Are you shooting your own documentary? Want to know how to improve your camerawork and sound while still maintaining your composure as a director? How to maximize the quality of your filmmaking when you are working with a small DV camera and basic lighting and sound equipment? This hands-on workshop, taught by Jon Adelman, will help you get great visuals and decent sound.

On Saturday, you will learn how to frame the documentary interview, how to effectively use both natural and artificial light inside and outside, and how to produce good sound -- all using the most basic tools available. For those interested in having additional time to practice their new skills, we have added a second optional day in which you will do field shooting in a small team locally in the morning and spend the afternoon with Jon reviewing and critiquing your footage.

Lunch not included, but we have a fridge if you want to brown bag it and are close to a few takeout places.

We also offer a combo package if you want to take this workshop plus our September Intro to Final Cut class. For more on the Final Cut class, click here.

DATES
Saturday, September 11 from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Workshop)
Sunday, September 12 from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Optional Practical Day)

FEES

Earlybird Registration (by September 1)
Saturday Only - $250 ($225 for Docs Insiders*)
Saturday AND Sunday - $500 ($450 for Docs Insiders*)
Saturday and Sunday plus Intro to Final Cut - $900 ($850 for Docs Insiders*)

Late Registration (September 2 until full)
Saturday Only - $260 ($235 for Docs Insiders*)
Saturday AND Sunday - $525 ($500 for Docs Insiders*)
Saturday and Sunday plus Intro to Final Cut - $1000 ($925 for Docs Insiders*)
Sunday Only (only for alumni of past Backpack Filmmaker workshops) - $250

*Docs Insiders is a membership program within Docs In Progress. For a $95 annual fee Docs Insiders get preferred rates on workshops and classes and are eligible to apply for the Docs In Progress Fiscal Sponsorship Program. For preferred rates, please note that Docs Insiders membership is non-transferable. For more on how to join the Docs Insiders program, click here.

Because of the limited size of this workshop (9 participants maximum), advanced registration is highly recommended.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Jon Adelman is a freelance writer/producer/shooter who has worked on a number of documentaries, informational videos, reality shows, network shows, PSA, and music videos. Clients have included NBC, Dreamworks, ESPN, Spike TV, Discovery Channel, TLC, National Geographic, HGTV, Retirement Living TV, and Network Solutions. Adelman has extensive experience in a variety of formats and has worked across the United States and on international shoots from Europe to Central and South America. Adelman is also an Adjunct Professor at American University where he has taught graduate students in the film program everything from lighting to camera to sound in both video and film formats. Adelman earned his MA in Film and Video from American University, where he was the recipient of the Kodak Student Filmmaker Award in 2002. Projects he has worked on have also been honored with a Regional Emmy, Telly, and Peer Award.

LOCATION
The Documentary House is the home of Docs In Progress and is located in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland at 8700 First Avenue (corner of First and Fenwick). We are only a few blocks from the Silver Spring Metro. Some free parking is available in the gravel lot behind our house. Additional parking is available in the Cameron Street Garage across the street (free after 7 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends). Click here for directions. (Note: The Sunday practical section of the workshop will involve shooting at pre-determined locations in nearby Silver Spring or Takoma Park).

REFUND POLICY
If your circumstances change and you must withdraw from a class after registering, please be aware of our refund policy:
Withdrawal 30 or more calendar days before the first day of a program: 75% refund
Withdrawal 11-29 calendar days before the first day of a program: 50% refund
Withdrawal 10 or fewer calendar days before a program: No refund

WEATHER POLICY
In the event of inclement weather, we will make a decision by 3 pm on whether to cancel that evening's programs. (For Saturday classes, we will make the decision by 6 pm on Friday). If you have not received a notification from your instructor, call our office at (301) 789-2797 (if we are not there, we will leave an outgoing message).