2024 Classes

Truth is stranger than fiction—and often more interesting! Documentary storytelling is in the midst of a renaissance that has been going strong for more than three decades. If you want to delve into nonfiction narratives by bringing a story you care about to the big screen, you’ve come to the right place! In partnership with Low Key Arts’ renown filmmaking program Inception to Projection, HSDFF will host  a documentary bootcamp where participants will direct, produce and edit their own short documentary film that will be showcased at the 33rd Annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival October 18-28, 2024. The course will explore the process from concept through development to production and postproduction with the intention of completing 1 film ranging in length from 3 to 10 minutes.

Mostly on ZOOM with In-person production & editing: 

Class Fee $400

(Includes all equipment & food on set)

Inception to Projection TRADITIONAL is a 6-week intensive film class open to all ages. Every participant will write, direct produce and their own original short and the final films will screen at the POV Fest in January 2025. 

Screenwriting Lecture classes are spent learning the fundamentals of writing for the screen such as pitches, outlines, treatments, notecards, and screenplay pages. Participants will prepare a short film script that they will then learn how to produce themselves.

Production Lecture classes are spent learning filmmaking fundamentals such as directing, producing, casting, cinematography and editing. Participants are expected to work on small crews for one another, giving each filmmaker an opportunity not only to write and direct their own film but also practice production roles such as cinematographer, producer, first assistant director, sound recorder or production designer.

Mostly on ZOOM with In-person production & editing: 

Class Fee $400

(Includes all equipment, crew, Instruction & food on set)