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Documentary Filmmaking Secrets

Shawn Vela

4.6

Based on 108 ratings

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Shawn Vela

Your story is important. It must be told.

Everyone has a story inside of them that needs to be told. As documentary filmmakers we have the privilege of bringing real, authentic, and inspiring stories to life. It can be incredibly rewarding.

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My name is Shawn Vela and I am a 17-time Emmy® Award Winning Film Producer, Director, DP, and Editor. I founded a video production company Vela Visuals, which specializes in authentic storytelling that moves viewers to action.

Your story is important. It must be told.

Everyone has a story inside of them that needs to be told. As documentary filmmakers we have the privilege of bringing real, authentic, and inspiring stories to life. It can be incredibly rewarding.

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Over the course of my career I've been blessed to work on projects for companies like Amazon, Kayak, SAP, Legoland California (and Florida) Resort, New Balance, Hillsong, University of Central Florida, and more.

I have also worked with broadcasters like BT Sport, FOX, as well as countless independent production companies and marketing agencies. I've directed, filmed and edited more than 50 documentaries for web or traditional broadcast (receiving 30 regional Emmy® nominations and 17 wins).

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This course is for documentary filmmakers, like me who push themselves to grow because the stories we tell are important.

In this course I explore some of the secrets I wish I knew about documentary filmmaking when I was first getting started.

Secrets like: how to find story themes, how to build a story arch, how to plan a production, how to conduct emotional interviews, how to build a crew, how to book more work, and more.

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My hope for you, is that some of the experiences I have had will stretch you and give you new storytelling tools that will enhance your productions and WOW your clients.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Examples and insight into the filmmaking process through my own experience making emmy® award winning documentaries
How to find story themes and the message of your film.
Secrets to help you capture more authentic interviews, un-staged b-roll scenes, and edit faster

Gain insight into what thought processes professional tv documentary makers use to shoot, gather content and edit award winning video stories.
A glimpse into the creative process of putting together a documentary film. from conception to completion and beyond!

Examples and insight into the filmmaking process through my own experience making emmy® award winning documentaries
How to find story themes and the message of your film.
Secrets to help you capture more authentic interviews, un-staged b-roll scenes, and edit faster
Gain insight into what thought processes professional tv documentary makers use to shoot, gather content and edit award winning video stories.
A glimpse into the creative process of putting together a documentary film. from conception to completion and beyond!

Syllabus

Create a storytelling frame-work, gather story research, and build a crew

Documentary Filmmaking Secrets _ Overview

Welcome

Secret Of Pre-Production

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Guides learners through the nuances and complexities of documentary filmmaking, providing valuable insights and practical guidance

Suitable for aspiring and practicing documentary filmmakers who seek to enhance their storytelling skills and elevate their productions

Taught by an experienced and Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker, Shawn Vela, who brings a wealth of real-world knowledge and expertise to the course

Provides a comprehensive overview of the documentary filmmaking process, covering pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution

Focuses on practical techniques and strategies for capturing authentic interviews, un-staged scenes, and visually compelling b-roll footage

Encourages learners to develop their storytelling abilities and craft emotionally resonant documentaries that connect with audiences

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Reviews summary

Award-winning documentary techniques revealed

According to students, this course offers invaluable insights into documentary filmmaking from an Emmy® Award-Winning professional. Learners particularly praise the practical, actionable advice for capturing authentic stories and conducting emotional interviews. The course covers the entire filmmaking process, from pre-production to distribution, including unique "secrets" on building a crew and booking more work. While comprehensive, some note it's best for those with foundational knowledge looking to elevate their craft, rather than absolute beginners. The instructor's real-world experience makes the lectures highly relevant and inspiring.

Suited for those with some foundational knowledge.

"As a beginner, I found some parts assumed prior knowledge, but it only motivated me to learn more."

"If you're already familiar with camera basics, I think this course will elevate your understanding of the craft."

"I found it's less about the technical 'how-to' and more about the professional 'why' and 'what next' in filmmaking."

