DOCUMENTARY OUTREACH TO

VIETNAM

$ 3700 USD

January 6th - February 4th 2024

APPLY NOW

DESTINATION

Join our Documentary Outreach to Vietnam and produce a documentary film about changemakers working for their local community in the old town of Hoi An, Vietnam.

Hoi An, Vietnam. Graceful, historic Hoi An is Vietnam’s most atmospheric and delightful town. Once a major port, it boasts the grand architecture and beguiling riverside setting that befits its heritage, and the 21st-century curses of traffic and pollution are almost entirely absent.

The face of the Old Town of Vietnam has preserved its incredible legacy of tottering Japanese merchant houses, Chinese temples and ancient tea warehouses – though, of course, residents and rice fields have been gradually replaced by tourist businesses. Lounge bars, boutique hotels, travel agents and a glut of tailor shops are very much part of the scene here. And yet, down by the market and over on Cam Nam Island, you’ll find life has changed little. Travel a few kilometres further – you’ll find some superb bicycle, motorbike and boat trips – and some of central Vietnam’s most enticingly laid-back scenery and beaches are within easy reach.

Previous
Next

EDUCATION & TRAINING

The goal of the Documentary Outreach is for our crews to learn a reliable, replicable production process that can be continually leveraged to tell engaging stories about real life anywhere around the globe. You are instructed in nonfiction storytelling that has a focus on visual, character driven narratives. Instructional briefings, led by your Actuality Producer, cover research methods, casting, dramatic elements, creating meaning, story outlines, shooting for visual motivation, interviewing techniques, ethical concerns, digital workflow, visual assembly, sound design and more.
Every stage of production includes, formal instruction, hands-on workshops and field training.

You are not only taught the technical skills needed for documentary production, but are also educated on the importance of ethical and collaborative storytelling. You learn how to approach others with sensitivity, respect, and honesty, and to be aware of the power dynamics at play in the storytelling process. We explore how to prioritize the perspectives and voices of the people whose stories you are documenting and how to ensure your efforts are not perpetuating harmful stereotypes or reinforcing existing power imbalances. We emphasize the importance of building relationships with our collaborators so that their stories are accurately and authentically represented. Through this approach, you produce documentaries that are not only visually stunning and engaging but also ethically responsible and respectful of the communities they depict. 

Each traveler will serve in a specific role for their primary short documentary project. These roles are Producer, Director, Cinematographer or Editor. However, every stage of our production process is highly collaborative and everyone will have the opportunity to participate and learn. All projects will be actively supported by a Actuality Producer. You learn how to execute every stage of the production process through creating your own work and assisting on the projects of others.

Previous slide
Next slide

TELL ME MORE

The best way to learn about our Documentary Outreach to Vietnam is by signing up for the email series. Find out more about why we travel, how it works, and what to expect.

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

Arrival to Hoi An, Vietnam. You are met at the Da Nang international airport or other port of entry by a private driver and driven to the guesthouse to meet the rest of your crew.  After settling in, you are invited to a welcoming dinner. 

  • Arrival 
  • Transport to guesthouse
  • Welcome Dinner

In the morning an Outreach Orientation is held for all the crew. Afterwards, everyone embarks on a walking tour of old town Hoi An.

  • Outreach Orientation
  • Walking Tour

Crew are introduced to our base camp meeting place for the first day of briefings. You discuss Documentary Storytelling and Connective Communication. First meetings with changemakers are held in the afternoon, followed by a debriefing at base camp.

  • Briefing: Documentary Storytelling
  • Briefing: Connective Communication
  • Changemaker Intros
  • Debriefing

Crews are briefed on Research Methods and Thinking Visually.  You spend the day exploring the area, completing a photo storytelling exercise and having further meetings with your changemaker. Photos are be reviewed and discussed in the evening.

  • Briefing: Research Methods
  • Briefing: Thinking Visually
  • Photo Storytelling Workshop
  • Changemaker Research

Crews are briefed on Purpose and Nonfiction Casting.  Research visits with changemakers continue. In the evening, you can attend the screening of an acclaimed documentary film. 

