Docs in Progress, Inc.

I have worked with DIP for several years now as they helped me with my feature doc, Breaking Through the Clouds: The First Women's National Air Derby. Erica knows how much of one's self goes into making a film as she invests all of her self in DIP & supporting the DIP community. Not only are the services DIP provides helpful, from consulting to workshops to networking, but my experience has been that the people attracted to the workshops and events are all supportive, curious and interested in helping one another. It is wonderful to have a community to share ideas with and commiserate regarding experiences, heartbreak, successes and more. As the organization grows, I have seen the opportunities to expand knowledge and gain experience grow as well. At first it did seem to cater more to the novice but now, even seasoned filmmakers can get value as the industry is changing daily so it helps to talk to others about their experiences.

If you would like to find a supportive community while navigating the various avenues in telling your story via film, I highly recommend getting involved with DIP.

I have been familiar with Docs In Progress since its early inception in 2006 when Eric and Adele were hosting Peer Pitch sessions. I have loved watching this organization rapidly grow since then. The growth of the Docs in Progress is a testament to the huge need of emerging and independent filmmakers in the Washington, DC area, and, to the quality of teaching, advice, mentorship and overall encouragement offered by the organization. As an independent filmmaker myself, operating on modest budgets, I am grateful that many Docs in Progress events are offered at suggested donations and that the courses are incredibly affordable yet packed with knowledgeable and passionate experts. It is a true honor to serve on this board with such dedicated professionals and to support the community of emerging filmmakers.

I am the director of the feature documentary "A Sister's Call". When I found out about Docs In Progress I was immediately interested in submitting my then rough cut for consideration into their program. It was accepted and we had our DIP screening in January. I was not only surprised by the number of doc buffs who showed up, but also by the wonderful insight provided by the audience after the screening. We spent about 45 minutes dissecting the film and brainstorming solutions to problems. I left feeling excited to get back into edit and finish the film. Erica is a wonderful host and moderator and I thank her for allowing us to be a part of this wonderful organIzation. I reccomend Docs In Progress to any documentary filmmaker at any stage of their post production process. - Kyle Tekiela, Director "A Sister's Call"

Docs in Progress serves an invaluable role for burgeoning and established documentary filmmakers alike. Their workshops, networking events, financial support and professional opportunities serve a crucial role in the DC/Maryland area. And for filmmakers like myself, who travel to Silverdocs, their partnership with that festival only deepens that experience every year. Of special note is their enthusiasm - this can make all the difference in the world to a filmmaker. I support them heartily and hope others do too.

I've given a number of film producing and pitching workshops at Docs-In-Progress and I'm extremely impressed with the work they do there and the caliber of people who participate. My only complaint is that they're based in Washington DC and I live in NYC, so I can't take better advantage of all the great programs they oversee.

Docs in Progress is a great resource for documentary filmmakers to work with established professionals to bring interesting, under-told stories to screens. Their mix of hands-on training with informative programs is a valuable resource for any mediamaker to hone their craft or fine tune their stories. Women in Film & Video looks for opportunities to work with the Docs in Progress staff to co-produce programs and we can always tell when one of their alumni attends a program because of their confidence.

I feel Docs aim is to first schmoze and booze you and fail to to adequately inform patrons that their facilites are under par despite their partnerships they have attached to the bare bones of their orginization is a for profit below rate editing house with staff that is not adept to the current state of affairs, technolgy and people.

I have been a film programmer in the past but am new at producing documentary films, my favorite genre. I met Erica from Docs in Progress at a Creative Alliance program in Baltimore and knew immediately that this was the organization that would be incredibly helpful to my learning curve. And so it has been. I recently attended a presentation at Docs in Progress and besides being full of usable information from three top notch presenters, it was also incredibly inspiring to sit in a room of other documentary filmmakers. I felt like I found a place to ask questions, to exchange ideas and information and, most importantly, to learn. i had found "my tribe." I look forward to fully participating in Docs in Progress and am exceedingly grateful for this wonderful organization. Also, I took the MARC train and subway from Baltimore to the SIlver Spring to the program. So, I really appreciate that it's located near the metro station.

I was a part of the first documentary class Docs-in-Progress held and I learned a lot from it. As a class "alum" I continue to attend meetings, seminars, and screenings and I have found each event to be quite useful. The DC area is a growing homebase for doc filmmakers, so this nonprofit group serves a valuable need in the area!

