Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography

Bob Iger Teaches Business Strategy and Leadership

Bob Woodward Teaches Investigative Journalism

Danny Elfman Teaches Music for Film

David Carson Teaches Graphic Design

Hans Zimmer Teaches Film Scoring

Helen Mirren Teaches Acting

Issa Rae Teaches Creating Outside the Lines

James Cameron Teaches Filmmaking

Jimmy Chin Teaches Adventure Photography

Jodie Foster Teaches Filmmaking

Ken Burns Teaches Documentary Filmmaking

Make Compelling Videos That Go Viral

Martin Scorsese Teaches Filmmaking

Mira Nair Teaches Independent Filmmaking

Parris Goebel Teaches Creativity in Choreography

Reframe Your Thinking

Ron Howard Teaches Directing

Samuel L. Jackson Teaches Acting

Spike Lee Teaches Independent Filmmaking

The Duffer Brothers Teach Developing an Original TV Series

Tyler Mitchell Teaches Storytelling Through Portrait Photography

Werner Herzog Teaches Filmmaking

Introduction

The Artist's Responsibility

Beginnings

Finding the Story

Film as an Agent of Change

Discovering Your Unique Voice

Go Tell Your Story

Invaded by Images: Part 1

Career Strategy

Finding Your Personal Story

Conclusion

Anticipating What Consumers Want

Film Culturally Rich Stories

Choosing a Story

Working with Cinematographers

Find a Story You Love

Martin's Education

Finding Your Way

Collaborating With Your Director of Photography

Telling the Story: Monsoon Wedding

Teach Yourself Storytelling: Watch Films

Camera: Cinematography

Meet Your Instructor: James Cameron

Making Your Way and Leading With Passion

Vision

Adapt and Embrace the Pivot

Direct With Honest Leadership

Connecting With Your Audience

Technical Best Practices: Cameras, Lenses, Lighting

Creating Better Visuals: B-Roll and Editing

Ignite Passion Through Cinematography

On-Set Collaboration

Developing the Film

Production Design

What It Takes

Working With Crew

Spike's Film 101s Pt. 1

Acting on a Film Set

Locations

Leading The Platoon

Life as a Filmmaker

"Stranger Things" Season 4 Behind the Scenes

Resourcefulness Is Everything

Directors: Part 2

Prep and Moving Into the Doing

Leading a Successful Shoot

Overcome Obstacles in Filmmaking

Hunting Down the Documents

Structuring a Documentary Narrative

Sourcing Archival Materials

Shaping Nonfiction Characters

Selecting Interview Subjects

Jump The Chasm

Storytelling for Documentaries

Documentary: Truth in Nonfiction

Shape Compelling Documentary Arcs

Capturing Your Passions

Principles of Narrative: The Shoot and the Edit

Editing

Post-Processing: Conrad on the Wall

Career Advice: Building a Body of Work

Becoming a Photographer: Jimmy's Story

Meet Your Instructor: David Carson

Working With Clients

Nonfiction Cinematography

The Technical Side of Photography

The Evolution of a Photographer

Demo: Editing Your Photos

Working With Your Cinematographer

Creating the Vision for Your Film

Visualize Compelling Moments

Film & TV

A Documentary by Academy Award Nominee Andrea Nevins

The Cowboy and the Queen

A Documentary by Andrea Nevins

Teaches Acting

Samuel L. Jackson

Teaches Directing

Ron Howard

Teaches Documentary Filmmaking

Ken Burns

Teaches Comedy

Steve Martin

Steve Martin Teaches Comedy

Teaches Filmmaking

Martin Scorsese

Teaches Writing for Television

Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing for Television

Teaches Music for Film

Danny Elfman

A Documentary Film From Artist JR

Tehachapi

A Documentary by Artist JR

Teaches Independent Filmmaking

Spike Lee

Mira Nair

Scripting Your Own Success

Mindy Kaling

Werner Herzog

Teaches Screenwriting

Aaron Sorkin

Aaron Sorkin Teaches Screenwriting

Icons and Their Influences

Talking Shop

Teaches Voice Acting

Nancy Cartwright

Nancy Cartwright Teaches Voice Acting

James Cameron

Teach Developing an Original TV Series

The Duffer Brothers

Jodie Foster

Judd Apatow

Judd Apatow Teaches Comedy

Teaches Creating Outside the Lines

Issa Rae

Teaches Film Scoring

Hans Zimmer

Teaches Creativity and Film

David Lynch

David Lynch Teaches Creativity and Film

Ava DuVernay

Teaches Creativity in Choreography

Parris Goebel

https://players.brightcove.net/5344802162001/1cMNiwC9oQ_default/index.html?videoId=6180008217001

Ken Burns is an award-winning <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-documentary-filmmaking-with-ken-burns' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-documentary-filmmaking-with-ken-burns","linkCopy":"documentary filmmaker","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>documentary filmmaker</a> known for his work on periods in American history and culture. Often produced with WETA-TV and the National Endowment for the Humanities for broadcast on public television by PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), his documentary films and television miniseries celebrate and examine the American experience with an unflinching eye.

Ken Burns Documentaries, Life and Career

Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1953, Kenneth Lauren Burns founded his production company Florentine Films with several friends in 1976 while simultaneously working as a cinematographer for the BBC. In 1977, he began work on a film called *Brooklyn Bridge* about the New York bridge’s construction, during which he developed his signature style of fluid editing, quick cuts, and intimate narration from seasoned actors.

*Brooklyn Bridge* got Hollywood’s attention, earning him his first Academy Award nomination in 1982, and beginning his decades-long production association with PBS. After releasing *The Shakers: Hands To Work, Hearts to God* (1984), his subsequent film *The Statue of Liberty* earned him his second Oscar nomination in 1986. For the next forty-plus years, Ken became a major contributor to the world of documentary films and television series, earning Emmy awards, the National Humanities Medal, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. 

