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Three-Week Documentary Film Workshop – The Mississippi Delta

Combine this workshop with the One-Week Photography Workshop and save 10%. to learn more.

 

DATES: LOCATION: TUITION: EARLY BIRD DEAL: DEPOSIT: MEALS: HOUSING: ENROLLMENT: INSTRUCTOR(S): CONTACT:   February 7th – February 28th, 2016 Clarksdale, Mississippi $3,699.00 Save $300 when you register by Nov 15th $800.00 $3,699.00 includes deposit. $800.00 deposit is non-refundable & non-transferable. Deposit must be in by December 1st, 2015. Balance due January 5th, 2016. Meals eaten on campus are included in tuition. Meals eaten out (optional) are the responsibility of the student. Housing is NOT included and should be booked through The Shack Up Inn. Pricing on housing varies depending on your choice and what is available. Please see Housing section below. 9 students max Alison Fast Chandler Griffin Chandler Griffin

 

NOTE: This workshop was created to be taken with the One-Week Photo Documentary Workshop, but it can also be taken as a standalone workshop. We offer a 10% discount if you enroll in both workshops. Please if you are interested in signing up for both workshops and we can provide a discount code.

   

Location

The Mississippi Delta is rich in oral history and holds old and new stories waiting to be discovered and shared with the rest of the world. Explore new ideas at the birthplace of blues artists like Robert Johnson, B.B. King, Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin' Wolf, and Muddy Waters. Step into Juke Joints and hear how Delta and Hill Country blues still shapes the lives of North Mississippi. Walk the fields and film where cotton was king. Interview the people who lived and breathed the civil rights movement. Visit endless catfish farms spread across vast cotton fields. Tell stories about factories closing and the importance of preserving local economy. Meet local artists who call THE DELTA their home. Experience a historical place and meet people waiting to share their personal stories of hardships, inspiration and triumph.

Possible topics: Cuisine, civil rights, arts, blues, education, agriculture.

Overview

Content

This three-week HD workshop runs twice a year (February & September) in the heart of the Mississippi Delta and is designed for those who want to learn documentary filmmaking top to bottom in an intensive setting.

The workshop is unique because it explores every aspect of documentary filmmaking.

Past participants have included new and established filmmakers, writers, journalists, artists, photographers, graphic designers, theater actors and directors, musicians, educators and non profit organizations. Previous experience with filmmaking is NOT required. Producers, cinematographers, editors and writers with narrative experience who are considering working in non-fiction filmmaking are also encouraged to enroll. Photojournalists and print journalists who are looking to make the move to video journalism should strongly consider this workshop.

Students learn all aspects of the process including the importance of the still image, HD cameras, archives, compact lighting methods, wireless mics, how to structure and weave the story and how to edit in the field with Final Cut Pro.

The workshop is unique because it explores every aspect of documentary filmmaking. Led by filmmaker and founder of Barefoot Workshops, Chandler Griffin along with other instructors will help you develop an understanding for the visual structure, style, and production requirements of a wide variety of documentaries along with storytelling and the art of writing and directing. This will include laying a visual foundation by spending many hours exploring how light, composition, and the decisive moment make up the image. Many different lighting techniques and styles will be covered using Lowel lighting kits. Editing demos will use Final Cut Pro. The goal of the course is to provide an intense overview of the art of the documentary process. Every student will learn how to evaluate non-fiction ideas, create their own ideas and develop an understanding of documentary film aesthetics and the storytelling process.

Philosophy

At Barefoot Workshops, students don't study textbooks, they make films.

But we also say, "It's not about film," meaning that the experience you have telling someone's story, and how that experience changes you, your subject, and the community is what Barefoot is all about.

Learning how to tell a story well will move your audience, which is both exciting and a humbling experience. Students learn that the filmmaker/artist becomes "the keeper" of a person's story. Your subject will entrust you with their story and it becomes your responsibility to honestly tell that story. Sitting at the Barefoot screening that ends each workshop, you will see your film impact your subjects and their friends, family and community. There is nothing else like this experience and it will change your life.

On Monday of Week 1, it seems impossible that you will have completed documentary by Friday of Week 3. But since 2005, our students' track record is 100%. We are very proud of this, and the dedication of our students and teachers in the intense process of filmmaking.

