
Build a crew by prioritizing positive attitude, understanding of the project, and talent in specific roles, embracing collaboration to elevate your documentary beyond solo filmmaking.
Travel light to capture authentic documentary stories with a compact camera. Use one camera with good dynamic range, one tripod, and one light, plus window light, for mobility and speed.
Learn how audio builds pacing, earns tone, and adds sound effects and Foley to enhance documentary storytelling, using natural sound and music to guide audience emotion.
Unlock the distribution secret for documentary films by building a marketing strategy with an email list, trailers, landing pages, and self-distribution on Amazon Prime.
Your story is important! It must be told!
Everyone has a story inside of them that needs to be told! As documentary filmmakers we have the privilege of bringing real, authentic, and inspiring stories to life. It can be incredibly rewarding!
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My name is Shawn Vela and I am a 17-time Emmy® Award Winning Film Producer, Director, DP, and Editor. I founded a video production company Vela Visuals, which specializes in authentic storytelling that moves viewers to action.
Over the course of my career I've been blessed to work on projects for companies like Amazon, Kayak, SAP, Legoland California (and Florida) Resort, New Balance, Hillsong, University of Central Florida, and more.
I have also worked with broadcasters like BT Sport, FOX, as well as countless independent production companies and marketing agencies. I've directed, filmed and edited more than 50 documentaries for web or traditional broadcast (receiving 30 regional Emmy® nominations and 17 wins).
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This course is for documentary filmmakers, like me who push themselves to grow because the stories we tell are important!
In this course I explore some of the secrets I wish I knew about documentary filmmaking when I was first getting started.
Secrets like: how to find story themes, how to build a story arch, how to plan a production, how to conduct emotional interviews, how to build a crew, how to book more work, and more!
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My hope for you, is that some of the experiences I have had will stretch you and give you new storytelling tools that will enhance your productions and WOW your clients!