Quickly Learn Step-by-Step How To Make A Documentary

As a first time filmmaker, it can be overwhelming to understand everything that goes into making a documentary. We've broken it all down into an easy step-by-step process.

  • Designed for complete beginners and first-time independent filmmakers.

  • A clear 7-day roadmap through the core steps of planning, shooting, editing and releasing your first documentary.

  • Updated guidance on today’s documentary workflow, including AI-assisted research, current tools, rights basics, audience-building and distribution options.

  • Daily assignments, quizzes and worksheets.

  • Downloadable resources and essential forms including scriptwriting & production templates, storyboard sketch sheet, a full documentary script sample, equipment check-list & more.

  • Certificate of Completion

Filmmaker

Adam Ybarra

The 7-Day crash course coaching kept me motivated and more importantly…educated to keep going forward. It was my foundation!!

The Truth About Making Documentaries

No doubt, making a documentary can be a daunting endeavor. Whether it's fundraising, idea development, writing a script, choosing gear, figuring out how to sell your film, talent releases or legal issues, every step of the process can seem overwhelming.

I get it. I've been there.

As a documentary producer and publisher of Desktop Documentaries, I see filmmakers making the same painful mistakes over and over again. Many of the mistakes I've made myself! Wouldn't you rather know ahead of time the common pitfalls and how to avoid the most common mistakes involved in making a documentary?

What if there was a simple step-by-step process you could follow - right here, right now - that shows you exactly how to make a documentary from beginning to end?

IMAGINE having a finished film that delights and entertains audiences, empowers people to action, enlightens a new way of thinking, ignites social change and/or makes the world a better place.

IMAGINE inviting all your friends to the premiere, attending film festivals and seeing your documentary showcased on HBO, Disney+ or Netflix!

Here's the thing.

There's a TON to learn about making a documentary and you could easily spend the next four years of your life studying every aspect of the process and STILL not know everything.

Here's what you've got to do.

Take. Action.

Without action, you're dead in the water.

What action can you take right now that will move you forward with your documentary project?

What's stopping you?

Do you feel that you need additional training? Do you need someone to guide you step by step through the process?

Do you need help getting unstuck or finding some motivation?

About the Course

The 7-Day Documentary Crash Course® is designed specifically to jump-start your documentary project and get you TAKING ACTION as quickly as possible.

Film school can be valuable, but it can also cost tens of thousands of dollars a year.

What this course gives you is an easy-to-follow blueprint of the documentary filmmaking process, with the core information, examples, assignments and worksheets you need to start moving your film forward.

"I found the course to be very inspirational and essential. My documentary is coming around well. Lots of interviews and door knocking still to go and, when it's done, I credit your course that helped me get started and finished." ~Martin Munday

Sampling of Topics in The 7-Day Crash Course

What To Expect With This Course

This is a multi-media course divided into easy bite-size lessons with video examples and graphical elements to further your understanding of each concept. Each day's lesson comes with an assignment and handy worksheet to help you work through all the important aspects of your documentary.

The course has also been refreshed with current notes on AI-assisted research, modern production tools, rights-aware resource gathering, audience-building and today’s distribution landscape.

In addition, you get a variety of other forms and exercises to help you throughout the making of your documentary such as production work sheets and story structure guides.

You'll have lifetime access to the course, so you can take the course as often as you like during the making of your documentary.

The goal for the course is to take the mystery out of the filmmaking process, help you avoid common pitfalls involved in making a documentary and give you the best information possible to help you make a successful film.

This course is not meant to replace film school, but if you decide to attend film school, you will be TEN STEPS ahead of everyone else.

And if you are already in the process of making your documentary, this course will help you clarify exactly how to move forward no matter where you are in the process.


Sample of Worksheets, Templates and Forms that come with the
7-Day Documentary Crash Course 



First-Time Filmmaker Adam Ybarra working through the 7-Day Documentary Crash Course® print-outs and worksheets. 

What Students Are Saying

Filmmaker
 

Andre Heizer

Amazing class that really jump started me as I created my first funded documentary.

I had an idea of how to do this, but this course helped guide me through various parts of the process I had no idea about.

Filmmaker
 

Asha Mevlana

I can't say enough good things about this course. It was exactly what I was looking for and WAY more.