Ken has directed more than thirty films, including *The Civil War* (1990), *Mark Twain* (2001), *The National Parks: America’s Best Idea* (2009), *The Central Park Five* (2012, with Sarah Burns and David McMahon), *Muhammad Ali* (2021), and *The U.S. and the Holocaust* (2022 with Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein).
Filmmaker Ken Burns has dedicated most of his waking life to mastering documentary filmmaking and creating his unique style. Here are a few fast facts about Ken:

1. __He describes his family as “hippies"__. Ken’s family was nomadic, frequently moving during Ken’s childhood. Some of the places they lived include Delaware, Michigan, and France.
2. __He collects quilts__. Ken has a love for and has collected quilts for years. The University of Nebraska displayed a large portion of his collection in The International Quilt Study Center & Museum in 2018.
3. __The death of his mother informs his work__. Ken’s mother died of breast cancer when he was three years old, and he agrees with his father’s insight that his work is an “attempt to make people long gone come back alive.” When asked if he’d ever make a film about his mother, he stated, “All of my films are about her.”
4. __His filmmaking style has its own name__. Film lovers have dubbed Ken Burns documentaries’ signature style of using [close-ups](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/film-101-what-is-a-close-up-shot-how-to-creatively-use-a-close-up-camera-angle-to-convey-emotion) on still photographs, zoom effects, pans left and right, emotional music, and [voice-over](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-voice-over-works) narration as “The Ken Burns Effect.” Many different editing software companies use the term in their effects options. Learn [how to use the Ken Burns effect](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-the-ken-burns-effect-in-a-documentary). 
5. __He’s also an actor__. Ken has worked as an actor in several films and television shows, often playing himself. Some of his acting credits include *Clifford’s Puppy Days*, *Difficult People*, *Gettysburg* (as Hancock’s staff officer), *The Mindy Project*, and *The Simpsons*.
Ken’s many years of experience have made him a foremost expert in writing, directing, producing, and editing documentary films and television series. You can look forward to these five highlights and more from his class on documentary filmmaking:

1. __Add first-person narrative for world-building__. Ken uses actors in his documentaries to read historical documents in character to steep his viewers in another time and place. “One of the things I did from the very beginning is I tempered the [third-person narration](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-third-person-point-of-view-in-writing-how-to-write-in-third-person-narrative-voice-with-examples) with a chorus of [first-person](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-in-first-person-point-of-view) voices, reading newspaper accounts, military records, telegrams, love letters, diaries, journals, that gave a sense of how people spoke that day,” he says. You’ll learn how to use first-person voices to capture the time in a way that feels accessible to your audience, reminding them, in Ken’s words, “that people actually lived and felt in ways similar to us.”
2. __Research to find your story__. Ken believes a documentary’s emotional story exists separately from its subject, and to find the story, you’ll need to do a lot of research. “We want to cast, at the beginning, as wide a net as possible, in every area,” he says. “Reading lots of books. Giving the writer lots of books. Suggesting the goalposts. And then, we’re learning. The writer’s beginning to shape a narrative.” Ken will teach you how to use your research to discover a compelling story arc for your film.
3. __Edit toward a larger story goal__. When editing, Ken advises knowing the overall story goal you want to achieve and letting go of footage that might look great but won’t serve that goal. “The proverbial cutting room floor isn’t filled with bad stuff,” Ken says. “It’s filled with great stuff that you would go, ‘Wow. You’re an idiot. Why isn’t that in the final film?’ But I could put it back into the final film and show you the way that wonderful scene destabilized the arc of something better.” You’ll learn how to make the hard decisions that will improve your film. “You will have to kill, as they say in journalism, all your little darlings,” Ken says, “and be willing to sacrifice them in the service of something else that has gone places that you couldn’t even imagine.” Get Ken’s tips on [finding the story in your documentary](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ken-burnss-tips-for-finding-the-story-in-your-documentary).
4. __Let the music be your guide__. Unlike feature films, Ken chooses music for his documentaries early in the process and lets the score guide him while he edits. His class will teach you about the importance of music and how the right score can elevate your story. “The music, itself, is one of the directors of the film rather than something that’s added as an afterthought,” Ken says. “We would rather record music that we’re drawn to emotionally that we think fits a variety of needs, record many different versions of it, and permit the music to dictate, in many cases, the pace and rhythm as we develop those scenes.”
5. __Take the first step, not the right step__. Ken believes getting started remains the biggest obstacle to most filmmakers. In his class, you’ll gain the confidence to begin your storytelling journey. “The only thing that matters is not which is the right step one. It’s that there be a step one,” Ken says. “And that be done with confidence. Not without anxiety. Not without doubt. But just with the idea that I’m gonna do something to move. Get started.”
To learn more about filmmaking and storytelling, try one of these classes from our MasterClass instructors:

1. __Jodie Foster on filmmaking__: Academy Award winner Jodie Foster began her career as a child actress, successfully continued her career into adulthood, then transitioned into directing and filmmaking in recent years. Watch [Jodie’s class](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/jodie-foster-teaches-filmmaking) to learn about story storytelling and how to [execute your creative vision in film](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/jodie-fosters-tips-for-realizing-your-creative-vision-in-film) and [direct actors](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/jodie-fosters-tips-for-directing-actors). 
2. __Spike Lee on independent filmmaking__: Film director, producer, <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-becoming-a-screenwriter' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-becoming-a-screenwriter","linkCopy":"screenwriter","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>screenwriter</a>, and actor Spike Lee has produced or directed dozens of films since the 1980s, exploring the subject of race relations and political issues and launching the careers of some major film stars. Watch [Spike’s class](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/spike-lee-teaches-filmmaking) to learn how this Academy Award winner [develops strong characters](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/spike-lees-tips-for-developing-strong-characters), [preps for filming](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/spike-lee-shares-tips-for-prepping-a-film-shoot), and [finds inspiration](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/spike-lees-tips-for-finding-inspiration-as-a-screenwriter). 
3. __Werner Herzog on feature and documentary filmmaking__: Self-taught filmmaker and New German cinema pioneer Werner Herzog made his mark on Hollywood with his unique filmmaking style, vision, and voice, boasting a lengthy filmography that began in the 1960s. Watch [Werner’s class](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/werner-herzog-teaches-filmmaking) to learn his approach to getting inspired, writing for the screen, finding financing, and directing the film you want to make in your own style.
Developing your own perspective on the world around you while relaying the facts provides the heart of any good documentary film. Discover Ken Burn’s tips for [writing a documentary script](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ken-burns-shares-tips-for-writing-a-documentary-script), how to [balance fact and fiction](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ken-burns-on-balancing-fact-and-fiction-in-documentary-film), and how to do [research for a documentary film](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-documentary-filmmaking-with-ken-burns) when you sign up for a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/homepage).
Ken Burns is an award-winning <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-documentary-filmmaking-with-ken-burns' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-documentary-filmmaking-with-ken-burns","linkCopy":"documentary filmmaker","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>documentary filmmaker</a> known for his work on periods in American history and culture. Often produced with WETA-TV and the National Endowment for the Humanities for broadcast on public television by PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), his documentary films and television miniseries celebrate and examine the American experience with an unflinching eye.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1953, Kenneth Lauren Burns founded his production company Florentine Films with several friends in 1976 while simultaneously working as a cinematographer for the BBC. In 1977, he began work on a film called Brooklyn Bridge about the New York bridge’s construction, during which he developed his signature style of fluid editing, quick cuts, and intimate narration from seasoned actors.Brooklyn Bridge got Hollywood’s attention, earning him his first Academy Award nomination in 1982, and beginning his decades-long production association with PBS. After releasing The Shakers: Hands To Work, Hearts to God (1984), his subsequent film The Statue of Liberty earned him his second Oscar nomination in 1986. For the next forty-plus years, Ken became a major contributor to the world of documentary films and television series, earning Emmy awards, the National Humanities Medal, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Ken has directed more than thirty films, including The Civil War (1990), Mark Twain (2001), The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (2009), The Central Park Five (2012, with Sarah Burns and David McMahon), Muhammad Ali (2021), and The U.S. and the Holocaust (2022 with Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein).

