LEARN PRODUCING
The Ultimate Course for Indie Film Production
with Carole Dean and Carole Joyce
This comprehensive course will give you the information, guidance, and support to become a successful producer and get the funding you need to get your project completed!
Each class covers essential aspects of Film Production and Funding, including:
Financing, Budget, Distribution, Post, Locations, Hiring Crew, Music, Marketing, Legal, much more!
We’ve found that the biggest reason indie films are denied funding is that most filmmakers have not developed their documentary or feature enough for investors and donors to be confident their film will ever get made.
Learning how to produce and develop your film is critical to your success as a filmmaker.
Do you have a dream of becoming a filmmaker?
Are you a storyteller who would like to present your vision in the video or film arts, but don’t know where to start?
Or are you a seasoned professional Filmmaker who is having challenges muddling through today’s new world of technology and the new world of motion picture arts distribution and film making?
Look no further than the Producer’s Class with From the Heart Productions!
Written by a Producer’s Class Student, Filmmaker Paula Randol Smith
Get your First Month (2 Classes) for Free!
Then Only $44/Month
You’ll receive a Certificate of Completion for the course when you finish 20 Classes!
Classes are conducted via Zoom. Exclusive links to the classes are sent via email several times to enrollees beginning on the Tuesday before the next class. If for some reason you did not receive a link, please email info@fromtheheartproductions.com
Carole Dean
Host, Founder and President of From the Heart Productions
Carole Dean is the Founder and President of From the Heart Productions, a top-rated 501(c)3 non-profit that supports independent filmmakers by helping them raise funding for their projects. Over thirty years through From the Heart’s fiscal sponsorship program, she has assisted filmmakers in raising over $30 million for their films.
She created the Roy Dean Grant in 1992 and has awarded over $2,500,000 in grants to independent filmmakers, and helped to produce over 80 films through the grant.
Her creation of a business in 1970, Studio Film & Tape, that purchased leftover motion picture film from production then resold it at a discount, helped spark the independent film revolution by giving filmmakers affordable film stock.
In the 1980s, she produced 120 Health Styles Shows that were sold to Oasis Cable and 30 Filmmaker shows, now in the National Archives. She was Executive Producer for BAM 6.6, Women Behind the Camera, Step Away From the Stone, and American Chain Gang. More of Carole’s producing credits are available on IMDB.
Carole Dean is the author of The Art of Film Funding, 2nd Edition: Alternative Financing Concepts & The Art of Manifesting: Creating your Future. Click here to see Carole’s complete Curriculum Vitae.
Carole Joyce
Co-Host, From the Heart Productions Board Member and Producer
A talented filmmaker, photographer, and producer, Carole Joyce is a Board Member of the 501(c)3 non-profit From the Heart Productions, and Director of the Roy W. Dean Grant, of which she has been an integral part of for over 20 years. Carole is also the CEO of Authentic Vision Consulting, a consulting firm specializing in independent film production and financing.
A graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography, Carole is an award-winning filmmaker for her documentary Survivors. Carole served as Executive Producer for the award-winning short film Stairway to the Stars starring Sean Young and as LA Line Producer for Wheels of Heaven with Mickey Rourke. Carole produced the short film Living UnDone, which won the Grand Jury Award at the Ethos Film Festival and Best Short Documentary for the Paris Film Festival. Carole is a Producer for the upcoming film Prodigal Daughter. Carole’s additional credits are available on IMDb. From the Heart Productions’ credits are also available on IMDb.
Carole also serves as an Advisor for the Authentic Global Film Festival and a Judge for the Ethos Film Festival.
Click Here to schedule a consultation with Carole Joyce. Students enrolled in the year long Producer’s Class get a special discounted price of $80 for a 1 hour consultation.
Robert Seigel, ESQ.
Guest Legal Instructor, From the Heart’s Attorney
We have our attorney on the class to answer your legal questions. Robert has been helping filmmakers with all phases of production and sales to cable and streamers for over 20 years. He specializes in documentary and feature films.
Jonathon M. Smith
Guest Instructor, Filmmaker, Industry Trends Specialist
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
The Definitive Guide to Producing
Year 1 of the Producer’s Class (Classes 1-26) is based on Producer to Producer: A Step-by-Step Guide to Low Budget Independent Film Producing by Maureen A. Ryan, an award-winning producer whose credits include the documentaries Man on Wire, Dick Johnson Is Dead, and Becoming.
This is the Bible for learning to develop & produce in the film industry.
One of the most asked questions is, “What do Producers do?” Maureen Ryan says, “They make it happen.”
This is what we are teaching, how to “make it happen” with developing and an emphasis on funding.
Year 2 and beyond of the Producer’s Class will expand on topics explored in Year 1 and new topics!
About the Class
ONGOING NOW! JOIN ANY TIME
Taught Every 2 Saturdays at 9am PT
Live On Zoom – Classes are 1.5 – 2 Hours
Hosted by Carole Dean
Special Guest Instructor with Q&A Each Class
Film Attorney Robert Siegel and Film Industry Expert Jonathon M. Smith Join Each Class
Join by Monthly Subscription
2 Classes per Month for $44
Get Class Recording Free
Get your First Month
(2 Classes) for Free!
NEXT CLASS
CLASS 53
Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
Empower Yourself with AI Tools
Guest Instructor
Jonathon M. Smith
Recordings of Completed Classes Now Available for Sale!
Upcoming Classes
Click Class to Learn More
Class 53 – Saturday, May 3, 2025
Empower Yourself with AI Tools with Jonathon Smith
Class 54 – Saturday, May 17, 2025
Leadership and Collaboration with Jeffrey Michael Bays
Class 55 – Saturday, May 31, 2025
TBA with Bobby Mardis
Class 56 – Saturday, June 28, 2025
Social Media with Bianca Garrison-Quick
Class 59 – Saturday, July 26, 2025
Vertical Directing with Anabelle D. Munro
Hear What Our Students are Saying!
Lorenzo DeStefano
Filmmaker – “Stairway to the Stars”
“Another excellent and informative From The Heart Productions presentation. Congratulations.”
Julia Campanelli
Filmmaker
“These classes make producing seem possible, when usually it seems so overwhelming, like climbing Mt. Everest without a guide.”
Alexis Rafael
Filmmaker
“This is really helpful! So clearly presented. Thank you.”
Melissa Morehead
Writer / Producer – “Prodigal Daughter”
“I started the producers class with no experience except standin experience on the movie set. I was amazed at how much I have learned in such a short time from advice on the script to what needed documents that are nessary for legal representation in producing a film. The support alone has been outstanding. I would recommend this class to anyone who is serious about making a film.”
Irina Chernikina
Writer / Producer / Director
“From The Heart Productions has become an essential part of packaging all of my projects as my fiscal sponsor. Thank you Carole Dean and Carole Joyce for your dedication to filmmakers’ success, I’ve learned a lot from your courses and mentorship!”
Paula Randol-Smith
Director / Producer – “Forecast the Film”
“Through From The Heart’s Producer’s Class you will get it all! The class will give you tens of thousands of dollars worth of training in production, for a nominal fee, from the legal know-how of Robert Siegel, ESQ., to the experts across the board with the film industries top professionals. Carole Dean’s love of storytelling through film and the love and true caring of the filmmaker has gotten me personally through the most difficult documentary production of my career.
I could not afford to pay for the information that I’ve gotten from the Producers Class. It is an affordable treasure that gives the participant only hands on, factually solid support in their filmmaking ventures. I didn’t know then what I do know now, and much of that is from the help I’ve gotten through what I’ve learned in From The Heart’s Producer’s Class.
I could not just recommend this film class enough – don’t wait, you should jump in and get everything they’ve got and learn everything you can to get your film made. From The Heart’s Producer’s Class has it all!”
Your First Month is Free!
Next Class
CLASS 53 – Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
Empower Yourself with AI Tools
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon M. Smith, is an actor/writer/producer who has been involved in the film industry for over 15 years. He started his career doing promos for Disney and Vogue as a teenager, and continued to work on multiple sets like Hannah Montana, Greek, Numbers, Heart of Dixie, and The Mandalorian.
At this time, Jonathon is currently producing and starring in a feature film called “The Terrible Children”. It has already been picked up by a distributor and is scheduled to release in the fall.
On top of his film career, Jonathon has done work for SAAS companies and the educational industry.
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
We have our attorney on the class to answer your legal questions. Robert has been helping filmmakers with all phases of production and sales to cable and streamers for over 20 years. He specializes in documentary and feature films.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Get your First Month (2 Classes) for Free!
Then Only $44/Month
Purchase a Class Recording Bundle
$58 Each
Options
(Click Below to See Class Recordings Included in Each Bundle and to Purchase)
Documentary
- Class 9: Trailers with Michael Torres
- Class 28: Documentary Distribution with Keith Ochwat
- Class 30: Pitching Your Project with Carole Dean
Feature Filmmakers
- Class 11: Script Breakdown with Kara Williamson
- Class 12: Budgeting with Jonathon M. Smith
- Class 15: Locations & Hiring Crew with Chris Debiec
Film Funding
- Class 6: HNI’s & Investors with Kara Williamson
- Class 13: Film Funding with Kara Williamson
- Class 29: Fundraising Parties with Carole Dean
Low Budget Screenwriting Masterclass
- Class 26: Low Budget Screenwriting Masterclass – Part 1 with Jonathon M. Smith
- Class 27: Low Budget Screenwriting Masterclass – Part 2 with Jonathon M. Smith
Production Crafts
- Class 10: Color Correction with Sam Dlugach
- Class 22: Audio with Jerry Deaton
- Class 23: Music with David Raiklen
Completed Classes
Recordings of past classes with incredible special guest instructors are now available for purchase!
Click here to learn more about these classes and find a link to purchase recordings.
