September 2016 Newsletter

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“The Coverup” Wins Roy W. Dean 2016 Spring Film Grant  
 
Documentary Uncovers Effects of Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
The first Roy W. Dean Film Grant of 2016 goes to the feature documentary, The Coverup, and its mother and daughter filmmaking team of Lynn Pelletier and Malina Fagan.
“The Coverup” reveals that the average person is exposed to about 126 chemicals a day, just from their cosmetics and personal care products (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, makeup, etc.).  Scientists have linked some of the chemicals to serious health effects including cancer, infertility,  and birth defects.   The documentary seeks to empower consumers and companies to challenge the government to protect the public.

 Sands of Silence: Waves of Courage US Premiere  
Roy W. Dean Grant Winner Now Screening Around Country 
Sands of Silence:Waves of Courage, the film that gives courage to speak out against sexual violence, is now available for viewing in select cities in U.S.
There will be two screenings Oct 5th at theChagrin Documentary Film Festival in Ohio and a showing October 16th at Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles.
The screenings will be accompanied by a Q&A with director Chelo Alvarez-Stehle 
Learn More

Plan of Attack: Raising Money for Your Film
 
By Carole Dean
Ok, you’ve got a great idea for a film. You’ve created a fantastic proposal and you’ve perfected your pitch. You’re next move should be to create a captivating trailer.
Now, you need a plan of attack because now you need to start raising money.
As I mention in my book, The Art of Film Funding, 2nd edition: Alternative Financing Concepts, there are so many things to do when you start to make a film. You need to know the order of your priorities because they come at you from every direction.
When you just work with these immediate items you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The Hottest Web Fest in the Country
LAWEBFEST is Oldest, Largest Web Series Festival
The Los Angeles Web Series Festival (a.k.a.LAWEBFEST) was created to showcase, promote, and reward as many deserving web series as possible and provide a unique networking platform.   It was established in 2010 by Emmy-winning TV producer Michael Ajakwe Jr.
In the most recent Art of Film Funding Podcast, Michael explains what he looks for in entries, the different categories, and how to apply.
Other recent interviews include:
How to Create Award Winning Web Series with producer/director Dennis Curry
Making Successful Short Films with Kim Adelman, author of “Making it Big in Shorts”
Dissecting Docs -What’s Hot to Watch with Carole Dean and Don Schwartz.
In case you missed them, you can access any of the podcasts on our website at The Art of Film Funding Podcast.

Welcome Julie Janata as Grant Donor
Thanks for Supporting Independent Filmmakers
Julie Janata is an Emmy Award-winning Producer, an Emmy Award-nominated Editor and a Director, of character-driven dramas, comedies and music feature films that have won more than 25 awards around the world.
The winner of the Roy W. Dean Fall Grant receives 30% discount on Julie’s creative producing consultant services.
Sought after as a story builder, Janata imbues her stories with all the richness of character she learned while working on Oscar and Emmy winning productions on four continents for every major studio: Warner Brothers, Universal, Paramount, Fox, Disney, Sony, as well as ABC, CBS, PBS, TLC, ESPN, HBO and Showtime.

New Fiscally Sponsored Films
The Latest Projects Fundraising With Us  
The documentary License to Parent focuses on the lack of any training and requirements needed for parenting. The film will show that if we can raise the standard of parenting, we can make our world a better place in which to live.”
The feature 88 is drawn from Psalm 88 and combines the genres of Christian films and Horror films.  The webseries, DILF Diaries, is a feminist response to 50 Shades of Grey, placing the utmost importance on consent in any sexual relationship, and especially those involving kink.

This Month On Indiegogo with From The Heart  


In the mockumentary, Chase: Tony Takes on The World, struggling actor Tony has one day to make it to New York City, or the world will be destroyed.
The short film Cut Jasmine short film strives to show the true nature of the people involved in the building of the railroads, and how their triumphs and hardships made our country great.  American Yogi is a documentary film about Ram Dass’s guru and an adventurous journey into magical India where a young man mustchoose between the miracles he sees and life as he knew it
View More
Click on book to buy on Amazon.com
The Art of Film Funding is the best selling fundraising book
for independent filmmakers.  With a daily to do list, it puts you on the fast track to financing your film.
What’s new in the 2nd Edition:
  • Secrets to successful crowdfunding
  • How to market your film online
  • Tips for creating a trailer to attract investors.
  • Peter Broderick on new ideas for marketing films
  • Norman Berns on Budgeting
  • Maureen Ryan on Music Rights
  • Michael Donaldson on Fair Use
  • Corky Kessler, Paige Gold and Mark Litwak on Legal
  • Creating your Trailer by Bill Woolery
  • Tom Malloy on Feature Film Funding

January – 2016

 

Roy W. Dean Spring 2016 Grant Now Accepting Submissions
 
Girl From North Country – 2015 Spring Grant Winner
Now in its 23rd year, theRoy W. Dean Film Grantseeks films that are unique and make a contribution to society.
 
