MASTERCLASS: Factual Storytelling and Directing

Course details

Produce and direct your material to achieve great factual storytelling that works in the edit!

This Masterclass will teach you everything you need to know about storytelling and directing in factual genres, with group exercises and insider tips. You will learn how to research and find stories, decide how to crew your shoot, find contributors, negotiate difficult access and write a shooting script. You will also be taught on how to creatively shoot interviews, sequences and live action to build a strong narrative. There will be discussion on different filming styles for different genres; how to direct talent, contributors and children; and some key creative ideas that will enhance your storytelling.

A practical training focusing on directing your material will cover techniques for filming sequences to tell a story, and it offers tried and tested tips for success with lots of video clips as examples. This Masterclass will look at both controllable action and unpredictable, observational filming situations; edit points; how to cover two-way conversations and interviews as a lone shooter, and other common challenges for self-ops and small crews. 

LEARNING OUTCOME

• Learn how to research for factual programming, particularly difficult stories, contributors and access
• Understand how to crew your shoot
• Gain expert tips on writing a shooting script
• Learn how to creatively shoot interviews, sequences and live action to build a strong narrative
• Special advice for lone shooters
• Learn how to film sequences that tell a story, in both controllable action and unpredictable, observational filming situations

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Media professionals who want to hone their storytelling skills - particularly those who often require script doctoring and strong assistance from EPs and want to improve their own skill set.

Media professionals who want to move into Factual/Documentary/Journalism or into Directing from another area of production.