Class 1: Acquiring Rights with Alexis Krasilovsky
Class 2: Screenplay Creation & Revision with Jacob Kreuger
Class 3: Script Feedback with Max Aaron
Class 4: Log Lines with Kara Williamson
Class 5: Film Grants with Joanna Rabiger
Class 6: HNI’s & Investors with Kara Williamson
Class 7: Distribution with Udy Epstein
Class 8: The Art of the Pitch with Kara Williamson
Class 9: Trailers with Michael Torres
Class 10: Color Correction with Sam Dlugach
Class 11: Script Breakdown with Kara Williamson
Class 12: Budgeting with Jonathon M. Smith
Class 13: Film Funding with Kara Williamson
Class 14: Casting with Donna McKenna
Class 15: Locations & Hiring Crew with Chris Debiec
Class 16: Legal with Robert Siegel
Class 17: Scheduling with Kara Williamson
Class 18: Fair Use and Insurance with Deborah J. West
Class 19: Production with Lorenzo DeStefano
Class 20: Safety & Wrap with Colette Smartt
Class 21: Post-Production with Chris Debiec
Class 22: Audio with Jerry Deaton
Class 23: Music with David Raiklen
Class 25: Film Festivals with Anabelle D. Munro
Class 24: Marketing with Tony Panaccio
Class 25: Film Festivals with Anabelle D. Munro
Class 26: Low Budget Screenwriting Masterclass – Part 1 with Jonathon M. Smith
Class 27: Low Budget Screenwriting Masterclass – Part 2 with Jonathon M. Smith
Class 28: Documentary Distribution with Keith Ochwat
Class 29: Fundraising Parties with Carole Dean
Class 30: Pitching Your Project with Carole Dean
Class 31: Story Structure with Karen Everett
Class 32: Development with Kara Williamson
Class 33: Distribution with Gary Rubin
Class 34: Media Relations with Tony Panaccio
Class 35: How to Make Money on YouTube with Jonathon M. Smith
Class 36: What Happens After the Sale with Brynn Lucas
Class 37: How to Hire a DP with Michael Hofstein
Class 38: How Generative A.I. Will Transform Independent Filmmaking with Jonathon M. Smith
Class 39: How to Avoid Getting Sued as a Producer with James Forsher
Class 40: Collaborating with an Editor with Gael Chandler
Class 41: Custom Distribution with Jon Reiss
Class 42: Grassroots Film Marketing with Jason Brubaker
Class 43: Successfully Distributing your Documentary on PBS with Beth Dolan
Class 44: Goals for 2025 with Carole Dean
Class 45: Grants, Investors, and Partnerships for Success with Sarah Moshman
Class 46: The Power of Trailers with Karen Everett
Class 47: Pitching and Funding for Indie Filmmakers with Tom Malloy
Class 48: Director of Photography with Giovanni Lampassi
Class 49: Monetizing your Film Website with Adam Heyes
Class 50: Story Structure with Jilann Spitzmiller
Class 51: Crew with Kara Williamson
Class 52: Public Relations with Tony Panaccio
You can also purchase all past class recordings (52 Classes) for a special price of $350.
Upcoming Classes
CLASS 54 – Saturday, May 17, 2025
Creatives Working Together: Leadership and Collaboration for the Indie Artist
Guest Instructor: Jeffrey Michael Bays
Jeffrey Michael Bays is an American director, podcaster, “Hitchcock Whisperer,” and satirist with a Master of Arts in Cinema Studies from La Trobe University. He is a frequent speaker at film festivals, a contributor to MovieMaker Magazine, and author of two filmmaking books: ‘Between the Scenes’ and ‘Suspense With a Camera.’ Jeffrey’s productions have earned the prestigious Mark Time Award, the Communicator Award of Excellence, and have been mentioned in IndieWire, No Film School, and Time Out magazine.
In addition to his films and Hitchcock documentaries, Jeffrey created SiriusXM’s ‘Not From Space’ radio play in 2003 with a team of online collaborators, each recording parts from their own home. It was the first Internet collaboration of its size. Jeffrey also produced two comedy albums: ‘Never See the Other Side’ and ‘Highway Stripes.’
Jeffrey’s new book ‘Creatives Working Together’ is due for release in Summer 2025 from Routledge (Focal Press).
https://www.amazon.com/Creatives-Working-Together-Communication-Professionals/dp/1041091893
We Cover
- Navigating Creative Personalities
- Understanding the Self-Conscious Performer
- Leadership and Teamwork
- Motivating the Cast & Crew
- Overcoming Team Negativity
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will be available to discuss legal information.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
CLASS 55 – Saturday, May 31, 2025
TBA
Guest Instructor: Bobby Mardis
Bobby Mardis, who was originally a native of Hammond Indiana, studied in Los Angeles and is
now an Atlanta resident. He is both a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), as well
as the Writers Guild of America (WGA). Bobby is a product of UCLA and USC, where he studied
communication and advertising. After college, he trained in acting at the American Academy of
Dramatic Arts among dozens of workshops in Los Angeles. During the 40+ years that Bobby has
been in the entertainment industry, he has worked on over three hundred projects, in various
capacities, which has resulted in making him an extremely, knowledgeable and well-rounded
filmmaker.
Bobby Mardis Productions in association with Fat Chance Films and B. Story Pictures has
produced and delivered film, television and various industrial projects. Showtime Network
exhibited Bobby’s “Why Colors?” which starred notables like Regina King, Ice–T, Barry White,
Anne Marie Johnson and a number of his “Robert Townsend’s Partner’s in Crime” co-cast
members. He produced and directed “Circle of Pain” for Showtime, which starred the Emmy
Award winning actor, Glynn Turman. This award-winning film also featured Anna Marie
Horsford, T’Keyah Crystal Keymah, Todd Bridges, and was the last film performance of the late Rosalind Cash. He went on to produce and direct the straight to video feature, “One Last Time” starring “In Living Color” and “The Cosby Show”, T’Keyah Crystal Keymah.
Bobby has received numerous awards for his films in various film festivals around the world. His made-for-television comedy entitled, “Midnight Blue,” achieved the highest ratings in the series of B.E.T.’s Arabesque slate of projects. He has expanded his artistic reach to write and direct the thriller, “One Last Time” for the straight-to-video market.
Bobby Mardis, along with Stan Foster, produced a comedy pilot for Comedy Central called, “In the Cut.” He directed the hilarious Latin sitcom pilot entitled, “X & L Customs” which raised eyebrows in the pilot arena. He has directed multi-camera comedy concerts that include, “Against All Odds” starring TK Kirkland for Image Entertainment; a gospel comedy called “Shout” featuring Mark Christopher Lawrence and the uproarious “I Got Problems” for Avatar Productions. One of Bobby’s socially conscious projects he directed is the multi-camera concert film “The Silence is Broken” which was made as a benefit, featuring a sixty-piece orchestra and a myriad of musical stars including Loretta Divine, TC Carson and Patrice Rushen, who donated their time, energy and talent for AIDS prevention. This project is currently being streamed on thesilenceisbroken.org. Along the same socially conscious vein, he completed the music video, award winning “Peace on the Streets” to help bring light to the violence on the streets epidemic of San Francisco and around the country.
www.BobbyMardis.com – www.BStoryPictures.com – www.AngelsOfHopeFilms.com
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will be available to discuss legal information.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
CLASS 56 – Saturday, June 28, 2025
Social Media
Guest Instructor: Bianca Garrison-Quick
Bianca Garrison-Quick is a social media marketing analyst in the entertainment industry, who has worked with brands like TurboTax, Hilton, Westgate Resorts, and the Yellow Pages. As co-founder of The POW Creatives, Inc., she specializes in strategic social media campaigns, branding, and content marketing to grow digital audiences and enhance brand visibility.
We Cover:
Building a Strong Brand & Online Presence
Content Strategy & Engagement Tactics
Social Media Marketing for Film Promotion
Community Building & Networking
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will be available to discuss legal information.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
CLASS 59 – Saturday, July 26, 2025
Vertical Directing
Guest Instructor: Anabelle D. Munro
Anabelle is an award-winning actress, writer, director, singer, producer, and C.E.O. of the film production company Blue Boots Entertainment that she operates together with her husband Huntly Munro in Los Angeles.
Anabelle’s artistic focus is dedicated to purpose-driven filmmaking, like spreading awareness about recovery from addiction, healing, and discovering purpose and spirituality.
Anabelle is the founder and director of the ETHOS Film Awards.
We Cover:
- How to make a living in the new format
- Directing tips
- Improving your craft
- Increase your income
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will be available to discuss legal information.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Completed Classes
Click on a Class Title to Learn More or Purchase Recording
You can also purchase the first archive of recordings of the Producer’s Class (50 Classes) for a special price of $350.
Buy the Class
Recording for $26
Acquiring Rights
Producer to Producer book, pgs. 1-6
Carole shares from Maureen Ryan’s Producer to Producer how to use this book. We cover the various producers’ jobs and
titles. How to develop your film, acquire rights, and how important a chain of title is to your film. Alexis
Krasilovsky teaches adaptations. Lorenzo DeStafano shares rights and chain of title. Carole Joyce teaches how to
create a log line and introduces us to people in the industry. We close the class with questions and answers.
Guest Instructor: Alexis Krasilovsky
ALEXIS KRASILOVSKY was born in Alaska, survived sexual assault at gunpoint, know what it’s like to be completely
deaf, and has traveled to over twenty countries. She studied film at Yale and CalArts (MFA Film/Video) and is an
award-winning filmmaker (“Women Behind the Camera” and other films). Alexis is the author of “Great Adaptations:
Screenwriting and Global Storytelling” (– 2nd Place Winner, 2019 International Writers Awards) and Professor
Emerita of Screenwriting, California State University Northridge. She is currently adapting a children’s story
with Shameem Akhtar about a Bengal tiger in Bangladesh. See www.alexiskrasilovsky.com for more.
We Cover:
- Pages 1 through 6 in Producer to Producer.
- Finding the idea or the material.
- Learning to say no.
- Studying scripts.
