Collaborate With Documentary Filmmakers!

When you join our New Doc Inner Circle 5.0, you’ll receive detailed structural guidance from a professional story consultant and peer collaboration with other talented filmmakers.

Since our last Inner Circle was such a great success in helping filmmakers craft their documentaries, I’m selecting up to six qualified filmmakers for our new, six-month program beginning January 30th, 2012.  Join the ranks of other filmmakers who have benefitted from New Doc Editing’s structural guidance and gone on to premiere their documentaries at Sundance, Hot Docs, SXSW and other top festivals.

After soliciting feedback from my recently ended Inner Circle, I’m revising New Doc Inner Circle 5.0 to improve the way that members support with one another with accountability partners. I’m also doubling the number of monthly Mastermind calls. You’ll get 2 calls per month for 6 months, so you can discuss production issues more frequently and increase critiques of concepts and rough cuts.  We’ll keep the same quality one-on-one consultations that former members have raved about. (See testimonials to the side.)

 

Full Money-Back Guarantee

I’m also offering a full money-back guarantee.  If within the first 30 days of the program you’re not more than satisfied with how the Inner Circle is helping improve your film and your progress, you’ll get a full refund. No questions asked.

I stand by my work. And I invite passionate filmmakers who want to make serious progress into the Inner Circle 5.0. If you think you fit the bill, ask yourself:

- Do you want to work closely with a world-class story consultant (who teaches at the top university documentary program in the world)?

- Do you want to bounce ideas off like-minded, visionary film professionals?

- Do you want to be certain you’ll meet your goals for your film?

- Do you want expert, detailed guidance to create a highly-watchable, compelling documentary film?

If so, read on…

Focus On Storytelling

The New Doc Inner Circle is designed for up to six committed documentary filmmakers who are in pre-production, production or post-production.  (I’m capping the circle at six members to provide maximum support.)

We will meet regularly (by Conference Calls and Skype, so it doesn’t matter where you live) from January 30 to July 30, 2012.

Our chief focus will be improving your film’s storytelling, structure and style. You’ll also benefit from innovative fundraising tips.

As part of this tight-knit group, you will receive:

• My in-depth analysis of three of your cuts and/or proposals. This includes six hours of recorded telephone consultations in which you and I will analyze your cuts and written material, troubleshoot problems, and collaborate on structure and style.
• A tight-knit community of supportive fellow filmmakers with whom you can share cuts, advice, and moral support via phone, email and Skype.
• 12 Monthly Mastermind Group Teleseminars that feature information-packed tutorials for crafting an engaging film. (See the specific content of six Mastermind Coaching Calls below to give you an idea of the tutorials.)
• Complimentary copies of all of our online products and seminars. Details below.
• Generous email access. Email me as often as you want for six months with any questions. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll point you in the right direction from my Referral File of experts.
• Most importantly, extremely detailed feedback on three cuts (or written proposals) of your film over a six-month period. We will carefully address each cut in recorded, private telephone consultations and written Story Notes. In addition, you will receive what I call the “Viewer POV Movie” for each of your three sessions.

The Viewer POV Movie is a popular tool that my clients love.  It is literally a QuickTime movie file in which you will see your film playing (or your proposal being read), along with a little video box in the upper right corner, showing me watching and critiquing your cut scene by scene. Utilizing the latest screen capture technology and my computer’s built-in camera, I capture for you my first impressions of your film in real time. (Again, if you haven’t begun editing yet, we’ll use this tool for your written material, so you’ll get a real-time sense of how a professional grant administrator or angel investor will react reading your project proposal.)

Remember, any viewer (or story consultant for that matter) will only see your cut or proposal for the first time, once. That first impression is extremely important. You’ll be able to decipher from my facial expressions, body language and verbal comments what’s working and not working in your cut.

The Viewer POV Movie has proven to be one of the best story consulting techniques in the industry precisely because you get my fresh reaction.  I’ll be wearing both my viewer hat as well as my story consulting hat.

And you won’t have to search through notes and timecodes for my feedback…the analysis and troubleshooting happen right within your cut or written document!

What else do you get as a member of the New Doc Inner Circle?

Unmatched documentary story consultation.

