Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking: Your Guide From Pre-Production to Post

Taught by Lisa Vangellow

$249 $299

On Demand Class - Available for immediate viewing and unlimited access.

Rating   | Read reviews

Start Learning

Please make sure you use the same email address as the one you use to sign in to Stage 32, otherwise you won't have access to your webinar.
apply Your coupon will be applied after you agree to terms below.

- or -

$249.00
TOTAL PRICE:
Overlay Icon

Who Should Attend:

All levels of producers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to grasp an understanding of documentary filmmaking.

All levels of filmmakers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to grasp an understanding of documentary filmmaking.

All levels of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to grasp an understanding of documentary filmmaking.

Actors looking to learn about documentary filmmaking.

Satisfaction Rate:

Class hosted by: Lisa Vangellow

Producer/Director at Delightful Dilemma Productions

Lisa Vangellow is a producer and director. Her recent documentary for Disney + World War Shoe, was produced with David Beckham. Other projects include a documentary feature on the multi-faceted actor James Franco. Lisa was invited to be one of five filmmakers to participate in the Tribeca Film Institute Documentary StoryLab for the Franco Doc where she workshopped her project along with the Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner The Wolfpack and the Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Weiner. Lisa has previously produced the narrative feature film anthology, Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards starring Natalie Portman, Kristen Wiig, James Franco, Jimmy Kimmel, Kate Mara, Amber Tamblin, Thomas Mann, and Matthew Modine. It made its World Premiere at the Atlanta Film Festival. Lisa’s film and TV slate includes a variety of fiction and nonfiction projects. In the documentary space, Lisa is in various stages of production on four feature documentaries and one docu-series. She holds an MFA in Producing from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television and a B.S. in Marketing from the W.P. Carey School of Business at ASU. Full Bio »

Summary

100% Satisfaction Rated Class

Learn the steps you need to make a successful documentary hosted by Lisa Vangellow, Executive Producer of DISNEY+'s documentary World War Shoe produced with David Beckham. 

It's a great time to be a documentary filmmaker. The biggest distributors are hungry for documentary material to fill the pipeline. So what the principles that make a good idea for a documentary into a great finished product? 

How do successful documentarians create their films from start to finish? What are traps along the way you can avoid? And how do you ultimately get your film watched?

In addition to her work with Disney+, Lisa Vangellow is an independent producer and director who has a project with actor James Franco. Lisa was previously Vice President of Development and Production at Arsenal, where she worked on projects including Push, Che: Part 2, and Let Me In

Over the course of three information-packed sessions in this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand class, Lisa will offer her experience from the trenches to help filmmakers master the nuts and bolts of documentary film production and share step by step instruction on how you can produce a commercially viable film from idea to post-production. First, she’ll focus on the selection of subject matter and how to gauge its commercial viability. Lisa will take you through pre-production for a documentary film hitting on areas such as how to create a budget, hire your crew, get financing and explaining why you may want a lawyer to handle the nitty gritty. From there you’ll get an overview of different documentary styles and insight on how to create your story through the use of specific examples. Finally, Lisa will explain how to survive the post-production of your film to bring the entire project together and discuss your options for distribution.

You will leave with an overall understanding of the documentary filmmaking process, an idea of what makes a good documentary, and how to execute these lessons in the real world. Even if you have little to no experience or if you have narrative film experience and are looking to try documentaries, Lisa will guide you towards the goal of completing a documentary film.

 

PLUS! YOU WILL RECEIVE THESE DOWNLOADS:

  • Budget Template
  • Notice of Filming Template
  • Documentarian Ethical Truths Guide 
  • Film Funds Resources

PRAISE FROM LISA'S TEACHINGS:

"Lisa is honest, raw with truth and very real with her knowledge. I appreciated how candid she was with the entire documentary filmmaking process. She was so incredibly detailed in each and every section. This was by far a master class on documentary filmmaking. Thank you Stage 32 and Lisa."

- Tiffany F.

What You'll Learn

Over the course of 3 sessions, you will learn overall knowledge and guidance in the tools and skills needed to prepare yourself to make a commercially viable documentary.