At the final screening, people don't just applaud the filmmakers, they also applaud the people whose stories were told. We always have the filmmakers and subjects stand up so that they can be acknowledged. It's a beautiful thing to witness. This is when it clicks for most people and they realize that their film is much bigger than they are. It's empowering.

At Barefoot Workshops, you stand in cotton fields and listen to stories about the difficult life of sharecroppers, when we sit on the banks of the Mississippi River, you hang out in a juke joint and hear sounds that have defined American music. You are part of history in an incredibly rich area of the United States.

Those of us who teach with Barefoot have seen all of these things over and over. It's what brings us back every year to repeat the impossible process of making a documentary in three weeks.

The Program

The workshop runs every day. There will be lectures, screenings, presentations, technical demos, a review and critique of dailies, supervised editing sessions, discussion of documentaries, and individual meetings with the Chandler and the other instructors. The workshop combines lectures and presentations with supervised and formal instruction in production demos (camera, lighting, sound, editing), story structure, shooting on location, transcribing, screening and discussion of current and classic documentaries.

We screen on the last Friday of the workshop. The following Saturday will be used as a time to reflect and make any final changes to the films before posting to the internet. Barefoot will post to Vimeo and Youtube and links will be sent to all students.

Production

The workshop will break into groups of three with each group producing a completed 10 minute piece shot on video and edited with Final Cut Pro. Students will break into groups based on stories they have chosen. Barefoot does not choose the story for students. We have tons of ideas and will share many of them, but it is up to the individuals to decide what films should be made. By day two every person in the workshop will have a few ideas for stories. Ideas will be pitched in a group session. Stories are then chosen based on the obvious and what is realistic. The faster groups form, the faster the films start. Once students let the subject(s) know and the subjects are open to the idea of being filmed, students must start to schedule interviews and when scenes will be filmed. Groups will then write outlines to guide their production and map questions. From there they will conduct interviews, film B-roll and coverage for a sequence, record sound and take their material into post-production.

All interviews will be transcribed, which simplifies the writing process. Students are walked through the process of first creating an edit on paper using the note card method. Once the story has been written (note cards arranged), students then move on the computer, where after assembly into the final edit, they will color correct, mix sound and add titles to the finished documentary. The projects will encompass the diversity of documentary styles and allow the individual the chance to problem-solve by learning to work as a team.

*** Collaboration is an important part of this process ***

Presentation

On the last Friday of the workshop the documentaries will be screened for the community to enjoy. The filmmakers are encouraged to invite family, friends and individuals featured in their documentary. All films are screened at 8pm. Because of the full support of The Mississippi Film Office, documentaries produced in Barefoot’s Mississippi Delta documentary workshops are automatically accepted for a special screening at the Crossroads International Film & Video Festival in Jackson, Mississippi.

Food

Meals are part of the tuition booking but we recommend that you purchase snacks if you want something other than the three meals a day. There is a grocery store nearby so it's no big deal to purchase things locally. We'll occasionally go out to an optional "dinner out" where students are responsible for their own meal. If you opt out, there is always a meal at home. On designated days students will be allowed to go out on their own. You'll want to get out for meals when you can. We spend so many evenings in the classroom that it's nice to get out. But there is always dinner at home if you choose to stay in.

Please let us know if you have any dietary needs that should be addressed. * Vegetarian, gluten free, etc.

Research/Ideas For Stories

If you want to get a jump on ideas and learn about the "characters" in town please feel free to start looking around. Email us if you want to get started early.

Equipment

The workshop is sponsored by Canon USA, Sennheiser, Lowel Lighting, Bogen Imaging, Delkin, GoPro, Inqscribe & PluralEyes. Other companies will send equipment as needed. Each team gets their own camera, tripod, shotgun mic, wireless mic and MAC laptop assigned to them.

Can I bring my own equipment to use in the workshop?

If you are using any of the Canon HD or DSLR cameras, feel free to bring your camera along to possibly use. If you have another brand, you will not be able to use it for filming your documentary but you are more than welcome to bring your equipment and show it. We say this because we have no room for error and can't get sidetracked with outside formats, conversions, etc.

Will I need a hard drive?

YES, We HIGHLY recommend that all students bring an external hard drive to back up projects. When the workshop is over, you will want to take your documentary media and Final Cut Pro project file home. Barefoot will have a copy of your entire film on our drive, but it is one of the most important things you will take with you. This is not required but if you want to leave with your media, bring a drive.