- Development process.
- Do you legally have the rights to your material?
- Rights acquisition of script and or underlying material.
- How to write a logline.
- We introduce you to top service people in our industry
A vast majority of Academy Award-winning Best Pictures, television movies of the week, and mini-series are
adaptations, watched by millions of people globally. Great Adaptations: Screenwriting and Global
Storytelling examines the technical methods of adapting novels, short stories, plays, life stories, magazine
articles, blogs, comic books, graphic novels and video games from one medium to another, focusing on the
screenplay. Written in a clear and succinct style, perfect for intermediate and advanced screenwriting
students
Homework: Please read Screenplay Creation and Revision and Screenwriting Software for next class in Producer
to Producer, page 6 through 21. You can listen to an interview with Christopher and Kathy Riley from their
book The Defining Moment on how defining moments build characters.
https://d1at8ppinvdju8.cloudfront.net/1/215/show_12159396_2022_10_24_16_54_35.mp3
Read Unleashing the power of the film crew blog here:
https://fromtheheartproductions.com/carole-dean-blog
Buy the Class
Recording for $26
Screenplay Creation
and Revision
Producer to Producer book, pgs. 6-18
Guest Instructor: Jacob Krueger
The founder of Jacob Krueger Studio, Jacob has worked with thousands of writers, from Academy and Tony Award
Winners, to beginning writers picking up the pen for the first time. Jacob is a WGA Paul Selvin Award Winning
screenwriter, playwright, producer and director.
Jacob’s first produced movie, the Emmy Award Winning “The Matthew Shepard Story” (2002) won him the Writers
Guild of America Paul Selvin Award and a Gemini Nomination for Best Screenplay. He has collaborated on original
film musicals with Tony Award winning composers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg (Les Miserables, Miss
Saigon) and with four-time Academy Award Composer Michel Legrand (Yentl, The Thomas Crown Affair), as well as a
full slate of solo projects ranging from Feature Films to TV and Miniseries.
We Cover:
- What are the most common mistakes screenwriters make and how can they be avoided? This information is
excellent for documentary filmmakers because they are writers too. Producers of documentaries and narratives
need to know the structure of a feature and how to create their scripts just like screenwriters do. - They say when you finish your first draft you are 7% completed, so what do you do next?
- How do writers create multilayered characters like Saul in Better Call Saul?
- How do writers approach writing dialogue that is natural and engaging.
- What is the difference between plot driven and character driven stories for features and documentaries?
- What tools can you recommend to help writers? What books do you recommend writers read?
- How do writers deal with producers who are concerned about money? How do you negotiate with a writer who
wants you to blow up a bridge when you don’t have that in the budget?
Robert Siegel, Esq. is on the class to answer any questions about contracts or other legal issues.
Lorenzo DeStefano, our resident producer, will answer any production questions.
While documentaries are often less dialogue-driven than screenplays, the dialogue that does exist must be
carefully crafted to reveal character and move the story forward. Screenwriting classes teach students how
to write natural-sounding dialogue that advances the story and reveals character, which can be applied to
documentaries as well.
Carole Joyce will discuss how to write a Documentary proposal.
- Crafting a compelling introduction or synopsis.
- Writing a personal filmmaker statement that conveys your dedication to the project.
- Tips and techniques to win over grantors and investors.
Homework: Start working on your log line. See this page for help:
https://fromtheheartproductions.com/film-financing-and-fundraising
Buy the Class
Recording for $26
Getting Feedback on
the Script
Producer to Producer, pgs. 16-29 – A step by step guide for low budget independent
filmmaking
Guest Instructor: Max Aaron
An award winning filmmaker based in London, England. Max has worked on over a dozen feature films and two
television pilots as a script consultant and has directed over twenty short films, all with a uniquely charming
and whimsical stamp. Since graduating from the prestigious MetFilm School in 2015, he has gone on to write and
direct multiple short films and established Dreamology Pictures .
Max’s latest film as Director was the
multi-award winning Hitchcockian thriller and dark comedy ‘Stalled‘, which picked up awards for ‘Best Director’.
‘Best Thriller’, ‘Best Actor’ and ‘Best Cinematographer’ at the Falcon International Film Festival London and
participated in the London Lift – Off Film Festival Online on Vimeo On Demand .
We Cover:
- Creating your log line, creating a feature or documentary proposal, bios, production plan, budget and
financing plan. - What is coverage?
- Why do you need coverage?
- How to use coverage to improve your script.
- What you should get from a coverage expert.
- What grantors and donors want in a documentary proposal.
We will learn why coverage on your script is so important. You will know what to
expect from a coverage expert and hear how this benefits you. We discuss how to use this information to
improve your script.
We offer information on documentary coverage. We discuss what grantors and large donors want in a
documentary proposal. We close the class with production questions. Introduce students to industry people
who give good discounts to our FTH filmmakers and who are donors to From the Heart’s Roy Dean Grants.
We offer information on documentary coverage. We discuss what grantors and large
donors want in a documentary proposal.
We explain how to create a great log line.
We go over your documentary & feature outline/proposal and tell you what we want in our grants.
We follow Maureen’s book with information on each item needed to go into your proposal for a documentary and in
your deck for your script.
How sectioning your information in to Theme, background and need, etc. can enhance your materials.
Carole Joyce introduces you to our donor who creates posters and discusses the importance of an outstanding
image to brand your material from day one.
Homework: Finalize your log line for the next class. Read the information 16-29 in Producer to Producer for the
next class.
Buy the Class
Recording for $26
Log Line:
How to create and why you need it.
We will read and critique log lines with Kara’s help.
Producer to Producer book, pgs. 29-43
Guest Instructor: Kara Williamson
Kara is the Founder, CEO, and Producer of US-based companies, Reveal Live! Entertainment, and Meeting Street
Productions. Kara is a top industry film, television and digital media production and distribution executive.
She is well-respected for her creative approach, wide-ranging resourcefulness and deep industry knowledge. She
is known for tackling the most demanding media and entertainment challenges.
We Cover:
- Writing a documentary or feature synopsis.
- Creating your deck using Tom Malloy’s outline for a deck as all the legal information is current.
- Bios of your key people
- Finding Comparison projects
- How important is your budget?
- Robert Siegel, Esq. will answer questions on contracts.
Carole Joyce reviews hundreds of grant applications for the Roy Dean Great. She
shares what she looks for in grant applications for documentaries, features and shorts.
We close class with production questions. Introduce students to industry people who give good discounts to
our FTH filmmakers and who are donors of FTH grants.
Carole Joyce reviews hundreds of grant applications for the Roy Dean Great. She shares
how important the
distribution area is for us. Who is your audience? We want you to tell us that you know your audience and you
are communicating with them now or will communicate with them via social networks during the making of the film.
We want to know where your film belongs. What streamer you think will be best for this film. Will you keep
educational and community screenings for your own use? How will you reach your audience with your documentary?
Carole shares one of From the Heart grant donors with the class. We know these people have excellent products
and they are heart-felt donors and care for independent film
Homework: Read: https://fromtheheartproductions.com/film-financing-and-fundraising
.
Buy the Class
Recording for $26
Film Grants:
How to find, how to write your proposal, how to win.
Producer to Producer book, pgs. 19-21, 35-44
Guest Instructor: Joanna Rabiger
Joanna Rabiger is a documentary film grant writer and consultant specializing in writing award-winning proposals
for independent documentary films since 2004. Films for which she has secured grant funding include American
Sons (forthcoming), Storming Caesars Palace (Independent Lens 2023), Building the American Dream (Voces, 2020),
First Vote (America Reframed, 2020), Belly of the Beast (Independent Lens, 2020), Conscience Point (Independent
Lens, 2019), Decade of Fire (Independent Lens, 2019), Disclosure (Netflix, 2018), Served Like A Girl
(Independent Lens, 2018), Voices of the Sea (POV, 2018), What Was Ours (Independent Lens, 2017) and many more.
Current directors with whom she works include Dan Habib, PJ Raval, Kristina Goolsby, Bara Jichova Tyson, Theresa
Loong, and Kim Hopkins.
Instructor: Carole Dean
Carole Dean is the Founder and President of From the Heart Productions, a
top-rated 501(c)3 non-profit that supports independent filmmakers by helping them raise funding for their
projects. Over thirty years through From the Heart’s fiscal sponsorship program, she has assisted filmmakers
in raising over $30 million for their films.
She created the Roy Dean Grant in 1992 and has awarded over $2,500,000 in grants to independent filmmakers,
and helped to produce over 80 films through the grant.
We Cover:
- Information on applying for grants. Joanna excels in helping filmmakers win grants.
- What goes into an award-winning proposal.
- How to apply for grants for features, docs, shorts and webisodes.
- What donors and grantors want to know but may never ask.
- What is the best search engine for grants.
Carole Joyce, Director of the Roy Dean Grants explains how to apply for grants. What grantors want on their
outlines. She reads and reviews filmmakers proposals for documentaries and outlines and scripts for shorts
and outlines and decks for features.
Carole Dean shares tips from a grantor on what we really want to know from your proposals and decks. She will also
share when and how to hire a grant writer and what to expect when applying for film grants.
Homework: read pages 22-34 of Producer to Producer.
Buy the Class
Recording for $26
Pitching HNI’s and
Closing Investors
Producer to Producer book pages 45-68
Guest Instructor: Kara Williamson
Kara is the Founder, CEO, and Producer of US-based companies, Reveal Live! Entertainment, and Meeting Street
Productions. Kara is a top industry film, television and digital media production and distribution executive.
She is well-respected for her creative approach, wide-ranging resourcefulness and deep industry knowledge. She
is known for tackling the most demanding media and entertainment challenges.
Robert Seigel will discuss a project’s financial “waterfall” including:
Documentary Producers Alliance Guidelines for the waterfall.
https://www.documentary.org/feature/documentary-producers-alliance-unveils-guidelines-documentary-waterfall
We suggest you read this information if you are making a documentary.