Week 1:

Overview: The current documentary landscape

  • What makes a good documentary film? 
  • What makes a commercially viable documentary film? 
  • Discuss past films, which received critical acclaim and what made them popular.

Pre-Production 

  • Outline what needs to be discussed prior to beginning your film shoot.
  • Approaching your subject or determining your story
  • Find financing or grants (reference sheet included)
  • Hiring an attorney
  • Hiring Crew
  • Research Editors
  • Plan for travel
  • Research and decide on equipment
  • Create a budget

Legal

Why do you need an attorney?

  • Contracts 
  • Insurance (GL, Workman’s Comp, E & O) 
  • Appearance releases, location releases, notice of filming posts 
  • NDA's and crew contracts 
  • Licensing music, movie, and archival film licensing process and cost.

Fair use

  • What is it and when is it appropriate to claim fair use? What is the risk?

 Q&A with Lisa

Week 2:

Documentary Styles/Creating the Story

  • Verite 
  • Interview/archival 
  • Creating the narrative 

Securing Interviews: 

  • How to develop a rapport with your subject and gain trust.
  • Types of questions to ask.
  • How to secure interviews with people outside of your subject for the film.
  • How to deal with high profile interviews. 


Morals and Ethics 

Q&A with Lisa

Week 3:

Editing/ Post Production

  • What editor is the best for your film style?
  • How long does it take and how much should you budget?
  • The editor is the most expensive but most important person to hire (besides a DP).
  • How to collaborate with an editor to create the story you want to tell.
  • How to deal with obstacles with your editor. 

Approaching obstacles and creating a timeline 

  • What is the purpose of your film?
  • Where will you show it?
  • Create a timeline from start to finish accounting for editing.
  • How to deal with various obstacles that arise during the process. 

  • Discuss examples: legal, money, lack of participation from subject, scheduling issues, travel, safety, ethics. 


Post Production/Deliverables 

  • Sound Mix 

Discuss the need/cost for VFX and Animation 

  • Color Correcting
  • Music Composition/licensing
  • Deliverables 

Festival Strategies

  • Include festival application fees in budget
  • Strategies on what festival is best for your film and why
  • Other distribution platforms: Netflix, Amazon, HBO, Showtime, Hulu

Q&A with Lisa

 


WHAT TO EXPECT:

  • This class is designed for beginner and intermediate students looking for an introduction to documentary filmmaking. This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed class with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
  • This class will consist of 3 sessions, each roughly three to four hours in duration.
  • PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class is now available to watch on-demand but we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

 

About Your Instructor

Lisa Vangellow is a producer and director. Her recent documentary for Disney + World War Shoe, was produced with David Beckham.

Other projects include a documentary feature on the multi-faceted actor James Franco.

Lisa was invited to be one of five filmmakers to participate in the Tribeca Film Institute Documentary StoryLab for the Franco Doc where she workshopped her project along with the Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner The Wolfpack and the Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Weiner.

Lisa has previously produced the narrative feature film anthology, Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards starring Natalie Portman, Kristen Wiig, James Franco, Jimmy Kimmel, Kate Mara, Amber Tamblin, Thomas Mann, and Matthew Modine. It made its World Premiere at the Atlanta Film Festival.

Lisa’s film and TV slate includes a variety of fiction and nonfiction projects. In the documentary space, Lisa is in various stages of production on four feature documentaries and one docu-series.

She holds an MFA in Producing from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television and a B.S. in Marketing from the W.P. Carey School of Business at ASU.

FAQs

Q: What is the format of a class?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Classes are typically 2 to 4 sessions and are available to watch on-demand if you cannot attend any live sessions. 

Q: Do I have to have to be located in a specific location?
A: No, you can participate from the comfort of your own home using your personal computer!

Q: What are the system requirements?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the class software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion): The class software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live class. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer

Q: What if I cannot attend the live class?
A: If you purchase as an On-Demand class, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.

Q: Will I have access to the class afterward to rewatch?
A: Yes! After the purchase of a live or On-Demand class, you will have on-demand access to the audio recording, which you can view as many times as you'd like for a whole year!

Questions?

If you have a generic question about Stage 32 education you can take a look at our frequently asked questions section on our help page, or feel free to contact support with any other inquiries you might have.
 

