Izzy’s doc story bootcamp

class starts SPRING 2025

BOOST IMPACT, STAND OUT, AND INJECT PASSION INTO YOUR WORK

Izzy’s Doc Story Bootcamp is a proven program that combines practical storytelling expertise with hands-on filmmaking training—custom-tailored for strategists, researchers, and business professionals eager to distinguish themselves in a world where video storytelling is king.

A STEP-BY-STEP BLUEPRINT FOR YOUR FIRST DOCUMENTARY SHORT

The program is designed with flexibility in mind so that students can fit it around busy schedules. The modular lessons are broken into bite-sized videos for students to view and learn at their own pace, on their own time.

tap into the power of visual storytelling

  • boost impact

    95% of a message is retained when viewers watch it in a video, compared to 10% when reading it in text. (Insivia)

  • deepen connection

    9 in 10 people find information packaged as stories more engaging than facts and stats, making stories 22 times more memorable. (Forbes)

  • drive growth

    83% of human learning is visual.
    (B2B Marketing)

Hi, I’m izzy!

I created this bootcamp to share the passion and unique knowledge I gained in building a career that straddles the business and filmmaking worlds.

After graduating from the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California, I built my reputation as a researcher and strategist in the communications industry with powerhouse brands such as Apple, Amazon, and Visa. My film work has been screened at Vancouver International Film Festival and the Austin Film Festival, and was a Gold Lion finalist at the London Film Awards. In addition, my advertising work has won a Gold Addy. 

My two worlds came together when I started doing ethnographic-documentary work for forward-looking brands like Nike, Oakley, and Lexus. 

This bootcamp works because it’s built on the success of dozens of masterclasses and workshops I’ve run as a cultural envoy for the U.S. State Department’s American Film Showcase. From an Indie Media Camp in Ukraine, a filmmaking workshop for nonprofits and entrepreneurs in Beijing, an Emerging Filmmakers Workshop in Alexandria, Egypt, to a masterclass at the Sharm-El-Sheikh Film Festival. I have successfully taught documentary filmmaking skills to novices and pros.

You are in the right place if you want to

SET YOURSELF APART, FUEL YOUR CAREER, & gain a lifelong creative skilL.

Crafting documentary stories lets you explore your passions, answer burning questions, and better understand the world and yourself.

this is for you Whether you’re a:

  • Researcher who wants to expand your services into ethnographic documentary and visual anthropology

  • Strategist who wants to create customer profiles and capture cultural insights that spark the imagination of creative teams and clients

  • Knowledge worker who wants to enliven your presentations and product pages with memorable stories that get colleagues and clients talking

  • Forward-thinking business leader who wants to ignite the passion and creativity of your employees

  • Budding film and video enthusiast eager to learn the art of storytelling

BY THE END OF THIS BOOTCAMP, YOU WILL HAVE MASTERED:

  • 1

    Identifying stories that meet your goals & audience needs

  • 2

    Creating a character that people will care about

  • 3

    The confidence to conduct interviews

  • 4

    The craft of editing a well-paced, engaging video short

  • 5

    How to structure a story that will keep audiences glued

Testimonials

Izzy is a masterful teacher with a wealth of knowledge to share. Plus, she does it with such kindness and encouragement!

It was very valuable to learn in detail how to go about creating a documentary and to actually make a short at the end.

The approach, support, and energy shared during the classes by Izzy were fantastic.

The course was very comprehensive. I learned how to tell a story and then how to prepare it and then turn it into a great video.

I'm looking forward to expanding on what I've learned -- you gave me the start I needed!

what’s included

class starts FALL 2024

THE Bootcamp

  • A premium video online course in 8 Modules, broken down into a series of bite-size video lessons, released over 8 weeks.

  • A week-by-week guide to making and completing your first documentary short project.

    • This can be repurposed as a step-by-step blueprint that you can use for any future projects.

  • Downloads, checklists, worksheets, and resources to support your learning.

  • Optional group coaching sessions with Izzy at multiple time options based on students’ time zones.

  • You can also ask questions and interact with Izzy on a private online group, hosted on an ad-free platform and created exclusively for this Bootcamp. This invitation-only community is where you will engage with classmates in a supportive and safe environment.

  • 4-6 person Accountability Groups to allow for deeper understanding of each other’s projects and richer discussions.

  • Students have 8 weeks to complete the bootcamp–providing plenty of flexibility to learn at your own pace, around your commitments.

Director’s Circle

For those who desire a higher level of support and access to Izzy

You get everything in the standard bootcamp plus…

  • Weekly small group workshops with Izzy to discuss and troubleshoot your project work. These live Zoom workshops will give you the opportunity to ask Izzy questions about the material and learn from each other’s challenges and breakthroughs.

  • Option to schedule 1:1 meetings with Izzy during her open office hours for issues that require Izzy’s undivided attention or that you’d rather discuss privately.

  • Students in the Director’s Circle will also receive direct feedback from Izzy on any work they share on the bootcamp’s private online group.

This Bootcamp is designed for busy working professionals and provides the right amount of information and support without making you feel overwhelmed.

