Join us for NYWIFT Masterclass Series The Documentary + Docu-Series Masterclass: From Seed to Stream: The Art and Architecture of non-fiction storytelling. A dynamic three-night virtual program led by award-winning filmmaker Yvonne Russo, guiding participants from the heart of an idea to a streamer-ready pitch.
Over three immersive sessions, filmmakers learn to uncover the soul of their story, craft its emotional and structural architecture, and translate that vision into professional development materials that resonate with industry executives.
Night 1 focuses on discovering story essence—identifying character, stakes, and emotional truth.
Night 2 transforms that essence into structure, teaching participants to build tension, rhythm, and episodic arcs that drive binge-worthy storytelling.
Night 3 culminates in premium development, where creators learn the anatomy of a compelling pitch deck, how to build a series package, and practice real-time pitching in an interactive workshop.
Grounded in the belief that “filmmaking is an inside job—every story begins within, and every film becomes a living legacy,” this masterclass empowers filmmakers to turn their ideas into powerful, purposeful nonfiction content built for today’s streaming world.
*This class is open to all levels.
Price: $30 for Members* / $60 for Non-Members
Price includes admission for all 3 sessions.
Each session will be recorded and sent out to all registrants.
*Executive, Platinum, and Leadership Circle members attend for free. Contact membership@nywift.org to join or upgrade your membership.
SESSION 1: Story Essence – Finding the Soul of Your Story
Date: Monday, November 10, 2025
Time: 6:30-8:00pm ET
So you have an idea for a documentary or docu-series—where do you start? This session helps participants distill their story into a crystal-clear essence statement that captures the emotional heart, urgency, and uniqueness of their idea.
By the end of Night 1, participants can clearly articulate what their story is about and communicate its heart in a way that resonates with executives, audiences, and themselves.
SESSION 2: From Story to Structure — Crafting the Architecture of a Documentary + Docu-Series
Date: Monday, November 17, 2025
Time: 6:30-8:00pm ET
Turning Your Vision into a Blueprint
“Tonight, we move from the heart of your story into its architecture, where creativity meets craft. This is where you learn to think like a showrunner, to build tension, rhythm, and flow episode by episode and translate your passion into a pitch that gets greenlit.”
The Anatomy of a Documentary + Docu-Series
Focus: Structure, tension, and the binge-worthy factor.
- Compare a feature-length documentary story structure to a docu-series structure.
- Dissect the bones of a successful documentary + docu-series.
- Explore how each episode stands alone and serves a season-long arc.
- Identify the “engine” — what propels the viewer to hit “Next Episode.”
- Compare single-feature structure (3 or 5-acts) to episodic rhythm (mini-arcs that ladder up).
- Learn to create a beat sheet
(This class will include an interactive exercise and homework will be assigned)
SESSION 3: Premium Development: Building Streamer-Ready Packages
Date: Monday, November 24, 2025
Time: 6:30-8:00pm ET
Focus: Translating creative structure into professional pitch materials.
- Anatomy of a pitch deck and series bible (visual tone, access, scope, and POV).
- What executives look for: tone, urgency, authenticity, exclusivity, cultural access, and sustainability.
- Case study: dissect a successful deck – what makes a great pitch deck?
- Creating proof of concept reels and why they are important.
Interactive: Mock Pitch Workshop
Participants form breakout pairs or small groups to:
- Present a 3-minute elevator pitch for their series.
- Receive feedback on clarity, tone, marketability, and story engine.
- Discuss how to tailor pitches for streamers (Netflix, HBO, Hulu, NatGeo, etc.).
By the end of this masterclass, the goal is for every participant to walk away with the confidence, clarity and tools to pitch their project to buyers and executives with impact not just as filmmakers, but as visionaries ready to get their stories greenlit and out into the world.
About the Instructor:
Yvonne Russo is an award-winning director, producer, and writer whose work spans film, television, and animation. In 2025, she won the prestigious Humanitas Prize for writing Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae (“Wounded Knee ’73,” Ep. 2) of the acclaimed docuseries for ONYX Collective/Hulu.
Her latest feature documentary, VIVA VERDI!, offers an intimate look inside Casa di Riposo per Musicisti in Milan, the retirement home founded by composer Giuseppe Verdi for aging opera singers and musicians. The film premiered at the Woodstock Film Festival, had its West Coast premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and screened at Toronto’s HOT DOCS’ Doc Soup program and will premiere theatrically at Laemmle’s Theatres, Santa Monica.
Russo is currently producing Kelly’s Bar, an independent drama set in 1980s South Boston alongside Casey Affleck, and developing Tiny Tot Nation, an animated children’s series. She also serves as Executive Producer on an adaptation of the cult classic Powwow Highway with Handmade Films and FX alongside Sterlin Harjo (The Lowdown, Reservation Dogs), Bobby Wilson (Reservation Dogs), and Heather Rae, Executive Producer (Outer Range, Fancy Dance).
Her earlier credits include serving as Production Advisor on Woman Walks Ahead starring Jessica Chastain, writing and directing the animated short Minnie’s War Bonnet for PBS, and producing over 30 episodes of National Geographic Television’s Most Amazing Photos. Her feature credits include The Rescuers: Heroes of the Holocaust, Naturally Native (Sundance), and True Whisperers: The Story of the Navajo Code Talkers.
A proud member of the Sicangu Lakota Nation, Russo is dedicated to cultural preservation and authentic Indigenous representation. She is a member of the DGA, PGA, BAFTA, and SAG-AFTRA.
This program will take place virtually as a webinar via Zoom. Please register in advance, and all registrants will receive a link to attend the webinar the day of the event.
We encourage you to download and create a Zoom account in advance.
programs@nywift.org
Join the conversation on social media:
#nywift | @nywift
NYWIFT programs, screenings and events are supported, in part, by grants from New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
