The workshop
The workshop is conducted in French, so a certain level of proficiency in the language is required to fully benefit from the training.
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This workshop is designed for those who wish to begin, advance their skills in filmmaking, or embark on a career change. It delves into the intellectual, moral, and aesthetic dimensions of filmmaking through every stage of documentary production, from conception to editing.
Each participant creates a short documentary film following a period of technical initiation, analysis of reference works, scouting, and scriptwriting. Each participant chooses the specific subject of their short film.
The programme
First Period: Technical Initiation, Practical Exercises, Film Analysis, Scouting
During these three to four weeks, participants undergo simultaneous technical training in cinematography, sound, and editing. They engage in practical exercises, screen and analyze key films in the history of documentary filmmaking, and have opportunities to meet with documentary filmmakers.
Access to the Varan film library for selective viewing is available. Throughout this period, each participant chooses, defines, prepares, and scouts the subject of their documentary film.
Second Period: Filming the Workshop Film
Participants organize their shootings over half-day or full-day sessions. Footage is regularly screened in the presence of all participants. This process of analysis and critique allows aspiring filmmakers to refine and deepen their approach to their subject.
Third Period: Editing and Finalizing the Workshop Film
As shooting progresses, each participant begins logging their footage. The editing process is guided by professional editors, facilitating the establishment of the film's final structure. This collaborative phase serves as a crucial educational step, revealing the culmination of their work over previous weeks.
Fourth Period: Planning for the Future
A public screening of the workshop films is scheduled on the last Saturday of the session. Participants receive insights into the audiovisual market from a producer and representatives of audiovisual institutions, covering creation grants, festivals, and broadcasters.
After the training, participants are encouraged to submit their films to festivals, with each participant provided a viewing link for their film.
Given the immersive nature of this training, participants are required to commit:
- For their own film: scouting and shooting outside of workshop hours.
- For others' films: each participant is responsible for sound recording during fellow participants' shootings.
Pedagogy
At the Ateliers Varan, through initiation into the practice of documentary filmmaking, we encourage participants to broaden their perspective on the world. It is not a traditional academic school; rather, our methods emphasize learning through hands-on experience to the fullest extent. Each participant’s focus revolves around creating films in real-world settings. Learn more about the Ateliers Varan pedagogical approach
Evaluation Methods
- Pre-training Assessment: Application file + interview
- Formative Evaluation: Conducted at the end of each sequence
- Final Evaluation: Making of a short film
More Information
Accessibility
Ateliers Varan, a Category 5 ERP establishment, welcomes people with disabilities.
For any requests related to accessibility, please contact Fanny Chapuis contact@ateliersvaran.com / (+33)1 43 56 64 04
Key figures
In 2023, 12 people followed the “Documentary Filmmaking Workshop”. Satisfaction rate: 100%
Career Opportunities
Graduates can pursue careers in audiovisual and film production companies, corporate audiovisual services, and television channels, among others.
Application details
The application process consists of two stages: initial written submission followed by a final selection interview with one or more trainers.
Required Documents for Initial Submission:
The following documents should be written in French.
- A freeform autobiographical statement, maximum 2 pages
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A one-page text, optionally accompanied by an image, on one of the following themes:
- Tell us about a place
- Describe a moment in your life
- Share a story about your neighbors
Please send these materials via email to contact@ateliersvaran.com along with your complete contact information.
Teaching staff
A group of around forty cinema professionals (directors, editors, producers, sound engineers, directors of photography, etc.) forms the team of the Ateliers Varan. They share their professional experience and practices through the workshops and training sessions they conduct.
The trainers change for each workshop. Currently, the instructors are:
Ask Us
Questions about our training courses? Please contact us 01 43 56 64 04
6, impasse de Mont Louis
75011 Paris
