Documentary Camera


Explore the camera’s role in the storytelling process for documentary filmmaking.

SonyToday's audience has become very sophisticated in their appreciation of the visual art of filmmaking. Mediocre visual production and camera work quickly sends a message to audiences that the work is not to be taken seriously. Expectations by audiences are for a high level of production quality in all visual forms of storytelling, including documentary filmmaking.

This one-week course is for emerging and professional documentary filmmakers and cinematographers who want to explore the technical and creative role that the camera plays in documentary production. Through screenings, analysis of documentaries, examination of camera style, and a close look at technical and storytelling solutions, students will become experts at defining what makes a convincing documentary. The class covers storytelling, shot design, sequencing and continuity, blocking and camera moves, composition, POV, and lens selection.

The mornings are spent in the classroom for discussion, critiques, and screenings. The afternoons are dedicated to research and fieldwork as the students find and shoot a short documentary, and gain practical experience handling the camera in a variety of situations. Scenes are edited for review and critique.

Testimonials:

"I came away knowing 500% more than I knew coming in"
- Matthew Johnson, Washington, DC

"Documentary camera was both humbling and empowering as a whole new way of 'seeing' & perspective opened with regards to filming and as we were given unusual opportunities to practice new skills with encouraging feedback"
- L. Stager, Searsmont, ME

"It's not just a workshop, it's an experience."

Instructors

Bestor Cram

Bestor Cram is an award winning director, producer and cinematographer for television documentaries and museum environments. In 1982, Bestor founded Northern Light Productions, a Boston-based production company which produces long format projects for PBS, History Channel, & Discovery as well as a wide range of museum media exhibits for art, science and history interpretive visitor centers like the Smithsonian Institution and International Spy Museum. As a lighting cameraman,

Bestor's shooting forte lies in 16mm and 35mm film as well as extensive use of the DV and HD formats. He studied and lectured with Richard Leacock at MIT, has taught film at Tufts University and the Art Institute of Boston. His 2005 completed feature documentary The Special, about the bluegrass anthem, premiered at the Nashville Film Festival and was selected for AFI's Silver Docs. His independent documentary Unfinished Symphony: Democracy and Dissent premiered in competition at Sundance and won top honors at festivals home and abroad.

Bestor released Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison in the fall of 2008 and it continues to play festivals and television world wide.  In 2009, his ITVS supported film Scarred Justice: The Orangeburg Massacre 1968 was released and had its PBS broadcast in February, 2010.