WHAT’S INSIDE IZZY’S DOC STORY BOOTCAMP?

  • Module One

    Module One

    NAIL YOUR FILM TOPIC AND NARRATIVE GENRE

    • Ground yourself by defining your goals and your audience in a mini brief

    • Zero in on a topic that will meet your goals and grab your audience’s attention

    • Learn how to use documentary narrative genres as storytelling templates for your projects

  • Module Two

    Module Two

    SHAPE YOUR STORY AND FIND YOUR LEAD

    • Leverage the simplicity of the 3-Act Structure in crafting a powerful story

    • Use the Hero’s Journey to develop strong characters

    • Find a compelling lead character for your project

  • Module Three

    Module Three

    PREPARING FOR YOUR SHOOT

    • From the shooting schedule to gear prep, everything you need to get ready for a productive shoot

    • Create an observation & coverage checklist that will make sure you capture everything you need

    • Master the art of documentary interviewing

  • Module Four

    Module Four

    SHOOT LIKE A PRO

    • From composition, angles to lens-choice, learn camera basics to help you start shooting like a pro

    • Set up for your interview using only natural light and simple tools

    • Learn good audio habits to ensure you have good sound

  • Module Five

    Module Five

    START STRONG ON YOUR EDIT

    • Identify “hot” lines and moments from your footage

    • Create a paper “script” for your first assembly based on the 3-Act Structure

    • Identify juicy B-roll for a rough cut

  • Module Six

    Module Six

    THE HEART OF YOUR FILM

    • Uncover the core essence of your film as you edit it down to 3 minutes

    • Use music and sound design to enhance your story

    • Identify pick-up shots necessary to fill in any critical gaps in the story

  • Module Seven

    Module Seven

    FINISH THE EDIT IN STYLE

    • Learn simple tricks of the trade to smooth out your edit

    • Use title cards and transitions strategically

    • Promote your film and draw viewers to support you in the Virtual Film Showcase

  • Module Eight

    Module Eight

    VIRTUAL FILM SHOWCASE AND CELEBRATION

    • Weeklong student film showcase featuring all completed films!

    • A virtual celebration to view the top 10 films and celebrate the Audience’s Pick and Grand Jury winners

SHAREWORTHY CERTIFICATION & BADGE

Those who complete the bootcamp and submit a project will get a Certificate and Badge of Completion to show off your achievement!

Showcase on your business profile or website, download or print out as PDF to share with others, post and show off on social media.

Izzy’s Doc Story Student Showcase

The bootcamp will culminate in a weeklong virtual film showcase featuring everyone’s hard work. Audiences will be invited to vote for their favorite project.

We will also recruit a panel of advertising and documentary professionals to review and vote for a Grand Jury winner. 

AUDIENCE’S PICK WINNER
You’ll be awarded a virtual “blue ribbon” if your project wins the popular audience vote!

GRAND JURY WINNER
You’ll also have a chance to receive a virtual Grand Jury Trophy if your film wins the jury vote.

Plus, You’ll Be Backed by a Risk-Free 7-Day Refund Guarantee

If you’re on the fence…maybe other courses have left you skeptical…I don’t want that to stop you from experiencing how exciting and empowering it is to learn with me in the Doc Story Bootcamp.

I WANT YOU TO SUCCEED!

That’s why I’m giving you 7 days to test, try, and play with the course. By the first week, you will have access to your bonuses and the first module of lessons, allowing you to think about your documentary short and decide if this course is the right fit for you before making a final commitment. If you don’t think it’s right for you, simply reach out, show me you’ve done the work, and I’ll refund your investment. For more details, click here.

That’s how confident I am about the lifelong opportunities and inspiration you’ll get from documentary storytelling–for your work, career, and personal growth and creativity!

The only thing you have to do is suspend your disbelief and give it a try. You have nothing to lose. Join the hundreds of students I’ve taught to use and love this powerful tool and art form.

Grab this one-page download (ok, it’s front and back!) to share with your boss, agency, or HR team to explain why they should invest in your growth and send you to bootcamp!

free downloads

Download this list of documentary shorts for some inspiration and enjoyment! You'll be surprised by how powerful a story can be in less than 10 minutes!

Frequently asked questions

Here are a few questions previous students asked before signing up!

  • Yes! This program will walk you through each step of the process and provide you with the videos, downloads, resources, and group support you need from start to finish.

  • No! I teach you to use what you have in addition to free resources to make your documentary short. You don’t need any special equipment or software.

  • Nope. You just need to commit to doing the work each week for the successful completion of your documentary short.

  • No! I teach you what you need to know from storytelling to scriptwriting – start to finish.

  • You’ll be given access to one module per week so that you have time to learn, implement, and complete the necessary tasks to work towards your final documentary film. The Bootcamp is a mix of pre-recorded videos, resources, downloads, group support, and live office hours.

  • Yes! Izzy will host group live sessions every two weeks to answer any questions and provide project support. The Director’s Level gets live coaching each week, 1:1 support, and individualized answers in an online learning platform as well.