I've gone to film school so some of the info was a refresher and a lot of it was new. For anyone looking to make a film, this is the perfect resource - comprehensive, organized and the information you will actually need. Would recommend this to anyone looking (to make) a film.

Filmmaker
 

Aramide Durand

Taking this course has demystified documentary film making hence I am encouraged to continue on my journey as a doc filmmaker :-)

The pathway to Documentary Film making is less daunting, I am certainly a lot more confident and I am actually getting excited about making my documentary.

Filmmaker
 

Andreas

I had absolutely no idea how to produce a film. When I found the 7-day crash course my heart took a leap of joy.

All of a sudden you find someone who takes first time filmmakers by the hand and walks them through the process step by step.

Let's Get Started!

The 7-Day Documentary Crash Course is regularly updated with the latest documentary filmmaking information and techniques.

There is no other online course like this that covers the full spectrum of documentary filmmaking. 

How much is it worth to you to get your dream documentary completed?

Would you be willing to invest $1,000, $2,500 or even $40,000?

What if you could get started right now for a fraction of that?

TESTIMONIALS

What Students Are Saying

Andrea

Filmmaker

"This course has been an absolute lifesaver. It has given me all the skills I didn’t already have in documentary filmmaking. It really has made my life so much easier and it is well worth the money."      

Errol

Filmmaker

Your DOC CRASH COURSE has been very helpful. I find it well written, easy to follow, and very generous with all kinds of information for making a documentary from one end to the other. Thank you for creating the course. I am very glad I found it.

Laurie

Filmmaker

"I have a one-word description for this course - brilliant! Thanks so much for making this incredibly rich content, advice and wisdom available."

Sandra

Filmmaker

"This is exactly what I needed. A step by step! Period. No BS! I can already feel the improvement and the ideas coming together. Now that I know the steps, and know what to do, it will be a fun shoot! Thank you!"

Tommy

Filmmaker

This Crash Course is the Bomb-Diggidy! I like to think of it as the Documentary Film Course For Dummies. You can literally sign up on day-1, and get everything you need to go out into the field and produce your own documentary.

Get Instant Access

The 7-Day Documentary Crash Course is an online course available immediately after check out -- you can begin the course right away or whenever you're ready.

ACCESS THE COURSE

Certificate Of Completion

Once you complete the course, you will receive a personalized "Certificate Of Completion".

This is a high quality digital certificate great for including with your resume or CV, sharing with a professor or even to print/frame for your wall.

You can also share your certificate on LinkedIn or another social profile if you want to mark your progress publicly.
Certificate of Completion

Crash Course Guarantee

Your success as a filmmaker is our #1 priority.

If you are just starting out on your first documentary, we wholeheartedly believe the 7-Day Crash Course is the best investment you'll make in your documentary journey. There's nothing else like it on the web and it has helped hundreds of other filmmakers navigate the daunting path to making a film.

At any time in the next 30-days working through the material, if you don't find the course absolutely helpful in the making of your documentary OR...

  • If you don't find clarity in the next step you should take in your journey...
    OR

  • If you are dissatisfied in any way.

...just let us know and your course payment will be refunded.

Faith Fuller

Instructor, Desktop Documentaries

Hi friend! I'm Faith, so glad you're here!

I've been in the filmmaking/TV/video/communications biz more than 30 years and I created this course to help super cool people like yourself get their documentaries made, seen and sold! I hope you enjoy the course!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If I sign up for the 7-day course can I start and stop anytime I want?

    Yes! You can take the course anytime you want, as often as you want. The course is divided into seven sections and it's up to you how you go through the content -- in 7 days, 7 weeks or 7 months!

  • Once I sign up how long do I have access to the course?

    The crash course enrollment comes with a Lifetime Access Pass. As long as the course is available on this site, you have access!

  • Can I download class materials?

    Yes! Any PDF assets, templates or other resources inside a course are yours to download and keep!

  • If I have a question, who to contact?

    For any questions, reach out to us at [email protected]

Get Started Now!


Give your documentary idea a real plan. Join the 7-Day Documentary Crash Course today and start working through the steps that move a film from idea to finished project.

Buy Now:
$149

ACCESS THE COURSE

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