This lab is designed for:

• Emerging and mid-career filmmakers

• Writers transitioning into documentary storytelling

• Journalists exploring cinematic nonfiction

• Artists working with memory, archive, or lived experience

• Anyone ready to shape an idea into a structured documentary concept

You may arrive with:

• A fully formed documentary concept

• A loose theme you’re drawn to

• A personal story you’re unsure how to frame

• A question you can’t stop thinking about

By the end of the lab, you will have:

• A clear documentary premise

• A refined logline

• A 2–3 page written treatment

• A defined narrative structure

• Clarity on voice and point of view

• A deeper understanding of ethics and responsibility

• Constructive feedback from peers and mentor

This is a story-first development lab.

We focus on:

• Concept development

• Narrative structure

• Character and transformation

• Stakes and tension

• Voice and authorship

• Ethics and consent

The framework applies to:

• Personal documentaries

• First-person narratives

• Observational films

• Character-driven stories

• Social issue documentaries

• Hybrid nonfiction projects

Each two-hour in-person session includes:

• Focused teaching segments

• Close reading of documentary examples

• Guided writing exercises

• Peer dialogue and critique

• Dedicated development time

Absolutely. You’ll receive mentor feedback as well as guided peer responses in a respectful, accountable space.

Yes. Participants should expect:

• Weekly writing assignment progressive development of their treatment

The clarity developed in this lab directly supports:

• Grant applications

• Documentary labs and fellowships

• Pitch forums

• Producer conversations

At this time we are limiting the cohort size to 12 participants.

$350

Your investment includes:

• 8 hours of in-person instruction

• Guided writing exercises

• Structured peer feedback

• Mentor critique

• A final development sharing

Yes.

Sharing your project is highly recommended, though optional.