The Best Documentary Film School? (Art of Documentary Review)

[@scotey]

Nice to see a trusted source give AOD a thumb's up. I may take the plunge now.

[@LucForsyth]

I’d say worth it!

[@MateenManek]

Great video Luc! I’m a part of AOD too and I thought the content and the delivery for Module 1 was excellent. It definitely taught me a lot about how to better approach my films, and the monthly group calls are really good. I’m thinking about joining Module 2 in September because I’d love to go more in depth with the theory. But Mark and Michael are excellent at what they do and this has been one of the most helpful courses I’ve taken.

[@LucForsyth]

Agreed! I’m curious about the next one as well!

[@brignole]

Nice, I'm a AOD subscriber from a long time. I decided at the age of 46 to go into video after a career as an art director, and AOD allowed me to reach a good level of knowledge very quickly (experience in the field, of course, is another thing) definitely saving me a lot of mistakes. So besides professionals AOD is also suitable for those who are not so young anymore. Anyway you and Mark are my favorites in these field and I would love to see you do something together even though you live on opposite sides of Canada.

[@LucForsyth]

Awesome! Yeah, it’s a really solid course for any skill level, great that it’s helping you. And I was born in toronto, so I’m back that way a lot - we’ll see what the future brings, but I’d be down for a colab 💯

[@muntus]

have you purchased more modules? what is your opinion? im hobbist videomaker, so not sure if it's not too much :)

[@chrisrussellcreations]

I am a photographer of many years, I’ve have been a film lover since I was a kid. I noticed though that I have always been drawn to films that are extremely cinematic in nature and framed very well. I thought making films and documentaries was out of my reach. That was until I found you and Mark. You just helped me decide to sign up for the AOD course.

[@Smamaj]

Mark is great! Also your and Danny’s Chanel I think are most inspiring

[@LucForsyth]

Love those two channels as well!

[@ManuelParodiRamos]

Who is Danny? Need more of these fantastic videos!

[@seanopenshaw]

I really like your presentation style and I'm so glad I found your channel! Thank you for such great content!

[@LucForsyth]

I’m glad you found it too!

[@dustmote3020]

Hey Luc, congrats! You got a response from the man himself! I took the AOD course also, and also thought it was really well done. The parts I got the most value out of were the episodes where Mark had a sound guy come in and the episode where they had BTS footage showing Mark and Michael filming a cross country race. That, and Mark's advice to wear kneepads when you're shooting. Another course I can recommend is Griffin Hammond's course on short documentary - he comes from a TV news background and covers the subject from that perspective.

[@LucForsyth]

Haha, the man himself! Yeah, I also found that part super useful

[@scootafan]

I'm completely new to filmmaking and so far I'm loving what I'm learning and documentaries are definitely something I've had on the back burners of my mind but not really anything I've given serious thought too. Knowing that a resource like this is out there does give me a tremendous amount of hope and excitement. When I finally manage to put that kind of money aside I'll definitely be looking forward to taking the course. I do hope that some kind of forum is made to answer questions since I know I'll have about a thousand+ of them.

[@LucForsyth]

I think you’ll really like it! Good luck on your journey

[@Nrrativo]

Los módulos tienen subtítulos en español?

[@Danielleinhardt]

You deserve 2Million subs

[@LucForsyth]

Haha, i Don’t know about deserve, but I wouldn’t say no!

[@ashleymariexxv]

I really appreciate this, thank you! ❤

[@LucForsyth]

Glad to hear it!

[@scottievee330]

You’ve become a must click. Props!

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks as always Scott

[@davidp158]

Thanks for this review. I'm on the fence about signing up, but likely will eventually. Mark's YT channel is a serious wealth of info, so I don't doubt the value of these courses. Your comment about expanding the section on income is an area that pretty much all filmmakers would like to know about. Once you get past a few no-budget passion projects and decide to commit yourself as a filmmaker, next comes the hard truths about making a living, or at least funding projects.

[@LucForsyth]

Hey Dave, yeah that's the challenge we're all facing. There's no one size fits all solution, but I'll try and lay out how it worked for me on this channel. any specific ideas, let me know! And if it helps, there's a 10% discount code for AoD in the description of this video if/when you decide to go for it. Good luck!

[@nikissiserumaga4357]

so helpful - thank you!

