Documentary Deconstruction
2026-05-09 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Studio Avery, 502 Avery Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15212, United States
REGISTER HERE
If you’ve ever wanted to know exactly how a documentary is made with a skeleton crew, this one-afternoon workshop is for you!
Join filmmaker Bill Holman (owner, WolfGoat Media), along with the co-owners of Pittsburgh-based production company Orionvega—Chris Delp (editor/colorist) and Joe Serkoch (commercial, television, and documentary producer)—for an in-depth look at the making of the documentary short Spanuth Armada: A Redemption Story.
This workshop explores the complete filmmaking process—from the first spark of inspiration to the final cut. Participants will learn about the challenges of filming a demanding climbing story in the field, as well as the practical realities of production, including camera rigs, equipment choices, and shooting techniques. The editorial and sound design process will be broken down, and the project timeline will be examined to demonstrate how scenes were structured and refined in the edit, as well as how footage from multiple cameras was balanced through color work. Along the way, the team will reflect on how the film gradually found its final form through collaboration and fresh perspectives. Attendees will get a rare behind-the-scenes look at the physical and creative decisions that shape a project.
The session, perfect for both beginning filmmakers and those with documentary experience, will be interactive and discussion-driven, encouraging attendees to share ideas, ask questions, and explore how these lessons might apply to their own films.