  • Briefing: Purpose
  • Briefing: Nonfiction ‘Casting’
  • Changemaker Research
  • Documentary Film Screening

Crew are briefed on Dramatic Elements and Ethical Storytelling. You work to define a purpose for your film. Research visits with changemakers continue.

  • Briefing: Dramatic Elements
  • Briefing: Ethical Documentary
  • Defining Your Purpose Exercise

You complete the research questions exercise and are briefed on writing the Story Summary. You work on your story summary throughout the day, alongside everyone else. In the afternoon, you can take part in an in-depth camera workshop to level up your skills in composition and exposure. 

  • Research Questions Exercise
  • Briefing: Story Summary
  • Story Summary Exercise
  • Workshop: Camera

A free day for personal exploration. No scheduled group activities. 

A free day for personal exploration. No scheduled group activities.

 

Crews are briefed on writing the Story Outline. You spend the day writing out your story outline. In the afternoon, you can take part in an in-depth lighting workshop to show you how best to reveal real life settings.

  • Briefing: Story Outline
  • Story Outline Exercise
  • Workshop: Lighting

Crew are briefed on Shooting Visually and Interviewing. You schedule a one-on-one to review your Story Outline with your Actuality producer. In the afternoon, you can take part in a workshop on location sound, to learn how to make your film audio as good as the visuals. 

  • Briefing: Shooting Visually
  • Briefing: Interviewing
  • Story Outline Review
  • Workshop: Location Sound

Supervised by your Actuality Producer, you record some promotional video on behalf of your changemaker to get used to the equipment and troubleshoot any issues. Afterwards crew gather to screen and discuss ‘dailies’ – the day’s footage. 

  • Promo Shoot
  • Footage Review

Crews are briefed on shot list, schedule and interview questions. You spend the rest of the day creating these necessary production documents. In the evening, you can attend the screening of an acclaimed documentary film. 

  • Briefing: Working Documents
  • Shot List Exercise
  • Shooting Schedule Exercise
  • Interview Questions Exercise
  • Documentary Film Screening

You complete work on any outstanding prep, and finish any location scoutings. You meet with your Actuality producer one-one-one to discuss ideas or problems.

  • Prep Meetings

A free day for personal exploration. No scheduled group activities.

A free day for personal exploration. No scheduled group activities.

Principal photography begins. You start to record all the necessary elements to build your documentary. Your Actuality producer takes turns accompanying crews throughout the day. In the evening, crews gather for a session of dailies and debriefing.

  • Documenting Sessions
  • Dailies Meeting

Production continues based on your schedule and needs of each project. Editors begin organizing the footage into a visual assembly. Dailies are screened as a group in the evenings. 

  • Documenting Sessions
  • Visual Assembly Editing 
  • Dailies Meeting

Production continues based on your schedule and needs of each project. Editors continue work on a visual assembly. Dailies are screened as a group in the evenings. 

  • Documenting Sessions
  • Visual Assembly Editing 
  • Dailies Meeting

Production continues based on your schedule and needs of each project. Editors continue work on a visual assembly. Dailies are screened as a group in the evenings. 

  • Documenting Sessions
  • Visual Assembly Editing 
  • Dailies Meeting

Production continues based on your schedule and needs of each project. Editors continue work on a visual assembly. Dailies are screened as a group in the evenings. 

  • Documenting Sessions
  • Visual Assembly Editing 
  • Dailies Meeting

A free day for personal exploration. No scheduled group activities.

 

A free day for personal exploration. No scheduled group activities.

Editors complete the visual assembly cut of the films. Directors review all interview transcripts and make selects. At the end of the day, crews gather for a screening of the visual assemblies.

  • Editing Session
  • Interview Selects
  • Visual Assembly Screening

Crews are briefed on the paper edit. If helpful, you complete a paper edit exercise. Editors continue editing the film at base camp, with support and guidance from the rest of their crew.

  • Briefing: Paper Edit
  • Paper Edit Exercise
  • Editing Session

Crews screen at the latest cut of each film and provide group feedback. Editors continue editing work on the cuts at base camp, with support and guidance from the rest of the crew.