Suggested Hard Drive:

1. Glyph Technologies 2TB Quad Interface Hard Drive. This drive is around $239.00 at Tekserve (NYC people) or B&H. See this drive at B & H.

Drives are inexpensive these days so go with the best. Glyph drives will not go down. If your Glyph drive goes down during the workshop, I'll personally call Glyph and have it replaced. Do not bring anything that is less than 2TB.

You cannot use a USB2 drive to edit your film. The Glyph Drive has Firewire 800 and/or USB3.

Can I bring a drive made by another company?

Yes, but we can't guarantee that the drive will not go down. Remember, this is a three-week workshop and we have no room for error.

Should I bring my laptop?

YES... it will be hugely helpful to have your laptop. Barefoot will assign your team a MAC laptop but it is a huge help to have your own laptop for research and transcribing. If you have a MAC, we highly recommend you bring it. We can load a temporary transcription software on your computer, which will speed things up when typing out your interviews. You are not allowed to use a Barefoot Workshops computer to surf the internet and check your email. It is specifically for editing your documentary.

Planning Your Trip

For the eightteenth time, students are housed on historic Hopson Plantation at The Shack Up Inn. Students are responsible for booking their own rooms and should contact The Shack Up Inn as soon as a deposit has been paid. Housing Options: #1 Shacks. A shack has two bedrooms and shares a bathroom. #2 Bins. A bin is more like a hotel room and is single occupancy. Shacks are considered more rustic and authentic. Both have heat and AC. All bins are designed the same way, while shacks are all different. Please visit The Shack Up Inn website for more information on housing options. www.theshackupinn.com Wireless is available at The Shack Up Inn. Washer/dryer is also available. Laundry detergent not provided.

The Shack Up Inn

(662) 624-8329

www.theshackupinn.com

Transportation

The easiest way to rent a car is through the Memphis airport. People who know each other could consider splitting the cost of renting a car to make it cheaper but there is no guarantee that you will be making the same documentary. www.kayak.com is a good place to start. You must have transportation figured out for workshops held in Clarksdale, so unless you are driving your own car to the workshop, you'll need to rent something.

Airport

Please fly into the Memphis (MEM) airport. It is very easy to get to Clarksdale from Memphis, 80 minutes... assuming you don't get lost in a cotton field. Highway 61 runs from Memphis down to Clarksdale and we are right off the highway set back in a cotton field. Please visit The Shack Up Inn for directions. If you have a smart phone just enter "001 commissary circle, Clarksdale ms" in it and it will lead you down the highway.

When To Arrive & When Do We Start

The class runs full days from February 8th - 27th. All students should arrive on Sunday the 7th in the early afternoon 1pm or 2pm arrival at the Memphis airport. This will give you enough time to get your rental car and get to Clarksdale in the late afternoon. If you have them time, consider coming down the day before (Saturday) and relaxing before it all starts. It will be a very long workshop once we begin on Monday morning. If you want to come down a day earlier, let the Shack Up Inn know by emailing them at shackup@shackupinn.com. If you are coming down a day early, check with the shacks before you book your ticket to make sure housing is available.

We will have an informal meeting after the 7pm dinner on Sunday evening (the 7th) and class officially starts on Monday morning at 9am.

When To Leave

The workshop is over on the morning of Sunday the 28th of February. Checkout is at 11am. People pack up and are usually headed back to the Memphis airport in the late morning or early afternoon. A 1pm or 2pm departure is normal.

Quotes

“What makes this workshop rise so far, far above is how fully all of the instructors give of themselves – they give not just what they know, but also who and what they are. It's one of those impossibly wonderful experiences that really does have to be experienced to be understood.”

Paula Froke, USA

Deputy National Editor Associated Press

“It was very well drilled that it’s about learning and trying to understand the true story of a place or a person and connect with them. Also about the responsibility you have telling one’s story. Barefoot Workshops was an eye opening, heart enlarging and taste developing experience. You learn so much you can feel the growth.”

Gabriella Willenz, Israel

“It changed my life... It is about the story, about people, about moving others.”

Yara Hannema, Holland

“Barefoot is beyond your expectations and brings your documentary dreams to reality!”

