DIY Doc: Short Documentary

A 10-week hands-on workshop where you’ll go from concept to completed short documentary film. No experience necessary.

DIY Doc covers the full filmmaking process—storyfinding, production, and post—with an emphasis on accessible, do-it-yourself methods. The first weeks focus on instruction in documentary fundamentals, camera, audio, and editing basics. As the workshop progresses, it shifts into a traditional workshop format where you’re shooting, editing, and getting feedback from your peers and instructor. By the end of 10 weeks, you walk away with a finished short doc (3–8 minutes).

This workshop is designed to meet you where you are. New filmmakers will learn the foundations. Emerging and experienced filmmakers can use the structure to kickstart a new project or experiment with unfamiliar approaches.

Topics include: documentary overview and history, storyfinding, production methods, camera fundamentals, audio fundamentals, editing basics.

Instructor: Lani Milton · [photo and bio forthcoming]

Equipment: Use what you have—phones work great. Bring your own gear, or borrow from NW Documentary, including our Canon C100. Edit on your phone, your own software, or NW Doc’s editing stations.

Time commitment: Monday evenings in class, plus expect to spend several hours per week outside of class shooting and editing your film—more as you get closer to your deadline. This is a production workshop: the finished film doesn’t happen in the classroom.

Details: $500 · 10 weeks · March–May Monday evenings, 7–9 PM Sunnyside Community Center · Portland, OR

Cost shouldn’t be a barrier. If the fee is prohibitive, get in touch—we’re happy to work something out.

The workshop culminates in a public screening of everyone’s finished films.