
"Given the recent unfolding of racial justice issues in our country today, I am being called to work with BIPOC filmmakers – specifically those documenting stories of social justice -- to share with them skills and knowledge that can support their filmmaking process. With this in mind, I began developing a series of workshops tailored specifically for BIPOC filmmakers. I began this process by taking into consideration were BIPOC documentary filmmakers need the most help. I’ve compiled data from my experience consulting on projects by BIPOC filmmakers, being in readers panels for multiple funding institutions including Creative Capital, Firelight Media, Latino Public Broadcasting, and by asking BIPOC filmmakers, especially emerging ones, in what areas they would like to develop their skills, get support and have a mentorship experience. Through this research, I found that the majority of BIPOC filmmakers need guidance with fundraising, how to write an effective grant proposal, and how to best approach stories of vulnerable communities. These workshops I’ve created are a safe space where BIPOC filmmakers can fulfill their needs and gain the skills necessary to move their projects forward with confidence and ease.
I hope you feel as excited as I do about these master classes/workshops I am sharing with you. For me, they are an opportunity to do something I love, as well as a way to humbly pay forward the support and mentorship I have received from so many filmmakers who came before me."
Anayansi
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING WORKSHOP SERIES FOR BIPOC FILMMAKERS
NOTE: These classes are currently only available to organizations interested in offering them to their members and/or the general public. They are available as one-day masterclasses or two or three day workshops.
1. GET FUNDED!
How to write a competitive grant application
As visual storytellers, many filmmakers tend to agonize with putting their vision and ideas in writing. In my experience as a reader for film funds and a documentary consultant, I often see filmmakers struggling to articulate the vision for their film on paper – from story to distribution. In this class, participants will learn easy-to-apply techniques on how to write a clear, engaging and, most importantly, a fundable grant application. In this master class/workshop I use examples from my successfully funded proposals along with a series of written exercises I’ve developed to guide participants on how to clearly organize and express their ideas & visions.
2. DECOLONIZING THE MIND OF BIPOC STORYTELLERS
How to document stories of injustice in communities of color with dignity
Many documentary filmmakers make films that uncover and shed light on injustices, specifically those happening in communities of colors. To convey the gravity of these situations, filmmakers must explore in depth the hardships faced by people in unjust situations. In this process, there can be a tendency to focus too much on the hardship and not enough, or at all, in the strength and triumphs of people and communities of color. This over-driven passion to shed light on injustices can end up being a disservice the story. In this class, I will use samples of my documentary work with vulnerable subjects to discuss techniques filmmakers can apply to prevent documenting stories in which people of color are perceived as victims, rather than as resilient people facing challenging situations. Through a series of writing exercises, participants will learn ways to find the strength and dignity in their stories, in the toughest of situations.
3. BUILD YOUR OWN CLASS/WORKSHOP
Do you have an idea for a class that you believe can make an impact in the work of BIPOC documentary filmmakers? If so, I will work with you on a designing a class that meets your needs and supports visionary BIPOC filmmakers today. Some suggested topics, which I’ve taught before, are:
Evaluation your Documentary Idea
In this class/workshop participants will go through a customized process I’ve personally created to evaluate whether their documentary idea is a feasible and ready to be made into a film. Students will walk away with easy-to-apply techniques and written exercises to help them identify how to move forward with their documentary ideas and make it into films.
Documentary Story Development
This class/workshop covers all aspects of story development including working on a story structure, research, identifying characters and their potential arcs, deciding on an artistic style, etc. By the end of the class/workshop participants will have a clear understanding of what are the next steps to take to complete the development phase and confidently embark on pre- production.
Verité Documentary Directing
I will use samples of my documentary work to teach techniques and address challenges pertaining to verité filmmaking like how to navigate access, conducting interviews, how to deal with potentially dangerous situations and when to turn off the camera. After this class/workshop, participants will have a clear understanding of the best practices of verité directing and what are actions and behaviors to avoid, so filming can be a comfortable experience for folks behind and in front of the camera.