An Introduction to Ken Burns

Filmmaker Ken Burns has dedicated most of his waking life to mastering documentary filmmaking and creating his unique style. Here are a few fast facts about Ken:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. He describes his family as “hippies&quot;. Ken’s family was nomadic, frequently moving during Ken’s childhood. Some of the places they lived include Delaware, Michigan, and France. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. He collects quilts. Ken has a love for and has collected quilts for years. The University of Nebraska displayed a large portion of his collection in The International Quilt Study Center &amp; Museum in 2018. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. The death of his mother informs his work. Ken’s mother died of breast cancer when he was three years old, and he agrees with his father’s insight that his work is an “attempt to make people long gone come back alive.” When asked if he’d ever make a film about his mother, he stated, “All of my films are about her.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. His filmmaking style has its own name. Film lovers have dubbed Ken Burns documentaries’ signature style of using <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/film-101-what-is-a-close-up-shot-how-to-creatively-use-a-close-up-camera-angle-to-convey-emotion' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/film-101-what-is-a-close-up-shot-how-to-creatively-use-a-close-up-camera-angle-to-convey-emotion","linkCopy":"close-ups","category":null}'>close-ups</a> on still photographs, zoom effects, pans left and right, emotional music, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-voice-over-works' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-voice-over-works","linkCopy":"voice-over","category":null}'>voice-over</a> narration as “The Ken Burns Effect.” Many different editing software companies use the term in their effects options. Learn <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-the-ken-burns-effect-in-a-documentary' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-the-ken-burns-effect-in-a-documentary","linkCopy":"how to use the Ken Burns effect","category":null}'>how to use the Ken Burns effect</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. He’s also an actor. Ken has worked as an actor in several films and television shows, often playing himself. Some of his acting credits include Clifford’s Puppy Days, Difficult People, Gettysburg (as Hancock’s staff officer), The Mindy Project, and The Simpsons. </li></ol>

5 Fast Facts About Ken Burns

Ken’s many years of experience have made him a foremost expert in writing, directing, producing, and editing documentary films and television series. You can look forward to these five highlights and more from his class on documentary filmmaking:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Add first-person narrative for world-building. Ken uses actors in his documentaries to read historical documents in character to steep his viewers in another time and place. “One of the things I did from the very beginning is I tempered the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-third-person-point-of-view-in-writing-how-to-write-in-third-person-narrative-voice-with-examples' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-third-person-point-of-view-in-writing-how-to-write-in-third-person-narrative-voice-with-examples","linkCopy":"third-person narration","category":null}'>third-person narration</a> with a chorus of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-in-first-person-point-of-view' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-in-first-person-point-of-view","linkCopy":"first-person","category":null}'>first-person</a> voices, reading newspaper accounts, military records, telegrams, love letters, diaries, journals, that gave a sense of how people spoke that day,” he says. You’ll learn how to use first-person voices to capture the time in a way that feels accessible to your audience, reminding them, in Ken’s words, “that people actually lived and felt in ways similar to us.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Research to find your story. Ken believes a documentary’s emotional story exists separately from its subject, and to find the story, you’ll need to do a lot of research. “We want to cast, at the beginning, as wide a net as possible, in every area,” he says. “Reading lots of books. Giving the writer lots of books. Suggesting the goalposts. And then, we’re learning. The writer’s beginning to shape a narrative.” Ken will teach you how to use your research to discover a compelling story arc for your film. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Edit toward a larger story goal. When editing, Ken advises knowing the overall story goal you want to achieve and letting go of footage that might look great but won’t serve that goal. “The proverbial cutting room floor isn’t filled with bad stuff,” Ken says. “It’s filled with great stuff that you would go, ‘Wow. You’re an idiot. Why isn’t that in the final film?’ But I could put it back into the final film and show you the way that wonderful scene destabilized the arc of something better.” You’ll learn how to make the hard decisions that will improve your film. “You will have to kill, as they say in journalism, all your little darlings,” Ken says, “and be willing to sacrifice them in the service of something else that has gone places that you couldn’t even imagine.” Get Ken’s tips on <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ken-burnss-tips-for-finding-the-story-in-your-documentary' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ken-burnss-tips-for-finding-the-story-in-your-documentary","linkCopy":"finding the story in your documentary","category":null}'>finding the story in your documentary</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Let the music be your guide. Unlike feature films, Ken chooses music for his documentaries early in the process and lets the score guide him while he edits. His class will teach you about the importance of music and how the right score can elevate your story. “The music, itself, is one of the directors of the film rather than something that’s added as an afterthought,” Ken says. “We would rather record music that we’re drawn to emotionally that we think fits a variety of needs, record many different versions of it, and permit the music to dictate, in many cases, the pace and rhythm as we develop those scenes.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Take the first step, not the right step. Ken believes getting started remains the biggest obstacle to most filmmakers. In his class, you’ll gain the confidence to begin your storytelling journey. “The only thing that matters is not which is the right step one. It’s that there be a step one,” Ken says. “And that be done with confidence. Not without anxiety. Not without doubt. But just with the idea that I’m gonna do something to move. Get started.” </li></ol>

