Producing Documentaries

FILM TV X 478.733

Explore the stylistic and narrative, as well as technical and business approaches to successful documentary filmmaking from inception to distribution, and create your own project proposal based on the strategies learned.

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Winter
Summer
In Person
Starting at $785.00
As few as 12 weeks
4.0

What you can learn.

  • Develop an understanding of effective documentary storytelling for several genres
  • Understand the development of both television and feature documentaries
  • Draft a synopsis for a one-hour television documentary
  • Learn how to properly pitch and elaborate on your personal project

About this course:

Learn about the opportunities available to the independent documentary producer in this overview of the entire documentary production process, from idea through distribution. Emphasis is placed on today's market--for both television and theatrical one-to-two-hour programs--through screening and discussing examples of documentary genres. Lectures emphasize story, structure, and style and address related budget, financial, and technical aspects of television documentaries. Each participant conceives and drafts a written synopsis for a one-hour television documentary with the option to independently produce a presentation video. Specialists with expertise in archival footage, interview techniques, location shooting, editing, and other areas are invited as guest lecturers, subject to availability.

Summer 2025 Schedule

Date & Time
Details
Format
 
-
Monday 7:00PM - 10:00PM PT
Future Offering (Opens April 28, 2025 12:00:00 AM)
See Details
403881
Fee:
$785.00
In Personformat icon
Location: UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Notes

No mtg. July 9. This hybrid section is made up of In Person and Live Online instruction.

This hybrid section is considered in person for immigration purposes.

Internet access required. Materials required. 

Refund Deadline
No refunds after July 06, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Lecture
Mon Jun 23, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Mon Jun 30, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Mon Jul 7, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Mon Jul 14, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Mon Jul 21, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Mon Jul 28, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Mon Aug 4, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Mon Aug 11, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Mon Aug 18, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Mon Aug 25, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Mon Sep 1, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood
Lecture
Mon Sep 8, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in Westwood

This course applies towards the following certificates & specializations…

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