Masters' Series
About our Masters' Series
“I just wanted to thank you for such a great evening last Tuesday. Both Jennifer (Baichwal) and Nick (de Pencier) were outstanding. That's exactly what DOC Toronto members need to keep inspired, informed and connected. Fabulous event.”
- Richard Meech, Creator, Producer, Director. Feb, 2009.
Filmmakers Talking to Filmmakers
DOC Toronto Master Series 2009/2010 are evening classes where celebrated documentary filmmakers share their in-the-field experiences and expertise with their colleagues and peers. The emphasis of this unique professional development series is on the craft and art of documentary media rather than the business and logistics of production.
The series offers an insider’s look into the process, rituals, even eccentricities of documentarians known for excellence and who have maintained a consistency and clarity of vision over time. Our selected Masters show clips from various projects, and share (often for the first time) personal stories of challenge and triumph with their work. The result is a demystification and articulation of the processes that build a director’s vision and high artistic standard. A lively discussion and Q&A session follows. These classes allow Toronto documentary media artists (emerging and experienced) a rare opportunity to go to “documentary school” and to reflect on and refine their craft.
The Master Series curriculum has been carefully designed to highlight different documentary genres, techniques, pressing questions and hot button issues.
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Our 2009-10 Masters' Series is planned as follows:
Larry Weinstein: Dramatic Documentary or Documenting the Dramatic?
Monday November 16, 6PM-9PM
The Master of the craft of dramatic documentaries reveals secrets on how he keeps the pace going, his characters fascinating and the story riveting. Click here for photos.
Peter Raymont: Capturing Your Audience
Tuesday, April 20th, 6PM-9PM
The most important shot in almost every film - documentary or drama - is the first. Veteran documentary filmmaker, drama producer, and former film editor, Peter Raymont, explores how to seduce and capture your audience, using examples from several of his, and other's, award-winning films
John Kastner
Monday, July 12th, 6PM-9PM
The multiple Emmy Award-winning director of Life With Murder, Monster in the Family, and Rage Against the Darkness gives a talk on his documentary process and technique. Click here to register!
Steve Weslak: Directing the Editor, Editing the Director
Date TBA
What is the Editor’s role in a film and how best does one work with a Master editor to enhance the story?
In 2008/Winter 2009 DOC Toronto hosted the following Master Classes:
Kevin McMahon
Imagining Reality/Crafting Your Film - Developing the Director's visionShelly Saywell
Filming Under Fire - Access and Safety in Volatile Places
Manfred Becker & Barry Stevens
The Pleasure and Pain of Making the Personal Documentary
Allan King (moderated by Marc Glassman of Pages Books)
Freedom, Authority and The Tyranny of Genre
Jennifer Baichwal & Nick de Pencier
Plans Are Subject to Change: The Philosophy of Documentary
The Masters' Series is produced with the support of the City of Toronto through Toronto Arts Council. DOC Toronto would like to gratefully acknowledge the generosity of Gold Sponsor Camera Bar, Toronto's premiere lounge and screening venue, and our host for the 2009/10 Masters' Series.
