Doc U: Master Class with Director Ross McElwee

Join us for a rare career examination of one of the most influential auteurs in the personal documentary genre, Ross McElwee, whose unique, creative approach continues to shape generations of documentary filmmaking voices across all genres. In this Master Class, Ross will guide you through his evolution as a filmmaker, from his early exposure to cinema vérité to his transformation into the leading practitioner of a groundbreaking autobiographical commentary style that has defined his 30+ years of filmmaking. Ross will usher the class through a chronological presentation of clips from his filmmaking catalogue that includes such brilliant, genre-defying films as Sherman’s March, Time Indefinite, Bright Leaves, Photographic Memory, and others. This is a unique opportunity for Southern California filmmakers and documentary enthusiasts to get up close and personal with Ross and his method of filmmaking in an informal, intimate, and interactive atmosphere at the IDA office.

This class is ideal for:

• Personal documentary filmmakers seeking to hone their voice.
• Doc makers of all types seeking to expand the narrative possibilities in their work.
• Documentary enthusiasts who want to develop a deeper understanding of the various evolutions of  documentary form and style.
• Film students and recent film school graduates who want to supplement their education with hands-on advice from a veteran, acclaimed filmmaker.

Built into the Master Class will be a generous amount of time for Q&A, which will be interspersed throughout the session.