The winner receives $3,500 cash and close to $30,000 in donated film products and services they can use to complete their film.
 
Films can be documentaries, short films, features, or webisodes. Deadline for submission is April 30th, 2016.
 
Each applicant receives a consultaion on their film from Carole Dean or a From the Heart board member.
 
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Don’t Myth Up Your Crowdfunding Campaign

 
By Carole Dean
 
5 Myths to Overcome to Reach Your Funding Goal
 
At From the Heart Productions, we’re partners with Indiegogo and have helped filmmakers raise over $2 million for their films.
 
But, that money did not always come easy.  We provide lots of resources to create a successful campaign and fiscal sponsorship  but it took work and dedication from filmmakers.
 
And that only happened when we got them to let go of the myths they have about crowdfunding.
 
Myth 1 – You build it and they will come.
Nonsense.  No matter how fantastic a campaign page you create, how important the cause, or how great the concept, you need to bring your crowd to the crowdfunding campaign.
 
 

Create A 6 Month Film Funding Goal

Learn How to Make a Successful Action List For Raising Money
 
You’ve got a great film project, but where are you getting the money?   Do you know what to say in your pitch?   Is the trailer you have generating interest?  Why not?
“Thank you so much for a wonderful class.  What I learned from you and Tom was invaluable”
Kerstin Karlhuber Director “Fair Haven”

The Intentional Filmmaking Class will help you solve those problems, clear mental roadblocks, and put you on the road to getting your film produced.

Over the 4 month class, you will also get instruction from film funding experts on:
  • Creating a killer proposal
  • Closing your donors
  • Finding distribution
Carole Dean teaches the Trailblazer Class for Documentary Filmmakers and is joined by Producer/Author Tom Malloy in the Mastermind Class for Feature or Short Film Filmmakers.
 
Class is $695, but enroll by February 21st, and save $100 and pay just $595.   Payments can also be arranged by emailing Carole Dean at caroleleedean@gmail.com
 
Class is limited to just 10 members so enroll soon .
 
Save an additional $65 if you a grant applicant or are fiscally sponsored by entering code INTENT65 when purchasing the class.
 
 

 New Spring Grant Donor Promedia

 
NY Full Service Production and Post-Production Facility
 
Welcome to our newest Roy W. Dean Grant donor and supporter of independent filmmakers, Promedia.   Located in Manhattan, projects they’ve recently worked with include the feature “Birdman”, and TV shows “Louie”, and “Blue Bloods”.
 
President/CEO Joe D’Imperio is offering the grant winner a 40% deduction on color, editing, and sound services as well as the same 40% deduction to all production services….”including our lighting truck.”
 

Manifesting Money for Your Film Part 2

You’ve probably been manifesting your whole life and never realized it
 
Did you get the bicycle you always wanted? Did you get a computer you craved?  A new car?  You decided what you wanted, made a plan, and made it happen.  You just didn’t call it manifesting.
 
Manifesting Money for Your Film Part 2

Creating a pitch package for your film, a website, a business plan, is part of the process of manifesting money for your film.  In her latest video, Carole shows you how to get it done.

 
 

New Home for Our Fiscally Sponsored Films

 
All Our Films Get Their Own Fundraising Page
 

As a film fiscally sponsored by From the Heart, you can

Documentary U Htein Lin _ Mr. Bright and Shiny

create a page on our funding platform dedicated raising money for your film.

 
On your page, you can:
  • Add video, pictures, call to actions.
  • Set your own donation amounts.
  • Have donors cover all fees.
We’ve got over 60 films on our site.
 
 

 

This Month On Indiegogo with From The Heart  

 
Aviatrix is a documentary film about Katherine Sui Fun Cheung, who was one of the first Chinese women to earn a pilots license in the United States during the Golden Age of Aviation.
 
In Token of Love, an estranged mother and daughter come together through the power of love… and weed. A veteran bent on vengeance for his sister’s killing is visited by angels in Hometown-Salute A Soldier’s Story.  A dark comedy, the short film Irish Goodbye is based on a true story about a self-destructive man and his eccentric community.
 