Practical advice on building a career and finding work.

"The 'secrets' on how to book more work and build a strong crew were invaluable for me as a freelancer."

"I gained actionable strategies that immediately helped me grow my business as a documentary filmmaker."

"It's not just about making films; I learned it's also about making a living, and this course truly helped with that."

Emphasizes emotional and genuine narrative capture.

"The tips on capturing emotional interviews and un-staged b-roll were revolutionary for my work."

"I learned how to truly dig for the heart of a story, which I now believe is what separates good from great."

"This course truly helped me tell more powerful, authentic stories that resonate deeply with audiences."

Covers end-to-end professional filmmaking.

"The course covers everything from concept to distribution, which I found incredibly helpful for my workflow."

"I appreciated the clear breakdown of the entire documentary process, which made it feel less daunting."

"It's a comprehensive guide; I feel it touched on all essential phases of production effectively."

Insights from an Emmy® Award-Winning filmmaker.

"His 17 Emmy wins are clearly reflected in the depth of knowledge he shared; I found it incredibly insightful."

"I truly valued learning from someone who lives and breathes documentary production at a professional level."

"His practical wisdom, gained from years in the industry, was simply gold for me."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Documentary Filmmaking Secrets with these activities:

Improve active listening skills

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Interviewing people for documentaries requires active listening skills. Practice listening in everyday conversations to prepare.

Browse courses on Active Listening

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Listen to a conversation without interrupting.
Summarize what was said after the conversation.
Ask clarifying questions to show that you are listening.

Scriptwriting Tutorial

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Review the basics of scriptwriting and storytelling by following a structured tutorial

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Identify the Essential Elements of a Script
Practice Writing Dialogue and Character Development
Learn about Different Story Structures and Techniques

Storyboard a documentary scene

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Develop your visualization skills by storyboarding a documentary scene.

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Identify a scene from your documentary idea
Sketch out the storyboard
Describe the action, dialogue, and camera angles for each shot

Five other activities

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Practice filming using a mobile phone

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Documentaries can be filmed with a variety of equipment. Practice filming using a smartphone to build confidence and explore different angles and shots.

Browse courses on Camera Setup

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Identify a subject to film.
Choose a filming location with good lighting.
Adjust camera settings to suit the filming conditions.
Practice filming different types of shots.

Conduct a mock documentary interview

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Reinforce your interview skills by conducting mock interviews.

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Prepare questions that explore the key themes of your story
Identify a willing participant to be interviewed
Record the interview and review your approach

Create a storyboard for a short film

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Documentaries require careful planning. Create a storyboard for a short film to practice breaking down a story into individual shots and scenes.

Browse courses on Storyboarding

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Read a short story or script.
Identify the key scenes and shots.
Sketch out a thumbnail for each shot.
Write a brief description of each shot.

Write a short documentary treatment

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Documentaries require a well-developed treatment. Write a short documentary treatment to practice summarizing the story, identifying the main characters, and outlining the key themes.

Browse courses on Writing

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Identify a documentary topic.
Research the topic and gather information.
Write a one-page summary of the story.
Identify the main characters and their motivations.
Outline the key themes of the documentary.

Attend a documentary filmmaking workshop

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Attend a documentary filmmaking workshop to gain practical experience from industry professionals and learn from their insights and perspectives.

Browse courses on Documentary Filmmaking

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Research documentary filmmaking workshops.
Select a workshop that aligns with your interests and goals.
Prepare for the workshop by reviewing the materials and completing any pre-work.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in the activities.

Career center

Learners who complete Documentary Filmmaking Secrets will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 42 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Documentary Filmmaking Secrets.

The Subject of Documentary

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This extensive handbook brings together leading scholars in documentary film studies to provide a critical examination of the field's history, theory, practice, and future. It covers a wide range of topics, including documentary ethics, representation, and the role of new technologies.

Documentary Filmmaking Secrets

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Award-winning documentary techniques revealed

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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