Social Impact & Educational Distribution
Nowadays, as part of a funding application, funders often ask filmmakers to describe the social impact and distribution of their films. Often, filmmakers find themselves puzzled on how to do this especially if they are in the early stages of a project or it’s their first film. In this workshop, I will use examples of social impact campaigns I used for my films to illustrate the elements necessary for a successful campaign. Also, I will discuss how the educational distribution market works and ways in which documentary filmmakers can identify additional sources of revenue in this market. Participants will leave this class/workshop with instructions on how to identify potential partners and events for their social impact campaign, as well as an understanding on the various ways to maximize profit in the education market.
How to write a competitive grant application
As visual storytellers, many filmmakers tend to agonize with putting their vision and ideas in writing. In my experience as a reader for film funds and a documentary consultant, I often see filmmakers struggling to articulate the vision for their film on paper – from story to distribution. In this class, participants will learn easy-to-apply techniques on how to write a clear, engaging and, most importantly, a fundable grant application. In this master class/workshop I use examples from my successfully funded proposals along with a series of written exercises I’ve developed to guide participants on how to clearly organize and express their ideas & visions.
2. DECOLONIZING THE MIND OF BIPOC STORYTELLERS
How to document stories of injustice in communities of color with dignity
Many documentary filmmakers make films that uncover and shed light on injustices, specifically those happening in communities of colors. To convey the gravity of these situations, filmmakers must explore in depth the hardships faced by people in unjust situations. In this process, there can be a tendency to focus too much on the hardship and not enough, or at all, in the strength and triumphs of people and communities of color. This over-driven passion to shed light on injustices can end up being a disservice the story. In this class, I will use samples of my documentary work with vulnerable subjects to discuss techniques filmmakers can apply to prevent documenting stories in which people of color are perceived as victims, rather than as resilient people facing challenging situations. Through a series of writing exercises, participants will learn ways to find the strength and dignity in their stories, in the toughest of situations.
3. BUILD YOUR OWN CLASS/WORKSHOP
Do you have an idea for a class that you believe can make an impact in the work of BIPOC documentary filmmakers? If so, I will work with you on a designing a class that meets your needs and supports visionary BIPOC filmmakers today. Some suggested topics, which I’ve taught before, are:
Evaluation your Documentary Idea
In this class/workshop participants will go through a customized process I’ve personally created to evaluate whether their documentary idea is a feasible and ready to be made into a film. Students will walk away with easy-to-apply techniques and written exercises to help them identify how to move forward with their documentary ideas and make it into films.
Documentary Story Development
This class/workshop covers all aspects of story development including working on a story structure, research, identifying characters and their potential arcs, deciding on an artistic style, etc. By the end of the class/workshop participants will have a clear understanding of what are the next steps to take to complete the development phase and confidently embark on pre- production.
Verité Documentary Directing
I will use samples of my documentary work to teach techniques and address challenges pertaining to verité filmmaking like how to navigate access, conducting interviews, how to deal with potentially dangerous situations and when to turn off the camera. After this class/workshop, participants will have a clear understanding of the best practices of verité directing and what are actions and behaviors to avoid, so filming can be a comfortable experience for folks behind and in front of the camera.
Social Impact & Educational Distribution
Nowadays, as part of a funding application, funders often ask filmmakers to describe the social impact and distribution of their films. Often, filmmakers find themselves puzzled on how to do this especially if they are in the early stages of a project or it’s their first film. In this workshop, I will use examples of social impact campaigns I used for my films to illustrate the elements necessary for a successful campaign. Also, I will discuss how the educational distribution market works and ways in which documentary filmmakers can identify additional sources of revenue in this market. Participants will leave this class/workshop with instructions on how to identify potential partners and events for their social impact campaign, as well as an understanding on the various ways to maximize profit in the education market.
Recent partner clients include: