March 2025 Workshop Recap
Intro to Documentary Filmmaking ft. Cinematographer Rijul Kathuria
Documentaries are a powerful way to tell real stories, capture authentic moments, and shed light on important topics. Unlike narrative films, which uses scripts and actors, documentaries focus on real people and events. There are various styles of documentary filmmaking, including observational (fly-on-the-wall), participatory (filmmaker involvement), and expository (fact-driven narration).
In this month’s in-person workshop, we had cinematographer, Rijul Kathuria, cover the essential elements of documentary filmmaking:
Finding & Developing a Story
What makes a compelling documentary? Conflict, stakes, and emotion.
Research & pre-interviews: How to uncover the real story.
Ethics & responsibility: Telling true stories with integrity.
Pre-Production
Structuring your documentary: Building a clear narrative.
Interview techniques: Asking open-ended questions & active listening.
B-roll & visual storytelling: Showing, not just telling.
Storyboarding & shot lists: Planning your shots effectively.
Production
Capturing real moments: Creating an immersive experience.
Camera techniques: Handheld vs. tripods, framing, and using natural light.
Why audio is more important than video.
How to be invisible: Capturing authentic moments without disrupting them.
During our live demo, students interviewed each other, rotating roles between director and interviewee, camera operator, b-roll shooter, and sound technician. This hands-on experience helped them understand the impact of different techniques in real-time.
At the end of the workshop, we encouraged students to shoot a 60-second documentary on their phones within a week.
What are AVI Student Workshops? Every first Wednesday of the month, our studio hosts a free workshop for students ages 16-20 looking to pursue the arts, specifically in film, photography, and digital media. Here you can explore, experiment and add to your portfolio!
Our next monthly workshop is Experimental Shoot: Mylar Reflective Paper on April 2nd. This is an open photoshoot opportunity so please bring your camera!