OVERVIEW
New York Film Academy offers a hands-on 6-week documentary workshop. . This is an intensive program that combines
in-class instruction and
hands-on production workshops. Learn to master the craft and put it into practice under the guidance of our expert instructors
During the first two weeks, students learn the fundamental tools of documentary filmmaking. Classes include producing, directing, camera, lighting, sound recording, and editing. Students apply what they learn by creating two-minute individual observational films, and by producing two short group projects in production workshops. Following production and post-production of each project, students screen their work with their classmates and instructors and engage in critiques and discussion.

Throughout the session, each student devotes time to developing and pre-producing their
final documentary in and outside the classroom—a film of up to eight minutes in length with at least two tracks of sound. Students crew on their classmates' documentary films. Projects are edited using digital editing software.
Significant Production and Post-production hours outside of class time are necessary to successfully complete the workshop. The Academy recognizes, as should the students, that these hours will vary from student to student, depending on the scope of each project.
WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES
The educational objectives of the 6-Week Filmmaking-Documentary Workshop are to teach students the art and craft of documentary filmmaking and to instruct students through a strict regimen consisting of lectures, seminars, hands-on workshops, and supervised editing to excel in the creative art of documentary storytelling.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Skills learned as a result of successful completion of this 6-week documentary workshop include:
- The ability to work independently and collaboratively in a high-pressure creative environment.
- The fundamentals of developing, producing and directing a short documentary.
- Experience working as a director, producer, cinematographer, sound mixer, and editor on student productions.
- An in-depth experience working with digital video cameras and sound recording equipment.
- Sufficient mastery of digital editing software to edit a short film of up to 10 minutes in length.
- Sufficient knowledge of sound design, multiple track laying, and sound mixing to complete and enhance the final documentary.
- Knowledge of aesthetic film theory and documentary ethics, and experience with practical application of the same.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT
The Six-Week Documentary Workshop requires successful completion of the following creative projects in partial fulfillment of graduation requirements:
- Project 1 - Observational Film
- Project 2 - Interview Project
- Project 3 - Location Project
- Project 4 - Final Documentary
Students must successfully complete every course of study with a passing grade or better. To graduate and receive a Certificate of Completion, students must also adhere to the Academy's Attendance Policy and Code of Conduct. For complete details regarding these policies, please consult the
Course Catalog. Additionally, students must fulfill all
financial obligations to the New York Film Academy.
Satisfactory completion of the four projects is required for graduation from the New York Film Academy's 6-Week Documentary Workshop. The 6-Week Documentary Workshop is an accelerated full-time course of study and does not provide for multiple tracks of study. All courses are mandatory. This is a highly specialized workshop, and there are no majors or minors. The workshop may not be completed in less than six weeks. Classes are taught in either a lecture, seminar, or laboratory format.
Dates & Tuition
Fees
Tuition: $4,513 (USD) +
Equipment Fee: $ent & Technology Fee: $872
(USD)
Location & Available Dates
For New York City:
May 8, 2023 - Jun 20, 2023
Jul 3, 2023 - Aug 18, 2023
Sep 11, 2023 - Oct 24, 2023
For Los Angeles:
Jun 12, 2023 - Jul 22, 2023
Sep 5, 2023 - Oct 14, 2023
Please note: Dates and Tuition are subject to change