[@Superjeanmarc]

Hey Luc, I somehow missed this video and just watching it now because I was on the waiting list and got the email that the course was open now... so I was still looking for reasons to pull the trigger or not... I was so surprised that someone as experienced as you did take the course, and precisely for this reason is your review much valuable for me. I'm a self taught filmmaker with a background in graphic design and communication who seriously switched to filmmaking only about 10 years ago. Even if I don't have Netflix of NG in CV, I still had the opportunity to work for Vice and ViceNEWS were I learned a lot.. so I was (and still am) doubting if investing in this course (module 2) would be worth. I'm sort of torn between the idea that we never start learning and that it's always valuable to see how other do it and the idea that the best way to learn is to do the things instead of watching a bunch of videos on youtube (even if I know these are meant to ba complement to a real life project of some sort). Also, the free videos of Mark a generally so good that I wonder if the pay content goes really beyond what you can get for free. All this being said, its true that the price, even being high (and module 2 is even more expensive), is still cheaper than a good lens... So.. It's a hard call... :) I'm aware that when you took the course, the advanced module wasn't available yet.. but hearing that still, you found module 1 valuable is sort of reassuring. I'll have to sleep on it, but not too long... Anyhow.. congrats again for your channel.. is funny to see that you have followed Mark since the beginning too.. and also found that at that time there was not enough content online specifically about documentary.. I think his channel his channel and yours are really gold and I wish I could have watched that content 10 years ago.

[@LucForsyth]

Hey! I can't say I didn't hesitate either, but I definitely found value in the course. As you say it's never too late to stop learning and there are so many things that just hearing repeated again keeps you sharp. I was about to go film a feature and even though I have lots of experience there were definitely lessons here that I'd heard before but kept forgetting. IMO it's probably the best thing out there for online education in the doc space. If it helps, I talked with Mark and his team and they set up a 10% discount code for viewers of my channel aodstore.samcart.com/referral/yuRD860q/Mn3bnmn6qmomscHK with the code L2022. I get a kickback from that to be transparent, but I made this review long before Mark reached out to me, so it's not at all biased. Good luck making the decision!

[@yiluca]

Well done, I like your video and AOD.😁

[@neilhickson]

You are putting out some pretty good content yourself and I have learned a ton from you. Keep it up and let me know if you are running your own course, because I think your delivery is brilliant.

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks Neil, appreciate that. Think it will be a bit for a course, but I definitely have some ideas - I'll let you know!

[@FosterMedia]

I'm deciding if i should do yours or AODs course. both same price. AOD seems to have a much longer history of running the course.

[@IsraelSuperguide]

Hey Luc. I was looking around some honest review on AOD. However, you too are coming with your own course. So, what would you do differently and what will someone yours over AOD? I'm moving from photography, which was my passion to video (no as my main source of income)..I have a nice job to pay for my projects. My photography led me to self publishing 4 books, and now i wish to create short meaningful videos. I started with Tomorrow's Film makers, but their focus is not documentary. That is when i found AOD and your channel. I still haven't started with their courses But i am watching all your videos. Thanks for your work.

[@LucForsyth]

Hey! I love AoD and think they've made an amazing product. There's different modules depending on what you're looking for and I don't really have anything negative to say about it. Nice people, good product. My course isn't a general filmmaking course, it's a more niche product about how to be a better documentary cinematographer, how to cover scenes, and how to develop your career over time. I don't focus on big commercial lighting set ups and I spend more time on how to shoot doc specific styles and professional development skills. Mine is also very limited in space with only 100 spaces last intake, and it sold out in 4 days so it's a little smaller. Neither course is better or worse than the other, they're just different and it's going to depend on what you're looking for and the teaching style you like!

[@kingmuhu]

Thnx bro!

[@LucForsyth]

You're welcome!

[@JourneyDude]

definitelly new big fan here thank you for useful information :) i wish i can discuss my filmmaking journey with you and improve :)

[@LucForsyth]

You’re very welcome!

[@work.alezcollection]

What is your opinion on pursuing a degree in film VS journalism? I’m in the military and my job is in the public affairs / photo-video journalism field. I have the opportunity to go to college for free. However, the catch is that I can only pursue a degree online so my options are minimal (not many colleges, except for-profit art schools, offer film degrees online since it requires more hands-on learning). My other option is studying journalism or mass communication, and just taking film-related courses (AoD, for example) on the side. I want to produce documentaries. I’ve already practiced with the journalism, video, and photo skills I’ve learned from the military so far. I just need to look at which study field will give me even more skills to apply to my work.

[@LucForsyth]

That's a really tough question, but I didn't study either. I think life experiences matter a ton, which I'm guessing you have from your time in service. These days the best part about a degree of any kind is the network you establish, but courses like AoD are starting to provide that as well now through their communities. If your end goal is to become a documentary filmmaker, I would probably go the online film course route like AoD and then take the savings and put it towards actually filming projects. Having some work samples under your belt will count for much more than a degree, which no one will ask you for in the industry. If you wanted to work for a news outlet, then I'd probably say the degree would help a lot, but since doc filmmakers don't really apply for jobs in the conventional sense, learning how to make stuff as quickly as possible and then actually going out and doing it on your own is probably going to get you there faster. Just my opinion though, and all routes have merits! Hope that helps!

[@EricFosterMedia]

I'm excited to be on the notification list for the Sept. class. Do you have any sort of recommendation on how to participate in the course? Is this course interactive in any way? I was curious if there were any tasks or projects associated with the course. Or is it simply a presentation that we absorb and apply to our craft? You mentioned a lack of community and I was wondering if you belonged to the private Facebook group when you made that statement? Also, would you recommend this for a "one man band" sort? Thanks!