5 Highlights From Ken Burn’s Class

To learn more about filmmaking and storytelling, try one of these classes from our MasterClass instructors:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Jodie Foster on filmmaking: Academy Award winner Jodie Foster began her career as a child actress, successfully continued her career into adulthood, then transitioned into directing and filmmaking in recent years. Watch <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/jodie-foster-teaches-filmmaking' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/jodie-foster-teaches-filmmaking","linkCopy":"Jodie’s class","category":null}'>Jodie’s class</a> to learn about story storytelling and how to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/jodie-fosters-tips-for-realizing-your-creative-vision-in-film' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/jodie-fosters-tips-for-realizing-your-creative-vision-in-film","linkCopy":"execute your creative vision in film","category":null}'>execute your creative vision in film</a> and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/jodie-fosters-tips-for-directing-actors' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/jodie-fosters-tips-for-directing-actors","linkCopy":"direct actors","category":null}'>direct actors</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Spike Lee on independent filmmaking: Film director, producer, <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-becoming-a-screenwriter' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-becoming-a-screenwriter","linkCopy":"screenwriter","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>screenwriter</a>, and actor Spike Lee has produced or directed dozens of films since the 1980s, exploring the subject of race relations and political issues and launching the careers of some major film stars. Watch <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/spike-lee-teaches-filmmaking' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/spike-lee-teaches-filmmaking","linkCopy":"Spike’s class","category":null}'>Spike’s class</a> to learn how this Academy Award winner <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/spike-lees-tips-for-developing-strong-characters' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/spike-lees-tips-for-developing-strong-characters","linkCopy":"develops strong characters","category":null}'>develops strong characters</a>, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/spike-lee-shares-tips-for-prepping-a-film-shoot' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/spike-lee-shares-tips-for-prepping-a-film-shoot","linkCopy":"preps for filming","category":null}'>preps for filming</a>, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/spike-lees-tips-for-finding-inspiration-as-a-screenwriter' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/spike-lees-tips-for-finding-inspiration-as-a-screenwriter","linkCopy":"finds inspiration","category":null}'>finds inspiration</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Werner Herzog on feature and documentary filmmaking: Self-taught filmmaker and New German cinema pioneer Werner Herzog made his mark on Hollywood with his unique filmmaking style, vision, and voice, boasting a lengthy filmography that began in the 1960s. Watch <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/werner-herzog-teaches-filmmaking' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/werner-herzog-teaches-filmmaking","linkCopy":"Werner’s class","category":null}'>Werner’s class</a> to learn his approach to getting inspired, writing for the screen, finding financing, and directing the film you want to make in your own style. </li></ol>

3 More Classes on Filmmaking

Developing your own perspective on the world around you while relaying the facts provides the heart of any good documentary film. Discover Ken Burn’s tips for <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ken-burns-shares-tips-for-writing-a-documentary-script' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ken-burns-shares-tips-for-writing-a-documentary-script","linkCopy":"writing a documentary script","category":null}'>writing a documentary script</a>, how to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ken-burns-on-balancing-fact-and-fiction-in-documentary-film' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ken-burns-on-balancing-fact-and-fiction-in-documentary-film","linkCopy":"balance fact and fiction","category":null}'>balance fact and fiction</a>, and how to do <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-documentary-filmmaking-with-ken-burns' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-documentary-filmmaking-with-ken-burns","linkCopy":"research for a documentary film","category":null}'>research for a documentary film</a> when you sign up for a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/homepage' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/homepage","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>.

Tell Real-Life Stories

Ken Burns is an award-winning <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-documentary-filmmaking-with-ken-burns' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-documentary-filmmaking-with-ken-burns","linkCopy":"documentary filmmaker","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>documentary filmmaker</a> known for his work on periods in American history and culture. Often produced with WETA-TV and the National Endowment for the Humanities for broadcast on public television by PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), his documentary films and television miniseries celebrate and examine the American experience with an unflinching eye.

Ken Burns is an award-winning <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-documentary-filmmaking-with-ken-burns' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-documentary-filmmaking-with-ken-burns","linkCopy":"documentary filmmaker","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>documentary filmmaker</a> known for his work on periods in American history and culture. Often produced with WETA-TV and the National Endowment for the Humanities for broadcast on public television by PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), his documentary films and television miniseries celebrate and examine the American experience with an unflinching eye.

ken-burns

Found footage is a cinematic technique featuring “found” or “discovered” video recordings. Often, the characters take on the role of filmmakers and shakily capture footage with on-screen video cameras. Sometimes, a blinking “REC” button will even appear on the screen to show the raw nature of the footage. Films that use this technique fall under the found footage subgenre of mockumentary or horror movies.
The found footage genre first became popular in 1980 with the film *Cannibal Holocaust*, directed by Ruggero Deodato and written by Gianfranco Clerici. The film follows a crew of filmmakers searching for missing members of their team who were investigating a cannibal tribe in the Amazon. The actors playing the crew maneuver the cameras, making it seem like they’re the footage sources for the film. 

Since that watershed movie, many other imitators have employed this technique in big-budget films, indie flicks, and web series. Found-footage films often have a release date near Halloween due to their spooky nature. Some more recent examples of found-footage films include *Grave Encounters 2* (2012), *A Haunted House* (2013), *Head Cases: Serial Killers in the Delaware Valley* (2013), *The Taking of Deborah Logan* (2014), and *The Visit* (2015).
Found footage is an enticing style because it invites a scrappy quality, plays with genre in thrilling ways, and allows filmmakers to set a story anywhere characters might use their own cameras for footage.