We Cover:
- What streamers want and how to approach them.
- How to pitch a distributor.
- What you need to close distributors.
- How do you reach the streamers?
Close class with production questions. Introduce students to industry people who give good discounts to our
FTH filmmakers and who are donors of FTH grants.
Homework: Read pages 45-51 in Producer to Producer.
Buy the Class
Recording for $26
Securing Film
Distribution: Tactics and Techniques
Producer to Producer pages 45 -51
Guest Instructor: Udy Epstein Teaches
Distribution
Udy Epstein is a distributor and producer of independent and specialized films. Originally from Israel, he
studied film at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. In 1994, he founded 7th Art Releasing. The
company is noted for its releases of award-winning feature films such as the Academy Award® winning
documentary, The Long Way Home. Other films include: Prosecuting Evil: The Extraordinary World of Ben
Ferencz, The Jewish Experience, Walter Arlen’s First Century, Persona Non Grata, The Law, Murer: Anatomy of
a Trial, 50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. and Mrs. Kraus, The Prince and the Dybbuk, Portrait of
Wally, Jews and Baseball and many more.
With a focus on documentaries and over 25 years of experience in launching award-winning films, 7th Art
handles sales and releasing in all markets: theatrical and non-theatrical, festival, educational,
television, cable, and home video, including digital and VOD. Their expertise and knowledge of the
independent film landscape has lead to major festival awards and multiple Academy Award nominations for our
films.
Since 1994, Seventh Art Releasing has been distributing award-winning independent and foreign films
domestically and abroad with the mission to bring unique films to the widest possible audience.
Guest Instructor: Udy Epstein Teaches Distribution
Jenny Waldo got her start in the documentary/educational industry of her hometown, Washington, DC.
While earning her MFA in Film Production at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, where she won a
directing scholarship, Jenny continued to work on documentaries while also pursuing her passion for
scripted filmmaking. Producing credits include the indie feature The Preacher’s Daughter which sold
to Lifetime and the feature documentary The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing. Developing a
hybrid approach to her own work, Jenny’s debut feature film as a writer/director, Acid Test, is a
coming-of-age story based on her own tumble through self-discovery as a 1990’s Riot Grrrl. Acid Test
premiered at the 2021 Austin Film Festival and is now available for digital rental.
Jenny’s second feature, Martha’s Mustang, is also based on a true story from the 90’s about a woman
in the man’s world of auto body repair who gets into a fight with City Hall over a hot pink Mustang.
Jenny was selected for the From the Heart Intentional Filmmaking Workshop. An advocate for diversity
in film and upcoming filmmakers, Jenny was Program Coordinator at the non-profit Southwest Alternate
Media Project (SWAMP) and now teaches filmmaking at Houston Community College.
www.jennywaldo.com
Robert Seigel shares information on two types of distributors. Those
that simply acquire films for distribution and those that help with financing, producing and
distribution. Seems this is a smaller group.
We Cover:
- What streamers want and how to approach them.
- How to pitch a distributor.
- What you need to close distributors.
- How do you reach the streamers?
Buy the Class
Recording for $26
The Art of the
Pitch
Guest Instructor: Kara Williamson
Kara is the Founder, CEO, and Producer of US-based companies, Reveal Live! Entertainment, and Meeting Street
Productions. Kara is a top industry film, television and digital media production and distribution
executive. She is well-respected for her creative approach, wide-ranging resourcefulness and deep industry
knowledge. She is known for tackling the most demanding media and entertainment challenges.
Practice pitching to Grant Funders
We have 4 intrepid filmmakers who will pitch us their films and get feedback.
We Cover:
- How to Contact a grantor before you submit.
- Pitching a grantor.
- Creating strategic partners with nonprofits and corporations.
- The art of pitching your film for funding and donations.
- How to use your nonprofit fiscal sponsor to ask for discounts.
Robert Siegel Covers:
1. COPYRIGHT IS BASED ON WRITTEN EXPRESSIONS. THEREFORE PITCHING WORK IS NOT COPYRIGHTABLE. IDEAS ARE
NOT COPYRIGHTABLE. VAGUE, GENERIC, OR STOCK “IDEAS” ARE NOT PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW.
2. PRIOR TO SHARING A MOVIE IDEA, WRITERS CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES BY GETTING THE IDEA RECIPIENT TO AGREE
TO COMPENSATE THEM FOR SHARING THE IDEA IF THEY WIND UP USING IT. IDEALLY, A WRITTEN AGREEMENT WOULD BE
SIGNED BUT THAT IS NOT ALWAYS PRACTICAL. A CONTRACT CAN BE IMPLIED-IN-FACT THROUGH AN ORAL AGREEMENT OR
COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH EMAIL. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO HAVE SOMETHING IN WRITING. KEEP AN E-MAIL CHAIN OF
SUBMISSIONS (WITH E-MAIL FOLLOW UP AFTER PRESENTATION TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SUBMISSION AND CONFIRM THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE PARTIES ESPECIALLY IF IT IS NOT WRITTEN.) CONFIRMATION IN WRITING BY PRODUCER IS
BETTER BUT NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE.
Carole Joyce will introduce you to another donor to our grants.
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrcu-hrTkuG9eCB6ptZiSBjiPVM5SNVLsL
Buy the Class
Recording for $26
Mastering Trailers for Fundraising and Engagement
Guest Instructor: Michael Torres
Filmmaker, Editor, and Post Production Consultant. Michael combines his love of filmmaking and art to create living stories that uplift, inspire, and make us feel. Michael has created original content for The Spring Hill Company, YouTube Originals, Fox Sports, Spotify Studios, The NFL Network, and ESPN. When he’s not in production, Michael is a teacher of metaphysical studies and meditation at the Agape International Spiritual Center in Los Angeles. Visit mtorresproductions.comto learn more.
We Cover:
- How to shoot interviews to get the answers you need for your trailer.
- How music plays an important role in the trailer.
- Why funding trailers are a major necessity for docs.
- Making trailers for your feature.
- Editing your fundraising trailer.
Carole and Michael share different types of trailers you can make. How long they should be and tips on testing trailers. This is a major source of income for documentaries, webisodes and TV series.
Close class with production questions
Homework: Read the blog: Wizard of Oz on my interview with top color correction artist Sam Dlugach.
https://fromtheheartproductions.com/a-good-colorist-is-the-wizard-of-oz/
Buy the Class
Recording for $26
Color correction sets the mood of the film.
Guest Instructor: Sam Dlugach
Sam Dlugach won our Roy W. Dean Film Grant in 1996 and is one of the best colorists in LA. He has over 30-years’ experience working with all types of films. Sam works for a major production company, but moonlights helping indie features and documentaries. He generously gives us his time to serve as a judge for the grant and donates his services to the winners.
Please make sure to have read the blog “A Good Colorist is the Wizard of Oz” before class to understand exactly what a Colorist does. https://fromtheheartproductions.com/a-good-colorist-is-the-wizard-of-oz/
We Cover for Investment:
- The benefits of color correction
- How your color correctionist can advise you on camera settings
- Save money on post productions
Finding the right person early in production can benefit you in many ways. Color correction artists advice should be included in choosing and using cameras, setting a mood for each act and much more. Bring your questions for Sam to answer.
Close class with production questions. Introduce students to industry people who give good discounts to our FTH filmmakers and who are donors of FTH grants.
Homework: Read chapter 2 on script breakdown.
Buy the Class
Recording for $26
Learning script breakdown
and completing the breakdown sheet
Advice to make decision for original music or purchase existing.
When and how to bring on your attorney.
Learning script breakdown and completing the breakdown sheet
Kara Williamson covers script breakdown. Script breakdowns are used for fiction or nonfiction projects with narrative elements like recreations. Maureen Ryan suggests you do this yourself rather than use a computer because it will be much more accurate. Kara simplifies how to do this. During production the producer often makes the script breakdown as the assistant director has not been hired.
Carole Dean and Kara Williamson discuss how important the cover sheet of the budget is. Your breakdown sheet will give you the figures for your budget. As grantors and film funders we give you what we think are important aspects that we look for on the top sheet. How people have lost grants by having their top sheet wrong. It is one of the most important elements in funding and financing your film.
Robert Seigel discusses composer agreements as well as synchronization licenses for songs and master use licenses for pre-existing recordings.
David Raiklen is a talented composer with top studio clients. He will share information on when to bring on your music person. He will answer questions and explain the costs and benefits of original music vs purchasing existing music.
We
Cover:
- Script breakdown
- Importance of the top sheet
- Original music or existing, what is best for you.
- Benefits and timing of hiring a music person
- Answer all questions
Buy the Class
Recording for $26
Budgeting
Pages 69 through 75 of the Producer to Producer book.
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon M. Smith, is an actor/writer/producer who has been involved in the film industry for over 15 years. He started his career doing promos for Disney and Vogue as a teenager, and continued to work on multiple sets like Hannah Montana, Greek, Numbers, Heart of Dixie, and The Mandalorian.
At this time, Jonathon is currently producing and starring in a feature film called “The Terrible Children”. It has already been picked up by a distributor and is scheduled to release in the fall.
On top of his film career, Jonathon has done work for SAAS companies and the educational industry.
We Cover for Investment:
- When you should create your first budget
- Everything but the kitchen sink budget
- Bare bones budget
- Budgeting software
- Top sheet
Carole Dean Covers:
- What grantors want to see in your budget
- How your budget can help you win or lose grants
- Getting real quotes for your grants.
- How important it is to be able to defend your budget.
- You should know every line item.
Carole Joyce Covers:
- Donors to the Dean grant to use on your films
- She explains how important it is to bring on people early in production
- Why you want your sound and color and D.P. in meetings with your director
Robert Siegel talks about what to budget for legal in a doc and a feature.
