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. 

PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

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.

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

PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

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.