DOCUMENTARY DEVELOPMENT, FUNDING & PRODUCTION Online WORKSHOP

Got a documentary idea but feel overwhelmed by where to start and how to actually make it? This course covers the whole process of documentary production, focussing rightly on the development stages of finding the right idea, developing and pitching it and then planning out the production.

This is a 1 day, online workshop, delivered by internationally award-winning documentary producer, Dean Arnett starting at 9.30 UK time.

An ‘in-person’ version of this course in London is available on the 21st June

Unlock the secrets to creating impactful documentaries with our Documentary Development, Funding, and Production Masterclass. This comprehensive course is designed to guide aspiring and established filmmakers through every stage of the documentary filmmaking process, from conceptualization to final delivery. Whether you’re a beginner with a powerful idea or a seasoned professional looking to refine your approach, this masterclass equips you with the tools, techniques, and insider knowledge to bring your vision to life.

The course begins with the fundamentals of documentary development, helping you craft compelling narratives, identify key themes, and structure your story for maximum emotional and intellectual impact. You’ll learn how to research effectively, secure access to subjects, and navigate the ethical challenges unique to documentary filmmaking. We’ll also cover the art of creating a winning pitch deck and treatment that captures the attention of funders and production partners.

Funding is a critical aspect of documentary filmmaking, and this masterclass dives deep into the strategies for securing financial support. You’ll explore grant applications, crowdfunding, sponsorships, and partnerships, as well as learn how to build budgets that attract investors and meet production goals. Once funded, the course transitions to production, covering essential skills like directing interviews, capturing high-quality visuals and audio, and managing a production team. Finally, you’ll explore post-production workflows, distribution strategies, and how to navigate the festival circuit to get your documentary seen by the world.

By the end of this masterclass, you’ll have a clear roadmap to develop, fund, and produce your documentary, along with the confidence and expertise to make it a reality. Join us to turn your ideas into powerful stories that inspire and resonate with audiences globally.

BOOK EARLY & GET 50% OFF WITH A LIMITED NUMBER OF EARLY-BIRD TICKETS

50% OFF WITH AN EARLY-BIRD TICKET £95 / $125

Limited numbers of tickets are available for this event at £245 ( or $325 US dollars). 

Be quick and get an early bird ticket for 50% of the normal price, or £125 ( or $165 US dollars)

STANDARD TICKET £195 / $260

WHY YOU NEED THIS COURSE

Don’t waste any more time trying to get your documentary course off the ground. Get focussed with this masterclass, the very same course designed and delivered to broadcasters all over the world.

This masterclass is based on the course that Dean delivers all over the world to broadcasters and corporate clients including the BBC, ITV, Media Corp, Press Association, Frontline Club and many others.

Countless documentaries and series have been commissioned as a direct result of being developed through this course

With Dean Arnett’s documentary development and production course, you’ll learn the ins and outs of documentary filmmaking, including how to develop and pitch your ideas, how to conduct interviews and research, how to shoot and edit your footage, and how to navigate the distribution and marketing process.

Distill your idea down into a powerful pitch that no one will be able to say no to.

Focus your story idea, develop it so only you can make this film. Identify the emotional hooks that will grab the audience and design a narrative that will drive the audience to the very end.

Journalists

This course has been delivered to journalists around the world, including those working in the newsrooms in the UK, Egypt, across Africa and across India. 

Film-makers

Want to take your filmmaking to the next level and produce broadcast stule documentaries? This is for you.

Content Creators

Content Creators and Digital Publishers around the world have made the next step into broadcast documentaries by taking this course.

Campaigners

Nothing convinces audiences of your message better than an in-depth documentary.

What's in this course?

DOCUMENTARY DEVELOPMENT, FUNDING & PRODUCTION MASTERCLASS SYLLABUS

MODULE 1
Introduction
The definition of documentary
The difference between short form and long form
Know your audience
What is a story
What is a story Pt 2
MODULE 2
Focus your story
Selling your story
The pitch
Research & Voice
Why should the audience care?
MODULE 3
Selling the Project
The cover letter
More story focussing
The human condition
The difference between 'good' & 'great'
The Proposal
Structure
Theme
MODULE 4
The opening
The treatment
The edit
Writing the script
Commissioning & Funding
Cultivating Funding Relationships
Other Funding Options
Processes & Paperwork
Extra Resources
Summary

BOOK EARLY & GET 50% OFF WITH A LIMITED NUMBER OF EARLY-BIRD TICKETS

50% OFF WITH AN EARLY-BIRD TICKET £95 / $125

Limited numbers of tickets are available for this event at £245 ( or $325 US dollars). 

Be quick and get an early bird ticket for 50% of the normal price, or £125 ( or $165 US dollars)

STANDARD TICKET £195 / $260

Who is this course for?

If you are an aspiring documentary maker or even an established documentary maker who wants to create better, more powerful documentaries, then this is the course for you.

A broadcast standard documentary development and production course for everyone from beginners to established documentary producers.

This course has been used by individuals, freelancers and big broadcasters like the BBC.

BOOK EARLY & GET 50% OFF WITH A LIMITED NUMBER OF EARLY-BIRD TICKETS

50% OFF WITH AN EARLY-BIRD TICKET £95 / $125

Limited numbers of tickets are available for this event at £245 ( or $325 US dollars). 

Be quick and get an early bird ticket for 50% of the normal price, or £125 ( or $165 US dollars)

STANDARD TICKET £195 / $260

COURSE OUTCOMES

By completing this course, participants will:

Delegates will come away knowing exactly what they need to do in the research, planning and pre-production of a documentary before they pitch.. They will know what a successful pitch, proposal and treatment should look like. They will know if they have a decent documentary idea.

.

WHO IS YOUR TRAINER?

Dean Arnett is a former BBC, internationally award winning documentary producer. As a former BBC Academy training manager, he has designed and delivered acclaimed courses that set industry standards. His filmmaking portfolio includes projects for prestigious platforms such as the BBC, Discovery, Amazon Prime, Al Jazeera, and many others.

Over the years, Dean has developed and conducted training courses for a diverse range of clients, including broadcasters, marketing agencies, NGOs, and digital publishers worldwide. His extensive client list features organizations such as the BBC, ITV, STV, MediaCorp, Internews, Irex, AP, and more, reflecting his global expertise and versatility.

An innovator in the media industry, Dean has been at the forefront of integrating AI into news and media workflows. He has created AI-focused courses that have been delivered to broadcasters and digital publishers globally and has spoken extensively at conferences on AI’s opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations. Today, he produces as many films using AI as he does with conventional workflows. All his training courses are designed to meet broadcast-quality standards and are available in flexible formats, including face-to-face, on-location, live, or pre-recorded online sessions.

BOOK EARLY & GET 50% OFF WITH A LIMITED NUMBER OF EARLY-BIRD TICKETS

50% OFF WITH AN EARLY-BIRD TICKET £95 / $125

Limited numbers of tickets are available for this event at £245 ( or $325 US dollars). 

Be quick and get an early bird ticket for 50% of the normal price, or £125 ( or $165 US dollars)

STANDARD TICKET £195 / $260

OTHER MEDIA & BROADCAST TRAINING COURSES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

BOOK EARLY & GET 50% OFF WITH A LIMITED NUMBER OF EARLY-BIRD TICKETS

50% OFF WITH AN EARLY-BIRD TICKET £95 / $125

Limited numbers of tickets are available for this event at £245 ( or $325 US dollars). 

Be quick and get an early bird ticket for 50% of the normal price, or £125 ( or $165 US dollars)

STANDARD TICKET £195 / $260