A word on my credentials.  I’ve directed and produced five of my own successful documentary films, including a PBS biography of my mentor Marlon Riggs.  I’ve taught in the top documentary program at UC Berkeley (according to “Documentary Magazine”) for 20 years.  My courses have helped hundreds of filmmakers, whose films have played at top festivals.  Most recently I’m honored to have helped Tiffany Shlain on her film “Connected”, which won an award at the Sundance Documentary Competition and Robert James’s “Library of Dust” which won a “Best Documentary” award and premiered at the prestigious SXSW Film Festival. You can read Shlain’s and many other filmmakers’ testimonials to the right.

One thing I’ve learned in my years in the industry is that ninety percent of commercially successful documentaries use one of only a few structural forms, or meta-templates.

Learning what these templates are and how to modify them to best convey your vision is critical.   A strong structure will make your film appealing to broadcasters and distributors. As you’ll see from the courses below, I specialize in helping filmmakers structure personal documentaries, character-driven documentaries and topic-based essay docs.

Complimentary Courses

As a New Doc Inner Circle member, you’ll receive a complimentary copy of ALL of my highly popular online courses.  These include:

- “Editing the Character Driven Documentary” (Sells for $197)

Delivered in six weekly video modules (35-75 min each), “Editing the Character-Driven Documentary” gives you the online version of a live seminar that was filmed at the San Francisco Film Society over two days. This popular weekend seminar has been offered live for 6 years and frequently sells out. I guarantee you’ll get the most comprehensive instruction on plotting a three-act structure for a documentary film that you can find anywhere in the world!

- “The Ultimate Guide to Structuring Your Documentary”

(Previously sold for $497)

Hands down, this is the most comprehensive guide to structuring your documentary on the planet! It’s also the best deal I offer in terms of the amount of highly-specialized information you’ll receive. Suitable for any stage of production, this 12-week online seminar provides video tutorials, exercises and loads of case studies showing you specifically how to craft an engaging documentary film.

- “Directing Personal Documentaries With Universal Appeal”

(Sells for $37)

Having made four personal documentaries that have played at more than 150 film festivals, I have developed several strategies for making your personal story resonate with universal themes. If you’re making a personal documentary, you’ve got to get this online seminar. You’ll get more than two hours of video instruction including examples from fifteen, commercially-successful personal documentaries.

- “The Story Doctoring Kit”

(Sells for $87)

If you have already edited a rough cut, The Story Doctoring Kit will help you identify the problems and develop storytelling solutions. Transform your clunky rough cut into an engaging, tightly-edited fine cut with these four video tutorials (45-75 min each).

- “Documentary Editing” e-book”

(Sells for $27)

The only workbook on the planet that specifically addresses how to edit documentary films, “Documentary Editing” is more than just a textbook. You’ll get dozens of worksheets and story-focusing exercises to help focus your film’s structure.

 

Mastermind Teleseminars

And here’s a taste of what we’ll cover in our 12 monthly Mastermind Teleseminars:

- From Quest Inception to Quest Pinnacle: Structuring Your Inciting Incident and Climax Scenes

- Customizing the Three-Act Structure or Essay Structure to Suit Your Documentary

-  Crafting Personable Narration That Clarifies and Creates Mood

- Designing a Unique Stylistic Look and Sound to Your Film

- Story Doctoring Your Rough Cut and Conducting Effective Rough Cut Screenings

- Visual Storytelling for Topic-Driven Films: Reenactments and Graphics

Early Bird Special Price

How much does the Inner Circle cost?

First, here’s what it’s worth.  The three, one-on-one story consultation packages alone are worth $6000. Plus you’re getting $947 worth of tutorials and, on top of that, $3600 worth of Mastermind Calls.   Based on the retail value of the above products and services, the total New Doc Inner Circle is worth $16,294.

But your price is much less, only $6000. Or, if you pay the early bird registration fee, which I am extending until January 25th, 2012, your fee is only $3979.79.  I will accept the first six committed and qualified filmmakers. The last Inner Circle program sold out, so don’t delay.

Note the New Doc Inner Circle program begins Janaury 30th, 2012.

Proud Track Record

The New Doc Inner Circle has with a terrific track-record. See the testimonials in the right-hand column to read what other filmmakers have to say about this innovative documentary coaching program. My intention is to serve you generously and make a significance difference in your film!

Remember this is only open to a group of six dedicated filmakers. Don’t let this great opportunity pass you by!

I’m now adding this great bonus:

You’ll get my Excel spreadsheet of my Referral File, with contact information for documentary professionals who specialize as composers, writers, editors, graphics artists, etc.

To reserve your spot, hit the “Buy Now” button or email me at karen@newdoceditingcom.