Documentary Filmmaking

Plan, produce, film and edit a film using an iPhone and Final Cut Pro.

Course Summary

Case study: Produce a mini-documentary at cinema quality with a smartphone.

In 20 step-by-step lessons, filmmaker Robb Montgomery will take you backstage and behind the lens to see exactly how to plan, produce, film and edit a long-form documentary film.

Montgomery shows you how he solo-produces a broadcast quality film in Berlin with no crew, no script, no budget, and no automobile.

You will learn how to:

  1. Scout and recruit an interesting film subject
  2. Prepare a shot list
  3. Develop interview questions
  4. Prepare the gear and subjects
  5. Use locations to full effect
  6. Develop sophisticated motion shots
  7. Edit scenes, sequences, string outs and sound bites into a compelling visual statement

The pre-requisite for this course is either the Mobile Journalism Masterclass or the Smartphone Filmmaking Masterclass.

The intermediate to advanced skills shown in these lessons build on the techniques first established in these foundation courses.

Course Curriculum

Smart Film School

This course is taught by Robb Montgomery

Robb teaches mobile journalism at news organizations, media development programs, and universities worldwide. 

He is the author of two books: Mobile Journalism and Smartphone Video Storytelling (Routledge – New York & London). Montgomery is also an award-winning documentary filmmaker and former newspaper editor (Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune).

He is a lead trainer for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, WAN-IFRA, Journalism Co UK and IREX and teaches the certificate course in Digital Storytelling for the public information officers of the United Nations.

He teaches journalists and TV correspondents in more than 30 countries for Reuters, CNN, IREX, The New York Times, Journalism Co UK, Mediacorp, Radio Free Europe, TVN, BILD, INTERNEWS, and VRT public broadcasters. 

He leads courses in digital and mobile journalism at universities in Paris, Berlin, London, Cairo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Singapore. 

His Smart Film School courses and textbooks are accredited by more than 100 schools and universities.


He holds a b.a. in Journalism (1990 - Eastern Illinois University).

He is @VideoJournalist on Twitter.

John Smith

Developer

Highly Recommended Course. Easy to Understand, Informative, Very Well Organized. The Course is Full of Practical and Valuable for Anyone who wants to Enhance their Skills. Really Enjoyed it. Thank you!!

Course Pricing

  • One time payment
  • $300 USD

    One time payment with life time access

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