Content Tabs
How do you direct real people in a way that is honest, emotionally rich and ethically sound?
In this live 2-hour masterclass, award-winning Director and Creative Producer Rachel Ramsay (Effra Productions) shares practical techniques, story insights, and behind-the-scenes lessons from 15 years of working with contributors in emotionally complex and high-trust environments.
Through a mix of case studies, live discussion, and take-home frameworks, you’ll learn how to approach contributors, handle sensitive material with confidence, and make ethical choices that strengthen your story, not weaken it.
Rachel Ramsay is a BIFA-nominated documentary Director and Creative Producer whose films have been shown at film festivals around the world. She’s known for her emotionally intelligent, character-driven approach and has worked across BAFTA, BIFA and Emmy-nominated projects.
Her company, Effra Productions, creates powerful real stories with a sharp eye for ethics and structure.
What You'll Learn
- Why ethical directing is not a ‘nice-to-have’ - it’s your creative edge
- How to approach contributors with clarity, transparency and care
- Managing consent and power dynamics in documentary environments
- Tools and strategies for building trust before, during and after filming
- How to avoid common mistakes in directing real people
- A look inside real-world dilemmas from Rachel’s films: what worked, what didn’t, and why
Included In This Session
- Live Q&A with Rachel Ramsay
- Downloadable takeaway: “The Trust Toolkit” - key questions and checklists for working with real people
- Optional attendee exercise: drafting your own ethical approach statement
Suitable for Directors, APs, journalists and creatives working with real contributors
Please fill in the application form, attaching your CV
If you need any assistance please contact us at shortcourses@nfts.co.uk or call us on 01494 677 903
Full payment (Freelance Rate) taken upon application