With the growing popularity of documentary film, many have admirably seized on the power of non-fiction storytelling to affect change around social and political issues. But in all the discussion about content and impact, have we forgotten to explore documentary as cinema, as art? In a lively conversation about how they mobilize aesthetic choices to generate meaning, filmmakers discuss stylistic strategies, creative inspirations, story structure, and the tension between form and content.
Here's What Really Happened
No tweeting. No press. No industry. Filmmakers-only conversations revealing personal insights into the art and business of documentary filmmaking.
“Here’s What Really Happened” are signature sessions from IDA's biennial Getting Real Conference that began as a filmmaker-led solution to combat the lack of transparency that continues to plague the community. These intimate conversations allow filmmakers to speak openly about what actually happened in the production, sales and distribution life of a film. The rules are, everything said in the room, stays in the room. Our goal is to create a safe space for discussion that allows filmmakers to have frank, meaningful discussions without the influence of industry in the room. We believe that one of the greatest resources for a filmmaker is another filmmaker.
In building a more knowledgeable and transparent community together, IDA tours “Here’s What Really Happened” sessions to various festivals and conferences around the world. These private conversations have focused on security/surveillance, sales agents, festival strategies, fact-finding, ethics, work/family life balance, truth-seeking in production, and other themes.
Learn what really happened behind-the-scenes in an upcoming session. It’s personal, it’s intimate, let’s get into it.
Image
Join moderator Lisa Leeman (One Lucky Elephant, Crazy Wisdom: The Life and Times of Chogyam Trunga) as we look at case studies from filmmakers working in the field and hear from industry experts on the best practices of accounting and business management, with a focus on the impact and things to know when filing your taxes.
The Documentary Channel and the IDA have reteamed to create a special Doctalk show from the IDA’s 27th Annual Documentary Awards. This year, the awards show was hosted by Eddie Schmidt, Tiffany Shlain and Josh Fox. This special Doctalk show features exclusive interviews with the nominated feature
Image
What does it take to mount a successful Oscar campaign, and how much does it cost? What does an award really mean for the future of your film and your career? And what do the new rules really mean for doc filmmakers?
Image
Join director/producer/writer Lisa Leeman (One Lucky Elephant; Crazy Wisdom: The Life and Times of Chogyam Trunga), in a conversation with directors Kirby Dick (Outrage, This Film is Not Yet Rated), Ondi Timoner (Dig!, We Live in Public) and David Weissman (The Cockettes, We Were Here) to discuss the art and craft of the successful documentary interview.
Image
IDA's all-day, back-to-back screenings of this year's Oscar® nominated documentary films.
Image
Can a documentary really change the world? Learn more about the ways and means of producing documentary films with the potential to effect real change.
Image
Can a documentary really change the world? Learn more about the ways and means of producing documentary films with the potential to effect real change.
Join IDA at our annual fundraiser to celebrate outstanding achievements in documentary filmmaking. Friday, December 2, 2011 7pm Check-in • 8pm Awards Show • After-Party DGA Theatre and Grand Lobby 7920 Sunset Blvd. • Los Angeles, CA 90046 View DGA Parking Map IDA Individual Members: $65 • General
Image
Doc U presents a conversation with filmmaker Joe Berlinger (Crude, Brother's Keeper, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster) followed by a special preview screening of HBO Documentary Films' Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory, the third documentary feature Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky have produced for HBO over the past two decades covering the trials, convictions and incarceration of the West Memphis 3.