“My first exposure to CDS was attending the final project presentation program of certificate candidates. It was so inspiring to experience the body of work and meet such enthusiastic students. Now I am pursuing my own certificate, learning new skills, and making lots of friends along the way. We are blessed to have CDS located here in the Triangle.”—Jon Parker, community organizer and Certificate in Documentary Arts student
“CDS is a mecca for anyone wanting to learn about the art and craft of documentary filmmaking. As a physician, I needed a program that could adapt to my schedule. In addition to being one of the top documentary schools internationally, CDS offers an extremely flexible program, allowing students to take classes at night and on weekends in specific areas of the student's interests. At the completion of the program, I had crafted a documentary short that was screened at the certificate ceremony. I learned the skills needed to make a film with audience impact. Every class and every instructor were top notch. The Institute fosters a community that promotes learning and inspires the budding documentarian. I've met a score of friends and network contacts for life. New classes are added all the time, and I'll continue to take classes at CDS following my graduation from this very well-managed program.”—Russell A. Ball, M.D., Certificate in Documentary Arts graduate
“I thought I would like this course but actually I loved it! I haven’t felt that level of passion for anything in a long time. I have learned so much. The comments/discussion with other students was fantastic—everybody had such good ideas. The presentations on the last day were amazing. . . . I’m sure that I’ll apply for the certificate based on this course alone.”—Sandra Stinnett, Introduction to Documentary Studies student
“The Center for Documentary Studies is unlike any other program out there. It is not a place that simply teaches you how to hold a camera and print an image, but a place that asks you to consider what you are photographing and who the work is for. The classes are taught by working professionals who deal not only with the technical skills required to photograph, film, or record, but the ethical and existential questions that arise throughout the process of in-depth documentary work. Your fellow students are not just documentarians, but psychologists, photographers, anthropologists, artists, community organizers, and social workers. Through its interdisciplinary curriculum, CDS offers not just a place to continue your studies, but an opportunity to explore and share the process of documentary work with a remarkable group of people who are themselves following the same journey.”—Anne Weber, Certificate in Documentary Arts student
Students Talk About the CDS Video and Audio Institutes