Buy the Class
Recording for $26
Film Funding
Producer to Producer book pages 108-111
Guest Instructor: Kara Williamson
Kara is the Founder, CEO, and Producer of US-based companies, Reveal Live! Entertainment, and Meeting Street Productions. Kara is a top industry film, television and digital media production and distribution executive. She is well-respected for her creative approach, wide-ranging resourcefulness and deep industry knowledge. She is known for tackling the most demanding media and entertainment challenges.
We Cover for Investment:
- Presales
- Sales agents
- Equity investors
- Deferred payment deals
- Union signatory film agreements
- Donations and fiscal sponsorship
Carole Joyce will discuss successful crowdfunding techniques.
Carole Dean discusses how to apply for grants. She has been reviewing and awarding grants for 30 years and this is a compilation of important tips to win a grant.
Robert Seigel covers the legal information.
Buy the Class
Recording for $26
Pages 120 through 129 of the Producer to Producer book.
Guest Instructor: Donna McKenna
Donna McKenna, CSA, is an award winning, international casting director, producer and educator. She has cast
numerous independent films, TV show, episodic radio shows, pilots and web-series during her more than 20 years
in the business. These projects have received theatrical distribution and can be seen on Amazon Prime, iTunes,
Apple as well as Direct TV and other streaming platforms.
Among some of her kudos are a Voice Arts Award for Best Ensemble Cast Performance Audio Show, the IndieFest
Casting Award, Best Ensemble Casting from Blast Off FIlm Festival for Alter Ego and most recently received
Runner Up 2020 Mandy.com Casting Director Award.
Donna teaches actors the craft of acting, improvisation, and audition techniques as well as a course called
“Producing Your Career”, and the McKenna Method Workshops (www.mckennamethod.com).
We
Cover:
- Hiring a casting director
- Attaching an actor or star to your project
- Pay or play deal
- The casting process
- Labor rules for minors
- Extras, background actor casting
- To be union or not to be union?
Carole Joyce shares about From the Heart Productions new partnership with
Largo.AI, the film industry’s
leading artificial intelligence based program designed to give filmmakers crucial data and
recommendations about their films.
Carole will share all about how the program works and walk through the results of a Largo report
from an actual From the Heart Filmmaker.
Read all about Largo below or Click
Here to Learn More.
Robert Siegel, Esq., covers contracts with casting director and actors.
Carole Dean shares information from Think and Grow Rich because your mind is your greatest asset in
filmmaking.
The
information that Largo provides is an invaluable tool for pitching your film to investors and
distributors,
hiring crew, and making casting decisions. From content analysis and financial forecasts to character
&
casting analysis and packaging tools, Largo.ai is designed to empower traditional content creation
workflows and
help producers, distributors, and studios make smarter, more informed decisions.
Data from Largo is derived from
65,000 + Movies
50,000 + TV Shows
950,000 + Talents
Included with Report
Here are examples of just a few of the sections you’ll get in your analysis.
(These results are from an actual report from a From the Heart Filmmaker. The project name has been
removed)
Financial
Forecasts
Largo gives you detailed breakdowns of expected box office revenues for
domestic and global markets. You’ll also get predictions for number of streaming views and the potential value of
your project for major streaming services. Largo can also generate detailed financial projection reports based on
Low, Average, and High forecasts.
Emotions
Analysis
The
Emotion Analysis graph illustrates the shifting dynamics of emotions throughout a story. The system
intelligently breaks down the narrative into essential story sections and assesses the presence of 8 distinct
emotions within each section. This graph offers valuable insights into the rhythm, pacing, and dominant emotions
present in the content, providing users with a comprehensive understanding for expected emotional experience for
the audience.
Positive Emotion Score indicates the distribution of positive and negative emotions
within the content. A positive score suggests a prevalence of positive emotions such as Joy, Surprise, and
Trust, while a negative score suggests a dominance of negative emotions such as Anger, Disgust, Fear, and
Sadness. A score close to 0 signifies a balanced emotional landscape. It’s important to note that positive or
negative scores do not inherently imply whether the content is good or bad, but rather provide insight into its
stylistic positioning compared to other films.
Emotional Intensity Score reflects the intensity of emotional storytelling within the
narrative. A higher score signifies a heightened intensity of positive and/or negative emotions, often
correlating with increased user engagement. Conversely, a lower score may indicate a lack of emotional depth or
a predominance of neutral storytelling. While there is no definitive formula for determining the ideal score,
this metric aids in understanding the content’s positioning relative to other films.
You’ll also receive detailed analysis of your project’s genre breakdown, similar film
comparison, audience demographics and age suitability.
Casting
Suggestions
The system analyzes your casting suggestions and proposes its own
suggestions for the best casting choices for each main character. It shows how good of a match they are, how popular
they are, and the reasons they were suggested. This can be invaluable information to a casting director and to the
potential actors you’d like to hire.
Through our
partnership with Largo, From the Heart is now offering reports generated by Largo.AI for our fiscally
sponsored filmmakers
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Pages 177 through 197 of the Producer to Producer book.
Guest Instructor: Chris Debiec
Christopher Debiec is an award-winning writer/producer/executive with an impressive thirty-four-year track record in all aspects of the entertainment industry. Some of his credits include Sylvester Stallone’s Oscar, The Crow for Miramax, The Devil’s Advocate, Mad City for Warner Brothers, The Out of Towners for Paramount Studios, and the ground breaking “first of its kind” live-action animation Dinosaur for Walt Disney Studios.
From 2000-2005, Chris was called on James Cameron to supervise production for the Emmy Award winning Earthship Productions. In 2010, Chris was recruited as Vice President of Production at Entertainment One Television (eOne). He spearheaded the alternative programming division for cable and network distributors such as Syfy, CW, WETV, BET, MTV, A&E, Discovery Channel, Oxygen and Fox Sports. In 2019, Chris was the Production Executive for Leyline/A24’s The Green Knight.
Chris is now the CEO of newly formed award-winning studio Civilized Entertainment.
We Cover:
- Create location list
- The specifics of location scouting
- Check with local film commissions for leads
- Alternatives to hiring a location scout
- Finalizing location and negotiating the deal
- Backup locations
- Paperwork and location release form
- General liability insurance certificate
- Permits
- Shoot day protocol
- Leave it better than you found it
Robert Siegel, Esq. covers paperwork for locations.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Scheduling
(Thanksgiving is on the normal day)
Legal
Guest Instructor: Robert Siegel
Entertainment Attorney with 20 over years’ experience with independent feature and documentary filmmakers. He has negotiated contracts with HBO, PBS, and most all streamers.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
We Cover:
- Chain of title
- Production issues
- Financing Paperwork
- General agreements
- Distribution agreements
Carole Joyce will introduce you to a donor to our grants who has excellent
prices and quality products
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Scheduling
(Thanksgiving is on the normal day)
Guest Instructor: Kara Williamson
Kara is the Founder, CEO, and Producer of US-based companies, Reveal Live! Entertainment, and Meeting Street Productions. Kara is a top industry film, television and digital media production and distribution executive. She is well-respected for her creative approach, wide-ranging resourcefulness and deep industry knowledge. She is known for tackling the most demanding media and entertainment challenges.
“Scheduling is one of the most critical steps in the preproduction process. It’s the road map for the project.” Maureen A Ryan, Producer to Producer
We Cover:
- Schedule principals
- Shooting schedule analysis
- Shooting script analysis
- Scheduling each shoot day
- Feeding your crew
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel covers legal information needed for post.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Lights, Camera, Legal: Fair Use and Film Insurance
(Last class of year)
Guest Instructor: Deborah J. West
In 2013, Debbie became a licensed insurance broker and began working at MovieInsure.com, Inc. with brother David Karubian. Debbie continues to work diligently to find the most economical pricing option for the coverage needed. She has enjoyed watching her client’s businesses grow over the years. Clients who started off with short term policies and then graduated to annual DICE policies.
Although, the main office of MovieInsure.com is in Northridge, Debbie is located in Memphis, TN and caters to all U.S. time zones.
We Cover:
- Annual DICE policies
- Annual Equipment floaters for owned equipment.
- Production Portfolios for Feature Films
- Short Term policies
- Errors and Omissions
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel covers legal information needed for post.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
From Day One to a Wrap: Essential Strategies for Success in Film and Media Production with Lorenzo DeStefano and Legal Insights from Robert Siegel
Pages 254 -266 in Producer to Producer
Guest Instructor: Lorenzo DeStefano
Lorenzo DeStefano is an artist extraordinaire, He has written highly successful books, plays and screen plays. He has directed and produced documentaries and shorts.See full resume here
We Cover:
- First day of photography to do list
- Second day disasters
- Wrap check list
- Enemy of production
- The actualized budget
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel covers legal information needed for post.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
The Art of Post: Navigating the Postproduction Landscape with Jonathon Smith and Legal Considerations from Robert Siegel
Pages 301 – 317 in Producer to Producer book
Safety First: A Comprehensive Guide to Production Security and Wrap Strategies with Colette Smartt and Legal Insights by Robert Siegel
Pages 267-286 in Producer to Producer book
Guest Instructor: Colette Smartt
Born in Brisbane, QLD, Australia, Colette Smartt began her career officially at the age of 11 when she joined The Fame Agency. Colette has a long history of Film, Television, Theater, Modeling, Live performance, Singing, Dancing, Writing and more recently Directing and Producing. Since moving to the United States, Colette has done everything from industrial to commercial shoots, independent film and short film festival projects. Colette continues to study acting and filmmaking. In 2017, Colette was awarded a scholarship to attend a summer intensive for The Film School in Seattle, WA, where studied screenwriting and story development, and production with Tom Skerrit and Disney Pixar story developers to name a few. In 2017, Colette became Co founder, Executive Producer, Writer, Director for Soul Element Films, a creative film collaborative in the Pacific North West.
