OVERVIEW

The Documentary Filmmaking Institute (DFI) is a program designed to equip students with the critical and practical skills to work in the documentary film industry as an independent producer.

This one-semester program combines hands-on production skills with a foundational knowledge of the documentary tradition and a background in Canadian and international business practice. Students work in an intimate environment with state of art technology and equipment, and are introduced to the industry’s top professionals.

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to show a short film treatment of their idea, and pitch their documentary projects to broadcasters, distributors, and producers. They will also be able to find internship and/or employment in entry-level positions with independent producers and production companies (not facilitated by the college).

This program is ideal for students with little or no experience in filmmaking or television production. Facilitated by award-winning documentary filmmakers, students will also be introduced to the industry’s top professionals who will lead master classes and lectures.

The Documentary Filmmaking Institute started in the summer of 2009. In two short years, DFI has received tremendous support from Canada's film and television industry, and many of our alumni are actively engaged in the industry.

In 2010, DFI created the Allan King Memorial Prize, in honour of the Canadian legendary documentary filmmaker Allan King. The prize is awarded to the best film, and is announced at the Screening Party at the end of the program.

DFI is a proud sponsor of the Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival.

DFI 2012 will run from May 27 until August 29, 2013

Join us on facebook.

Check out Q&A for the Documentary Filmmaking Institute (DFI) 2013

CURRICULUM

The three pillars of the Documentary Filmmaking Institute are:
  • Production and editorial: Cameras, shooting techniques, directing, editing, basic website production, writing for non-fiction media, digital audio, digital photography and multi-platform tasking
  • Broadcast business and industry: Industry overview, pitching, financing, budgeting, proposal writing, marketing, intellectual property and distribution techniques
  • Critical and historical: An overview of the art and craft of the documentary, the Canadian documentary tradition, ethics, media literacy, research techniques, fiction and non-fiction, citizen journalism and internet propaganda

COURSES

DFI100 Story Development
All films start with a great idea, but how do you find that idea, and turn it into a film with rich visuals and engaging content? This course offers students the tools and rigorous exercises on how to research and develop their ideas, and write a proposal for use in a pitch to broadcasters and distributors.
DFI110 Production Management
This course introduces the student to the the business side of production and the role of the producer. Producers are responsible to plan production, budget, fund-raise, create a realistic schedule, funding, financing resources, and access to tax credit programs.
DFI120 Cinematography for Documentary
This hands-on course introduces students to a basic step-by-step technique for operating a camera and lighting. Students will learn “visual grammar”, how to use it to create professional interview shots, cinema genre styles such as verite, shooting from different angles, and adding depth.
DFI130 Video Editing and Storytelling
This course offers students hands-on training and practice on the use of digital non linear editing software, and its use in the craft of story structure. Editing involves learning how to structure a story with a solid framework with a certain style and tone and pacing, and this course enables students to become both technically proficient on the software while not losing sight of their roles as storytellers.
DFI140 Producing for Documentary
TDocumentary is a producer’s medium. This course will cover all key responsibilities of the producer, from pre-production, to production, and finally to post production and publicity, and how to balance the inherent tensions between the industry’s creative and business demands. Students will learn the aspects of producing that involve overseeing the creative and editorial aspects of the production, as well as the business and logistic details.
DFI150 Directing for Documentary
In this course, students will learn the director’s unique role in a medium like documentar. This includes: interviewing, turnng inspiration into reality, planning, and back-up plans. Students will learn techniques for thinking on one’s feet when shooting on location.
DFI160 Canadian Documentary Tradition
This seminar class exposes students to the history, theory, and evolution of documentary filmmaking in Canada. Students will screen and critique documentary films by both Canadian and international filmmakers, and discuss some of the issues and challenges (legal, ethical, moral) involved.

PROJECTS

The capstone of the Documentary Filmmaking Institute is the Final Project each student will produce by the end of the program.

The Final Project is a short documentary (7-10 minutes in length) the student will shoot, edit, write, produce, and direct. Students will have full copyright ownership to their work, and all Final Projects will be showcased on the Seneca website.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students develop the tools and skills necessary to work successfully in the documentary film and television industry. They learn the relevant technology related to production and editing and spend time watching and discussing important films. Emphasis is placed on the particulars of pitching a production and learning how to engage with industry professionals. At the end of the program, students will have generated a pitch package for potential broadcasters and distributors for an independent production, including interactive media extensions to their property.

