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:
- Scout and recruit an interesting film subject
- Prepare a shot list
- Develop interview questions
- Prepare the gear and subjects
- Use locations to full effect
- Develop sophisticated motion shots
- 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, an American Mobile Journalism professor, filmmaker and author based in Berlin.
Montgomery leads training programs in mobile video reporting and documentary filmmaking for broadcast and digital media clients in more than 34 countries.
His clients include Reuters, WAN-IFRA, IREX, InterNews, United Nations, U.S. State Department, Mediacorp, SRMG, Radio Free Europe, Journalism Co UK, Middle East Broadcast Network, GIJN, International Journalism Festival, NABSHOW, and many public broadcasters.
He is the author of Smartphone Video Storytelling and Mobile Journalism textbooks and his documentary films have been awarded top prizes at film festivals in Berlin, Milan and Los Angeles
He teaches a course in mobile filmmaking as a visiting lecturer for Singapore University Social Sciences every fall.
As a visiting professor he has led courses in visual journalism at Northwestern University, Stockholm University, University of London, Singapore University, Danish School of Journalism, and Ohio University. He is listed in the U.S. Speaker program and presents workshops that are organized by U.S. Embassies cultural affairs officers.
His Smart Film School certificate courses are accredited by top media organizations and universities.
Montgomery holds a b.a. in Journalism (1990 – Eastern Illinois University)
