Create a short documentary under the tutelage of a National Geographic cameraman and filmmaker in Buenos Aires.
There are no available registration dates at this time.
A Cinewright workshop is an intensive learning experience where you will develop and expand your talents as a filmmaker through the creation of your short documentary from original concept to finished piece. You’ll learn the diverse skill sets necessary to tell your story. From cinematography to direction, sound and picture editing to writing, you will be hand led through the milestones of the filmmaking process under the tutelage of Tom Donohue.
Our destination is Buenos Aires a visually arresting city that feels more like Europe than South America. The sultry nights however during a North American freeze, place the city deep within the southern continent. Our first week is both about acclimating to the “Paris of South America” and capturing the story you want to tell. You’ll be identifying your characters and capturing their lives through your lens. Filming in Buenos Aires offers endless visual rewards as well as challenges. Learning to work comfortably in a foreign country is a necessary talent for a documentarian. Spanish language skills are helpful but not necessary. Tom speaks fluent Spanish and has enjoyed living in Buenos Aires for the past four years. He’ll personally lead you through his adopted city.
Creating a documentary from scratch is experiential learning at its best. You’ll have a complete overview of the filmmaking process by the workshop’s end. Learning what works or doesn’t comes through practice. During the workshop, you’ll take chances that the professional world would never permit. By the mid-point of our workshop, with the principal filming a wrap, you’ll be ready to structure and create your story in the editing room. Those new to digital editing will learn the basics that will prove key to a future professional life. A rudimentary knowledge of editing is vital to understanding the needs of a documentary production. Cinematographers, directors, writers, or producers would benefit by having a working knowledge of the editing process. This workshop is also ideal for the still photographer who wants to open up to the video capabilities of their still camera.
Logistics
The primary goal of a Cinewright workshop is to be proficient with your own equipment. With that in mind, students bring their own cameras and laptops. Any camera that you plan to work on in the future will do, even an iPhone. Assistance is available beforehand for students to equip themselves for the workshop.
We edit using Adobe Premiere Pro software which is both Apple and PC-based. This is an important editing platform that is ubiquitous in the professional world. A trial version is free to download during the week of our workshop or can be purchased monthly for $20. Students should bring an SSD Hard Drive with at least a terabyte of free space.
Lodging
Lodging, as well as continental breakfast each morning, is included with the workshop’s tuition. The first students to register have the option of a private room in one of two beautiful three-bedroom, 1880s apartments or finding nearby lodging on Airbnb. The apartments are ideally located on the Plaza Dorrego, a lovely park in the heart of the original city footprint. Each apartment has a one bedroom with en-suite bathroom and the other two rooms share a bathroom. These are available to those who register first. Students who prefer to be apart after class may elect to find their own private studio apartments with an abundance of offerings on Airbnb. Tom can help in choosing and students will be given a budget of $650 to work to offset the rental of 13 nights. Pictures are available at apartment for first three students.
Lunch and dinner are not included with the tuition but the strength of the US dollar vis-à-vis the Argentine peso makes Buenos Aires one of the “World’s Top Travel Bargains”. You can easily budget $25 US dollars a day for eating out at most of the restaurants this cosmopolitan city offers.
Flights are not included in the tuition. If you purchase in advance, you may find a flight for as low as $800 USD from major US hubs to Buenos Aires.
For more information visit Cinewright.com or contact Tom directly at [email protected]
Payments & Registration
At the time of registration, Maine Media will collect a $600 deposit. Further communication and payment are handled directly with Tom through [email protected].
Other Maine Media offerings with Tom Donohue:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR TRAVEL WORKSHOPS
- 1. Reservations & Payments
- A deposit as indicated on the registration page is required to confirm your reservation for the workshop. Final payment in full is due 45 days prior to the start date of your workshop unless stated differently in the course description. Maine Media Workshops + College (“Maine Media”) reserves the right to cancel a reservation if full payment has not been received by the due date.
- 2. Cancellations
- 3. Basis of Rates
- All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars; all payments must be made in U.S. dollars.
- 4. Insurance
- It is strongly advised that you purchase Trip Cancellation, Baggage, Emergency Medical Evacuation, and/or Accident and Sickness Insurance Protection. Camera equipment, computers, and baggage are carried entirely at the owner’s risk. Maine Media shall have no responsibility for any lost, damaged, or delayed property, or for an individual student’s medical needs, accidents, injuries, or illnesses. See our travel insurance recommendations here.
- 5. Itinerary Changes
- The itinerary for your workshop is subject to change without prior notification.
- 6. Passports and Visas
- A valid passport is required for all international travel. You are required to notify Maine Media as to the nationality under which your passport is registered. Participants are responsible for obtaining their passports and visas. To participate in the workshop, you must have a passport that is valid until at least six months after the date on which your trip is scheduled to be completed.
- 7. Medical Issues
- All participants must be in good health. You must advise Maine Media of any health condition, physical condition, or emotional or mental condition that may require special attention or that may adversely impact the other participants in your workshop. All students are required to complete a “Waiver of Liability” form and submit it at the time of registration. This document may be found on the course description page.
- 8. Liability Waiver
- Every participant is required to sign Maine Media’s Waiver of Liability before departure for their workshop. Click here to download.
- 9. Responsibility & Photography
- To ensure a safe experience, you are required to obey local customs and be considerate when photographing people or sensitive locations. The faculty member for your workshop has the right to expel any person from the workshop for behavior that is in violation of the law; that is disruptive, or that compromises the group’s safety or enjoyment. No refunds will be made to any person expelled from a workshop. Maine Media shall have no obligation to pay any costs incurred by a person as a result of that person being expelled from a workshop.
Image Credits: Sander Crombach, Sasha Stories, Matias Wong
