The School of Visual Arts’ MFA Social Documentary Film program teaches the artistic skills and techniques needed to tell compelling true stories that stimulate meaningful dialogue. SocDoc not only teaches the fundamentals of great storytelling, but guides students toward a career in the thriving documentary industry. The award winning-faculty is helmed by producer Maro Chermayeff (Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present), and includes Deborah Dickson (Lalee’s Kin), E. Donna Shepherd (Soundbreaking), Richard Hankin (The Jinx), Kirsten Johnson (Cameraperson), Ross Kauffman (E-Team) and Sam Pollard (4 Little Girls), among others. Program alumni have won Student Academy Awards®and have had their films screened theatrically, on television and in festivals worldwide.
SVA’s showcase includes: As her daughter experiences childbirth anxieties, Doosun shows what it means to be a Mom (USA, 2016, 8 min., Mingi Kim). Babysitter: A Story of Alice and Me (USA, 2016, 7 min., Rebecca Benson) is a whimsical, up-close look at the relationship between a little girl and her sitter. A teen Muay Thai boxer who is banned from the sport tries to find his heart back in the ring in Bet By Heart (excerpt) (USA, 2016, 7 min., Aom Pinyopusarek). In Grand Central Terminal – GCT (USA, 2016, 4 min., Sarah Rachael Wainio) – we explore the lesser-known corners of the majestic train station. After a near-fatal car accident, Alex (USA, 2016, 9 min., Brian Inocencio, Kai Boonprakob) is completely changed. On The Ledge (USA, 2016, 10 min., Chelsi Bullard) charts a father and son’s fight to save Brooklyn’s Slave Theater. Rail Ties (USA, 2016, 7 min., James Stuart) reveals the thriving subculture hidden in plain sight in NYC’s public transit system. Tina pursues her dreams like everyone else – only she reveals a little more than most, as shown in Big Hips Big Dreams (USA, 2016, 8 min., Melanie McLean Brooks).
