Film Class: Learn Documentary Filmmaking
Learn Documentary Filmmaking and demystify the documentary process, but it'll also illuminate your creative strengths and help you identify areas of improvement and opportunities. After you have completed this class you'll be able to make a documentary film project.
In this class, I'll share all the tools I've learned by completing ten documentary films. Your class project is to create a 1-3 minute documentary short film. Here are some of the things you'll learn in this class:
- Hands-on experience with the complete documentary film process
- The fundamentals of documentary filmmaking
- How to develop your style as a visual storyteller
- Documentary production tips that can save you from unnecessary agony
- How to complete a documentary film on a micro-budget
Documetnary Class Trailer | 32 video lessons | 2hr 5 min
★★★★ “This is the first lesson I took with Olaf de Fleur and, after one minute, I was hooked! Olaf de Fleur is an accomplished teacher who stimulates our interest from start to finish. His indications are clear and the lessons always help our progression. Through his teaching, I found the motivation to start my own short documentary. Thank you so much, Olaf de Fleur!" - Valérie B. (review from Skillshare)
★★★★★ MORE REVIEWS
- Eric L: “Found this class helpful. Had simple actionable step to just be get started. (You learn a lot just by doing) Class gave me a different perspective on somethings. Breaking things down into small chunks. Doing a micro doc is a great skill to learn with the internet and shorter attention. Excited to start on my next project.
- Pat Williams: "It is pivotal not to judge what you are doing until you have done it!" Greater words were never spoken! All filmmakers should listen to that. Overthinking stops so many indie filmmakers from starting or finishing their projects. Olaf's classes are so clear, so straight forward, so concise. He is absolutely BRILLIANT in differentiation! whether you are at pro level or beginner level, there is something for everyone! I've taken his free Saturday classes and I can say, he meets you at your level. No words are ever wasted. Everything he says and does is pivotal to your success. He is like a king, bringing out the best in all his subjects. I don't care for documentaries but i watched this entire series because it was so interesting and I can use the tips provided to practice shooting and editing short clips as I prepare to shoot my own feature film. RUN, don't walk to take his classes. You will be pleasantly surprised!
- Isla Zoo: "A very well put together course from a seasoned professional with his own original take on how to think about putting together a documentary. He makes this subject accessible for all levels and breaks it down into small chunks that build to a larger more impressive whole. His courses are comprehensive and sit on top of a wider community he runs outside skill share which is free and supportive so well worth joining. this guy knows how to make lemonade from lemons!
- Rick Maitri: "Olaf De Fleur is an inspiriation, an awesome filmmaker and a magical teacher. Olaf is challenging, yet compassionate. Although I have not yet submitted a project for this class, I have multiples in the works and continue to push forward with the generous insights shared by Olaf. He was instumental in pointing me in the direction of creating a narrative of an idea before I built a documentary of an idea I shared. I was extremely pleased with the outcome. My passion is documentary filmmaking, but the narrative work gave me confidence I previously lacked in writing. Documentary projects that I'm working on include brief profiles of interesting, yet relatively uncelebrated people and how they came to follow their passion for the type of work they do. Words fall short in expressing the gratitude I feel for Olaf's teaching and guidance.
- Marios Agapitos: This is the third Olaf's course that I've taken so far and I must admit it is getting better and better. I've been working as a journalist for many years and would like to make documentaries myself. So this course was very actually helpful. It breaks down the whole process of writing, filming and editing a documentary but Olaf adds many of his thoughts and ideas making the course even more engaging and easy to undestand. I would love to see more examples on researching a topic and on choosing a theme. What combinations of people and locations would make a certain theme more precise and maybe more interesting to watch. Thanks Olaf
THIS CLASS IS FOR ANYONE who is starting or has done a couple of documentary projects; in either case, this class will deepen your understanding of documentary filmmaking. All you need for this class is a camera, something to write on, and a computer to edit your film.
We'll start with your documentary Idea, talk about my favorite development tools Theme, Genre, and the Fairy Tale tool. We'll discuss Production, Cinematography, and Directing before hitting the post-production phase. Inviting you to do tasks and challenges along the way.
This class will not only demystify the documentary process, but it'll also illuminate your creative strengths and help you identify areas of improvement and opportunities. You can download the Class Outline here:
I am a do-it-yourself filmmaker with over two-decade experience. In this class, I'll share all the tools that I've learned by completing seven feature documentary films. In this step-by-step guide to Documentary Indie Filmmaking, you'll teach yourself how to complete a short documentary film independently through manageable action steps.
What You Will Do In This Class
- "Olaf's experience and compassion is a unique resource for all who are open and ready" Giancarlo Esposito, actor, Breaking Bad
- "Olaf's coaching helped me realize I was ready to write my first film. What for many years seemed daunting, became possible because of his expertise and warrior spirit." Suilma Rodriguez, actress
- "Olaf's ability to see beyond the surface is like conjuring. I am forever grateful for his pragmatic, and expansive guidance." Jesse Megan Eidsness, CEO of Wild Love Apothecary
- "I mentored Olaf and I'm happy he's spreading his wisdom" Dr. Jeff Spencer, The Cornerman Coach
This documentary class took three months to complete, with endless thinking and joyful tinkering, the class is finally a reality. Enjoy!