Press & Events
Documentary Film Production Boot Camp
Interested in directing your own short documentary film?
Enroll for this Summer’s Documentary Boot Camp today!
7-week session begins 6/1, Registration ends 5/20
With the advent of digital cameras and editing software, independent filmmakers are able to create work that once would have required larger production teams and hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Youth Documentary Academy (YDA), in partnership with Tom Shepard and his faculty, is offering this intensive seven-week program. Modeled after the award winning YDA curriculum but oriented toward adults: learn all aspects of documentary film directing and producing, including researching, writing and pitching documentary ideas; translating story ideas into filmmaking opportunities; pre-production and production; post production; and distribution and audience engagement. With support from veteran documentary filmmakers and instructors, you will produce and direct your own short films (6-to-12 minutes in length). You’ll have access to professional high-definition cameras, sound equipment (including boom operation and wireless recording microphones), LED lights and non-linear editing software. Classes will include lectures, discussion, viewing films and clips and workshops on researching, fundraising, story development, pre-production, lighting, shooting and editing. One-on-one tutorials with instructors will provide technical instruction on camera, sound and lighting and will be required in order to check out production equipment. You will be required to schedule production time outside of class to shoot your film (supervised by instructors). You’ll walk away with a comprehensive knowledge and training in documentary filmmaking as well as a polished film for your portfolio.
Cost: $3,200
REGISTRATION & SCHEDULE
Days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday
Dates: 06/01/2020- 07/22/2020 (7 weeks)
Schedule: Mon, Wed, Thu 6-9pm; Saturdays 1-5pm (6/6-7/11); plus scheduled individual tutorials TBD; field production TBD
Registration cutoff: 05/20/2020
Instructors: Tom Shepard plus faculty in the Youth Documentary Academy
For more information or to view a class syllabus, please contact Tom Shepard (415) 786-1011 or tom@youthdocumentary.org
TOM SHEPARD
Tom has been directing and producing documentary films for over 20 years. His film SCOUT’S HONOR won two top awards at the Sundance Film Festival and broadcast nationally on the PBS program P.OV. He also directed and produced KNOCKING, a film about Jehovah’s Witnesses, which broadcast nationally on the PBS series Independent Lens. His film WHIZ KIDS is a coming-of-age documentary about youth who find their voice through science. It also aired on PBS. Tom’s most recent film UNSETTLED about LGBT refugees and asylum seekers premiered last year at the San Francisco International Film Festival and has already won 17 top prizes around the world. It will have its television premiere on PBS in June, 2020.
Tom’s films have received acclaim in dozens of publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Miami Herald, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Denver Post among others. Previously, Tom worked as an editor at National Public Radio for Linda Wertheimer. In 2013, Tom founded the Youth Documentary Academy and adult filmmaking bootcamp in Colorado Springs where he resides part-time. He graduated from Stanford University where he majored in biology and film.
