It’s hard to summarise OTOXO other than it completely changed my life. Both professionally and socially. I started the 1 year programme with no technical or theory knowledge and left with 2 films and life long friends.
Working in a team of 12 to direct a feature with vulnerable participants, of course had its challenges. However, John and Tom created such a warm, patient and nurturing space where everyone felt heard and respected. The challenges felt easily disarmed.
The themes we were working with were very close to my personal experience and exactly the type of issues I wanted to cover as filmmaker.
Seeing how much respect and care they handled sensitive topics and vulnerable protagonists, really helped me to navigate Part 2 of the programme, which had an especially big impact for me. With OTOXO’s support and guidance it went on to win at DocsBarcelona and is now being developed into a feature.
But for me, my favourite takeaway from it all is the community created. 3 years on, we are all still close friends who speak and visit each other across the world regularly.
I would do it again a thousand times over <3
The INto INdustry programme is a fantastic starting point for any aspiring documentary filmmakers. I found it incredibly valuable, as it covered all aspects of the filmmaking process (research, treatment writing, filming, editing and promotion) and gave me the practical skills needed to self-shoot & and produce, which is essential in the industry today. John and Tom have a great knowledge of filmmaking, and more importantly they have first-hand experience working in the industry, meaning that everything I learnt was relevant and applicable.
I am currently working professionally in the fields of documentary filmmaking, film programming & film education. There is no way any of this would have been possible without my time at Otoxo.
Beyond the research, technical & production skills that you learn to an immensely high standard, OTOXO teaches you how to navigate the messy, complicated, frustrating & often exhausting process of how to make a film. I am so grateful that, during my time at OTOXO, I was able to develop the resilience, problem solving, creative thinking and optimism that has been crucial to my work ever since. These are often qualities that are overlooked in other film studies programmes, but OTOXO totally get it.
OTOXO treats everyone as an individual, and values the varied life experiences that each team member brings to the team. I am so proud of the films I made during my time at OTOXO, and really feel that I was given the freedom to develop my own style as a filmmaker, whilst at the same time being inspired by those around me. I have made lifelong friendships with both my teammates and with contributors from the films we made.
My time at Otoxo was full of joy. It’s intense, challenging and you have to be ready to step out of your comfort zone, but it’s also incredibly fun, fulfilling & meaningful. It was the start of my journey as a filmmaker & it filled me with confidence to get out there and to make films of my
The INto INdustry programme strikes a brilliant balance between theoretical and practical experience. John and Tom have designed an educational component that introduces you to the theoretical and technical aspects of documentary making, which, as a newcomer, I found totally accessible and excellently taught. Alongside this, a practical component consists of real, challenging production work – researching, writing, interviewing, filming, editing and even screening – which puts you straight through the paces of documentary filmmaking.
En pocas palabras, el Programa INto INdustry me proporcionó las habilidades, la experiencia y la confianza que necesitaba para convertirme en el profesional de la industria cinematográfica que soy hoy.
One of the most worthwhile things I have done ever. Not only did I learn so much during my time at OTOXO, but I also met so many wonderful people who I’ve continued to stay in touch with. I took part in the one month intensive course, and whilst it is pretty long days and a lot of work, the amount that I learnt was invaluable and I had so much fun taking part in all aspects of making each documentary. Furthermore the trust and respect that OTOXO show to each and everyone of their students regardless of experience is amazing and made such a supportive atmosphere in which to take creative risks and allow us to produce 3 killer documentaries! For anyone wanting to build their showreel and learn all aspects of making a documentary I could not recommend a better course. Plus being in Barcelona is simply the cherry on the cake – I’m talking ending a long work day by hitting the beach and having tapas with your friends.
I’m so grateful for the brilliant community of people I met through the programme, whom I have been able to reply upon over the years. In my team of 12 students alone, people have gone on to make award winning documentary films, produce major commercials, work at internationally renowned photography agencies and develop large scale dramas The wider OTOXO network has continued to be a source of creative support, advice, and good friendships.
Doing the ‘INto INdustry’ programme at OTOXO proved to be a turning point in my career. I have studied filmmaking in Mumbai and New York, but the kind of practical knowledge, functioning of the filmmaking process and sensitivity in terms of attention to detail that OTOXO instils is something I have not experienced anywhere else. The learning was tremendous. It has definitely been one of the most enriching experiences. Go do it!
OTOXO’s INto INdustry programme was a breath of educational fresh air. We were continually armed with the necessary skills for each stage of production in an informal and personal class environment, but most valuable was that we were learning by doing.
Nos obligaron a salir del aula para ir a descubrir un tema y escribir y crear un documental corto en seis meses. Al principio fue muy intimidante, pero valió la pena lanzarse de lleno. Los profesores eran geniales, agradables, conocedores y apasionados por el documental y nuestro éxito como cineastas. I can’t imagine a different course or work placement making me the filmmaker that OTOXO has.