1. __Choppy footage__: The characters as “filmmakers” may capture the footage in a juvenile manner. Quick zoom-ins and outs, shaky [camera movements](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-camera-moves), and unfocused lenses are just a few ways the film’s creators manifest this choppy footage. 
2. __Scares__: Often, found-footage films are horror films that employ scares through supernatural forces quickly appearing in the frame and then vanishing to excite and terrify audiences. 
3. __Video cameras__: A character appears to be a working cameraman in these films, using handheld recorders, phones, or other video cameras to capture the strange events around them that service the film’s narrative.
In Hollywood, found-footage horror films are the most common examples of this genre, and some of them have become box office hits. Notable found-footage films include:

1. __*The Blair Witch Project* (1999)__: Directed and edited by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, this film repopularized the found-footage genre. Student filmmakers hike into the Black Hills of Maryland to research a local legend known as the Blair Witch; they go missing, but a year later, others discover their footage, revealing the horrors they witnessed. 
2. __*REC* (2007)__: Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza’s Spanish found-footage film shows first responders heading to an apartment building. An incident leads to the sealing of the building and a mandatory quarantine for residents, igniting mayhem within.
3. __*Paranormal Activity* (2007)__: Oren Peli’s domestic thriller relies on homeowners’ surveillance footage to show the supernatural forces that disturbed residents.
4. __*Cloverfield* (2008)__: Matt Reeves’s [science fiction](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/science-fiction-movies) monster film follows six young friends in New York City who flee invading creatures who disrupt their farewell party.
5. __*Trollhunter* (2010)__: André Øvredal’s Norwegian dark fantasy features three filmmakers investigating illegal poachers who instead find a man who kills trolls for the government.
6. __*Lake Mungo* (2012)__: This psychological horror film directed by Joel Anderson explores the aftermath of a teenager’s death by drowning. Her brother sets up video cameras inside their home to capture a frequent visitor: her ghost.
7. __*V/H/S* (2012)__: Created by Brad Miska and the production studio Bloody Disgusting, this found-footage anthology features six short horror films, including *The Second Honeymoon*, written and directed by Ti West. This project spawned a sequel the following year, *V/H/S 2*, along with more movies and a spinoff. 
8. __*Willow Creek* (2013)__: This indie found-footage film, written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, follows a couple as they venture to Northern California to capture footage of Bigfoot.
Become a better filmmaker with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including David Lynch, Spike Lee, Shonda Rhimes, Jodie Foster, Martin Scorsese, and more.
Filmmakers make found-footage movies by giving their characters cameras, giving the footage the organic, raw quality of a home movie. Learn about the history and characteristics of found footage and discover eight of the most influential examples of the genre.

Filmmakers make found-footage movies by giving their characters cameras, giving the footage the organic, raw quality of a home movie. Learn about the history and characteristics of found footage and discover eight of the most influential examples of the genre.

Found Footage Technique: 8 Found Footage Movies to Know

Found footage is a cinematic technique featuring “found” or “discovered” video recordings. Often, the characters take on the role of filmmakers and shakily capture footage with on-screen video cameras. Sometimes, a blinking “REC” button will even appear on the screen to show the raw nature of the footage. Films that use this technique fall under the found footage subgenre of mockumentary or horror movies.

What Is Found Footage?

The found footage genre first became popular in 1980 with the film Cannibal Holocaust, directed by Ruggero Deodato and written by Gianfranco Clerici. The film follows a crew of filmmakers searching for missing members of their team who were investigating a cannibal tribe in the Amazon. The actors playing the crew maneuver the cameras, making it seem like they’re the footage sources for the film. Since that watershed movie, many other imitators have employed this technique in big-budget films, indie flicks, and web series. Found-footage films often have a release date near Halloween due to their spooky nature. Some more recent examples of found-footage films include Grave Encounters 2 (2012), A Haunted House (2013), Head Cases: Serial Killers in the Delaware Valley (2013), The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014), and The Visit (2015).

A Brief History of Found Footage

Found footage is an enticing style because it invites a scrappy quality, plays with genre in thrilling ways, and allows filmmakers to set a story anywhere characters might use their own cameras for footage.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Choppy footage: The characters as “filmmakers” may capture the footage in a juvenile manner. Quick zoom-ins and outs, shaky <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-camera-moves' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-camera-moves","linkCopy":"camera movements","category":null}'>camera movements</a>, and unfocused lenses are just a few ways the film’s creators manifest this choppy footage. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Scares: Often, found-footage films are horror films that employ scares through supernatural forces quickly appearing in the frame and then vanishing to excite and terrify audiences. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Video cameras: A character appears to be a working cameraman in these films, using handheld recorders, phones, or other video cameras to capture the strange events around them that service the film’s narrative. </li></ol>

3 Characteristics of Found Footage Films

In Hollywood, found-footage horror films are the most common examples of this genre, and some of them have become box office hits. Notable found-footage films include:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. The Blair Witch Project (1999): Directed and edited by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, this film repopularized the found-footage genre. Student filmmakers hike into the Black Hills of Maryland to research a local legend known as the Blair Witch; they go missing, but a year later, others discover their footage, revealing the horrors they witnessed. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. REC (2007): Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza’s Spanish found-footage film shows first responders heading to an apartment building. An incident leads to the sealing of the building and a mandatory quarantine for residents, igniting mayhem within. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Paranormal Activity (2007): Oren Peli’s domestic thriller relies on homeowners’ surveillance footage to show the supernatural forces that disturbed residents. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Cloverfield (2008): Matt Reeves’s <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/science-fiction-movies' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/science-fiction-movies","linkCopy":"science fiction","category":null}'>science fiction</a> monster film follows six young friends in New York City who flee invading creatures who disrupt their farewell party. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Trollhunter (2010): André Øvredal’s Norwegian dark fantasy features three filmmakers investigating illegal poachers who instead find a man who kills trolls for the government. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Lake Mungo (2012): This psychological horror film directed by Joel Anderson explores the aftermath of a teenager’s death by drowning. Her brother sets up video cameras inside their home to capture a frequent visitor: her ghost. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. V/H/S (2012): Created by Brad Miska and the production studio Bloody Disgusting, this found-footage anthology features six short horror films, including The Second Honeymoon, written and directed by Ti West. This project spawned a sequel the following year, V/H/S 2, along with more movies and a spinoff. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 8. Willow Creek (2013): This indie found-footage film, written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, follows a couple as they venture to Northern California to capture footage of Bigfoot. </li></ol>

8 Examples of Found Footage Films

Become a better filmmaker with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including David Lynch, Spike Lee, Shonda Rhimes, Jodie Foster, Martin Scorsese, and more.

Want to Learn More About Film?