View More
 

 
 
 
 
 
Recent Art of Film Funding Podcast interviews include:
 
Dissecting Docs -What’s Hot to Watch with Carole Dean and Don Schwartz
 
Hot Marketing Tips for Actors, Screenwriters & Filmmakers with Dr. Melody Jackson, founder of the full-service marketing and consulting firm Smart Girls Productions.
 
Section 181 35% Tax Rebates for Films in 2015 and 2016with entertainment lawyer Corky Kessler.
 
 
In case you missed them, you can access any of the podcasts on our website at The Art of Film Funding Podcast.
 
 
Click on book to buy on Amazon.com
The Art of Film Funding is the best selling fundraising book
for independent filmmakers.  With a daily to do list, it puts you on the fast track to financing your film.
What’s new in the 2nd Edition:
  • Secrets to successful crowdfunding
  • How to market your film online
  • Tips for creating a trailer to attract investors.
  • Peter Broderick on new ideas for marketing films
  • Norman Berns on Budgeting
  • Maureen Ryan on Music Rights
  • Michael Donaldson on Fair Use
  • Corky Kessler, Paige Gold and Mark Litwak on Legal
  • Creating your Trailer by Bill Woolery
  • Tom Malloy on Feature Film Funding
 

Preferred Pricing Program for E & O Insurance

From the Heart Productions Associated Filmmakers Can Take Advantage of This Special program

Non-profit From The Heart Productions in partnership with Front Row Insurance offers the Prefered Pricing Program for E & O Insurance for their members.  

Those who are eligible include:

Front Row Insurance is a Leader in Film Production Insurance

Front Row Insurance is a Leader in Film Production Insurance

The Preferred Pricing Program for E&O insurance offers exceptional rates and service from of the leading providers of insurance in the entertainment industry.  

E&O, Errors and Omissions, insurance covers legal liability and defense for the production company against lawsuits alleging unauthorized use of titles, formats, ideas, characters, plots, plagiarism, unfair competition or privacy, breach of contract.  

It also protects against alleged libel, slander, defamation of character or invasion of privacy.  This coverage will usually be required by a distributor, broadcaster or financier prior to the release of any theatrical or television production. Production financing will usually not flow until E&O coverage is in force.

“Getting this program has been a dream of mine for some time.” said Carole Dean, President of From the Heart Productions, “With tight budgets, independent filmmakers a need a break on the cost of essential insurance.”

“Thanks to Kent Hamilton of Front Row Insurance and the tremendous work he put in to make this program a reality.  It shows his dedication to these filmmakers and to helping them out however possible.”

To get more information on preferred pricing and to get a quote, qualified filmmakers need to email Carole Dean of From The Heart Productions at caroleedean@att.net.

About Front Row Insurance

Front Row is an Entertainment Insurance Broker specializing in: The Film industry, The Music Industry, Fairs and Festivals with offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Los Angeles.  Front Row negotiates to obtain the best coverage at the lowest premium from the insurance companies.  They are a top choice for: filmmakers, musicians, photographers and festival organizers.

About Kent Hamilton

As Executive Vice President of the Truman Van Dyke Company for over 25 years, Kent Hamilton insured thousands of films, commercials and television productions. Joining Front Row Insurance Brokers LLC as President, Kent helps producers solve problems and obtain the proper insurance coverage for the best price.

About From The Heart Productions

From The Heart Productions is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to helping filmmakers get their projects made.  Besides providing funding through the grant, they are also a fiscal sponsor which allows donations made to films they sponsor to be tax deductible.   President Carole Dean is the best-selling author of “The Art of Film Funding” which is now in its second edition.

 

April 2014 Newsletter

 

If at first you don’t suceed, apply, apply again
If you didn’t win the Roy W. Dean Grant are and are still working on the project you submitteed, apply again.
 
You’ve got a better chance the second time.  
 
Why?
 
Judges already have reviewed your project. 
 
If you followed some of their suggestions and tips that Carole Dean provided as part of the free consultation, they’d  love to see your progress and would appreciate the additional work you’ve put into it.  
 
If you made it to the finals, they probably really liked it as many projects are submitted while few are chosen.
 
Don’t forget that each grant applicant gets a free consultation with Carole Dean no matter how many times they’ve applied.
 