  • Rough Cut Screening
  • Editing Session

Crews screen at the latest cut of each film and provide group feedback. Editors continue work on the films at base camp, with support and guidance from the rest of the crew.

  • Fine Cut Screening
  • Editing Session

Crews screen at the ‘almost’ final cut of each film and provide group feedback. Editors complete work on the films at base camp, with support and guidance from the rest of the crew.

  • Picture Lock Screening
  • Editing Session

The Outreach closes with a community screening at a nearby venue with friends, changemakers, and other locals invited to debut the short documentary films. Celebrations ensue. 

  • Community Screening
  • Farewell Party

Time to part ways. All crew are transported to the airport or other port of departure for travels home or onward.

  • Transport to Airport
  • Departure

COST

$ 3700 USD FOUR WEEKS ON LOCATION
  • 4 weeks documentary instruction and mentorship
  • production equipment
  • meeting and coworking facilities access
  • 29 nights semi-private lodging at local guesthouse
  • local transportation
  • translation services
  • airport transfers on arrival and departure
  • group cultural walking tour
  • community film screening and celebration
APPLY NOW
Cost does not include round trip airfare, visa, meals, and travel insurance.
WE ARE A BAND OF STORYTELLERS
ARMED WITH CAMERAS
OUT TO REVEAL THE GOOD IN OUR WORLD

Frequently Asked Questions

Our past crew have included enrolled university students, young professionals, and adults interested in expanding their knowledge about documentary production. Anyone 18 years or older with an interest in learning is welcome. 

No. Actuality Abroad Outreaches are educational in nature. We will teach you what you need to know. Although each person takes on a primary role for the storytelling projects, all of the work is highly collaborative and you can depend on your crew to support each other.

The producer is the leader of the crew, in charge of keeping everything organized and is the primary liaison with the changemaker.

The director is in charge of the story, has final call on the main focus of the film and ensures that the issues are explored in the most engaging and equitable way.

The cinematographer decides the look of the film, controls the camera to document all the needed footage, and brings visual motivation to the story.

The editor helps research and plan for shooting with the end in mind. They supervise post production, managing all the media and cutting the final film.

All crew members should bring a personal photo/video camera (smart phones are sufficient) for research and workshops, and a laptop that has the capacity to edit both photo and video. 

Actuality Abroad provides professional quality production equipment for the primary documentary films, including 4k video cameras and sound recording tools. Crew members are welcome to bring any additional gear they wish to use. 

Outreach crew reside in a locally owned guesthouse and sleep in semi-private rooms. Private rooms are available for an additional cost. The guesthouse has a secure, guests-only space to work and relax in, with staff on duty day and night in case you need assistance.  Staff members are available to answer questions on how to live, work and explore Hoi An.

The centre of Hoi An is very small and pedestrianised, so you will be walking around most of the time. 

When crews need to travel outside of the city center, the standard public transportation we utilize is metered taxis.

Private transportation is arranged between the nearest airport (Da Nang) and the guesthouse for arrival and departure. 

Yes. Weekends will be free for you to relax, explore on your own, or sign up for an activity offered in the area.

Yes. Each person must purchase a travel insurance policy fur the duration of the Outreach that includes medical coverage. We highly recommend that you also purchase trip cancellation and personal property protection as well. 

Films are Creative Commons licensed so that every stakeholder can screen and benefit from it. Actuality Abroad retains official copyright for production purposes and in order to maintain access for all stakeholders. 

Yes. We are happy to work with currently enrolled students individually to arrange for you to earn academic credit. 

No. English translators will be provided as needed.

TELL ME MORE

The best way to learn about our Documentary Outreach to Vietnam is by signing up for the email series. Find out more about why we travel, how it works, and what to expect.

TRIP APPLICATION

DOCUMENTARY OUTREACH TO

VIETNAM

January 6th - February 4th 2024

NEXT STEPS...

Make sure to check your email for confirmation that we received your application. If you can’t find it, check your spam or junk folders and be sure to mark dispatch@actualityabroad.org as a safe sender from here on out. Follow the instructions in the email to move to the next stages of the application process.

Any issues?

Email us at dispatch@actualityabroad.org

Cookie Consent with Real Cookie Banner