Documentary Filmmaking Secrets

Your story is important. It must be told. Everyone has a story inside of them that needs to be told.

As documentary filmmakers we have the privilege of bringing real, authentic, and inspiring stories to life. It can be incredibly rewarding. - - -My name is Shawn Vela and I am a 17-time Emmy® Award Winning Film Producer, Director, DP, and Editor.

I founded a video production company Vela Visuals, which specializes in authentic storytelling that moves viewers to action. Over the course of my career I've been blessed to work on projects for companies like Amazon, Kayak, SAP, Legoland California (and Florida) Resort, New Balance, Hillsong, University of Central Florida, and more. I have also worked with broadcasters like BT Sport, FOX, as well as countless independent production companies and marketing agencies.

I've directed, filmed and edited more than 50 documentaries for web or traditional broadcast (receiving 30 regional Emmy® nominations and 17 wins). - - This course is for documentary filmmakers, like me who push themselves to grow because the stories we tell are important. In this course I explore some of the secrets I wish I knew about documentary filmmaking when I was first getting started.