Reviews Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5

  • Amazing. A gem for first time doc filmmakers or even those who have a few under their belt and for those not doing docs. On the ground discussion of the process, the legalities, the pit falls.
  • I enjoyed the class immensely. Very informative and Lisa was a very excellent teacher and she's very cute and nice too. I do have a request tho that you have slides available for all three classes not just the first one so I may print out all of the material. It's a lot to write by hand. Thanks.

Other education that may be of interest to you:

How You Can Build a Film Package For Little to No Budget

Yes, you can build a complete development package to attract investors with little (or even no) budget. We are going to show you how.  Plus! Receive 5 downloads to help you put together your film development package! There is a misconception that you need millions of dollars in order to move your independent feature film forward. This isn't true. If you have access to a computer, internet and passion, YOU can make your project attractive to high-net-worth individuals. If you have limited funds, we will show you the best places to spend money to yield results. It may seem daunting to build a package with little or no budget but we are going to break it down, step by step, and explain in detail how to build an enticing package with things you can do for FREE, under $150, under $500 and beyond. Your Stage 32 Educator Michelle Alexandria has over 20 years working in sales and distribution. She has personally worked on 25 feature films with budgets $6MM and under. Michelle knows what gets the attention of both financiers and distributors. In this class she will share what you can do regardless of a small or non existent budget to create an enticing package that gets your project noticed.  You will walk away from this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand class knowing how to create a development package, no matter your budget, that gets your project off the ground!   Praise for Michelle's Stage 32 Teaching "Clear, concise, and brilliant." -- Mario D. "I have a deck for my film. It's going in the garbage. I will be starting over tomorrow with this wealth of information flowing in my head. Remarkable job, Michelle!" -- Phil M.

U.K. Market: Producing Low-Budget Films Successfully

Learn directly from Laurie Cook, Producer and Head of Development at Bigscope Films, who's produced 6 feature films that have sold theatrically worldwide! With advances in modern technology across all facets of production, post and distribution, there is no better time to go and make a low-budget film and establish yourself in the industry. From Christopher Nolans' £4,000 Following to Eran Creevy's £100,000 Shifty to Jay Blakeson's £1 million Disappearance of Alice, there are different types of "low-budget" that have been proven successes in their own right, but more importantly a launching pad for the filmmakers. So what kind of film should you make? And how can you, regardless of how small your budget is, get the most for your money? Most importantly, how can you make sure that the right kind of people see your film once you have made it? In this exclusive stage 32 Next Level Webinar, host Laurie Cook will guide writers, directors and producers through his experience developing and producing for the UK low-budget market. Having produced 6 low-budget feature films in the past few years within the UK, which all received worldwide theatrical distribution, Laurie will teach you his tips and tricks for producing low-budget, high production value feature films and how to best utilize UK resources. From development ideas to sources of finance, production tips to the ever-changing distribution landscape, this will be your go-to guide for navigating the low-budget UK film market, with an open question and answer throughout the webinar for maximum interaction.

How To Maximize The Impact Of Your Short Film: Distribution, PR, Festivals and More.

