The Art of Filming and Editing Documentaries
A course by Juan Rayos , Photographer and Filmmaker
Learn how to make a documentary on a small budget, from the initial idea to the final edit
Learn how to make a documentary on a small budget, from the initial idea to the final edit
The most important aspect of filming a documentary is to convey emotions without overly distorting reality. The second is finding the right cinematic language to create a rich audiovisual piece because, according to Juan Rayos, photographer and filmmaker specializing in indie documentaries, how you tell a story is just as important as the story itself.
In this course, learn about the creative process behind independent documentaries, from an inspiring idea to the final edit. Find out how to create a project with your personal vision on a small budget and discover the secret to this art form: learning how to look.
What will you learn in this online course?
21 lessons & 21 downloads
- 98% positive reviews (215)
- 8,596 students
- 21 lessons (4h 45m)
- 21 additional resources (6 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
Recommended software for this course
DaVinci ResolveWhat is this course's project?
Make your own mini-documentary from start to finish by applying the key concepts learned in the course.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in the audiovisual world who wants to learn about each step involved in making a documentary.
Requirements and materials
You don't need years of experience nor professional film gear to take this course, just some basic camera skills and knowledge of editing software.
The only materials you need are a computer to edit your footage and a camera, although you can use your phone camera to complete the course since it teaches you how to work with limited resources and equipment: your ideas are more important than the camera used to capture them.
Reviews
A course by Juan Rayos
Juan Rayos is a photographer and filmmaker living in Madrid who has made a variety of documentaries on a range of topics like creative processes, urban culture, self-discovery, and travel as the path to self-improvement. He has also worked as an advertising producer making spots for brands like Zara, adidas, Ecoalf, and McDonald’s, as well as for institutions like the Reina Sofía Museum and the Royal Spanish Academy.
Juan's first feature-length documentary Endless Roads was broadcast in episodes on Vimeo and YouTube and racked up more than 11 million views and a Staff Pick. He followed it with Caballos Salvajes, Los primeros días, and La Sonrisa Verdadera, which was nominated at the Málaga Film Festival. He has also directed more experimental pieces and IN CINEMA, a series of video essays covering curious topics such as the use of circles, kisses, and pistols in the history of cinema.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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Presentation
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Influences
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U2
The preparation
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Types of documentary
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Ideas and research
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The protagonists and locations 1
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The protagonists and locations 2
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The treatment
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Script 1
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Script 2
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The shooting plan
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U3
The filming
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Financing and equipment
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Starting to roll
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Interviews 1
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Interviews 2
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U4
The montage
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The brutes
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First assembly 1
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First assembly 2
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Music
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Color and sound 1
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Color and sound 2
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Final assembly and export
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FP
Final project
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The art of making and editing documentaries
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Domestika's courses are online classes that provide you with the tools and skills you need to complete a specific project. Every step of the project combines video lessons with complementary instructional material, so you can learn by doing. Domestika's courses also allow you to share your own projects with the teacher and with other students, creating a dynamic course community.
All courses are 100% online, so once they're published, courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.
The courses are divided into different units. Each one includes lessons, informational text, tasks, and practice exercises to help you carry out your project step by step, with additional complementary resources and downloads. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum where you can interact with the teacher and with other students, as well as share your work and your course project, creating a community around the course.
You can redeem the course you received by accessing the redeeming page and entering your gift code.
DaVinci Resolve
dungeoneeringjay
PlusVery good
rodrigosalomosilva
Es muy buen curso
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susanagomezmoreno
Es un curso básico (tal y como se indica), y parte de las explicaciones están basadas en el sentido común, pero el profesor es muy cercano y fácil de seguir, sus referentes me han parecido muy inspiradores, y he aprendido bastante viendo su proceso de edición con DaVinci. Gracias por el curso :)
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juliacortazio
PlusCurso excelente, com uma didática clara e prática. O professor é muito talentoso e ensina de forma fácil e envolvente.
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gsarda88
Curso muy completo ideal para iniciarse en este mundo de documentales
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