AFTRS Open

Presented by Steve Thomas, this practical two day course will show you how to translate a documentary idea into a successful proposal. You will explore the purpose, depth, narrative and theme of your idea and define your approach and style. The course is ideal for documentary makers who have the idea but need to develop it into an effective proposal that funding bodies and broadcasters will support. Participants should bring an idea that they can develop over the two days of this ha... [More]

The aim of this two day course is to provide participants with the resources, storytelling skills and contacts that will enable them to create long form radio documentaries. The course is global in scope and will assist participants in selling their work to broadcasters around the world. Convened by Colm McNaughton, a multi-award winning radio documentary producer, participants will gain an insight into the stories that broadcasters around the world are looking for. In addition part... [More]

Creative Tax Essentials builds on Monica Davidson’s hugely successful Running Your Own Creative Business course and focuses on taxation issues for practitioners in the creative industries. This course is absolutely essential for those seeking to fulfil the legal and taxation obligations of a creative business. Your financial viability and success relies on your ability to navigate the business arena and tax obligations. Participants in Creative Tax Essentials will walk away with a n... [More]

doc·u·men·ta·ry adjective Movies, Television. Based on or re-creating an actual event, era, life story, etc., that purports to be factually accurate and contains no fictional elements:a documentary life of Gandhi. Have an idea for a documentary but aren’t sure where to start? Interested to learn more about the genre? This 2 day course will give you everything you need to know about documentaries and how to start moving your documentary ideas into actual productions. AFI nominated do... [More]

This Masterclass is a unique opportunity for filmmakers to get up-close and personal with Tom Zubrycki, one of Australia’s most celebrated documentary filmmakers who for the last 30 years has mapped Australia’s changing social and political landscape. His credits include The Temple of Dreams (2007), Molly & Mobarak (2003), The Diplomat (2000), Billal (1996), and his most recent documentary The Hungry Tide (2011), about the human face of climate change affecting the vulnerable nation... [More]

A practical and conceptual workshop that familiarises documentary filmmakers with differing interview techniques and styles. This course’s primary objective is to equip participants with the skills necessary to develop powerful interviewing techniques. By the end of the course participants will have a clear understanding of the requirements for documentary interviewing, including approaches required, technique and ethical considerations. A series of practical exercises will identify... [More]

This course is aimed at Introduction to Intermediate Level Producers/directors/filmmakers. This two day course will cover the various responsibilities a producer of documentary takes on. Whether you are producer of your own documentary or you have been asked to producers another filmmakers documentary the following teachings will help guide you thru that process and help you understand what is required of you...The Producer. Phillipa will be using real examples from her previous wor... [More]

This AFTRS course is devoted to developing the skills and craft of narrative based documentary making, aiming to assist participants develop grounded and dynamic film structures. The course curriculum includes learning the skills required to write winning proposals and exceptional, entertaining and integrated narrative scripts. Participants will examine the structure and possibilities of working in, and writing, different forms of documentary, including drama and experimental docume... [More]

While acknowledging the importance of observational documentary, this course is devoted to furthering the skills and craft of the narration based documentary. It will help you develop solid dynamic film structures and show you how to write winning proposals as well as excellent and entertaining integrated narration scripts. The course will examine the structures and possibilities of working in and writing different forms of documentary, such as drama docs, bio-pics, and experimental... [More]

A great researcher is an asset to any production, and this course is designed to give you the key skills to work across all genres of factual television. Course participants will learn through practical exercises, lectures, screenings and discussions about how to research and write a one off series doco, magazine segment or current affairs proposal. Subjects covered will include: • how to identify potential stories and angles for different program formats • The different research to... [More]