Learn how you can get the biggest results out of your short film - from festivals and PR to screenings and distribution deals - with Meredith Alloway, a filmmaker who has partnered with Hulu, Sundance Institute and 20th Century on her short films and whose short films have played at SXSW, AFI Fest, Overlook, and Bucheon!  PLUS! You'll receive an exclusive Short Film Guide that will help you make the most out of your film!  Making a short film can be an extraordinary launching pad for all parties involved — whether you’re the director, writer, producer, actress, or cinematographer. Shorts can showcase your distinctive abilities and have helped kickstart the careers of some of the most successful creatives. However, it’s not a guarantee that your short film will be a hit on the festival circuit and catch the attention of respected and renowned members of the industry. While it’s one thing to make a short film, it’s another to make a short film that people care about. Unless your short truly makes a splash and showcases a fresh, unique vision or team, it can be difficult to reap the benefits. Ultimately, you can tell a great story through a short, but then need to know how to get that story out into the world. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you will not only learn how to get your short film made, but how you can set your short and yourself up for a successful run at festivals, online releases, and beyond. Teaching you how to get the most traction for your short film to bolster your career is filmmaker and journalist Meredith Alloway. Meredith’s critically acclaimed short film DEEP TISSUE screened internationally at festivals including SXSW, AFI Fest, Overlook, and Bucheon, and opened for Julia Ducournau’s film RAW at MoMA. She partnered with Hulu, Sundance Institute and 20th Century Digital Studios on her last two short films RIDE and FIRST DATE, and was thrilled to direct Paris Jackson’s debut gothic music video LET DOWN with Eli Roth as Executive Producer. As a journalist for over 12 years, Meredith has written interviews and feature pieces for publications like Vanity Fair, Playboy, Filmmaker Magazine, Nylon, and Indiewire. Now Meredith will share with you her own journey getting her films into festivals all over the world and published in various press outlets. In this information-packed webinar, Meredith will cover useful tips in the pre-production and production of your short, and then unpack the festival and online scene. How do you fund your short? On a shoestring budget, what crew members or resources are vital on set? What’s an EPK and do shorts need them? What’s an informed film festival strategy? How do you reach out to press? Where should you premiere online? Meredith will cover several questions and debunk any myths around what a “successful short” really looks like. PLUS! Meredith will provide you with exclusive handouts to help guide you on your short film journey. Downloads include: Guide for making the most out of your short film You will walk away from the webinar with the knowledge and tools you need to make your short film successful in a way that moves your career forward!   "Mentorship and education has always been very important to me — I'm grateful to have had many of my own mentors along the way. I'm so thrilled to share my experiences. I hope they provide insight that helps someone else understand their unique voice and achieve their goals." - Meredith Alloway

How to Break Into TV Writing: Get Repped, Get Staffed, Get Sold

Learn From A Top Literary Manager Whose Clients Work With Netflix, FX, CBS, NBC And More And Receive Exclusive Handouts + THE STRANGER THINGS Pitch Deck   Are you looking to be staffed on your favorite TV show or sell your original TV project? If so, it's important that you understand the overall TV landscape, how you fit in, and where to begin. With so many fresh shows emerging on television and various streaming platforms, more writers' rooms are looking to staff up and more original ideas are getting bought. The opportunity to start a career in TV writing is more attainable than ever. Literary manager Spencer Robinson can help you get there. Spencer is literary manager at one of the top management companies Art/Work Entertainment who has been selling and staffing his clients on the industry's leading series for years, including shows on Amazon, HBO Max and with Jason Bateman's production company Aggregate. He's also had clients work for Netflix, The CW, Cinemax, CBS, NBC, FX, Starz, Nickelodeon, EPIX, and TBS, to name a few. Spencer is one of the most sought-after literary managers in the business for nearly two decades and is one of Stage 32's most popular and in-demand educators. In this 3-session on-demand class, Spencer will go in-depth on the steps you should be taking to find work as a writer in TV. Whether you're interested in selling your own TV show or film, or if you want to join a writers' room, there are specific steps you need to be taking aside from simply writing well, and Spencer will break it all down for you. Spencer will provide you with the proper approach when it comes to talking with reps, managers, agents, attorneys, showrunners and execs. What’s more, he’ll share his powerful pitching knowledge for writers looking to sell their show idea or screenplay. You’ll leave this four week class understanding what it takes to write on assignment, what kinds of written tools you should have prepared prior to meetings, and the general etiquette you should come to the table with so you can land a job as a writer in the industry. Plus! Spencer will provide exclusive and helpful downloads and resources you can use when working on your own projects including: The real STRANGER THINGS pitch deck The real ADVENTURE TIME pitch deck PRAISE FOR SPENCER'S TEACHNINGS: "I had a great time learning and progressing my knowledge of the craft of writing and working directly with a mentor who is a professional in the industry. Spencer was fantastic to be taught by! Thank you!" - Natalie A. "Spencer tells it like it is - he doesn't beat around the bush. He gave me practical, solid, actionable advice. It opened my eyes and I can see how it can help me shorten my path to break in."  - Wally M.  "Spencer was amazing!" - Summer K. "Spencer's teaching style is the best! His patience and easygoing approach is ideal and unique to him. Kudos to Stage 32 and to Spencer!" - Armando O.  

