This course will give you the information, guidance, and support to develop your project so you can get the funding you need to get your project completed.
Each class covers essential aspects of film production and funding, including financing, logline, pitch, and much more!
Each Class features a Guest Instructor who is an expert in their field, and a Q&A session where you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions specific to your project.
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 student of the class, filmmaker Paula Randol Smith)
By enrolling in the producer course, you’ll gain the skills necessary for navigating the filmmaking industry. We equip you with the tools to refine your project, making it more appealing to potential backers. Our Lecturers have years of experience that will guide you through the intricacies of script development, budgeting, and effective pitching techniques. You’ll learn how to create a compelling narrative that captures investors’ and audiences’ attention. Increase your chances of securing funds. Join us today, your first month is FREE!
Hear What Our Students are Saying!
Paula Randol-Smith
Director / Producer – “Forecast the Film”
Through From The Hearts 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 Siegal, 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.
After a life in the business from theatre, and then moving into documentary film-making, 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.
If you’ve always wanted to be filmmaker or are a filmmaker and have many films in the can but need the steps to move them forward – or just to catch up in this new technical world contact FTH sign up for the producers class! It Allows you to learn at your own speed , it’s invaluable and affordable class for helping with confidence – they give you a heightened awareness, with the understanding of higher source intentional film making techniques- which in my opinion is crucial in getting through those tough times.
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!
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.
Get your First Month (2 Classes) for Free!
Then Only $44/Month
About the Class
ONGOING NOW! JOIN ANY TIME
Live On Zoom
Hosted by Carole Dean
Special Guest Instructor with Q&A Each Class
Film Attorney Robert Siegel Joins Each Class
Taught Every 2 Saturdays at 9am PT
Join by Monthly Subscription
2 Classes per Month for $44
Get Class Recording Free
Get First Month for Free!
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
Your First Month is Free!
Upcoming Classes
Class 25 – Saturday, March 30, 2024
Film Festivals with Anabelle D. Munro
Class 26 – Saturday, April 13, 2024
Documentary Distribution with Keith Ochwat
Class 27 – Saturday, April 27, 2024
Low Budget Screenwriting Masterclass – Part 1 with Jonathon M. Smith
Class 28 – Saturday, May 11, 2024
Low Budget Screenwriting Masterclass – Part 2 with Jonathon M. Smith
Class 29 – Saturday, May 25, 2024
To Be Announced
Class 30 – Saturday, June 8, 2024
To Be Announced
Class 31 – Saturday, June 22, 2024
Story Structure with Karen Everett
Future classes will be announced soon!
Meet the Instructors
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.
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 24: Marketing with Tony Panaccio
Next Class
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.
We Cover
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.
Upcoming Classes
Pages 370 – 374 in Producer to Producer book
Documentary Distribution
Showcasing Truth: A Deep Dive into Documentary Distribution with Keith Oshwat, Strategic Partnerships, and Distribution Window Essentials by Robert Siegel
Keith Ochwat has been a documentary filmmaker since 2006. His last film made over $1.5 million and screened in over 3,000 communities. He advised over 500 filmmakers–seeing over and over how filmmakers were chasing false dreams of ‘making a deal’ and endlessly applying to long-shot grants. He and his team are on a mission to empower filmmakers to…
Our attorney Robert Seigel covers what you want windows you want to keep in distribution.
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.
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.
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.
Story Structure
Karen Everett is one of the world’s leading documentary Story Consultants, as well as an award-winning documentary filmmaker. Founder of New Doc Editing, she has helped hundreds of filmmakers structure documentaries for PBS, HBO, Sundance, and other top venues.
Karen taught documentary editing for 18 years at the Graduate School of Journalism at UC Berkeley, named the #1-ranked documentary program in America by “Documentary Magazine”.
Author of the book “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” and “American Visionary: The Story of Barbara Marx Hubbard”.
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
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
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 covers legal information needed for post.
Visit his website at http://www.rlsentlaw.com
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
Our attorney Robert Seigel covers contracts for sound.
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.
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
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
Failure to Communicate: Why So Many Movies Fail at Marketing
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.
Our attorney Robert Seigel will discuss paperwork for archive researcher and recap of fair use.
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.