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.
Co-Host, From the Heart Productions Board Member and Producer
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 Starsstarring Sean Young and as LA Line Producer for Wheels of Heaven with Mickey Rourke. Carole’s additional credits are available on IMDb.
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 Joins Each Class
Join by Monthly Subscription
2 Classes per Month for $44
Get Class Recording Free
Get your First Month
(2 Classes) for Free!
Recordings of Completed Classes Now Available for Sale!
Click Class to Learn More
Class 40 – Saturday, October 26, 2024
Class 41 – Saturday, November 9, 2024
Class 42 – Saturday, November 23, 2024
Class 43 – Saturday, Decemeber 7, 2024
Class 44 – Saturday, Decemeber 28, 2024
Goals for 2025 with Carole Dean
Class 45 – Saturday, January 11, 2025
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’ss 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
How to Avoid Getting Sued as a Producer
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.
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.’
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
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.
Get your First Month (2 Classes) for Free!
Then Only $44/Month
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 37: 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
You can also purchase Year 1 of the Producer’s Class (26 Classes*) for a special price of $440.
Upcoming Classes
Editing
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”.
Our attorney Robert Seigel will be available to discuss legal information.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
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.
Distribution
Jon Reiss is a critically acclaimed filmmaker, author, media strategist, and speaker. He began his film career at the notorious Target Video where he not only shot seminal bands such as Black Flag, Iggy Pop, Throbbing Gristle, and The Cramps, but also filmed and edited a series of videos documenting Mark Pauline’s Survival Research Laboratories’ early performances. He collaborated with SRL on a short film, A Bitter Message of Hopeless Grief, which played numerous festivals – including Sundance, Berlin, and New Directors/New Films.
His feature films Bomb It, Better Living Through Circuitry, and Cleopatra’s Second Husband have all been released theatrically in the US and broadcast throughout the world. He has also directed numerous music videos including, notoriously, “Happiness in Slavery” for Nine Inch Nails.
Reiss has worked as a producer on the series In The Making for Firelight Media, as well as the documentaries The Good Breast, Sweetheart Dancers (for Showtime), and Desolation Center.
Additionally, he has conducted workshops and presentations around the world including Cannes, Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca. As a consultant – through his company 8 Above – he has advised hundreds of filmmakers and film organizations on distribution strategies.
Our attorney Robert Seigel will be available to discuss legal information.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
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.
TBA
Our attorney Robert Seigel will be available to discuss legal information.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
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.
TBA
Our attorney Robert Seigel will be available to discuss legal information.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
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.
Goals for 2025
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.
Our attorney Robert Seigel will be available to discuss legal information.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
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.
TBA
Our attorney Robert Seigel will be available to discuss legal information.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
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.
Editing
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
Our attorney Robert Seigel will be available to discuss legal information.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
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 full year of the Producer’s Class (26 Classes) for a special price of $440.
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.
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.
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
Carole Joyce will discuss how to write a Documentary proposal.
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
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.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
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
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
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.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Pitching HNI’s and Closing Investors
Producer to Producer book pages 45-68
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.Buy the Class Recording for $26
Securing Film Distribution: Tactics and Techniques
Producer to Producer pages 45 -51
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.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
The Art of the Pitch
Carole Joyce will introduce you to another donor to our grants.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Mastering Trailers for Fundraising and Engagement
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Color correction sets the mood of the film.
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.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Budgeting
Pages 69 through 75 of the Producer to Producer book.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Film Funding
Producer to Producer book pages 108-111
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.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Pages 120 through 129 of the Producer to Producer book.
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.
Data from Largo is derived from
65,000 + Movies
50,000 + TV Shows
950,000 + Talents
Included with ReportHere 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)
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.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Pages 177 through 197 of the Producer to Producer book.
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Scheduling
(Thanksgiving is on the normal day)
Legal
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Scheduling
(Thanksgiving is on the normal day)
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Lights, Camera, Legal: Fair Use and Film Insurance
(Last class of year)
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
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
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
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
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
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
Buy the Class Recording for $26
Failure to Communicate: Why So Many Movies Fail at MarketingBuy the Class Recording for $26
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
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.
Film festival strategy
Film festival premiers
Jury and Audience awards
What to expect from a film festival
Posters, postcards, and photos
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
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
Low Budget Screenwriting Masterclass – Part 1
Learning the Fundamentals of Story Structure
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”
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
Low Budget Screenwriting Masterclass – Part 2
How To Make Your Screenplay / Film Possible On A Low Budget
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.
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
Documentary Distribution
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.
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.
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
Fundraising Parties
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.
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.
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
Pitching Your Project
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.
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.
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
Story Structure
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.
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.
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.
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
Development
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.
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.
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
Distribution
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.
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.
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
Media Relations
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.
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.
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
How to Make Money on YouTube and Other Social Media Networks
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.
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
What Happens After the Sale
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.
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
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
How to Hire a Director of Photography
● 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
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
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
How Generative A.I Will Transform Independent Filmmaking
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.
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