Filmmakers make found-footage movies by giving their characters cameras, giving the footage the organic, raw quality of a home movie. Learn about the history and characteristics of found footage and discover eight of the most influential examples of the genre.

Filmmakers make found-footage movies by giving their characters cameras, giving the footage the organic, raw quality of a home movie. Learn about the history and characteristics of found footage and discover eight of the most influential examples of the genre.


https://players.brightcove.net/5344802162001/1cMNiwC9oQ_default/index.html?videoId=6228111377001

Issa Rae on Media Representation

Born Jo-Issa Rae Diop, writer, director, actress, and producer [Issa Rae](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/issa-rae-teaches-creating-outside-the-lines) grew up in Los Angeles, California; Potomac, Maryland; and Dakar, Senegal (where her father was born). She grew up often feeling like an outsider, a narrative that would shape her shows’ eventual storylines, most transparently in her breakthrough YouTube web series *Awkward Black Girl*.

Rae achieved further success through *Insecure* on HBO. This dramedy redefined depictions of young Black people and simultaneously was an answer to the lack of diversity in mainstream television shows. Rae created and starred in the show, celebrating complex female characters and defying Black tropes in the TV and film industry. Rae received nominations for multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards, wrote a *New York Times*–bestselling memoir entitled *The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl*, and landed on the annual TIME100 list of the most influential people in the world. She also provided voice work for *Hair Love*, which won the Academy Award for Best <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-an-animatic-for-your-next-film' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-an-animatic-for-your-next-film","linkCopy":"Animated","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>Animated</a> Short Film.
Media representation reflects people and their narratives in the media, which encompasses theater, film, TV shows, newspaper articles, and more. Cisgender, straight, white people have long held excessive capital and power in the media industry, working as [executive producers](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-an-executive-producer-whats-the-difference-between-an-executive-producer-and-producer), star actors, and award-winning directors and writers. This has meant that mass media often showcases that group’s narratives, leaving out other groups of people, such as people of color, those with disabilities, and sexual and gender minority groups (LGBTQ+ people).

Issa Rae recalls watching Black-led shows growing up but noted that writers’ strikes in Hollywood, changing trends in television, and the dawn of reality TV made television less diverse. In college, she watched the TV show *Flavor of Love* and noted, “This was all that the world was seeing of Black women at the time, and it was not what I recognized.” Of the characters, Issa recalls, “They were fun to watch as characters but to think of that as the sole representation of Black females on screen was really disturbing.” This propelled Rae and her friends to create their own content, borrow equipment from the school, and write scripts. “If I don’t see what you want, make what you want to see,” Issa says.
Recently, activism led by people of color, critics, and social media users have pushed for more diverse representation in the media. A lack of representation can make the unrepresented group feel unseen and unheard, leading to [self-esteem](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/self-esteem), mental health issues, and harmful stereotypes. Historically, when underrepresented groups appear in shows and films, they have been cast as negative stereotypes, leading to more significant unconscious [bias](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-identify-bias) and poor connotations associated with the depicted group.

A lack of representation leads to cyclical issues: Producers believe stories about a particular group of people won’t perform well at the box office, so they don’t invest in it, so there’s no representation for said group. However, critical successes like *Moonlight* and financial blockbusters like *Crazy Rich Asians* show the short-sightedness of those views, opening new doors to underrepresented groups in digital media. The entertainment industry has the power to sway public opinion and make popular culture more inclusive, so media representation matters because it creates more opportunities, more significant systemic equities, and fewer divisions.
Issa has built a loyal audience and has become a trailblazer for creatives looking to drive their own stories. Consider Issa’s tips for finding an audience for your work:

1. __Build your audience__. Video and social media platforms make it possible to find and build an audience. For her part, Issa began releasing content on YouTube. “There are so many gatekeepers in this industry and they come in the form of studios, networks, [and] executives,” she says. “It's hard to break in and get people to see your work on a large scale. And the reason why you rely on these networks and studios is that they have the distribution [and] access to the audience you want to reach. But I think with the internet, what changed is that you have immediate access to whoever you want.”
2. __Create additional content__. It is essential to promote your work with a variety of content. “I encourage people to think about the ancillary content that'll help promote your series, whether that is additional videos or a talkback featuring the characters in your series,” Issa says. “There are just so many ways to bring attention back to your content that can attract a whole new audience that you didn't expect.”
3. __Find your niche__. When building an audience, knowing what makes your content stand out is essential. She says, “In thinking about trying to get your content out there, you have to ask yourself, ‘Why is my stuff different than anybody else's? What's gonna make somebody want to watch my stuff when there are hundreds of millions of videos out there for people to watch at any time? Why is my stuff special?’” Part of this process involves finding the right platform to share your work. 
4. __Market your work__. Self-producing requires you to wear many hats. “Don't be afraid to seek outside help,” Issa adds. “You can promote and market to your network of people…there's also an opportunity to reach out to other creators and collaborate to showcase your own work or to actually be featured solely on another creator's channel as a means of getting your work the most eyeballs possible.”
All you need is a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and our exclusive video lessons from prolific multi-hyphenate Issa Rae, the creator and leading lady of the hit HBO series Insecure (not to mention a bona fide music video star, executive producer, author, etc.). With Issa’s help, you’ll be writing, polishing, and pitching your pilot; finding your voice, and more in no time.
Comedian, actress, and filmmaker Issa Rae discusses the importance of genuine portrayals of people of color in Hollywood. Learn about the importance of media representation, plus Issa’s tips for creating and sharing your own stories.

Comedian, actress, and filmmaker Issa Rae discusses the importance of genuine portrayals of people of color in Hollywood. Learn about the importance of media representation, plus Issa’s tips for creating and sharing your own stories.

Born Jo-Issa Rae Diop, writer, director, actress, and producer <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/issa-rae-teaches-creating-outside-the-lines' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/issa-rae-teaches-creating-outside-the-lines","linkCopy":"Issa Rae","category":null}'>Issa Rae</a> grew up in Los Angeles, California; Potomac, Maryland; and Dakar, Senegal (where her father was born). She grew up often feeling like an outsider, a narrative that would shape her shows’ eventual storylines, most transparently in her breakthrough YouTube web series Awkward Black Girl.Rae achieved further success through Insecure on HBO. This dramedy redefined depictions of young Black people and simultaneously was an answer to the lack of diversity in mainstream television shows. Rae created and starred in the show, celebrating complex female characters and defying Black tropes in the TV and film industry. Rae received nominations for multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards, wrote a New York Times–bestselling memoir entitled The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, and landed on the annual TIME100 list of the most influential people in the world. She also provided voice work for Hair Love, which won the Academy Award for Best <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-an-animatic-for-your-next-film' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-an-animatic-for-your-next-film","linkCopy":"Animated","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>Animated</a> Short Film.