I think there is no other organization as vital as this one in nurturing a productive community of documentary filmmakers and advancing its potential to promote social change and cultural enrichment.

My documentary film "BROKEN HEARTS & BUTTERFLIES" was twice accepted by DIP and twice I had the most amazing experiences of getting THE most valuable feedback. The enthusiasm, professionalism and constructive criticism made me want to finish my film. Still working on it but none the less, DIP helped me get it where it is today, and I will forever be truly grateful for this.

I began serving as a Board Member for Docs in Progress in mid-2010. Prior to that, I had attended many of the organization's events and volunteered in a variety of capacities. Throughout my entire relationship with Docs in Progress, I have continued to be inspired and moved by Docs in Progress' fantastic staff, resources and community. Docs in Progress is not only an irreplaceable asset to Silver Spring and the DC-Metro-area, but to stakeholders on an international scale.

I have been volunteering with Docs in Progress for over five years. Throughout that time, I have been consistently impressed with the professionalism, passion, and dedication the organization brings to the DC documentary filmmaking community. Anyone with an interest in this medium - whether filmmaker or audience member - owes it to themselves to become a part of what Docs in Progress has created.

As a volunteer, I appreciate that Docs In Progress gave me many opportunities to experience how the networking with other film makers can be established and what elements are needed to product a film. By the benefit of volunteering, I have been informed a lot about the process that I didn't know ,for example,the law issue,insurance,the connection with other organizations. In particular, the rough cut screening is very helpful not only for the film makers but also for the beginner of this field like myself. I was surprised to listen to a sharp and insightful judgment and their feedback points out the core problem that the film would have to keep up or additionally be edited. The effort Docs In Progress makes for film makers should be highly appreciated.

It's hard to get constructive criticism on a documentary film from your friends and family. Their first (and albeit essentially wholesome) instinct to either tell you are amazing or grill you about how you got your camera up on that cell phone tower, or how you convinced the mayor to tell you about the corruption in his own administration. The rough cut screenings that Docs in Progress puts together are amazing opportunities for filmmakers to get real, honest feedback from people that resemble an audience that one might encounter at a film festival or at a theater. I am truly grateful to Docs in Progress for their assistance in making my film as good as it can be. Thank You!

My companies usual niche in the business is fictional independent movies. We went outside of our box and shot an in-house documentary in which we put lots of time and effort. After several edits we knew that something in the story flow was still not working at which time we called on Docs in Progress. Docs in Progress saved our documentary and story and took it to higher and better levels. Thank you Docs in Progress - we now have a wonderful story. Michelle Farrell "Unraveling Michelle"

Have enjoyed their workshops. They've provided a venue for professional feedback on my project that I could never have easily received elsewhere. Great encouragement and stimulator of aspirations.

Docs in Progress has provided me with great support and fantastic advice. They truly care about helping emerging filmakers.

I attended a class on a Saturday about legal aspects of film making. Beforehand I submitted drafts of releases to be completed by performers and others in making the film. I received valuable comments. The instructor also provided other sample contracts and legal documents. The session was helpful.

I attended a workshop on being a solo doc filmmaker at Docs in Progress and it was fabulous. The staff has a breadth of experience that is impressive and what they offer doc filmmakers is thorough and thoughtful. It is an amazing resource for filmmakers both local to the DC Metro and nationwide. I also like that the organization seems committed to cultivating a sense of community.

Docs in Progress hosted the D-Word F2F at Silverdocs in 2009. They did a fantastic job, providing excellent facilities, and made the experience extra special with a great party. I look forward to another opportunity to visit the DocHouse!

I am making a small film and have no previous experience. I turned to Docs in Progress & found their workshop to be very helpful, informative & best of all intimate. It is a wonderful organization with an important and underserved niche.

Eight years ago, I was witness to a fascinating story in a small town that I wanted to document on film. The only problem was that I had no idea how to do that! That's how I became acquainted with Docs in Progress, an organization that brings together prospective filmmakers with expert storytellers, editors, buffs and supporters. It was a key moment, and over the years I have had numerous productive contacts with the organization - for consults, screenings, industry events and much more. Long story short: our little adventure turned into an Emmy award winning film that is now being used by grouips across the country to promote justice and equality. Docs in Progress has wonderful people, wonderful events, and a wonderful spirit. It ties stories to action. It's truly a treasure.