Students will explore documentary filmmaking as a way to tell real-world stories, share personal perspectives, and bring attention to subjects that matter to them. Through guided instruction and hands-on projects, they’ll learn the essentials of documentary production, from developing a concept and conducting research to filming, interviewing, and editing.

Students will examine a range of documentary styles while learning to capture authentic voices and compelling images. They’ll practice using cameras, microphones, and editing software, exploring how interviews, observational footage, and sound can work together to shape a story.

Over the four-week session, students will develop their technical skills and storytelling judgment while considering their responsibilities to the people and communities they represent. Along the way, they’ll discover how documentary film can support personal expression, understanding, and social change.

What Students Will Create

Students will develop documentary footage, recorded interviews, and edited sequences that explore a real-world subject. Their work will demonstrate their growing ability to research a story, document people and places, and bring images and sound together with clarity and purpose.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this elective, students will be able to:

• Develop a documentary concept supported by research into a real-world subject.
• Identify different documentary styles and explain how they shape a story.
• Use cameras and microphones to record interviews and observational footage.
• Prepare interview questions that invite thoughtful responses and personal perspectives.
• Edit images, interviews, and sound into sequences that communicate a story clearly.
• Explain their responsibilities when representing real people and communities through documentary film.

What Registration Will Include

This registration will cover one afternoon elective only. A morning intensive, a second afternoon elective, and housing will require separate registration.

Students will be able to take this elective on its own or combine it with other Summer@Cornish courses. No morning intensive will be required.

How Students Will Build Their Schedules

Full-Time Program
Students will register for a morning intensive and two afternoon electives, one from each schedule. Morning intensives will meet Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–noon, with a lunch break from noon–1 p.m.

One Afternoon Elective
Students will register for this course and attend on the days listed in its schedule. Afternoon electives will run from 1–4 p.m.

Afternoon Electives Only
Students who wish to attend every afternoon will choose two electives: one that will meet Monday/Wednesday/Friday and one that will meet Tuesday/Thursday.

Students will be able to pair this elective with the Film Intensive + Portfolio Development, or combine it with another morning intensive to explore interests across disciplines.

Students will need to add each course to their cart separately.

Explore Summer@Cornish film courses →

Browse all Summer@Cornish courses →

Housing Options

A residential option will be available to full-day students and will include supervised housing, evening and weekend activities, and extra studio time.

Students who plan to stay in housing will need to begin with the residential application before registering for courses. They’ll receive instructions for selecting a morning intensive and two afternoon electives as part of the residential package.

Learn about the residential program and how to apply →

Questions?

Students and families will be able to get help choosing courses and building a schedule by emailing cornishplus@seattleu.edu.