The goal of this Destination Workshop is for participants of any background to learn a reliable, replicable production process that they can continually leverage to tell engaging stories about real life. Crews are instructed in nonfiction storytelling that has a focus on visually-driven narratives. Instructional briefings cover research methods, creating meaning, shooting for visual motivation, interviewing techniques, ethical concerns, digital workflow, visual assembly, sound design and more.

In this intensive documentary workshop there will be hands-on sessions with equipment and daily instruction. Documentaries will be screened for inspiration during the program. Every person will be actively involved in every stage of production, including providing feedback for other participants’ projects. All production equipment necessary will be provided on location, however participants may elect to bring their own equipment.

Travelers will reside in a locally-owned boutique guesthouse. Each participant will have their own private room. The guesthouse will have a secure, guests-only space to work and relax in, with staff on duty day and night for assistance.  Staff members will also be able to answer questions on places worth visiting, where to go to make specific purchase, and even how local customs work. These rooms will be private for Actuality Abroad workshop participants, but other travelers may be staying at the guesthouse.

The group will gather for a shared breakfast and dinner each day, prepared by the kitchen at the guesthouse. For breakfast each day there will be a typical local breakfast such as molettes – a toasted roll slathered with beans and cheese, meat, and pico de gallo – or you can have a local take on a Western breakfast. Dinners will be a set dish (with vegetarian options) chosen by the kitchen ranging from regional cuisine to local versions of international dishes. Regional meals will include tacos, tamales, Tlayudas (kind of like a pizza), and memelas (similar to a tostada).

Lunches are on your own. This gives every traveler the opportunity to visit restaurants, cafes and street vendors wherever their daily adventures take them. You can seek out your favorite comfort foods or find more unique local dishes.

In the city of Oaxaca, much of what you’ll want to see is a short walk away from the guesthouse. Workshops will be at the guesthouse or at BaseCamp nearby. Cars or shuttles can be arranged for research and filming, when needed. The Workshop Leader will be familiar with local transport when you arrive, and will help you understand how local transportation works. Colectivos traverse the city nonstop (shared taxis), and regular taxis abound.

Private transportation will be arranged between Oaxaca International Airport and the city of Oaxaca for arrival and departure.

Your Workshop Leader will be Robin Canfield – co-founder of Actuality Abroad.

Robin is a storyteller, filmmaker, and photographer who has been leading documentary workshops around the globe for over a decade. He has a passion for working with great changemakers who are helping their communities, and his favorite moment abroad with students is seeing the look on their faces when everything clicks into place in their head.