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
  • Describe the historical roots of the documentary tradition
  • Describe the historical, theoretical, political context for non-fiction media production as it pertains to Canada, including media literacy and new media
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the difference between fiction and non-fiction forms of content production
  • Demonstrate an understanding of Canadian media industry landscape, and business conditions, including those within the public and private sectors
  • Create a proposal that demonstrates an understanding of financial, legal, marketing, and distribution aspects of a project
  • Conceptualize and research ideas for a documentary project
  • Identify the composition of a creative team in a typical documentary production
  • Pitch a documentary idea to a producer, broadcaster, or distributor
  • Produce a short documentary film – whether as a stand-alone or a demo – where the student has produced various duties in both production and post-production, including writing, directing, producing, shooting, interviewing, editing, and mastering output to different formats
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role that new media/Internet plays in the documentary package
  • Use team building skills and conflict management techniques
  • Manage time effectively to meet deadlines
  • Accept and carry out all assigned responsibilities in an efficient and organized manner

MODES of INSTRUCTION

  • One full semester, 14 weeks (May 27, 2013 – August 29, 2013)
  • This course requires a full-time commitment (approximately 35 hours/week)
  • 24 hours per week of formal instruction, the balance of time to spent on assignments and field work
  • Classes run Mondays to Thursdays. Fridays are reserved for field work (shooting on location) or individual sessions with instructor(s)
  • Workshop sessions are modular in style
  • Intensive, hands-on exercises involving role-playing and simulation, guest lectures on in-studio and field production

FACULTY

To read bio of the main faculty members, John Haslett Cuff and Sunny Yi, go to the faculty page.

Since the DFI started two years ago, we had a very exciting line up of Canada’s top industry talents visit the institute as guest lecturers, and leaders of master classes, including:

Sturla Gunnarsson: (2009) Oscar-nominated and Emmy winner, Gunnarsson is the President of the Directors Guild of Canada, and celebrated director of feature films and documentaries, such as Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie (winner at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival), Final Offer, Gerry and Louise, and Air India 182.

Jennifer Baichwal: (2009) Multi-award winning director of extraordinarily artistic documentaries, such as Act of God, Manufactured Landscapes, and Paul Bowles: Let It Come Down.

Manfred Becker: (2009 & 2010) Award-winning director and editor, Manfred has written, produced and directed numerous critically acclaimed documentaries, and collaborated with other directors such as Sturla Gunnarsson, Nettie Wild, and Paul Jay, whose works have garnered Gemini, Genie, International Emmy, and Chalmers Awards.

Daniel Iron: (2010) Film and television producer, recipient of Genie, Gemini, and Jutra awards, Iron has worked with some of Canada's top talents including Sarah Polley, Niv Fichman, and Ken Finkleman. His producer credits include television series Slings and Arrows, Foreign Objects, Last Night, The Red Violin, and Long Day's Journey into Night.

Bob Culbert: (2009 & 2010) Commissioning Editor at the CBC's The Nature of Things.

Jane Jankovic: (2009 & 2010) Commissioning Editor, TVO.

Gerry Flahive: (2009 & 2010) Producer, National Film Board of Canada.

Paritosh Mehta: (2009) Commissioning Editor, OMNI Television.

Adrienne Mitchell: (2010) Producer of critically acclaimed dramatic series Durham County, Bliss, Straight Up, and Drop the Beat, Mitchell also produced documentaries Talk 16 and Talk 19.

Elizabeth Klinck: (2009 & 2010) Recipient of Emmy, Peabody, and Academy awards, Klinck is Canada's top research specialist.

Danny Webber: (2009 & 2010) Entertainment lawyer with Hall, Webber Associates.

Jerry McIntosh: (2009) Independent Producer and Former Executive Director of the CBC's Documentary Unit.

Andrea Nemtin: (2010) Independent Producer of successful television series such as Star Portraits, Inside Disaster, and documentary films including Hand of Stalin and War of 1812.

Joanne Jackson: (2009) President of Brilliant Red Meda, Jackson has worked as Production Executive for Discovery Canada, Animal Planet, and WTN.

Nick de Pencier: (2009) President of Mercury Films Inc., de Pencier is a gifted cinematographer, producer, director who has worked on music videos and major documentaries, such as Four Wings and a Prayer, Manufactured Landscapes and Act of God.

The DFI Guest List for 2013 to be announced.


© 2008 | acceptable use policy | seneca home