In this workshop, you’ll discover how to find, film, and shape documentary stories that matter to you. Whether you’re drawn to family histories, community portraits, or subjects that simply fascinate you, you’ll learn how to identify compelling narratives, conduct meaningful interviews, and transform raw footage into work that fosters connection and understanding. Documentary storytelling is an accessible art form for those willing to pursue it, and the most resonant documentaries often emerge from personal exploration rather than commercial calculation. Creating powerful work doesn’t require expensive equipment or industry connections; it requires curiosity, authentic vision, and the courage to pursue the stories only you can tell.

Join Emmy Award-winning producer Amanda Pisetzner for an immersive blend of demonstrations, hands-on filming exercises, and storytelling activities. You’ll develop both technical skills and storytelling instincts, focusing on what makes documentary work powerful: finding the details and moments that reveal something true about being human, creating space for authentic exchange, and trusting your own voice as a storyteller. You’ll explore how personal documentary projects can stand as art in their own right, and how work that comes from genuine artistic vision often has the greatest reach and impact. The emphasis is on accessibility and courage over technical perfection, honoring both what makes each subject unique and what connects us across our differences. You’ll leave with practical skills, a stronger creative voice, and the confidence to continue documenting what matters to you.

Workshop Schedule:
Sunday Night: Welcome Reception at 6:00pm
Monday – Friday: 9am – 4pm
*Subject to change*