We Cover:
- Preparing for safety in pre-production
- Location permissions and planning
- Unset precautions and protocols
- Security for post and deliverables
- Safety protocols for equipment
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel covers legal information needed for post.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
The Art of Post: Navigating the Postproduction Landscape with Jonathon Smith and Legal Considerations from Robert Siegel
Pages 301 – 317 in Producer to Producer book
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon M. Smith, is an actor/writer/producer who has been involved in the film industry for over 15 years. He started his career doing promos for Disney and Vogue as a teenager, and continued to work on multiple sets like Hannah Montana, Greek, Numbers, Heart of Dixie, and The Mandalorian.
At this time, Jonathon is currently producing and starring in a feature film called “The Terrible Children”. It has already been picked up by a distributor and is scheduled to release in the fall.
On top of his film career, Jonathon has done work for SAAS companies and the educational industry.
We Cover:
- Post Production begins in Pre-Production
- Planning for post
- Putting together a post production team
- Digital workflow example
- Deliverables
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel covers legal information needed for post.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Capturing Sonic Brilliance: A Journey through Set Sound and Post Audio with Jerry Deaton, Enhanced by Legal Insights from Robert Siegel
Pages 320 – 326 in Producer to Producer book
Guest Instructor: Jerry Deaton
- DX editing process & ADR process
- OMF or AAF delivery of non-edited production audio to the post house & formatting
- Music mix levels & EQ’ing
- 5.1 mixing
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel covers contracts for sound.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Melodies in Motion: The Art of Cinematic Music with David Raiklen and Legal Harmonies by Robert Siegel
Pages 301 – 317 in Producer to Producer book
Guest Instructor: David Raiklen
David Raiklen is an American composer, producer, educator, and host. David was mentored by Oscar winner John Williams and Pulitzer Prize winner Mel Powel. Dr. Raiklen studied at USC and CalArts and later taught at those universities. He has worked for the major studios including Sony, Disney, Fox, Sprint, Mattel, Warner Bros and PBS, plus independent productions. Hundreds of scores in media. His projects have starred Elliott Gould, Doug Jones, Blythe Danner, and Martin Sheen. David made the New York Film Critics Top Ten with the documentary Heist, short listed for an Academy Award® for Worth, and Mia, A Dancer’s Journey won the Emmy.
Raiklen’s music includes a cinematic hybrid of 21st-century sounds, neoromanticism, post-minimalism, and dance, seasoned with world, jazz, rock and pop. He works with live, acoustic musicians on recordings and concerts, plus custom electronics. David is inspired by the beauty and peace of nature and is an environmental advocate.
Raiklen compositions have been performed at the Hollywood Bowl and Disney Hall. He also was host of a successful radio program, Classical Fan Club, where guests include Yo-Yo Ma and John Williams; host and leader of The Academy of Scoring Arts seminars, and the National Association of Composers LA Conversations. David is currently producing and composing for Space Command, a series of epic adventures set in a hopeful future; creating live concerts, music videos, and producing live Augmented Reality experiences. He is musicalizing the history of the universe in Universe.
Member of TV Academy, NARAS, ASCAP, Board of NACUSA, AAAS
www.davidraiklen.com or on Facebook and YouTube
We Cover:
- Music – a director’s secret weapon.
- Finding a post production team and what to look for.
- Licensing songs – what every filmmaker needs to know.
- How to find perfect music for your film.
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Failure to Communicate: Why So Many Movies Fail at Marketing
Guest Instructor: Tony Panaccio
Tony Panaccio is a 36-year media veteran, having started his career in the 1980s as a newspaper journalist for The Clearwater Sun, The Tampa Tribune and others. In 1989, Tony won the Florida Press Club Award for his eye-witness coverage of the execution of serial killer Ted Bundy, which is also where he met future agency colleague John Wilson. He later shifted his career into public relations with video game producer Capstone, where he also scripted many of their games, including William Shatner’s TekWar. During that period, he was also Shatner’s publicist for his various video game projects.
We Cover:
- Three Pillars — Far too many indie producers focus primarily on the creative side of making films, leaving business affairs and marketing to others — or worse — just plugging along without much expertise in either. A good producer is at least going to understand the basic foodchain of marketing.
- No Marketing Strategy — A film without a marketing strategy is destined to fail, but what IS a marketing strategy? What are the primary obligations of a marketing strategy, and how do they inform the tactical marketing plan?
- Understanding Media — Today’s media landscape is constantly evolving. To keep up with it, you need to understand a little about the modern history of media and where it’s heading in 2024.
- Putting it All Together — PR, advertising, promotions and word of mouth are disciplines — when they are combined properly — can propel even a small indie directly into the national consciousness. So, what are the best practices involved to finish this race?
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss paperwork for archive researcher and recap of fair use.
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 25 – Saturday, March 30, 2024
Pages 361 – 368 in Producer to Producer book
Film Festivals
From Premiere to Prize: A Masterclass in Film Festival Success with Annabelle Munro and Expert Tips for Distributor Negotiations by Robert Siegel
Guest Instructor: Anabelle D. Munro
Anabelle is an award-winning actress, writer, director, singer, producer, and C.E.O. of the film production company Blue Boots Entertainment that she operates together with her husband Huntly Munro in Los Angeles.
Anabelle’s artistic focus is dedicated to purpose-driven filmmaking, like spreading awareness about recovery from addiction, healing, and discovering purpose and spirituality.
Anabelle is the founder and director of the ETHOS Film Awards.
We Cover
Film festival strategy
Film festival premiers
Jury and Audience awards
What to expect from a film festival
Posters, postcards, and photos
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 26 – Saturday, April 13, 2024
Low Budget Screenwriting Masterclass – Part 1
Learning the Fundamentals of Story Structure
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon M. Smith, is an actor/writer/producer who has been involved in the film industry for over 15 years. He started his career doing promos for Disney and Vogue as a teenager, and continued to work on multiple sets like Hannah Montana, Greek, Numbers, Heart of Dixie, and The Mandalorian.
At this time, Jonathon is currently producing and starring in a feature film called “The Terrible Children”. It has already been picked up by a distributor and is scheduled to release in the fall.
On top of his film career, Jonathon has done work for SAAS companies and the educational industry.
We Cover:
Why Learning How To Write Low Budget Screenplays Will Be Essential in The Streaming Era.
Learn The Basic Story Structure of Modern Films.
Why The Midpoint of A Screenplay Is Important
Understanding The 8 Main Story Drivers
The Most Popular Story Myths
7 Main Types of Story Goals For Your Character
Why It’s Helpful For Your Character To Have A Past Trauma or a “Ghost”
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 27 – Saturday, April 27, 2024
Low Budget Screenwriting Masterclass – Part 2
How To Make Your Screenplay / Film Possible On A Low Budget
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon M. Smith, is an actor/writer/producer who has been involved in the film industry for over 15 years. He started his career doing promos for Disney and Vogue as a teenager, and continued to work on multiple sets like Hannah Montana, Greek, Numbers, Heart of Dixie, and The Mandalorian.
At this time, Jonathon is currently producing and starring in a feature film called “The Terrible Children”. It has already been picked up by a distributor and is scheduled to release in the fall.
On top of his film career, Jonathon has done work for SAAS companies and the educational industry.
We Cover:
- Learn Why Films Are So Expensive To Make
- The Difference Between Genre, Theme, and Script Mechanism
- The 8 Different Types of Films That Work On A Low Budget
- Examples of Each Type of Films That Work On A Low Budget
- 5 Films That Were Made For Under $10,000 That Launched Careers (Including Christopher Nolan).
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 28 – Saturday, May 11, 2024
Documentary Distribution
Guest Instructor: Keith Ochwat
Keith is a filmmaker and Founder of Show&Tell. Over his 12 year career as a documentary filmmaker, Keith produced three films that appeared on PBS and Netflix.
His film Age of Champions screened in over 3,000 communities and generated over $1.5 million—powered by partnerships with groups like AARP and the Alzheimer’s Association and companies like Cigna Health.
Keith has since taught and advised hundreds of filmmakers on their distribution and fundraising strategies.
He’s delivered keynote presentations on distribution at filmmaking organizations like IDA and IFP and his work has appeared in IndieWire and Documentary Magazine.
At Show&Tell, he has helped hundreds of filmmakers raise over $12 million in virtual event ticket sales, donations, sponsorships, and PBS underwriting.
We Cover:
- Finding Your Core Audience: Learn how to identify and target the audience that resonates most with your documentary’s message.
- Attaching Strategic Partners: Discover how to forge alliances with organizations, influencers, and brands that align with your documentary’s themes and objectives.
- PBS as a Distributor: Learn the ins and outs of pitching to PBS and navigating the public broadcasting landscape.
- Early Funding through Conventions: Uncover strategies for finding and securing unique opportunities for early funding for your documentary through conventions and industry events.
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 29 – Saturday, May 25, 2024
Fundraising Parties
Instructor: Carole Dean
Carole Dean is the Founder and President of From the Heart Productions, a top-rated 501(c)3 non-profit that supports independent filmmakers by helping them raise funding for their projects. Over thirty years through From the Heart’s fiscal sponsorship program, she has assisted filmmakers in raising over $30 million for their films.
She created the Roy Dean Grant in 1992 and has awarded over $2,500,000 in grants to independent filmmakers, and helped to produce over 80 films through the grant.
We Cover:
- Outline for the party
- Who makes the ask?
- Getting donations before the party
- Ongoing support from party participants
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 30 – Saturday, June 8th, 2024
Pitching Your Project
Instructor: Carole Dean
Carole Dean is the Founder and President of From the Heart Productions, a top-rated 501(c)3 non-profit that supports independent filmmakers by helping them raise funding for their projects. Over thirty years through From the Heart’s fiscal sponsorship program, she has assisted filmmakers in raising over $30 million for their films.
She created the Roy Dean Grant in 1992 and has awarded over $2,500,000 in grants to independent filmmakers, and helped to produce over 80 films through the grant.