A Brief Introduction to Issa Rae

Media representation reflects people and their narratives in the media, which encompasses theater, film, TV shows, newspaper articles, and more. Cisgender, straight, white people have long held excessive capital and power in the media industry, working as <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-an-executive-producer-whats-the-difference-between-an-executive-producer-and-producer' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-an-executive-producer-whats-the-difference-between-an-executive-producer-and-producer","linkCopy":"executive producers","category":null}'>executive producers</a>, star actors, and award-winning directors and writers. This has meant that mass media often showcases that group’s narratives, leaving out other groups of people, such as people of color, those with disabilities, and sexual and gender minority groups (LGBTQ+ people).Issa Rae recalls watching Black-led shows growing up but noted that writers’ strikes in Hollywood, changing trends in television, and the dawn of reality TV made television less diverse. In college, she watched the TV show Flavor of Love and noted, “This was all that the world was seeing of Black women at the time, and it was not what I recognized.” Of the characters, Issa recalls, “They were fun to watch as characters but to think of that as the sole representation of Black females on screen was really disturbing.” This propelled Rae and her friends to create their own content, borrow equipment from the school, and write scripts. “If I don’t see what you want, make what you want to see,” Issa says.

What Is Media Representation?

Recently, activism led by people of color, critics, and social media users have pushed for more diverse representation in the media. A lack of representation can make the unrepresented group feel unseen and unheard, leading to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/self-esteem' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/self-esteem","linkCopy":"self-esteem","category":null}'>self-esteem</a>, mental health issues, and harmful stereotypes. Historically, when underrepresented groups appear in shows and films, they have been cast as negative stereotypes, leading to more significant unconscious <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-identify-bias' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-identify-bias","linkCopy":"bias","category":null}'>bias</a> and poor connotations associated with the depicted group.A lack of representation leads to cyclical issues: Producers believe stories about a particular group of people won’t perform well at the box office, so they don’t invest in it, so there’s no representation for said group. However, critical successes like Moonlight and financial blockbusters like Crazy Rich Asians show the short-sightedness of those views, opening new doors to underrepresented groups in digital media. The entertainment industry has the power to sway public opinion and make popular culture more inclusive, so media representation matters because it creates more opportunities, more significant systemic equities, and fewer divisions.

Importance of Representation in Media

Issa has built a loyal audience and has become a trailblazer for creatives looking to drive their own stories. Consider Issa’s tips for finding an audience for your work:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Build your audience. Video and social media platforms make it possible to find and build an audience. For her part, Issa began releasing content on YouTube. “There are so many gatekeepers in this industry and they come in the form of studios, networks, [and] executives,” she says. “It&#39;s hard to break in and get people to see your work on a large scale. And the reason why you rely on these networks and studios is that they have the distribution [and] access to the audience you want to reach. But I think with the internet, what changed is that you have immediate access to whoever you want.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Create additional content. It is essential to promote your work with a variety of content. “I encourage people to think about the ancillary content that&#39;ll help promote your series, whether that is additional videos or a talkback featuring the characters in your series,” Issa says. “There are just so many ways to bring attention back to your content that can attract a whole new audience that you didn&#39;t expect.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Find your niche. When building an audience, knowing what makes your content stand out is essential. She says, “In thinking about trying to get your content out there, you have to ask yourself, ‘Why is my stuff different than anybody else&#39;s? What&#39;s gonna make somebody want to watch my stuff when there are hundreds of millions of videos out there for people to watch at any time? Why is my stuff special?’” Part of this process involves finding the right platform to share your work. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Market your work. Self-producing requires you to wear many hats. “Don&#39;t be afraid to seek outside help,” Issa adds. “You can promote and market to your network of people…there&#39;s also an opportunity to reach out to other creators and collaborate to showcase your own work or to actually be featured solely on another creator&#39;s channel as a means of getting your work the most eyeballs possible.” </li></ol>

Issa Rae’s 4 Tips on Getting Your Stories Out There

All you need is a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and our exclusive video lessons from prolific multi-hyphenate Issa Rae, the creator and leading lady of the hit HBO series Insecure (not to mention a bona fide music video star, executive producer, author, etc.). With Issa’s help, you’ll be writing, polishing, and pitching your pilot; finding your voice, and more in no time.

Ready to Learn How to Break Into Hollywood? 

Comedian, actress, and filmmaker Issa Rae discusses the importance of genuine portrayals of people of color in Hollywood. Learn about the importance of media representation, plus Issa’s tips for creating and sharing your own stories.

Comedian, actress, and filmmaker Issa Rae discusses the importance of genuine portrayals of people of color in Hollywood. Learn about the importance of media representation, plus Issa’s tips for creating and sharing your own stories.


Headshot photo of Issa Rae against a gray backdrop with a rainbow light flare over her face.

media-representation-tips-from-issa-rae

[Petra Collins](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/petra-collins) is a Toronto-born artist whose photography explores contemporary femininity, identity, self-discovery, the female gaze, and other matters important to the millennial generation. She first gained recognition for her work on social media. 

The Canadian artist has photographed or directed ads for international brands Adidas, Calvin Klein, Nordstrom, Stella McCartney, and others. Among her directing credits are several short films and music videos for artists Cardi B, Selena Gomez, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Olivia Rodrigo. Petra’s work has appeared in exhibitions in New York, San Francisco, and Toronto, as well as at Miami’s Art Basel.
Portrait photography is a style of photography that portrays human subjects. It has a range of approaches and applications, including magazine covers, family portraits, and contemporary fine art. The most traditional portrait is a close-up of the subject’s face, usually at eye level and making eye contact.
Most portrait photographers use simple equipment for their shots—at the most basic, you’ll need an SLR, DSLR or mirrorless camera, depending on whether you want to shoot film or digital. Many portrait photographers also use a prime lens in the 85–135 range (these [focal lengths](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/basic-photography-101-guide-to-understanding-focal-length) provide the sharpest result without widening or flattening the subject). Avoid telephoto lenses, zoom lenses, and wide-angle lenses since these are unnecessary and can distort your subject’s features. You may also want a tripod, lighting, and a backdrop.

