Documentary Boot Camp w/ Melody Gilbert

Service Description

Have you ever wanted to make a documentary but were not sure how to start? This intensive, two-day class for all levels, taught by award-winning documentary filmmaker Melody Gilbert. Using her films to help you understand the process of making a documentary, Melody will share behind-the-scenes stories about how she made her films, along with her top ten tips for documentary filmmaking. Attendees with a work-in-progress may show up to two minutes of footage (trailer, raw footage, or edited scene) and receive feedback from Melody and the students (although it’s not necessary to have begun a project to participate). You’ll leave the class with information, insights, and a newfound energy for making your documentary a reality. Melody will help you kickstart your journey toward your documentary dreams! Topics What makes a good documentary? What is your documentary about? Why do you want to make your documentary? The Art of the Pitch How to make others enthusiastic about your idea You’ve shot your footage…now what? Melody has been directing, producing, shooting and editing award winning feature-length documentaries for more than 15 years through her production company, Frozen Feet Films (see her doc demo reel here). Her films have premiered at prestigious film festivals around the world such as SXSW and Hot Docs, and been broadcast on PBS, The Sundance Channel, and on dozens of networks internationally including TF1 (France), YLE (Finland), RTL (Germany) and TV2 (Denmark). Melody has also been awarded grants from the Jerome Foundation, MN State Arts Board and she she was a recipient of the prestigious McKnight Foundation Filmmaker Artist fellowship. The teacher: Rebecca Arndt grew up on film and tv sets in the Boston area. She is a graduate of the film program at Hampshire College and has worked on feature films, television and documentary productions for over 20 years. She is a member of local 600 as a union camera operator and is also a member of the Society of Camera Operators. You have seen her work on hit shows like Orange is the New Black, Girls, Goosebumps and Poker Face. She has had the opportunity to work and learn from film-makers like Barry Levinson, James Mangold, Rian Johnson, Lena Dunham, Denzel Washington and many more.