Nina Shah, India

“Overall something has shifted inside of me in a positive way – which if you could put that in context – is huge. But as I am still processing – having just got home last night -it has changed me in ways that are still intangible. I have a fire in the belly that hasn’t burnt in five years. So that’s quite something... If you want to learn to create films spend three years at film school, if you actually want to make films spent two to four weeks at a Barefoot Workshop, It’s quite a ride, but worth it.”

Edwina Mason, Australia

“Making a film about a subject you have not yet decided, with someone you have never met before, and who obviously has a different approach and point of view than you, in a town and state you have never been before, learning all the process from basic camera operating to lighting and interview techniques, ending up in editing in FCP, all in less than 2 weeks, is quite of a challenge. And this is the interesting part of it. It is real. You have to make a film, a real film, about 10 minutes long, and you have no choice, but it has to be a good film and it better look good, because you are showing it to over 50 people at the end of the course. The structure of the program, its flexibility, its friendliness, the informal and unique aspect of the location, the sharing between students, and the learning from the teachers who are all talented professional, makes this workshop unique and fully worth it. I have validated a lot of my previous technical skills during the workshop, and we have concluded it with an 8 minute film which I liked a lot, sorry but I am just sincere here. It is the result of a combined effort with my partner student, where we fully dedicated our efforts to reflect a small side of someone’s life into this short film, and we succeeded. I am extremely motivated in continuing further in this direction, and making this a new starting point in my career. ”

Jean-Hugues Houdin, France

“documentary workshop experience is about honoring the creative process, collaboration, and being a conduit for the sharing of people's voices. I think the name "Barefoot" implies walking in this world with a sensitivity and respect for different cultures and people. I think "It's not about the film" to imply that it is not just about the external manifestation of a story told through film, but rather the transformation of self in relationship to others through the act of listening. Thanks to the Barefoot Workshops, I successfully got my feet wet in learning the basics of documentary filmmaking. I walked away with a short, ten minute, documentary that has impacted my life, profoundly connected me to a place (Clarksdale, Mississippi) and hopefully inspired those who told their stories. Thank you for providing me the opportunity to discover the power of listening and storytelling”

Hilary Cline, USA

At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, I want to tell everyone that this workshop inspired a confidence and freedom to create I haven’t felt in years. I came to Mississippi hoping to complete something from start to finish—to have a finished product. I left feeling simultaneously more capably human and artist than I have in years. Worlds have opened up for me I didn’t know existed, and now I see the potential for documenting Stories everywhere.”

Susan Fritz, USA

“It’s about the experience of learning the craft, engaging with your surroundings, and collaborating with your peers. It’s commendable to create an award-winning doc but the experiences listed above far outweigh awards and nominations. Chandler, his selection of top- notch instructors, and phenomenal support staff create the most worthwhile environment and experience for learning documentary filmmaking. These educators are infinitely passionate about not only creativity and craft, but also the latest technology. Most important, Barefoot Workshops creates a comfortable environment where collaboration, communication, learning, and progress come naturally because of the instructors’ ability to instill passion in creatives of all ages and ethnicities.”

David Wright, USA

“Exceptional quality and value for those interested in expanding their knowledge and ability in documentary story telling.”

John Buffaloe, USA

“I asked virtually no questions ahead of time; just went on a very strong gut feeling and instinct that this would be something very, very special. To say it and you came through is the understatement of the century. As I’ve said many times, words just can’t possibly do it justice. Floyd in the cotton field. Lighting lessons at midnight. Dinosaur tails and spectacular sunsets and soul-rocking music and the 24-hour pure passion and dedication of four fantastic instructors. Total immersion, an instant family, friends for life – it was the spirit as much as all the phenomenal technical knowledge that made this so extraordinary. What makes this workshop rise so far, far above is how fully all of the instructors give of themselves – they give not just what they know, but also who and what they are. It’s one of those impossibly wonderful experiences that really does have to be experienced to be understood.”

Paula Froke, USA

“It has made me realize that the responsibility of telling a truthful story supercedes all obstructions, distractions, and doubts. The world today is so prone to skip the most valuable aspects of humanity, and we are compelled to capture and illustrate those very moments on film. If you want to tell a story that matters, a story that changes the world, come to Barefoot and let your voice be heard.”

Stephen Moody, USA

Photos & Videos

Susan Allen Liles and David Rae Morris explore the colorful complexities of Delta rocker and artist, Duff Dorrough of Ruleville.