Writing Lab: Write Your TV Pilot and Learn How to Pitch it in 10 Weeks

***Sorry, the lab is filled!***  This lab is designed for beginner and intermediate screenwriters looking to build a pilot from scratch or expand on an existing idea. With the TV market exploding right now, 30-minute and 60-minute TV drama and dramedy pilots are in demand. Many, if not all, managers and agents are looking for writers that can write in this space, and with more and more production companies heading into TV, knowing how to write a strong TV pilot will give you a competitive advantage and help you find success as a TV writer! Stage 32 is thrilled to have our Writing Lab: Write Your TV Pilot and Lean How to Pitch it in 10 Weeks taught by Anna Henry who is a veteran TV development executive that's worked with ABC, CBS, Nickelodeon, SONY, 20th Century FOX Television, Amazon, Starz, EOne, OddLot Entertainment, Corus, ITV America and more. This hands-on intensive lab will guide you through picking a concept, creating engaging characters, structuring and outlining your pilot, writing the pilot, polishing and pitching it! You must have a solid understanding of screenwriting to participate. We will not be going over the basics.  The main objective of this 10-week lab will be to have a solid completed script that is market-ready to start pitching. You will meet online with Anna for 2 hours a week in a class setting, plus have phone or Skype consultations during some of the weeks when you don't have an online class. This will be accompanied by weekly homework assignments to guide you on your way to creating a marketable, unique pilot that will grab the industry's attention. Payment plans are available - please contact edu@stage32.com for more information. This Lab is Limited to 10 People.  

Everything You Need To Make An Award-Winning Short Film

Learn everything you need to know to make a short film that festivals will love and that can kickstart your filmmaking career from an award-winning short filmmaker! PLUS, receive exclusive handouts from your instructor to help make your short film. Whether you have a great idea that can be told in a several minutes or you want to create a proof-of-concept for your feature film, a short film is a fantastic way to get your foot in the door of the entertainment industry. But you don't just want to make a short, you want to make a short that grabs people's attention. That means getting accepted into festivals, filling up screenings, getting the word out, and more. And in this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, we're showing you how to make your short film - from concept through post-production - and get it the attention it deserves. This webinar is for any filmmaker looking to jumpstart their career or add to their portfolio with a short film. You'll learn all of the practical tools for producing a short film from concept through marketing and even festival debuts. You'll discover how to shape an idea into a short script, how to fundraise and access resources, what's required to produce a short film, and gain crucial directing techniques every filmmaker should know. Most importantly, you'll cover what it takes for a short film to get into a film festival and how to market your short so that your project gets seen. PLUS, you will receive exclusive handouts, such as a production resource guide and sample short film documents, including a script, shot list, lookbook, budget, and the final product. With so much to cover in a short amount of time, we brought in an award-winning short filmmaker, Tash Ann. Tash is a writer, director, and producer who launched her short film career with BIZARIA, which screened at Hollyshorts, was quickly licensed by ShortsTV, and aired for three years on DirecTV.  Tash currently has a web series pilot, ABSTRACTION, making the festival rounds, and to date, it has won 22 awards and screened at 10 additional festivals. She has also directed 10 short films and produced 45 pieces of short-form content for Icon Media. In addition to the years of experience and knowledge Tash brings, she'll also be answering questions from you and your fellow filmmakers. Tash knows from experience how easy it is to get lost in making a short film when you lack previous hands-on experience. She'll show you how to avoid common pitfalls like writing without a budget in mind, creating a story that's too big or long for a short, not budgeting enough time or money, and hiring the wrong people. By the end of this on-demand webinar, you'll know what makes a good short film story, how to produce a short film, and how to get your short film into festivals and in front of audiences, all so that you can take your career to the next level. Don't miss out on your chance to learn from Tash's incredible experiences and kickstart your short film journey. TESTIMONIALS FOR TASH'S WORK: "Tash is very dynamic and extremely hard working. She is very passionate about her work and creating meaningful and powerful stories. She's an extraordinary talent with a beautiful vision for crafting and producing films and videos that truly impact her audiences." -- Aastha Lal Vice President of Operations, Icon Media

register for stage 32 Register / Log In