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.