Introduce Yourself: Sign In Here First

Hi everyone,

My name is Leon McCarron. I studied film here in England for 3 years, and decided documentary was my passion, specifically the production, I am a cameraman and one-day director. I had enrolled in the New York Film Academy for their Winter filmmaking workshop (because I wanted to learn how to shoot on film as opposed to digital which I know) but I heard so many bad reports Im now having second thoughts.
I'm moving to New York on the 20th Nov, and staying until the 15th Feb – I would love to take a short course in documentary filmmaking instead of the NYFA, or even find an internship. Anyone got any ideas or advice? Id really appreciate it, because Im kinda stuck now!

Also Im planning a documentary which I will shoot as I cycle from New York to Sydney following my study, you can check it out at www.leonmccarron.com

Thanks a lot everyone, sorry for the super long intro!

Welcome, Leon. Hard to know which film schools actually teach shooting on film these days. I know the School of Visual Arts has a really strong and revitalized doc program, you might check them out. They also have individual film courses in their School of Continuing Education.

Hi Doug,
Thanks for the welcome, and the tip about the School of Visual Arts. Seems great, although unfortunately Ill just miss the window of their teaching. Any other ideas for workshops this christmas? Im really up for anything that will help further my documentary practical skills/knowledge.
Also, just to say this website seems like a fantastic resource, great work!

Hello

I've decided to start a documentary about finding my birth parents in Seoul, South Korea. I am in the early stages of preproduction and was wondering if anyone has had any experience shooting in South Korea and what it's like.
Here is a link to a short trailer I've posted a few years ago on youtube. Thanks! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It_AkCBAruk&feature=channel_page

Hi everone,

My name's Ash; I'm a British female journalist with seven years experience writing true-life stories for UK-based magazines and newspapers. Although my background's in journalism, I'm really passionate about breaking into the documentary film making industry, having recently been trained by a BBC producer and having made a documentary short.

I just wanted to ask whether anyone has any contacts or leads with Melbourne-based documentary film making companies, looking to hire someone in a research or production capacity? I'm hoping to relocate to Melbourne in early 2010 (I'm currently travelling through Australia, New Zealand and Asia).

Hope you're able to help and thanks so much for your time, Ash
ash.anand35@gmail.com
0064 2117 06195

Hi Everyone,

I call myself a reporter. I have worked as a reporter for several organs previously, but even when I was not formally employed as one, i considered myself one.

I was drawn to the documentary format because it was a natural extension of what I do. To me it nothing more, nothing less than another medium of expression – and one which is very handy in the arsenal of the reporter.

Being new to the documentary format I have joined the D-word to learn and to share. I have so far made two docs and in the early planning stages of a third.

They can be found here:

http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/news/watch/v19117753MeAyXThB#watch%3Dv19140232dPKkyM6H

http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/news/watch/v19117753MeAyXThB#

I know the production values are not right up there, but I promise to do better next time. Ruthless and dispassionate criticism will be gratefully received.

Best,
tapeit

Hi all,
I'm a documentary editor and do almost everything else that's needed in a small production company in the rugged coast of Connemara in Ireland.
Just discovered the website, well done.
I'm about to go to Medimed Documentary Market, in Spain in October with a documentary I edited.. Just wondering if anybody has been to past editions and could give me any feedback and advice on how to make the best out of this event.
Thanks for your time
Best
Manuela

Oops! Sorry guys, the first link in my earlier post does not work.
Please try this one, http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/news/watch/v19140232dPKkyM6H#
Cheers

Welcome, Julian and Manuela. Feel free to sign up for professional status here, which will give you access to many more discussions topics.

Hi everyone,

I heard Doug speak at IFP last week and wanted to see what the D-word was all about. I make grassroots docs to help make policy change in NJ.

Howdy and welcome, Lori. So why is someone making grassroots docs for policy change going to a panel on personal docmaking, huh huh? ;-)

I signed up for the day, so was there for that panel as well. I'm actually interested in all kinds of documentaries and personal essays are interesting to me from a sociological standpoint. I however, believe that real change only happens through legislative change. Perhaps at least one can measure the change in some way... I'm really enjoying the topic dialog with Pat Aufderheide about the Honest Truths report.

Dear D-word Nation,
Hello, My name is Julia Welbourne and I'm a freelance producer/editor who just recently moved from NYC to Seattle. I'm happy to have finally joined D-word at the advice of many!

I've worked on a number of feature docs over the last several years, wearing the many obligatory hats of documentary work. From development and coordinating to post management and editing.

Coming from the east, my Pacific Northwest network is small yet and I'm interested in not only developing some projects of my own, but in collaborating and networking with other local filmmakers.

Please feel encouraged to check out my profile for a more detailed bio- especially if you are in the PAC/Seattle area!

Thanks, and so glad to be here.
:D

the sausage fest just got a whole lot... uh... less sausagy

Welcome, Julia. FYI, Ryan is referring to the predominance of male, um, members in the Seattle area. They're clearly excited, and perhaps a wee threatened, by the diversity you bring to the area.

Julia,
Seattle Face 2 Face event is at 7:00 p.m., tomorrow, Sunday at the Village Inn down by Pike Place.
Check the F2F postings.

Thanks so much Marth-
I'll definitely be there!

And thanks also for the welcome Doug and thanks Ryan, I think.

;)
-Julia

Hello Everyone,

Visited this site now and then but never really had the time to be as involved as I'd like.

My passion is nature and wildlife but I've embarked on a doc about a local professional dance team. So I'm sure I'm going to need loads of advice in order to pull of something that's not in my normal comfort zone.

Hi Doug,
It just came to me that 31 Birch St is like Hamlet. Has any one ever told you that?
b

Actually, you're the first, Beth. But I'll assume it's a compliment, so thanks.

FYI, it's 51 Birch Street. 31 Birch would have been the Seiferts, and while I'm sure there was a fascinating story there, it will forever remain hidden from public view.

Anyway, a warm welcome to both you and Kevin.

Hi Doug,
yes I remembered it was 51 as I headed out the door and did wonder who was at 31, but its just the beginning of Hamlet, not the tragic ending as you may have got, I thought about it after seeing Jude Law talk about his role on charlie rose- what a weird connection.................
good luck on your new film, I saw the trailer at IFP and cried.

In reply to Julia Welbourne's post on Sun 4 Oct 2009 :

yeah, i meant it as a welcome of sorts... based on my d-word perceptions alone, i figured women didn't actually live in seattle. truly shocking revelation to find out there's actually 266,919 (as of 2005) women in seattle... who knew?

In reply to Beth Toni Kruvant's post on Mon 5 Oct 2009 :

Yes, quite often women see Jude Law and think of me.

hi all,

I'm based in Bradford, Yorkshire, England. I'm a filmmaker who is making a short documentary with some young people aged 13 – 14, about a project called "The Bradford Tea Party" which is bringing six groups of older people from different cultural backgrounds together to make ceramics and textiles celebrating their customs and cultures. I made my own first doc only this year. I'm excited and a bit nervous! A lot of responsibility involved in mentoring the young people through the project and I'm hoping they have a good experience. Good to meet you all.

Welcome all you newbies, you are now in w/ a very helpful and interesting group!