Make a Film. Discover a City. Experience Madrid.
Spend two and a half weeks in Madrid creating a short documentary film. This is an intensive workshop where you will:
- Explore the history and life of the beautiful city of Madrid with local guides
- Learn the craft of documentary filmmaking with professionals
- Collaborate with students, faculty, and locals to produce a documentary film
You’ll leave with new skills, a deeper understanding of Spanish culture, and a documentary film you helped produce, screened in Madrid and back in Wooster.
HISTORY & DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING TREK IN MADRID
HIST 21801 • cross-listed in COMM / GMDS / DIVS
Travel/Study Dates: May 20 – June 5, 2026
Location: Madrid, Spain
Faculty Directors: Prof. Greg Shaya & Prof. Aída Díaz de León
Course Overview
A Documentary Workshop
You will learn every stage of documentary production:
- Developing the story – planning the shoot
- Camera and composition
- Interviews and location sound
- Editing
- Responsible filmmaking
Students finish the course with film credits in camera, editing, and direction.
An Exploration of Spanish History and Culture
We will explore the history and culture of Spain, with a focus on Madrid
- Understanding the complex history of contemporary Spain
- Visiting important sites and museums in the city
- Discovering the cuisine, the art, the culture, the architecture
Why Madrid?
Madrid is our classroom and our studio. We will explore:
- Historic and lively neighborhoods of the city
- Fascinating historical sites
- Some of the most impressive museums of the world, the Prado, the Reina Sofia and more
- Flamenco bars with food and performances
- Cafes and restaurants
- And we’ll learn about the culture from local experts
Your faculty directors’ long-standing connections in Madrid provide access to local perspectives, new stories, and hands-on learning opportunities.
A Film for Summer 2026
Each year centers on short documentary film shaped with local partners.
For the summer 2026 we propose to tell a story about the neighborhood of Malasaña with a focus on the lives of residents who have made this lively neighborhood home for decades.
The course culminates in a public screening in Madrid for the people featured in your film and our local collaborators, followed by a Wooster screening in Fall 2026.
How the Program Works
Before Departure (4 meetings after spring break)
We prepare by:
- Learning Spanish history and culture
- Practicing camera, audio, and editing basics
- Reviewing documentary ethics and cross-cultural reflections
- Going over expectations, logistics, and travel prep
- Planning our film production
In Madrid (17 days total)
Days 1–3: Orientation
- Discovering neighborhoods and visiting the city
- Practice with cameras and audio gear
- Review interview and filming techniques
- Visit film locations and meet local contacts
Days 4–9: Filming
- Shoot on location throughout Madrid
- Conduct interviews (in English and Spanish)
- Capture b-roll and observational footage
- Review daily footage and receive feedback from faculty and partners
- With cultural events – neighborhood tours, flamenco show, tapas, food tour
Days 10–16: Editing
- Build sequences and refine narrative arcs
- Add voiceover, music, and subtitles
- Shape rough cuts into final films
- With cultural events – museum visits, restaurants, historical sites
Day 16 Evening: Public Screening
- Film screening! We will share our completed films with community participants and invited guests in Madrid
Day 17: Departure Day
- The final day is departure only—no filming or coursework. Students pack, check out, and travel home.
After Return
- A virtual debrief meeting
- Fall 2026 campus screening of our films
Credit & Cross-Listings
- 1 Wooster credit
- General Education: GE, HSS
- Cross-listed with: Communication Studies (COMM) and Global Media & Digital Studies (GMDS)
- Counts toward: Digital and Visual Storytelling (DIVS) experiential learning requirement
Prerequisites
None. We welcome students with a passion for travel, discovery, storytelling, and filmmaking.
Some experience in Spanish is helpful but not required.
Ready to Learn More?
Contact:
Prof. Greg Shaya – gshaya@wooster.edu
Prof. Aída Díaz de León – adiazdeleon@wooster.edu
To Apply
Apply online at the Global Engagement Office at Wooster
Links to Learn More
Madrid TREK 2026 Info Session
View here
Madrid TREK Slideshow (2025)
View here
The Making of Flamenco Dreams (2025)
A student project on our experience in Madrid – online at YouTube
Trailer for “Three Souls in Search of an Embrace” (2022)
At CineWright Productions and Workshops
Making of Buenos Aires TREK (2022)
A student project on our experience in Buenos Aires – online at Vimeo