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Master Class

Master Class with Producer/Director Barbara Kopple

IDA Offices, 3470 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 980, Los Angeles CA 90010

Two-time Academy Award®-winner Barbara Kopple, one of the most significant and acclaimed documentary filmmakers, joins us for a one-of-a-kind Master Class that will shed light on the art and craft of documentary filmmaking from her unique perspective. From Harlan County, USA through such films as the Academy Award®-winning American Dream, Wild Man Blues, Woodstock: Now & Then, Shut Up and Sing, and her latest gem, the inspirational Miss Sharon Jones!, Barbara’s wide-ranging and thoroughly original body of work has epitomized the best in documentary, incorporating fascinating, complex character development, riveting storytelling, strong visual style, and the brilliant use of music. 

In conversation with Barbara will be Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker and IDA Filmmaker in Residence Renee Tajima-Peña (No Más Bebés, Who Killed Vincent Chin?), who will guide us through this journey through Barbara’s celebrated career, dive into all aspects of her work and trace the lines of her unique artistic vision.

Need more incentive? Kicking off the class will be a live set performed by West Virginia native David Morris, whose music stands at the spiritual heart of Harlan County, USA, and his son Jack, who will accompany his father on guitar.

Please note: In the final segment of the class, Barbara and Renee will offer a limited number of Master Class attendees the opportunity to receive live feedback on a short work sample submitted from a current project. Those registering for the class will be sent further information and guidelines about how to submit a clip.

In association with the Master Class, Cinefamily will screen Harlan County, USA at 7:30pm on Friday, June 10 and Miss Sharon Jones! At 7:30pm on Saturday, June 11. We strongly encourage you to attend both screenings.

This class is designed for:

  • Experienced director/producers seeking to understand the creative process from the perspective of a legendary documentary director
  • Doc makers of all types seeking to hone their directing skills
  • Filmmakers with a particular interest in how to excel in the use of interviews, archival footage and music in documentary
  • Documentary enthusiasts who want to develop a deeper understanding of how high quality documentaries are made