READY TO GET UNSTUCK?
Finish a high impact short film in 6 weeks—with structure and support
Finish a high impact short film in 6 weeks—with structure & support
A high-accountability coaching and execution sprint for mid-career documentary filmmakers who shoot (directors and DPs) ready to build creative momentum and complete a strategic visual project.
SOLD OUT - JOIN THE WAITING LIST →
The Doc House Strategic Sprint 🔥
Six weeks from now, you’ve made something you're proud of. It’s in your reel. It’s on your site. You’re sharing it with collaborators, producers, or potential clients. No more overthinking or stalling. You’re building real creative momentum.
You'RE INVITED TO JOIN:
It's a burst of strategic clarity and creative execution. Whether you’re launching a personal doc project, creating a stylized sequence for your reel, or sharpening your interview style—this is the space to make real progress in community.
REALITY CHECK:
You didn't become a filmmaker to shoot other people's ideas.
But between client demands, creative doubt, and the pressure to get it “right,” your own projects keep getting pushed aside. You’re not unmotivated—you’re stuck.
And this Sprint is how you get moving again.
In six weeks, you’ll complete one short, strategic piece that builds momentum, sharpens your vision, and gets you back into action—with support every step of the way.
Isn't it time you made something for you?
You’re meant to be making YOUR work—so why aren't you?
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Your notes are full. Your folder's packed. But nothing is getting made—and that unfinished energy is draining your creative momentum.
IF YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR A SIGN, THIS IS IT
“One of the best investments I've made in my creative development. ”
Vanessa understands the balance between being a professional and being a human, and is able to share her wisdom about filmmaking in ways that are liberating rather than constricting.
- lucie M
SHORT FILM, BIG LEAP
My career shifted when I made small, smart projects fast.
When I was early in my career, it was easier not to overthink—I just made work. I shot a gritty, visual short in two days, using what gear had. It led to a Vimeo Staff Pick and my first HBO job. I wasn’t chasing outcomes—I was following curiosity. Somewhere along the way, that freedom gets harder to access. This Sprint is about returning to it—on purpose....
...With structure, support, and a clear path to finishing something that moves your career forward.
Introducing...
THE DOC HOUSE
STRATEGIC SPRINT
This founding cohort is your chance to join a tight, high-accountability group, guided directly by me, and designed to help you start and finish something that moves your creative career forward.
FOUNDING COHORT
ONLY 16 SPOTS
Starting April 11
What IS IT?
Weekly group coaching (2 hrs)
Direct feedback & accountability
Daily coaching via Slack (M-F)
Tight-knit peer group (8 max)
Project Planning Toolkit
90-Day Next Step Planning Template
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A live group workshop to finish one bold, career-moving piece in 6 weeks
You'll move from stuck to clear—with a group that won’t let you disappear.
How It Works
SMALL COHORTS
Stay accountable inside a focused, high-trust group of 8 filmmakers. You won’t disappear—and you won’t be doing this alone.
WEEKLY WORKSHOPS
Weekly sessions blend strategy, hot seats, and critique—so you're always creating with clarity, not in a vacuum.
SLACK COMMUNITY
Get weekday support from me and your cohort. Ask questions, share progress, and stay connected between sessions.
MEET YOUR HOST
I’m Vanessa Carr, and I used short, strategic films to leap from self-doubt to a career I love.
For the past 14 years, I’ve shot top-tier documentaries for HBO, Hulu, Netflix, and Disney+ and built a career I’m truly proud of as a DP.
But it didn’t start with a big break. It started with a series of short, self-driven projects. That’s still how I grow — and how I believe more of us can keep moving forward.
I created Doc House and this Summit to help documentary filmmakers find real, sustainable paths in a field that’s only getting harder. We can’t control the industry, but we can take back creative power.
MY WORK
What you'll make and why it matters
A COMPLETED SHORT DOC
AN EMOTIONAL VERITE SCENE
Interview frames w/ creative lighting
A STYLIZED SCENE, VISUAL EXPERIMENT, OR PROOF OF CONCEPT
Over 6 weeks, you’ll complete one visual piece that strengthens your portfolio, sharpens your creative identity, and gets you back into action. It could be:
Live Performance – Capturing movement & emotion
Hidden Community – Revealing unseen worlds
High-Stakes Moment – A competition, life event, or transformation
To make it easier to start, I’ll share optional strategic themes to guide your concept development—like:
Let's break it down
⚡ Your 6-Week Sprint Journey
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WEEK ONE
Create Your Roadmap
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WEEK Two
Choose + Commit
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WEEKS THREE & FOUR
Shoot With Intention & Freedom
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WEEK FIVE
Refine + Elevate
Clarify your goals, assess your portfolio, and choose a strategic direction.
