Mastering Documentary Production: Planning for Success from Day One

This practical, one-hour workshop is designed for new and intermediate documentary filmmakers and content creators who want to master the often overlooked—but critical—production and logistics planning that can make or break a documentary. Starting right from the ideation phase, we’ll dive deep into essential steps to ensure a smooth production process and avoid costly pitfalls.

In this session, you’ll learn how to:

• Develop a clear and realistic production timeline
• Budget effectively, accounting for hidden costs and contingencies
• Understand the logistics of securing permits, access, and insurance
• Plan for the unforeseen—how to deal with production delays and changes
• Organise efficient crew coordination and resource management
• Maximise your footage and ensure you have what you need for editing
• Anticipate post-production and distribution challenges early on

One hour practical tools and tips to streamline your filmmaking process and keep your project on track from concept to completion, including a 15-minute Q&A session at the end.

Sam Howard and Antoine Couturier, Northern Front Collective

Sam Howard and Antoine Couturier from Northern Front Collective will discuss the process of producing compelling, visually stunning documentaries that stand out in today’s increasingly crowded content-driven world. They’ll also explore how to craft powerful narratives that resonate with audiences across multiple platforms. The session will also focus on the growing importance of commercial partnerships, highlighting expectations, opportunities, and strategies for building effective collaborations that expand reach, amplify creative impact and balance creative vision with commercial success.

Moderator: Jessica Fox

Jessica Fox is a director, author and creative economy specialist with over 20 years of experience spanning award-winning film, theatre, television, and creative innovation. Her memoir, Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets, was selected as Waterstones' Book of the Month. A former resident storyteller for NASA, she continues to co-host a podcast series with former NASA Chief Knowledge Officer, Ed Hoffman. Her period drama feature, Stella, set in Galloway, Scotland, received critical acclaim, winning Best Drama at the Tel Aviv International Film Festival (2023) and Best First-Time Filmmaker at the Montreal Independent Film Festival (2022). She develops and produces podcasts, television, and film, with a focus on compelling and immersive storytelling. Beyond filmmaking, she consults for a range of creative and scientific organisations, as well as startups in the UK and US, specialising in storytelling, communication, and innovation. She is also the co-founder of The Open Book, Airbnb’s top pre-COVID destination, and continues to explore the intersection of narrative and emerging ideas.