CampusDoc - Documentary

The exchange programme will take you through the entire process of documentary film production: from concept to premiere. You will also complete additional video assignments and work on perfecting your technical and storytelling skills, as well as develop a distribution plan based on your expectations and goals for the film.

HU operates this programme in collaboration with various international partners, including the City University of New York (CUNY). The course includes a study trip to New York.
Please note: you will need a travel budget of € 1,800 for the study trip (excluding food). However, the study trip is not a requirement for participation and completion of the programme

The programme consists of:

• An introduction to storytelling and narrative strategies;
• Advanced filming, editing, and post-production;
• Drafting an extended production plan and shooting script based on real-world research;
• Launching a real crowdfunding campaign to finance your doc;
• Delivering a package of (promotional) artwork, a trailer and a 20-minute video documentary;
• Developing an international distribution plan;
• Insight into intellectual property and royalties;
• Insight into film festival culture and personal branding.

Would you like to know more about this programme or do you have a specific question? Please contact the programme coordinators, Pim Mak or Milada Stipetic, or the international officer of the HU School of Journalism, Carien Touwen.

Courses take place five days a week, and can continue into the evening. After completion of the following activities, you'll finish this programme with an assessment for 30 ECTS.

Please note: For the two-week study trip to New York you’ll need an additional travel budget of € 1,800. Excluding food, so make sure you have additional budget. However, this study trip is not a requirement for participation and completion of the programme.

In our Course Guide you can find all relevant information about the programme in one practical document. Download it here for your convenience.

• Study guide CampusDoc

CampusDoc uses a holistic, integrated assessment process, conducted by two supervisors. You sumbit your work throughout the semester.

• Production plan;
• Final shooting script;
• Marketing and distribution plan;
• 20-25 minute video documentary;
• Festival package: documentary + artwork + trailer

Our goals are ambitious and the course is an intense pressure-cooker period of long hours and demanding deadlines.

CampusDoc covers all aspects of the documentary filmmaking process; we are unique among other documentary programmes in that we combine hands-on coaching and theories on film analysis and script-writing with tutorials from editors, researchers, filmmakers, as well as producers, entertainment lawyers and distributors. The goal is for participants to get their work seen and go on to make new work long after having completed CampusDoc.

CampusDoc is meant for talented students interested in video storytelling who want to delve deeper into issues they care about, as well as develop their visual storytelling skills beyond what is required in standard broadcast journalism.

To apply to the programme, you:

• are an advanced student, preferably in Journalism, Media, or Film;
• possess existing journalism/video skills – either through education or through work;
• demonstrate a serious interest in documentary film making.

Please note: this programme has a selection procedure.

To apply to the programme, your English language skills must be at CEFR level B2.

To apply you must submit the following:

• A pitch in which you present your plan for the documentary;
• A motivation letter and CV;
• A video showreel (1.00 min).

After your learning agreement has been signed by Hogeschool Utrecht, you will receive an invitation for the pitch from the minor contact person.

Please submit all the required documents to the course lecturers, Brian Maston before 15 April.

Applicants will be selected on the basis of their motivation, level of video skills and experience. You will be informed if you are accepted to the programme by 20 April.

If you are selected, you can start the enrolment at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (for more information go to our Admissions Exchange page).
Note: There is a 1 May deadline for this official university registration. If you miss this deadline, you cannot be admitted to the course!

The minor will be taught based on the following literature.

• Directing the Documentary, 6th Edition, Michael Rabiger
• In the Blink of an Eye, Walter Murch
• The Hero With a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell

Before the start of the course you will receive/be issued the final reading list.