[@LucForsyth]

It’s mostly videos in the course itself, but there are lots of community calls for feedback, and the facebook group as you mentioned. I didn’t mean to say there was a lack of community, only that a future improvement would be to incorporate the community aspects of the FB group into the main page itself. the AOD guys definitely care about community! I would definitely recommend if you’re planning to make your own films

[@EricFosterMedia]

@@LucForsyth thanks for the feedback!

[@Marlonorellana]

I'm not in the documentary field but will this help with video sales letters, brand message videos and youtube? I do also film conferences but not sure if I need this for that. If it doesn't I appreciate the up front honesty; it shows that you are not in it for the money!

[@LucForsyth]

Hey Marlon, it's targeted at docs specifically, but in my opinion it will help make you a better storyteller, which will translate into all sorts of work types. There are sections on pitching and all the skills are also relevant for YT, but brand message is a little outside the focus of AoD. But since the best brand messages involve selling people on stories connected to the product rather than the product itself, I think there's also a lot of value there in terms of just being a better storyteller in general. Hope that helps a bit, and maybe the discount code makes it a little easier on the wallet if you decide to go for it!

[@Marlonorellana]

@@LucForsyth Which modules would you recommend for this?

[@LucForsyth]

@@Marlonorellana module 1 is the best place to start. Module 2 gets deeper into it and opens up extra access to community stuff, and 3 is if you want to get more into post and editing. They’re all solid, but it depends on your budget. I’m enrolled in them all, but that happened over time. Really depends on your budget. All 3 will take you through the process from start to finish, but module 1 is for sure the best place to start and then add them on over time. Or maybe 1 and 2, then save 3 for the next cohort? The annoying answer is they’re alll good and it’s whatever makes sense for your budget right now! Will open up again in 6 months or so

[@Markplaats-x1h]

well, I may do it. though it sounds very similar to why anyone would make almost any form of art: analyse the added value and work with that with proper intent - which means it almost always boils down to the story. with film very direct. with a painter a little more spread out over multiple paintings, their 'oeuvre' as they call it. Or writers, although writers have the 'luxury' to make it all up. yet again, writers don't have the 'luxury' to stumble upon a story and document it. I suspect that is also what many documentary makers hope to do: stumble upon a story and document it as it unfolds. that's probably a harsh waking up for those types - I don't believe that happens often. although, I'm soberly hoping to encounter a project like that myself, not expecting to find it :p.

[@Ioraek]

The course does sound good but at $600USD it is *quite* expensive. That's a lot of cash for some people, especially if they are only looking to make docos part time and are needing to put together a basic kit. I wonder if it was really necessary to increase the course price so much from what it originally was...

[@LucForsyth]

Hard to say if it was necessary, but I'd say the value is there. It's not cheap by any means, but it's way cheaper than a major US film school which might cost $60,000 a year. That doesn't help people pay for it, I know, but I think it's still worth it.

[@muntus]

do you remember original price? i think it was much cheaper as well

[@joshdiditt]

How much BTS content does he have on the AOD?I find that really helps.

[@LucForsyth]

There's definitely some good BTS in there, especially the unit on interview set ups. It's not a full on BTS course and most of it is similar in style to his YT channel, but there is a ton of value there. There's a 10% discount code in the description of this video if it helps. Good luck!

[@Perrylayne105]

All three bundles are now $1300. A bit different from what you paid. Still worth it? He added a create and earn section. V interesting. I’m super Intrigued!

[@LucForsyth]

Hey Perry, yeah, that's more for sure. Though I'm pretty sure module 1 was around $599 or $699 on its own and I still think that it's the best thing out there for people starting out in Indy doc production. I haven't taken the other modules yet, though I plan to, so I can't say for sure if they're the same quality as module 1, but I'm guessing that Mark and his team have only gotten better at making these things. If I had to guess, I'd say it's worth it. Not cheap by any means, but film school or even a workshop will set you back a lot more than that, and the knowledge/value to time ratio is much higher IMO. If it helps at all there's a link and a 10% off code in the description. Good luck with he decision!

[@Perrylayne105]

@@LucForsyth amazing. Thank you for the extensive response. I’ll use your code!

[@AndresHernandezFilms]

this helped me make my decision! now all I need is the money haha

[@LucForsyth]

Worth it I’d say…cheaper than film school!

[@mikelafatadesign]

Luc, have you been a documentary filmmaker for over 10 years?! I think you mention it at least 4 times in this video! I love your videos, but I have to give you hard time about this :)

[@LucForsyth]

Hahahah…the joys of talking in circles to a camera

[@chrisrussellcreations]

I am a photographer of many years, I’ve have been a film lover since I was a kid. I noticed though that I have always been drawn to films that are extremely cinematic in nature and framed very well. I thought making films and documentaries was out of my reach. That was until I found you and Mark. You just helped me decide to sign up for the AOD course.