Intro to Documentary

Still from ‘Auntie’s Last Supper’ | Dir. Kate Vinen

Explore the world of Documentary

Learn to tell powerful true stories and connect with your audience through documentary. In this Intro to Documentary course, you’ll explore a brief history of documentary and the difference between ‘factual’ and ‘documentary’, the six modes of documentary making, and how to develop your idea into a synopsis and a pitch.

Taught by Australia’s premier documentary filmmakers, become familiar with this key filmmaking role, its responsibilities and what goes into making a great documentary.

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

Identify a range of documentary formats, styles, and aesthetics.

Understand interview techniques and their relationship to visual storytelling.

Recognise current industry practice, including financing, funding, festivals and distribution.

“A great combination of technical filmmaking and industry learning with personal insights which I found incredibly helpful and inspiring.”

– Previous participant

Is the Intro to Documentary right for you?

This is an introductory course that covers documentary filmmaking basics and tips for beginners. No previous experience is required, just a passion for storytelling and connecting with audiences through telling true stories.

This course is ideal for aspiring filmmakers as well as photographers, content creators and media and communication students wanting to explore ways to capture real-life events and stories. It is also ideal for videographers and professionals wanting to create documentaries to highlight their projects and the stories of the communities they serve.

AFTRS Intro courses are open to students aged 16 years and older. Students under 18 must complete an Under 18 Consent Form.

Course Requirements and Delivery

Intro to Documentary is offered online and in person.

For the online course, classes are delivered over Zoom with 2 x Zoom sessions per week across 3 weeks. The course also involves 1 hour of self-directed learning per week. You will need access to a desktop or laptop computer with camera, sound and good internet connection, and a quiet place to participate.

The in-person course takes place over 2 days, 9:30am – 3:00pm, and involves 3 hours of self-directed learning.

Once enrolled, you will receive further instructions.

Course Fee: $450 (pricing subject to change, please check enrolment form)

Early bird and other discounts available – learn more.

Meet Your Tutor

AFTRS short courses are taught by leading industry professionals.

Kate Vinen

Kate Vinen is an award-winning writer/director who works across narrative and documentary. Her film ‘Acts for the Invisible’ won the…

Learn More

Register your interest to stay up-to-date on future offerings, application or enrolment dates, and more information on this course.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This course is for students aged 16+ only.

If a student wishes to withdraw from a course, they may do so up to 15 days before the course commences and get a full refund. Cancellations 14 days or less before course commencement will incur a penalty.

AFTRS reserves the right to cancel any course for any reason at any time. In the event of a course being cancelled by AFTRS prior to commencement a 100% refund or credit note of the course fees paid will be provided.

Should AFTRS need to cancel a course after commencement, but before its completion, reasonable efforts will be made to reschedule. If rescheduling is not feasible, it is at AFTRS sole discretion to issue either full or partial credit notes depending on the circumstances.

AFTRS will make every effort to ensure the scheduled run of any course.

If you are planning to travel to attend a course, please confirm with AFTRS that the course is confirmed before you make your travel bookings. This decision is dependent on course enrolments meeting minimum numbers. AFTRS is not liable for any travel or accommodation costs incurred through course cancellation at any time for any reason.

Find out more information about discounts and refunds here.