Start your first documentary
Five short videos and six simple tools that take you from an idea to your first filmed sequence. No film school, crew or expensive gear.
Get instant access for $257-day money-back guarantee.
7-day money-back guarantee
Stuck before you’ve even started?
- You’ve got an idea but don’t know what to do next.
- You want to make a film but can’t settle on a story.
- Starting feels too big, so you keep putting it off.
You don’t need a crew, a film school degree or expensive gear. You need a clear plan and a few small wins.
A look inside
By the end of the Starter Kit, you’ll have
- A documentary idea you’re confident about
- A clear story roadmap that makes sense
- Your first five-shot sequence filmed, even on your phone
- A simple plan to keep going
The video is a quick walkthrough of the lessons and tools.
Get the Starter Kit for $25Five short videos, from idea to action
Each one is 5 to 10 minutes. You can get started in an evening or over a weekend.
- How to pick the right documentary ideaThe three ingredients every strong idea needs, so you don’t spend time on one that falls flat.
- Turn your idea into a simple story planShape your idea into a simple story roadmap, so you know what you’re looking for when you film.
- Film your first scene with five simple shotsA five-shot method you can use with any camera, even your phone.
- How to keep going when self-doubt hitsHow to handle doubt and keep filming when things feel tough.
- Your next steps as a filmmakerTurn your progress into small, clear next steps that keep your documentary moving.
Six tools to get you started
Everything you need to start without second-guessing.
7-day money-back guarantee.
If you go on to take Documentary Fundamentals, my full course from idea to finished film, your $25 comes off it.
Hi, I’m Sebastian.
I’ve been making films since I was nine, and I’ve worked in film and TV for nearly 20 years. I directed One Breath, a documentary about a husband-and-wife freediving team, and I was second unit director on the BAFTA-nominated The Eagle Huntress.
I made the Starter Kit for people making their first documentary, so the first steps feel clear and not overwhelming. You can start with what you have.
You’re a good teacher. You make things easy to understand and you don’t complicate things.
Which is right for you?
Three ways to make your documentary with me.
Start
Documentary Starter Kit
$25
Five short videos and six simple tools to get you from an idea to your first filmed sequence, in an evening or over a weekend.
You’re on this pageMake the whole film
Documentary Fundamentals
$297
Seven modules from idea to finished film, with templates and an assignment in every module, at your own pace.
Includes the Starter Kit.
See Documentary FundamentalsWork with me
The Documentary Mentorship
$725 a month
Six months working one to one with me to finish your own film. By application.
Includes Fundamentals and the Starter Kit.
See the MentorshipStart with the Starter Kit and your $25 comes off Fundamentals if you go on to take it.
Questions people ask
Is this for total beginners?
Yes. The Starter Kit is made for people who haven’t started yet, or who feel stuck at the very first step. You don’t need film school or any experience, and everything is explained in plain language.
Do I need expensive gear to start?
No. You can film your first documentary with your phone or a basic camera. The Starter Kit shows you how to keep it simple, so gear never holds you back.
How do I get it?
Straight after you pay, you get the five videos and the six tools. You can watch on your computer, tablet or phone.
How much time will this take?
Each video is only 5 to 10 minutes, and the tools are simple to use. You can get started in an evening or over a weekend.
What if I don’t have an idea yet?
That’s fine. The kit includes an Idea Generator Worksheet to help you find and shape a story worth telling.
What if I already have an idea?
Great. The Starter Kit helps you shape it into a clear story and plan your first steps, so you can start filming.
What if I get stuck after the first steps?
The kit gives you clarity and momentum to start. If you’d like the full path from idea to finished film, that’s what Documentary Fundamentals is for, and your $25 comes off the course.
What if it doesn’t work for me?
No problem. Try it for 7 days. If you don’t find it helpful, I’ll refund you, no questions asked.
Ready to start your first documentary?
Try the Starter Kit for 7 days. If it isn’t right for you, let me know and I’ll refund you, no questions asked.
Get the Starter Kit for $25