LONDON FILM ACADEMY

MENU

Documentary Filmmaking Certificate

Documentary Filmmaking Certificate

If you have an idea for a documentary and want to turn your dream into reality, this intensive, 6-week course will provide the grounding you need to transform your initial concept into a gripping factual film. With hands-on training from practising documentary professionals, you will gain all the skills you need and make your own collaborative documentary ready to pitch and package to the industry.

You'll work with broadcast quality digital cameras and learn and develop your skills in cinematography and sound. Hone your editing skills with Adobe Premiere Pro before you pitch your final project to a panel of documentary industry professionals.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Duration: 6 weeks, full-time
Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (plus additional hours incl. evenings and weekends)

Make your own collaborative documentary in 6 weeks! Join our intensive six-week Documentary Filmmaking Certificate course to gain practical skills, documentary filmmaking experience and industry understanding to develop your own documentaries.

If you’ve got an idea for a documentary and want to know how to develop your idea into a gripping narrative then our Documentary Filmmaking provides the perfect grounding. We teach you documentary research methodologies and how to apply them to your productions to get them started. Throughout the course you will receive hands-on training by practising documentary professionals, equipping you with sought-after, industry relevant skills. You also gain an understanding of the different sectors of the documentary industry and how to effectively pitch and package your work to an industry panel.

Over the six weeks you:

  • Develop new and existing cinematography and sound abilities
  • Experience working with broadcast-quality digital cameras
  • Learn editing skills using Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Practise pitching your final projects to a panel of documentary industry professionals

Working in small groups with excellent tutor-to-student ratios ensures that you benefit from the close-knit nurturing environment that we strive for at London Film Academy. Regular group feedback sessions, mentoring and technical support enhance your learning and your individual project needs.

All final documentary film projects are screened in our cinema.

Course Goals

  • Gain a thorough understanding of the basics of documentary filmmaking, including the UK film market, budgeting and funding
  • Learn pitching skills to successfully promote your documentary idea or completed project
  • Gain the ability to develop an idea into a treatment, using the research and storytelling tools taught on the course
  • Complete a five-minute Documentary short film
  • Learn technical skills on digital camera operating, sound recording/mixing and lighting
  • Learn basic Adobe Premiere Pro skills
  • Knowledge of Documentary short film development, production and post production

While on the course and for one month after you will receive complementary membership with LFA networking Filmmaker's Club

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

To book your place on this course please:
Apply online or 
Apply by post, print out the application form and post to London Film Academy, 52A Walham Grove, London, SW6 1QR, email admissions@londonfilmacademy.com or fax to 0207 381 6116. As soon as we've received your application we’ll send you a confirmation email containing payment details. Please check your ‘Junk Mail’ folder if you appear to have not received this email.

ENTRY CRITERIA

  • Our Six-Week Documentary Filmmaking Certificate course is open enrolment and there are no entry requirements.
  • All applicants must be fluent in English: English Language Level: Upper Intermediate
  • Minimum age 18

VISA REQUIREMENTS
All international students from outside the EEA (non-EU countries) must obtain a Short-Term Study Visa to enter the UK. The UK government has introduced a Points Based System for Immigration that has several ‘Tiers’ (the Student Tier, Tier 4, came into force on 31 March 2009). 

You can check if you need a visa by visiting the UK IMMIGRATION VISA (UKVI) website. You can also check with the British Embassy or Consulate in your own country or, if there is not one where you live, in a neighbouring country.

Visa applications can be a lengthy process and therefore it is advisable to apply well in advance of your planned trip.

SHORT TERM STUDY VISA
For students studying on a course of 6 months or less (i.e. LFA Certificates, Foundations and Specialised courses)

NB: Do not travel to the UK if you wish to study without first obtaining the correct student visa. If you enter the UK under a short-term study visa or the incorrect student visa, you will not be able to switch this to the relevant visa without first returning to your home country.

London Film Academy has been reviewed by QAA (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education) for Educational Oversight.

 

APPLY NOW & COURSE DATES

To apply online please click on the course date below.

APPLY FOR THIS COURSE

Course Calendar

Discover our wide range of courses

Book A Tour

Visit LFA, meet the staff and see what we have to offer

I believe that the teaching I received at the LFA was a key factor in being able to start a career in such a competitive industry. I honed my craft, using the skills I received on the course and obtained my first screenwriting job, which quickly led to my current position as Development Exec for Elstree Studio Productions.

Jake Rowlands, Screenwriting Diploma

The LFA Screenwriting Diploma is particularly useful since its academic objectives are tied into LFA’s commitment to faithfully reflect the conditions of real world filmmaking, where the pressures and challenges of development and production are an intrinsic part of the process. The necessity of rewriting is often omitted from less grounded portrayals of the craft, at LFA it is front and centre from day one. 

Michael Holden, Screenwriter

The Filmmaking Certificate course was, without doubt, the highlight of my year. Thank you to all the staff at LFA for a fantastic month where I had a great time, I made new friends and I learned a lot.

Aaron Williams, Filmmaking Certificate

Going through all of the aspects of filmmaking in my one year at LFA has been a positive stepping stone into the professional world. This course helped me select Directing as a career path for the future.

Mehreen Hasan, Filmmaking Diploma

The LFA Filmmaker's Club network enabled me to set up my own production company and to attempt to produce my first feature film. LFA have given me a promising route up the industrial film mountain that lies before me!

Linzy Attenborough, Director, Thought Juice Films

Collaboration is crucial to filmmaking, and in keeping with this, one of the key criteria applied when selecting people for the diploma is there likely capacity for team work.

The Guardian, Shooting Stars

The LFA Showcase kick-started everything for me. It helped get me an agent, meetings with production companies and invitations to several film festivals.

Tom Rowson, Filmmaking Diploma Graduate

The commitment of the tutors is very strong and I appreciated being in touch with them even after my year of studies. 

Jean Philippe Gossart, LFA Graduate

The Foundation course gave me the confidence to pursue my career as a director. Following the course I made my first film through Club Panico, with most of the crew being fellow students. I am now represented by an agent and have made several award-winning films.

Rachel Tillotson, Director, Foundation Graduate

Being inspired is one of the most important things to feel in any industry but especially this one. I enjoy coming to class every morning, be it scriptwriting, cinematography, or sound - immersing and challenging myself within every department. 

Tessa Von Erlach
Our Fake Watches UK have the same look as original watches and our Cheap Michael Kors Handbags feature high quality movements. Now the latest trend is to go for fashionable Replica omega because they are with low price and have the same look color and style as designer authentic Replica Watches.If you want your watch to be as much a piece of art as it is a piece of jewelry or a functional object, a Rolex Replica must de watches is an ideal choice!All top-notch fake cartier must de from our various websites are extremely authentic Rolex Replica and guaranteed brand new.