> “It doesn’t really matter what [camera] you use. It’s who you are behind the camera.”—Petra Collins
Portraiture usually emphasizes camera settings that allow for sharp focus on the subject’s eyes, with high lighting (natural light, camera flash, or a studio light source with reflectors) to accentuate their features. If you use a tripod, skip the presets and shoot in Manual Mode for maximum customizability. Since camera shake is less of an issue with tripod photography, you can slow your [shutter speed](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/basic-photography-101-understanding-shutter-speed-alt-title-for-title-tag-photography-101-what-is-shutter-speed-with-video), helping you use all available light (and when slowing your shutter speed, use a low [ISO](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-photography-what-is-iso) setting of 100-400). 

> “I shoot a lot in low light, and I like to use a really low shutter speed. I sort of discovered that by accident because I had accidentally put my camera on a low shutter speed. And I noticed that when it’s on this low shutter speed, you can capture this beautiful fluid movement.”—Petra Collins

When you shoot portraits with a handheld camera, shoot in Aperture Priority mode to allow for different angles and lighting by adjusting the amount of light entering the camera through the lens. To compensate for the additional movement of handheld photography, increase your shutter speed to 1/200th or higher, then compensate for this by raising the ISO.

Acclaimed photographer Petra Collins emphasizes that taking great portrait photos is more than just having the best camera or a shallow depth of field. Here are a few tips and photography techniques from Petra to help you take better portraits and make the most of your photoshoots:

1. __Consider the conscious choices of lighting setups__. From golden hour to backlighting, Petra likes to think about the different effects you achieve with your lighting conditions and choices. “With source lighting, it’s something that you’re creating,” she explains. “So you have a little more power over your subject when you’re using these lights.” On the other hand, natural light offers the opposite experience. “[With] given light, you’re kind of at the mercy of nature. You’re at the mercy of whatever space you’re in,” Petra explains. “These two things tell totally different stories.” And it’s up to you to decide which type of lighting—whether soft light or low light—is appropriate for each given portrait scenario. 
2. __Create a safe space for the subject__. It’s easy for a person to get self-conscious once they’re in front of the camera. “One of the most important parts of taking a portrait is making my subject feel comfortable throughout the process,” Petra says. “Always remember that you are taking photos of another person.” She uses several techniques to help create a safe, comfortable, collaborative space—including kicking off a portrait session with talking, walking around the space, talking about what music they can play in the background, and collaborating on the vision for the portraits. 
3. __Establish a balance between you and the subject__. According to Petra, a good portrait should create a balance between you and the subject. “[A portrait] means the connection that the photographer has with the subject, how the subject feels, and how to best represent that,” she explains. “The first thing that I consider when taking portraits is what I want to reveal from my subject or what they want me to reveal. . . . You don’t want to lean too heavy into what you want. You want to make sure that your subject has a fair chance at being viewed,” she says. Talk with your subject about what they hope to <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communicate","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>communicate</a> with their portrait, what facial features or personality traits they’d like to highlight, and how they want viewers to think about them. When shooting a self-portrait, consider the relationship between you and the camera as both subject and photographer.
4. __Identify the essence of the message__. Feel free to experiment with the concept of a portrait to really get at what you and your subject want to say. “A portrait doesn’t have to be just a straight-on photo,” Petra says. “A portrait can be a lock of a person’s hair, or it can be the back of a person’s head. A portrait just means capturing a person’s essence.” Use your imagination to capture a stunning portrait for each subject rather than relying on the idea of a simple headshot every time—and remember, the best portrait may be one that’s unexpected.
5. __Think carefully about the location__. “Anywhere you shoot has meaning,” Petra explains. “You have to consider whether or not you want to go into someone’s personal space or take them out and put them in a totally different space.” Each choice creates a significant effect in the final portraits—from [environmental portraits](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/environmental-portrait-guide) (shots of people that also contain a sense of place) to professional portraits with blurry, bokeh backgrounds. An outdoor portrait will create a different feeling than one taken in a photography studio with focused portrait lighting, so consider what effects you and your subject are hoping to achieve. 
6. __Use color to tell a story__. Color is one of the most essential parts of a composition for Petra. “It took me a while to . . . ease into this and figure out that everything that I photograph has a specific tone,” she explains. “I’m always looking for where I can apply color or how the color can . . . tell the stories.” She recommends that you “figure out what color means to you and figure out how you see it, because all of us see it differently.” You may find that you prefer bright colors, subdued tones, or even [black-and-white photography](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-black-and-white-photography-tips) to tell your stories.
Become a better photographer with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Petra Collins, Jimmy Chin, Annie Leibovitz, Tyler Mitchell, and more.
Artist and director Petra Collins believes your relationship with your subject is far more important than your equipment. Get Petra’s portrait photography tips for developing your style and making your subject comfortable.

Artist and director Petra Collins believes your relationship with your subject is far more important than your equipment. Get Petra’s portrait photography tips for developing your style and making your subject comfortable.

Petra Collins’s Portrait Photography Tips

<a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/petra-collins' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/petra-collins","linkCopy":"Petra Collins","category":null}'>Petra Collins</a> is a Toronto-born artist whose photography explores contemporary femininity, identity, self-discovery, the female gaze, and other matters important to the millennial generation. She first gained recognition for her work on social media. The Canadian artist has photographed or directed ads for international brands Adidas, Calvin Klein, Nordstrom, Stella McCartney, and others. Among her directing credits are several short films and music videos for artists Cardi B, Selena Gomez, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Olivia Rodrigo. Petra’s work has appeared in exhibitions in New York, San Francisco, and Toronto, as well as at Miami’s Art Basel.

Who Is Petra Collins?

Artist and director Petra Collins believes your relationship with your subject is far more important than your equipment. Get Petra’s portrait photography tips for developing your style and making your subject comfortable.

Artist and director Petra Collins believes your relationship with your subject is far more important than your equipment. Get Petra’s portrait photography tips for developing your style and making your subject comfortable.


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