspiring and you can see his passion and how he wants to get the very best out of people."
“Brilliant course. Col is an inspirational tutor. Really feel as if I’ve completely rebuilt my knowledge of documentary filmmaking.”
"The knowledge I have now can't be compared to any other course.”
"I learned more over 3 sessions with Col than I did over my entire Documentary MA.”
“Col has pipped out the documentarian in me, chewed on the fat of my ideas and spat out a filmmaker.”
Day 1 - Developing Your Idea
How you can discover if your idea is worth turning into a documentary film and ways to develop your idea into something an audience will happily pay money to see.
Day 2 - Interview Style & Technique
Who you decide to appear in your film and how you choose them. You will also look at great interview technique and five serious mistakes to avoid.
Day 3 - Camera, Lights & Style
How you translate your idea into the language of film; Do you want to make a serious subject funny or a light subject serious? And how to decide an appropriate camera and lighting style. You will also discover ways to reveal truth on camera.
Day 4 - Editing & Sound
Creating drama and emotion through editing; The best way to use sound and music to express your vision as a director
Day 5 - Sell Your Documentary
Getting your film made on all budgets and making sure it secures an audience. How to earn a living as a documentary filmmaker.
In order to get most from the course, please come with 1 or 2 of your own ideas that you can develop throughout the week as each morning is dedicated to developing the participant's documentary ideas.
Freelance Rate: £800
Corporate Rate: £1550
Bursaries, supported by Screen Scotland, to contribute to the costs of attending this course may be available to those who are eligible. Please read the bursary guidelines which are published below first to check if you are eligible. If you are eligible, please indicate if you are also applying for a bursary or not.
Please apply as far in advance of the course date as possible to give yourself the best chance of securing a supported place, as we may not be able to accommodate all applications.
Your bursary application and supporting documents should be sent to scotland@nfts.co.uk after submitting this application form. Please submit your bursary application within 24 hours to ensure your course place is reserved while your bursary application is processed – otherwise we may be required to release it to another applicant. Your bursary documents are reviewed by a panel and we aim to be in touch as soon as possible with an outcome for you.
NFTS Scotland Bursary Guidelines
NFTS Scotland Bursary Application Form
If you are not eligible for an NFTS Scotland bursary, please read our Alternative Funding Avenues document, which points you in the direction of a few other places which may be able to help. Please submit your application in plenty of time as timescales for funders differ.
Please complete the application form to apply.