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 training provides a framework for reflection and practical tools for directors eager to develop author-driven documentary film projects based on existing research or developed in direct collaboration with researchers or practitioners in the fields of humanities, exact sciences, or artistic creation.
The goal is to shape a genuine cinematic narrative, crucial for conveying knowledge to a broad audience. Authors will find in this training the necessary time to mature their projects and find conceptual and aesthetic keys for scripting the film, combining collective reflection with individual guidance.
The training is organized as follows for the 2024-2025 session:
- 1st session: November 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2024 (3 days - 21 hours)
- 2nd session: November 23rd and 24th, 2024 (2 days - 14 hours)
- 3rd session: Tutoring (49 hours spread between december 2024 and march 2025)
- 4th session: March 21st, 24th and 25th, 2025 (3 days - 21 hours)
The programme
1st session: Project Contextualization (Group seminar, 3-day weekend)
- Detailed analysis of projects
- Discussion with targeted speakers: for example, a philosopher or academic who has reflected on the issues of representation and image, a scientist who has collaborated on films in their field of expertise, etc.
- Analysis of film excerpts focusing on documentary writing
- Presentation of practical exercise: "alternative to interviews / staging of dialogue"
Intersession: Each director shoots an exercise in their field
2nd session Experiences Confrontation (Group seminar, 2-day weekend)
- Critical viewing of the exercise filmed during the intersession "staging of dialogue"
- Case studies of films related to projects (humanities, medicine, history, architecture, etc.): in-depth dialogue with researchers and filmmakers who have made films on established knowledge
Intersession: Directors rewrite the statement of intent for their project
3rd session: Tutoring (collective and individual follow-up over 4 months)
Three tutors alternately accompany author/director pairs in the writing of their project.
Each month, directors benefit from a plenary session and individual follow-up. Work sessions (in-person or remote) are scheduled based on everyone's availability, as projects progress. Pairs alternate consultations with the 3 tutors to renew their approach. Projects must be finalized for the next step.
4th session: Co-production Meetings (3 consecutive weekdays)
Networking with professionals: authors participate in collective sessions and then individual meetings with potential creation partners (producers, distributors, funding bodies) to assess the project's convincing potential. (After pitch preparation sessions, participants are free to decide not to publicly pitch their project)
- Day 1: Pitch preparation
- Day 2: Pitch & individual meetings with producers and distributors, within the framework of the Cinéma du Réel festival during the "First Contact" event.
- Day 3: Debriefing & evaluation
Pedagogy
Ateliers Varan teaches the practice of documentary filmmaking, opening one's perspective on the world. Learn more about the Ateliers Varan pedagogical approach
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 / 01 43 56 64 04
Satisfaction
In 2023, 102 people were trained at Ateliers Varan across all programs. Overall satisfaction rate: 100%.
Application details
The following documents should be written in French.
- A cover letter
- Film project summary in 2-3 pages maximum (originality of approach, quality of preparatory work, author's intention)
- Detailed CV
- Presentation of the associated researcher
Please send these materials via email to contact@ateliersvaran.com along with your complete contact information.
For shortlisted candidates, final selection will be based on an interview with one or more trainers.
Teaching staff
The pedagogical team consists of two mentors who will accompany you throughout the training.
The trainers change for each workshop. Currently, the professionals are:
Ask Us
Questions about our training courses? Please contact us 01 43 56 64 04
6, impasse de Mont Louis
75011 Paris