We Cover:
- Creating your pitch
- Making a good impression
- Power of “Body language”
- Closing
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 31 – Saturday, June 22nd, 2024
Story Structure
Instructor: Karen Everett
Karen Everett is one of the world’s leading documentary story consultants, as well as an award-winning documentary filmmaker. She taught editing for 18 years at the Graduate School of Journalism at UC Berkeley, named the #1-ranked documentary program in America by Documentary Magazine. Karen founded New Doc Editing LLC, an editing and story consulting business. She has helped hundreds of filmmakers structure compelling documentaries for venues such as PBS, HBO, community screenings and top film festivals such as Sundance and Telluride. Author of Documentary Editing, she has directed and produced six of her own documentaries, including the award-winning PBS biography I Shall Not Be Removed: The Life of Marlon Riggs. She can be reached at Karen@newdocediting.com.
We Cover:
How do you shape a mountain of footage into an impactful and entertaining documentary?
In this example-packed seminar, you’ll discover how influential and award-winning documentaries such as My Octopus Teacher and The Inconvenient Truth are structured. Screenwriters have a lot to teach documentary filmmakers about shaping a story, from the Inciting Incident, to the Midpoint, to the Climax. You’ll learn the challenges and art of adapting narrative devices to films about real life. You’ll glean professional tips for logging footage quickly, to accelerate your edit. Participants will also learn how to configure a compelling trailer in three distinct movements. Finally, these days you need more than just a feature length film. Foreign distributors and PBS often want a “TV Hour”, while conferences and educators want a shorter cut for public screenings. A deeply experienced teacher and story consultant, Karen will show you four criteria for cutting a feature down to marketable film lengths.
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 32 – Saturday, July 6th, 2024
Development
Instructor: Kara Williamson
Kara is the Founder, CEO, and Producer of US-based companies, Reveal Live! Entertainment, and Meeting Street Productions. Kara is a top industry film, television and digital media production and distribution executive. She is well-respected for her creative approach, wide-ranging resourcefulness and deep industry knowledge. She is known for tackling the most demanding media and entertainment challenges.
We Cover:
- Creative Process
- Focusing & Direction
- Content Filming
- Financials & Resources
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 33 – Saturday, July 20th, 2024
Distribution
Instructor: Gary Rubin
Gary Rubin has over 30 years of experience in the motion picture and television businesses encompassing acquisitions, production, distribution and management responsibilities.
In those years, he acquired nearly 100 films, and helped create multiple nine figures in domestic sales. Learn more at www.grconsultingcareercoaching.com
Gary started GRC, a sales agency and consulting company, which represents both new and older films to a complete set of streaming and distributor clients. GRC also consults on a variety of issues including finance and distribution, for producers, investors, and more. GRC recently oversaw the self-distribution of the acclaimed documentary, The Automat. The Automat was nominated for four Critics Choice Documentary Awards including for Best Documentary Feature.
- When should I bring on a sales agent?
- Do I really need a sales agent?
- What exactly will a sales agent do for me?
- What is a typical deal with a sales agent?
- What can I expect in terms of results?
- Theatrical or streamer?
- What should you create to engage a distributor?
- At what stage of production do you contact distributors?
- What is the current status of film distribution to streamers?
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 34 – Saturday, August 3rd, 2024
Media Relations
Instructor: Tony Panaccio
Tony Panaccio is a 36-year media veteran, having started his career in the 1980s as a newspaper journalist for The Clearwater Sun, The Tampa Tribune and others. In 1989, Tony won the Florida Press Club Award for his eye-witness coverage of the execution of serial killer Ted Bundy, which is also where he met future agency colleague John Wilson. He later shifted his career into public relations with video game producer Capstone, where he also scripted many of their games, including William Shatner’s TekWar. During that period, he was also Shatner’s publicist for his various video game projects.
We Cover:
- Who are the people who make up the modern media machine?
- How do you make contact with reporters? Email? Phone? Carrier pigeon?
- What is the typical day like for a modern media organization?
- What are the steps in pitching media on your story, and how can filmmakers do it themselves?
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 35 – Saturday, August 17th, 2024
How to Make Money on YouTube and Other Social Media Networks
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon M. Smith, is an actor/writer/producer who has been involved in the film industry for over 15 years. He started his career doing promos for Disney and Vogue as a teenager, and continued to work on multiple sets like Hannah Montana, Greek, Numbers, Heart of Dixie, and The Mandalorian.
At this time, Jonathon is currently producing and starring in a feature film called “The Terrible Children”. It has already been picked up by a distributor and is scheduled to release in the fall.
On top of his film career, Jonathon has done work for SAAS companies and the educational industry.
We Cover:
- Why LinkedIn Co-Founder Said Most 9-5 Jobs Will be Obsolete by 2034.
- How To Find The Correct Niche For Your Social Media Platform.
- How To Make Money On Ads On YouTube and The Requirements To Become A YouTube Partner.
- How To Use Social Media To Make Money Coaching and Providing Other Services.
- Examples of Other Successful Content Creators.
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 36 – Saturday, August 31st, 2024
What Happens After the Sale
Guest Instructor: Brynn Lucas
Brynn Lucas is an award-winning producer with extensive expertise in post-production supervision, delivery, electronic press kit (EPK), and feature film development and production. She has led numerous successful projects to completion, leveraging her deep knowledge in music videos, film production, and documentaries. With over 20 years in the entertainment industry, Brynn has a demonstrated history of working on high-profile projects, ensuring seamless delivery and exceptional quality in all her endeavors. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre from Stephens College, which has further enriched her skills in the creative and technical aspects of film and media production. Her client list includes Independent Filmmakers, Studios such as WB, Universal, and Paramount, Major Streamers like Hulu, Netflix, and Apple, and Sales Teams/Distributors such as Studio Canal, S&R Films, Saban Films, and Lionsgate.
We Cover:
- Understanding the type of sale you have acquired
- Breaking down a Delivery Schedule
- Getting your project through the QC process
- The importance of having an Electronic Press Kit (EPK)
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 37 – Saturday, September 14th, 2024
How to Hire a Director of Photography
Instructor: Michael Hofstein
● Developed cinematography and film making skills at Paramount Studios (1970’s) while learning from the great Cinematographers and Directors of the Hollywood Golden Era.
● Became a Commercial and Television Film Director (mid 1980’s)
● Developed as a Producer/writer (mid 1990’s)
● Served on the Board of Directors for the AFPF, the French Producer’s Guild (2007-2018).
● Serves on Board of Managers of VES Georgia (2018-2024).
● Honored by VES as a luminary for career and design patent of Motion Control System
● Worked and restructured courses (2003-2013) as a Professor, developing the Cinematography curriculum while teaching film production at Savannah College of Art and Design.
● Presents Master Seminars at Eicar (France 2013-present), Sony Institute, Maine Media Workshops, and more
● Currently resumed work professionally on movies & television — as Producer, Writer, and/or Director or DOP
We Cover:
- When in production should your bring in your DP? .
- What is the producers roll with the DP?
- How to get the best cinematographic work from your DP
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 38 – Saturday, September 28th, 2024
How Generative A.I Will Transform Independent Filmmaking
Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
We Cover:
- Why Small Teams Are The Future For Independent Films
- Different Tools and Workflows I Used To Create Visual Effects and Title Sequences
- Workflows I Used To Drastically Improve Sound Without Location Sound on Site
- Explain Why Marketing and Creativity Will Soon Determine Your Success — Not Firmly Cost.
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 39 – Saturday, October 12th, 2024
How to Avoid Getting Sued as a Producer
Instructor: James Forsher
James Forsher PhD has been producing non-fiction programming focusing on Hollywood for over 4 decades (www.forshermedia.com) His television programs include the hour long RODDENBERRY;S TREK (2023), The hour long Elvis and the Girl from Vienna (ORF, 2017), the twenty-six part HOLLYWOOD CHRONICLES for the Discovery Channel (1990), the eight-part PBS series CHANGING CULTURE OF THE WORKPLACE (1995), THE HOLLYWOOD CENSORSHIP WARS for the Arts & Entertainment Network (1994), LOST WARRIORS for PBS (1998) and the thirteen part THE 1960’s for Encore! Feature length specials include HOLLYWOOD UNCENSORED and HOLLYWOOD GHOST STORIES (which have aired on such systems as Cinemax and. Dr.Forsher wrote THE COMMUNITY OF CINEMA: HOW CINEMA AND SPECTACLE TRANSFORMED THE AMERICAN DOWNTOWN (Praeger, 2002).
He has served as a consultant for a number of organizations, including ABC News, PBS Marketplace. He also was a producer of visual content for Pearson and Allyn & Bacon Publishers.
Dr. Forsher is a retired Associate Professor in Communication, having taught at The University of Vienna, California State University, East Bay, Seattle University, Temple University and Florida State University. He has also served as a Fulbright Specialist at the University of Vienna and Klagenfurt University in 2015 and received a 2023 Botstiber Fellowship to work out of Central European University in Budapest, Hungary. His background is a blend of an interest in American cultural institutions and communication studies, which he has examined both in written works and as a television producer.
We Cover:
The talk explores the idea behind ‘image rights.’ Everything that goes into a film today is possibly litigious, and we will explore how to protect yourself against that nasty letter you get from an attorney saying that ‘you used material owned by their client.’
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 40 – Saturday, October 26th, 2024
Collaborating with an Editor: Unlocking Creative Power
Instructor: Gael Chandler
Gael Chandler, based in Los Angeles, was nominated twice for a Cable Emmy for comedy editing and has trained hundreds of professionals on digital editing systems and students on editing systems, practices and theory.
She has edited comedies, dramas, documentaries, features, corporate videos, and promos, and cut on every type of medium: film, tape, and digital. Nominated twice for a Cable ACE award for editing a comedy series.
Additionally she has taught editing practices and history at Loyola Marymount University and California State Universities at Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Northridge, and has trained hundreds of professionals, independent filmmakers, professors, and students to operate digital editing equipment.
She is author of the book “Editing for Directors”.