She is a funding expert who will give you advice on perfecting your pitch, tweaking your trailer, and finding funds.
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Roy W. Dean Spring Grant 
Cash Prize Now $2,500
 
Deadline is April 30th, 2014

Thank you for helping us have a wonderful year in 2013.   More

“Salvaged Lives” -1993 Roy W. Dean Grant Winner

filmmakers than ever applied for fiscal sponsorships.   Roy W. Dean Grant applications were way up.  The amount crowdfunded for our projects working with From The Heart on indiegogo is at nearly $1 million.

So, we are rewarding our grant winner with our good fortune and increasing the cash value of the Spring Roy W. Dean Grant to $2,500.

This boost creates a valuable package worth $30K of film services and discounts from generous companies and crafts people in the film industry.

If you lose, well, you don’t really lose because every filmmaker applying for the grant gets a free 15 minute consultation with film funding expert Carole Dean.   She will provide tips on improving your project, pitch, and funding prospects.

(Apply for Grant)

From The Heart Fiscal Sponsorship Now Comes with Film Industry Discounts

Many Donors to the Roy W. Dean Grant Offer Discounts to Fiscally Sponsored Films

 

15% off Marketing from Melody Jackson of Smart Girls Productions
Films fiscally sponsored by From The Heart Productions are much like those that apply for the grant. They are just starting and need all the help they can find to get completed.

 

The donors to the Roy W. Dean Grant realize that and have pitched
in to provide assistance to our fiscally sponsored projects.

 

Discounts range from 10 to 20% and cover a wide range of production services from audio sound editing from Alpha Dogs to camera lens rental from www.lenslends.com.

 

(More on Fiscal Sponsorship and Discounts)

Reaching Your Indiegogo Goal with Us is Now More Rewarding
Fee Is Now Just 7% If You Reach Your Goal
One of the best things about crowdfunding with  From The Heart on
Indiegogo and From The Heart Logo
Click on Image to See All The Great Films Crowdfunding With Us On Indiegogo
 indieogogo.com is no penalty if you did not reach your goal.  You still keep the money you raised.
Well, now if you hit your goal, you get to keep more.  Our current fee rate is 9.3% (9.8% as of June 1st) for projects funding with us on indiegogo.  Now, if you hit your goal, you will get 2.3% back and pay just 7%.  
Our goal is to help you get your projects made.  We think that this will go a long way toward helping you and us reach that goal.

Did You Hear How to Get $700 in Discounts to The Writers Boot Camp?

 

On Aprill 2nd Carole Dean interviewed Jeffrey Gordon, the founder of The Writers Boot Camp on  The Art of Film Funding on BlogTalkRadio.

 

The Writers Boot Camp is a long time donor to the Roy W. Dean Grant.  On this episode, Jeffrey offered great tips on improving your screenwriting, overcoming writers block, and the importance of getting that first draft right.

But, he also offered $700 in discounts to Writers Boot Camp Basic Training and Pro Membership courses for listeners of the program.

All you need to get the discount is a secret word he mentioned on the podcast.

 

Did you catch the episode?  No?  Ok, well, its not too late to get the discount.  The offer is good to May 15th. You can listen to that interview and all the interviews at our On Demand Episode Page.

 

Recent Interviews Include:

 

Ken Elliot on manifesting for success

Sheri Candler on social media marketing for your film

Greg Centineo on film financing for “Legends of Oz 3D”

 

And don’t miss these upcoming interviews:

Learn about podcast times and other From The Heart news, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Like us on Facebook View my videos on YouTubeFollow us on Twitter
Click on book to buy on Amazon.com
The Art of Film Funding is the best selling fundraising book
for independent filmmakers.  With a daily to do list, it puts you on the fast track to financing your film.
What’s new in the 2nd Edition:

  • Secrets to successful crowdfunding
  • How to market your film online
  • Tips for creating a trailer to attract investors.
  • Peter Broderick on new ideas for marketing films
  • Norman Berns on Budgeting
  • Maureen Ryan on Music Rights
  • Michael Donaldson on Fair Use
  • Corky Kessler, Paige Gold and Mark Litwak on Legal
  • Creating your Trailer by Bill Woolery
  • Tom Malloy on Feature Film Funding

October-2013

From the Heart Productions

   Short Ends Newsletter  View my videos on YouTube

The Art of Film Funding 2nd Edition is available through Amazon

 
         To order: click here 
 

The Roy W. Dean Summer Grant closes 6/30.  

Apply now

for a chance to win $1000.00 cash and close to $30,000.00 in film services, support, and goods from heart-felt people in our industry.

