Make Your First Documentary

A step-by-step course and community to help you finish your first film with confidence.

 
Start your documentary today

"Documentary Fundamentals is more detailed than my filmmaking degree but summed up more efficiently and taught in a more engaging way, for a fraction of the cost."

-Henry Donald, Film Graduate

"This course has been incredibly valuable to my development in documentary filmmaking... I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in unlocking their creativity through the art of documentary filmmaking."

-Amanda Mitchell, Fashion Model

"Documentary Fundamentals has been such a great resource and community for learning the essential elements of documentary filmmaking."

-Zak Bentley, Adventurer

You don’t need filmmaking experience.

 

You don’t need fancy gear, a film degree, or experience with cameras or editing software.

You just need a story you care about, a clear process, and support.

Most people never finish their first documentary.

Not because they don’t care, but because they get stuck.

The gear feels overwhelming.

The footage piles up.

They don’t know how to start editing.

That’s where our course Documentary Fundamentals comes in.

It’s not a traditional filmmaking course.

It’s a step-by-step system built for beginners to take you from idea to finished film, without stress, confusion, or needing a crew.

If you’ve ever said, “I’ve got this idea for a documentary…” and never finished it, this course was made for you.

"this is the course for you"

by Hunter Williams - Documentary Filmmaker

"I would recommend Documentary Fundamentals to anyone looking to begin the process of making their own documentary. If you want to learn in a practical way, then this is the course for you."

From idea to finished film — here’s how we help:

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Shape your idea into a story

Learn how to get clarity on your idea, structure it simply, and feel confident about filming.

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Plan shoot without overwhelm

Get help building a realistic plan, even if you have no budget, no crew, and limited time.

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Film with any camera or phone

You’ll learn how to get great results with what you’ve got. No need for expensive kit.

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Interview with confidence

Get clear on what questions to ask and how to make people feel relaxed on camera.

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Edit your film step-by-step

Follow a beginner-friendly workflow that breaks editing into manageable steps. No stress.

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Get your film seen

Learn how to share your film with your community, online, or at events.

Stuck, overwhelmed, or just getting started?

This course gives you a clear, step-by-step process to finally finish your first documentary with confidence.

Join now and start making real progress

 

Inside the course

A clear, beginner-friendly path to help you make your first documentary

Introduction

Get set up with the essentials

  • Welcome to Documentary Fundamentals

  • What Kit Should I Buy?

  • The Documentary Checklist

  • 7 Tips for Making Your Documentary

Module 1

Pre-Production

Find your story and structure it simply

  • Find Your Idea

  • Three-Act Structure

  • Build a Crew (if you want one)

  • Create a Clear, Pitchable Treatment

Module 2

Producing

Plan your film with confidence

  • Funding Basics

  • Create a Realistic Budget

  • Build a Flexible Shoot Schedule

  • Stay Organised with a Production Binder + Call Sheets

Module 3

Camera Basics

Film with your phone or camera

  • Camera Settings Made Simple

  • Picture Profiles, White Balance, Focus

  • Frame Rates, Depth of Field, and What Actually Matters

Module 4 & 5

Filmmaking Techniques

Capture natural and engaging footage

  • Composition, Exposure, Angles, Movement

  • Focus, Natural Lighting, Clean Sound

  • Prepare for Interviews + How to Film Them Properly

Module 6

Editing Your Documentary

Edit your story without getting stuck

  • Organise Footage the Right Way

  • Transcribe, Paper Edit, and Cut in Stages

  • Move from Assembly to Rough Cut to Final Edit

Module 7

Marketing

Get your film seen

  • Sharing Online vs Film Festivals

  • Tips to Build Awareness for Your Film

Sebastian Solberg

Meet your instructor

Sebastian Solberg is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with over 20 years of experience. He’s directed projects for global brands and worked on BAFTA-nominated films. He created this course to help people making their first documentary avoid overwhelm and actually finish their film.

Support to help you finish your film

Everything you need to stay on track: Tools, templates, community, and expert help.

Live Masterclasses

Expert sessions to keep you motivated.

Software Discounts

Save on trusted filmmaking tools.

Community Access

Connect with others doing the same.

Workbooks & templates

Simple tools to plan and shoot faster.

Certificate of Completion

Show your progress and learning.

Lifetime access

Learn at your pace, come back anytime.

Start your documentary today

"It’s been an amazing experience!"

by Cristina Ballesteros - Editor, now working on major Netflix documentaries

"Sebastian is a wonderful teacher, obviously an expert in his field and the fact that he shares his own experience as a filmmaker in every lesson is helping me so much to battle nervousness and address certain fears I have. I can’t praise Sebastian enough - It’s been an amazing experience!"

How everyday creators are getting unstuck

Real feedback from people gaining clarity and making progress on their documentary.

Angharad George-Carey

Actress & Podcaster

“I genuinely cannot tell you how much this course has lifted my confidence. I now have what Seb calls a three-act structure, a treatment, and I could pitch my idea to a room of people."

Simon Cade

YouTuber

“Anyone who's interested in making documentaries should get this course. I know I'll definitely be returning to specific segments as different things arise in my filmmaking career."

Erin Wallace

Content Producer

“This has been a smooth and clear step-by-step guide through making a documentary. I was able to learn at my own pace and go back to sections I wanted to repeat with ease.”

Still unsure how to start or finish your documentary?

Join a supportive course and community built to help you finish your first documentary step by step.

I’m ready to finish my documentary

FAQ

30 day money back guarantee

30 day money back guarantee.

If the course isn’t right for you, just let us know within 30 days and we’ll refund you, no questions asked.

Ready to finish your first documentary?

Join now and get the step-by-step process