We Cover:
- How to shoot right for editing
- What an editor brings to the party
- Hiring a collaborator
- What you want from your editor
- In the cutting room: from dailies to first cut
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 41 – Saturday, November 9th, 2024
Create Your Path: Custom Distribution for Indie Filmmakers
Instructor: Jon Reiss
Jon Reiss is a filmmaker, author and media strategist who wrote the book Think Outside the Box Office. His company, 8 Above, creates custom audience-building strategies, theatrical experiences and digital release campaigns for independent feature and documentary films. Reiss has consulted with hundreds of filmmakers and film organizations throughout the world including The Gotham, IDA, Screen Australia, Film Independent, Creative Scotland. Current clients include 1800 On Her Own, Sabbath Queen, Food & Country, The Ride Ahead and The Body Politic.
Reiss helped create and run the IFP/Gotham Filmmaker Lab for ten years. A year ago as traditional outlets for distribution increasingly dried up, he created the 8 Above Distribution Lab. In the Lab Reiss workshops the distribution and marketing of up to ten film teams through the ever changing landscape of distribution and marketing. The third cohort starts in December 2024/January 2025. Click here for more information and to sign up for an information session.
We Cover:
- Distribution for independent feature and documentary films
- How to create custom audience-building strategies
- Exciting new theatrical experiences
- Building digital release campaigns
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 42 – Saturday, November 23rd, 2024
Grassroots Film Marketing: Building Buzz on a Budget
Guest Instructor: Jason Brubaker
Jason Brubaker is the founder of Filmmaking Stuff, a leading resource for indie filmmakers looking to grow their careers and bring their projects to life. With a background in film distribution and digital marketing, Jason has guided countless independent movie producers in crafting unique marketing hooks, creating professional promotional assets, and leveraging digital tools to connect directly with audiences.
A recognized expert in grassroots movie marketing and direct-to-consumer distribution, Jason’s practical, actionable strategies empower filmmakers to navigate the evolving independent motion picture landscape with confidence.
We Cover:
In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics grassroots marketing strategies, so you can:
- Unlock the Secret to Winning Audiences – Learn how to attract viewers and turn them into loyal fans
- Master the Four Marketing Channels – How to use free and paid strategies to get your film noticed
- What’s Your Film’s Superpower? – Highlight what makes your movie unforgettable
- First Impressions Matter – Create assets that grab attention and build credibility
- Grow Your Audience with Email – Build a direct connection to your fans
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 43 – Saturday, December 7th, 2024
Successfully Distributing Your Documentary On PBS
Guest Instructor: Beth Dolan
We Cover:
- The benefits of having a distribution deal on Public Service Television
- Understanding the Unique PBS World
- The Costs to Distribute to PBS
- Tips, Tricks, and the Path Of Least Resistance to Getting Your Film on PBS
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 44 – Saturday, December 28th, 2024
Goals for 2025
Instructor: Carole Dean
We Cover:
- Your mind is your greatest asset in film funding
- Using your mind to create a successful 2025
- Creating clearly defined goals
- Visualizing your future
- Using your subconscious to create your future
- The power of belief
- Putting your attention on your intention
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 45 – Saturday, January 4th, 2025
The Filmmaker’s Toolkit: Grants, Investors, and Partnerships for Success
Instructor: Sarah Moshman
Sarah Moshman is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and TEDx speaker whose work has been featured on Netflix, PBS, Upworthy, Marie Claire, CNN, and Good Morning America. Sarah has directed and produced 3 feature-length documentaries: The Empowerment Project: Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things (2014), Losing Sight of Shore (2017) and NEVERTHELESS (2020). Sarah has ventured into the narrative world with a short about the 1st mother in space entitled UNBOUND starring Lauren Lapkus that was awarded First Place at NASA’s Cinespace Competition and is on the festival circuit with a new short she wrote and directed entitled A Mother is Born.
Prior to focusing on documentaries Sarah worked as a field producer on the hit ABC show Dancing with the Stars for 10 seasons as well as shows on NBC, MTV, Lifetime, Bravo and the Food Network. She also directs branded content for EllenTube, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Spanx, Mattel, AT&T and more. Sarah is an inspiring public speaker, author, and a teacher in documentary film, passionate about empowering the next generation of storytellers. In 2024 Sarah launched her own program to support women filmmakers over 30 called Look What SHE’s Doing! which she hopes to continue as part of her legacy for years to come.
We Cover
- Crowdfunding
- Applying for grants
- Fiscal sponsorship
- Working with investors
- Working with brands/sponsors
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 46 – Saturday, January 25th, 2025
The Filmmaker’s Toolkit: Grants, Investors, and Partnerships for Success
Instructor: Karen Everett
Karen Everett is one of the world’s leading documentary story consultants, as well as an award-winning documentary filmmaker. She taught editing for 18 years at the Graduate School of Journalism at UC Berkeley, named the #1-ranked documentary program in America by Documentary Magazine. Karen founded New Doc Editing LLC, an editing and story consulting business. She has helped hundreds of filmmakers structure compelling documentaries for venues such as PBS, HBO, community screenings and top film festivals such as Sundance and Telluride. Author of Documentary Editing, she has directed and produced six of her own documentaries, including the award-winning PBS biography I Shall Not Be Removed: The Life of Marlon Riggs. She can be reached at Karen@newdocediting.com
Are you ready to take your film project to the next level? Your trailer is your most powerful tool for securing funding, and in this special class, you’ll learn how to make it stand out from the crowd!
This class will teach you the secrets behind crafting trailers that capture the attention of investors, grant committees, and distributors. Drawing insights from Maureen A. Ryan’s influential book, Producer to Producer, this session will show you how to tell a compelling story through your trailer that leaves audiences wanting more—and ready to support your film.
In this class, you’ll learn:
- How to Edit a Trailer for Maximum Impact: Learn Karen Everett’s proven techniques for creating trailers that resonate emotionally and visually with your target audience.
- The Elements of a Successful Trailer: Understand the key components that make a trailer compelling enough to secure funding.
- Why Your Trailer is Your #1 Film Funding Tool: Discover why a well-edited trailer is essential to pitching your project and convincing potential backers.
- Storytelling for Investors: Find out how to tell your film’s story in a way that engages and excites, leaving funders eager to see more.
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 47 – Saturday, February 8th, 2025
The Art of the Deal: Pitching and Funding for Indie Filmmakers
Guest Instructor: Tom Malloy
We Cover:
- Essential Film Funding Materials
- Elements of a pitch
- Meeting and connecting with the HNI
- Presentation
- Closing techniques
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 48 – Saturday, February 22nd, 2025
Director of Photography
Guest Instructor: Giovanni Lampassi
Recently, Giovani has worked as the cinematographer on the highly rated TV series “High Potential,” an American crime drama that premiered in September 2024. He also served as the cinematographer for the workplace comedy series “Unstable,” for Netflix.
Throughout his career, Giovani has had the opportunity to work with many renowned actors, including Kristen Bell, Robin Williams, John Travolta, Andy Samberg, Kathryn Hahn, Gina Rodriguez, and Topher Grace. His collaborations with these talented actors have contributed to the success and acclaim of the projects he has been involved in.
Giovani is a member of both the Directors Guild of America and the International Cinematographers Guild. Known for his engaging personality, he is always ready with a dad joke to lighten the mood on set. His dedication to his craft and his ability to bring stories to life through his lens have made him a respected figure in the industry.
Giovani’s professional ability to see light and shadows is unparalleled, setting him apart from many other cinematographers. He honed this skill under the mentorship of legendary cinematographers John Alonzo, ASC and Peter Levy, ASC, ACS, for whom he worked as a gaffer. Their guidance helped shape his unique visual style and deep understanding of lighting.
We Cover:
- How directors of photography interface with directors
- Choosing your best shot
- Guidance for documentary filmmakers
- Staying on time and on budget with excellent cinematography
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 49 – Saturday, March 8th, 2025
Monetizing Your Film Website
Guest Instructor: Adam Heyes
We Cover:
- Best practices and what to include on a film website
- How to monetize your film website
- How to create profitable business around your film
- How to drive traffic to your site
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 50 – Saturday, March 22nd, 2025
Story Structure
Guest Instructor: Jilann Spitzmiller
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 51 – Saturday, April 5th, 2025
Crew
Guest Instructor: Kara Williamson
Kara is the Founder, CEO, and Producer of US-based companies, Reveal Live! Entertainment, and Meeting Street Productions. Kara is a top industry film, television and digital media production and distribution executive. She is well-respected for her creative approach, wide-ranging resourcefulness and deep industry knowledge. She is known for tackling the most demanding media and entertainment challenges.
WE COVER:
- How to find the right crew for your Indie
- How to determine salary for your crew
- How to provide safety for your crew during the shoot
- How to prepare the crew for the shoot
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
CLASS 52 – Saturday, April 19th, 2025
Public Relations
Instructor: Tony Panaccio
Tony Panaccio is a 36-year media veteran, having started his career in the 1980s as a newspaper journalist for The Clearwater Sun, The Tampa Tribune and others. In 1989, Tony won the Florida Press Club Award for his eye-witness coverage of the execution of serial killer Ted Bundy, which is also where he met future agency colleague John Wilson. He later shifted his career into public relations with video game producer Capstone, where he also scripted many of their games, including William Shatner’s TekWar. During that period, he was also Shatner’s publicist for his various video game projects.
WE COVER:
- What the heck is happening to the media?
- how do producers with viable projects get in the door?
- What are the first steps? What is the best strategy and messaging?
- Who do I to pitch to and how?
Guest Instructor: Robert Seigel
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss how to be prepared to talk to distributors at festivals, and know what to ask for.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
Guest Instructor: Jonathon M. Smith
Jonathon shares how to survive and thrive as an indie filmmaker. Every class, he will teach different lessons on independent filmmaking to help make your project a reality. He is also A.I savvy and will go over different products and industry trends to keep you up to date on technology in Hollywood.