Select your project and begin preparing to shoot—without needing all the answers.
Get out there and shoot—
using 1–2 focused shoot days, max.
Edit your own footage to uncover the emotional and visual core of your piece
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WEEK SIX
Finish + Move Forward
Complete your project, share it with your cohort, and create a 90-day action plan.
This isn’t a course—it’s a creative container built for momentum. Each week is designed to move you from planning to finished piece, with just enough structure to keep you focused and just enough freedom to make it your own.
What You’ll Walk Away With:
A finished, strategic piece for your reel or portfolio.
Creative momentum you can feel
Supportive, high-level feedback from peers and a pro doc cinematographer
A portfolio & skills audit to guide what you make
A replicable system for making strong work—fast
A 90-day action plan—including outreach
JOIN THE WAITING LIST
Short, visual, and designed to showcase your creative strengths.
You’ll be back in motion with a win under your belt.
You’ll understand what’s working, where you’re headed, and what to build next.
Real-time critique and coaching to push your work further.
Learn how to reverse-engineer short, powerful pieces that move your career forward.
A roadmap for building on your project, connecting with collaborators, and positioning for future work.
This *is* for you if:
You are a mid-career doc filmmaker who shoots
You have 5 years experience
You have access to a camera and basic editing skills
You're a total beginner
You don't like group workshops
It's probably *not* for you if...
You're not willing to do the work
This Is the First Cohort—and It’s Going to Be the Most Personal
You’ll be part of the very first group to go through the Sprint—built for you. It’s a focused, purpose-built experience shaped by what I’ve learned from teaching over 200 alumni of my documentary cinematography intensive. This is a new format, designed specifically to help you actually finish strong, strategic work—with accountability, momentum, and creative support baked in. As a founding member, you’ll get more access to me, more room to shape the experience, and a front-row seat in building something powerful from the ground up.
More access. More impact. Built for you.
How Does This Sound?
What Shifts When You Join the Sprint
01
You move from overthinking to creative execution, with clear intention and a plan.
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You stop hiding behind client work and start building new style and skills.
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You get clear on where you are—and what to make next.
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You stop hesitating and start shooting cinematic work that’s yours.
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You go from isolated to supported by a cohort that gets your work.
JOIN THE WAITING LIST
MINDY C.
It's rare to find someone who is great both in their craft and at teaching it.
Vanessa has a wealth of experience to draw from and an openness to sharing that is incredibly refreshing and uncommon in the industry.
KAREN R.
PAUL K.
If I had this kind of insight at the start of my career it would’ve helped so much.
Vanessa's teaching is incredible. It's been so helpful to me to tap into her world of experience to get
a clear, honest sense of where I'm at, and inspiration for where I can get. So much of my experience filming feels like I'm navigating the freelance world mostly alone.
Vanessa delivers on both fronts with skill, experience, and generosity.
MAYA C.
WHY THIS IS WORTH YOUR TIME:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a filmmaking course?
Nope. This is a guided implementation sprint. You're here to make something. I’ll provide prompts, strategy, and feedback to keep you in motion from concept to completion.
What if I don’t finish my project in 6 weeks?
That’s okay—but you won’t be left to drift. This Sprint gives you structure, deadlines, and just enough tough love to keep you moving. Whether you finish or just get further than you would alone, you’ll leave with footage, focus, and real momentum.
Do I have to shoot something new?
Yes. This Sprint is about getting back into creative action. You’ll shoot one short, strategic visual piece during the program—whether it’s vérité, stylized, interview-based, or something experimental. Expect 1–2 focused shoot days, max.
I’m already working—will this still fit into my schedule?
Yes. This is built for working filmmakers. The Sprint is structured, but not overwhelming—expect 2 hours/week of live sessions, a few hours for your shoot/edit, and light check-ins on Slack.
What kind of feedback will I get?
You’ll get direct, thoughtful feedback from me—plus the insight that comes from workshopping in a group of sharp, committed filmmakers. Each participant gets two hot seats, and you’ll learn just as much by giving and receiving feedback as you will from your own time in the spotlight. It’s a space for honest, craft-focused growth.
Is this right for me if I’m just getting started in filmmaking?
This Sprint is designed for mid-career documentary filmmakers with five years of experience under their belt. You should be comfortable shooting on your own, editing a basic piece, and self-directing your workflow. If you’re still learning the fundamentals, this may not be the right fit—yet.
Finishing a short, strategic project that reflects your voice
Showing up for your creative process—with structure and support
Making work that actually moves your career forward
You’re ready to make strategic, career-moving work—and this Sprint gives you the structure to actually finish it.
Getting out of your head and into action