 

Get Your Indiegogo Going Package

 

Having written the
best-selling “The Art of Film Funding“, run the Roy
W. Dean Film Grant
for 20 years, and raised over ½ million
dollars on indiegogo.com
, Carole Dean wants to share with her
fiscally sponsored films:

 

The Simple Strategies on

How To Explode Your Crowdfunding Goals,

and Get
Your Film Made.

 

Carole is a seasoned fundraising genius who can help you through some of the toughest aspects of filmmaking: envisioning the film you want to create, staying on track every day, targeting your funding sources and perhaps the most daunting of all, asking people for money.”

Karen Everett

Documentary Filmmaker and Story Consultant

 

The package includes 2 recorded comprehensive crowdfunding classes. Each is followed by One-on-one personal consultations with Carole Dean.

 

Topics covered include:

·         Setting Goals

·         Identifying your audience

·         Working on your pitch to wow donors

·         Crafting trailer for maximum appeal

·         Choosing the right perks

·         Finding organizations, bloggers, and web sites to spread your story

·         Creating Crowdfund launch crew to start campaign off successfully

·         Building your data and donor base

·         Creating your emails, what to say and when to send

·         How to make mid-course campaign adjustments

 

Introductory offer – $149 for films fiscally sponsored by From The Heart

We are so that you will reach your goal by making this package part of your crowdfunding effort that

 

 You Pay Nothing Up Front!

 

That’s right.  As a From The Heart fiscally sponsored film, the fee will come out of money raised.  There is nothing to pay in advance.  We don’t get paid until you raise money.

$199 for projects not fiscally sponsored by From The Heart – payable in advance by check, credit card, or paypal.

 

This introductory offer is good until July 31st, 2013.  To take advantage of this package, email caroleedean@gmail.com 

Workshops with Indiegogo 

Now Available for Films Fiscally Sponsored

By From The Heart Productions


Adam Chapnick, a Principal and self described Evangalist at Indiegogo, will conduct quarterly workshops on how to successfully crowdfund your project.  The first workshop will be August 7th, 2013.  It is free and available only to films that have From The Heart as their fiscal sponsor.  

Adam Chapnick

Adam Chapnick of Indiegogo

From The Heart is partnered with Indiegogo.  As a 501(c)3 non-profit, donations for projects sponsored by From The Heart are tax deductible.  To date, From The Heart has help raise over $500,000 for films that it has fiscally sponsored. 

Indiegogo and From The Heart Logo

If you would like to take part in these exclusive workshops, you just need to sign up with From The Heart Productions as your fiscal sponsor.  There are no membership fees, the staff gives you advice on how to promote your project, and will even try to help you improve your project. Also, films fiscally sponsored with From The Heart are entitled to special discounts from companies and craftspeople in the film industry.  

To become a fiscally sponsored film, please go to our indiegogo partner page at http://www.indiegogo.com/partners/fthp

 If you have any questions, please email us at caroleedean@att.net

 

 Legal Tips from Robert Seigel

 

Entertainment lawyer and Roy W. Dean Grant donor, Robert Seigel, visited with us on The Art of Film Funding on blogtalkradio. He shared with us some legal tips for filmmakers.

 

·         Working in non-fiction medium, it’s important to get a life rights release from anyone you are working with to protect against defamation or other claims they may file against you. It’s your protection.  It will also serve to keep them interested and involved in the project.

 

·         On medium to large size budget independent feature, 1 to 2% of the budget may cover the cost of your insurance needs.  But those percentages go up for a lower budget. 

 

·         Documentary filmmakers should look for an entertainment attorney that specializes and has experience in documentary films.Put in writing that your subject will not work with another audio/visual project for at least 5 years (up to 10 if possible).  This will protect your project and allow it to make the most money possible from the project.

 

Robert Seigel has more than twenty years’ experience in the counseling and representation of directors, individual producers, production companies, writers, distribution companies and foreign sales agents concerning the development, financing, production, marketing, distribution and licensing of fiction and non-fiction projects.  http://rlsentlaw.com/rls/ 

 

 

New blogtalkradio.com 

film financing interviews:  

 

Patricia on Transmedia

Jon Reiss   : Think Outside The Box Office
Peter Broderick   : Hybrid distribution
John Corser   : Good line producer = more production value
Jason Brubaker   :
Downloads on www.chill.com
Corky Kessler   : Grandfather the 181 for the next 10 years.
Sam Dlugach   : Top Color corrector explains how to save money in post. 

We created these financing interviews for you. They are from our On Demand Episode page
 

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