DOCFOREST 2016
Friday, September 16th– Sunday, September 18th
Four hours, teams of two, one town and our phones.
TICKETS GO ON SALE JULY 25th
Begins September 1st
*New!!!
- Friday and Saturday Activities
- Friday and Saturday Meals Included
- Friday Night Lodging
- No Lodging Saturday
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Filmic Pro






ABOUT DOCFOREST
The Seattle Documentary Association (SeaDoc) presents its annual filmmakers’ retreat, DocForest—a weekend of high-tech talk in a low-tech setting, filled with informal workshops, films, camaraderie, bonfires, food and drink! This year we are super excited to hold DocForest in a new location—the beautiful Pack Forest near the town of Eatonville, about 90 minutes’ drive from Seattle on the way to Mt. Rainer. No tents required!
This year’s theme is HANDS-ON! Documentary involves so much that is NOT filming—but let’s face it—creating the images is the most fun. And, now we have the tools to make films with what we can carry in our pocket, our smartphones. This DocForest is all about staying visually fresh by focusing on cinematography and—making short films together—A DocForest Smartphone Film Challenge!
All you need is a smartphone (iOS or Android) with some free gigs and to be game.
To get us pumped up, Andy Shocken, a cinematographer living in Brooklyn (check out his current project, Song Of Lahore) will tell us about how he approaches a documentary scene. Then, the creators of Filmic, from our very own Seattle, are going to show us WHY & HOW PHONES are potentially serious tools for filmmaking. Wait! There is more. Courtney Sheehan the executive director of Northwest Film Forum will also be at DocForest to tell us about Citizen Minutes—an opportunity for us to make films about things that matter to us and have them seen—without years of editing and distribution woes.
The retreat begins with Happy Hour on Friday evening, and ends on Sunday at 1pm. All meals will be provided by Pack Forest—and they are yummy. Vegetarian and Gluten-free are options (just be sure to fill out the questionnaire). This year—no tent required! All you need to bring is yourself, clothes, jammies, your PHONE with as much memory as possible and if you would like to bring an alcoholic beverage that is not beer or wine, bring that as well. (Cannabis is not allowed at Pack Forest. It is owned by the U of W).
DocForest is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to network, share your projects and recharge your creative juju!
We look forward to seeing you at DocForest 2016! It is going to be a good one!!!
-The SeaDoc Steering Committee
AGENDA
4:00pm – 6:00pm ARRIVAL
Check-in, hand off film clips for the evening events, and get settled in. Drinks & heavy apps will be served.
6:00pm – 6:30pm SPEED DATING
Our fast and furious icebreaker leaves you wanting more – and then gives it to you, 40 times over. Prepare to share your 1 minute elevator pitch for a current or dream project with all other DocForest attendees.
6:30pm – 7:30pm Dinner
7:30pm – 9:00pm SHOW AND TELL
Voluntarily show up to 5 minutes of a completed work to (re)introduce yourself to DocForest. Alternatively, participants can use this time to tell us who/how/where you are and what you need to advance your filmmaking. Such sharing facilitates personal connections, feedback, and inspiration throughout your DocForest weekend. This is not a feed-back-based WIP, please give labeled media to Patricia when you arrive.
9:00pm BONFIRE
You supply the conversation and we supply a roaring fire, liquid libations, and traditional campfire pleasures for the young and ancient at heart.
Guest Speakers

NEILL BARHAM- FILMIC PRO

KEVIN BUONAGURIO- FILMIC PRO

ANDY SCHOCKEN- SONG OF LAHORE

COURTNEY SHEEHAN- NORTHWEST FILM FORUM
Location
This year, DocForest will be taking place at the Pack Forest Conference Center. It’s about an hour and a half drive from Seattle.
Lodging: Each of the ten historical cabins sleeps up to eight people. Restrooms and showers are conveniently located in a separate building across from the cabins.
About the Location: The Pack Forest Conference Center lies at the foot of Mount Rainier, nestled among stately Douglas-fir in a 4,300 acre forest. Owned by the University of Washington’s School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Pack Forest is an ideal setting for educational conferences or retreats any time of the year. Interested in mountain biking, walking, or hiking? Guests are welcome to wander the trails or take advantage of our interpretive program. For more information, visit: http://www.packforest.org
Directions: Alternative 1 – Best during high traffic times: (I-5 to Highway 7 — Through Parkland): Follow I-5 south through Tacoma. Take Exit 127, and follow Highway 512 for about ¾ of a mile. Take the first exit for Steele St and turn left onto Steele St. Steele St becomes Spanaway Lake Loop Road. Continue for about 5 miles on Steele St/Spanaway Lake Loop Road. Turn left where the Spanaway Lake Loop Road ends onto WA-704E/Cross Base Hwy and follow for ¾ of a mile. Turn right onto Highway 7 South. Stay on Highway 7 for about 22 miles through Spanaway and Elk Plain toward Elbe. After you cross the Mashel River, watch for the sign “University of Washington Pack Forest.” The entrance to Pack Forest will be on your left.
How To Get There
F.A.Q.
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This year Doc Forest will be located at the Pack Forest Conference Center in Eatonville.
Address: 9010 453rd St E, Eatonville, WA 98328 -
DocForest 2016 begins with appetizers and drinks about 4pm Friday September 16 thru lunch on Sunday September 18, 2016.
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$250 early bird purchase for the entire weekend. Tickets go on sale at the SeaDoc website on July 24.
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For our Show & Tell, please bring a 5 minute ‘introduction and ask’ finished piece.
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Attendance price includes a shared cabin lodging. Shared bathrooms, showers, and kitchen space available on-site.
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Catered snacks, appetizers, plated meals, wine, beer, juices, and sodas are provided. We can accommodate special dietary needs if you provide advanced notice.
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This year at DocForest we will be hosting a Phone Challenge. Please bring your phone, your chargers and your computer to edit if you wish!
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Yes! Pack Forest has WIFI and internet access.
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Contact us via this web page or our Facebook page to receive direct contact with a SeaDoc Steering Committee Member and personalized advice.
Have any questions? Please send an email to amy@seattledocumentary.org.
We hope to see you at DocForest this year!