Pro Tips For Producing A Winning Short Film
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Other education that may be of interest to you:
Finance Your Independent Film & Break Even Before Its Release
Learn directly from Jason Mirch, a 10-year film and TV producer and former Head of Feature and Television Development and Production at Image Nation Abu Dhabi (The Help, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Contagion and 100 Foot Journey)! Raising financing for a feature film project can be one of the most daunting aspects of independent filmmaking. Many independent writers, directors, and producers simply do not know where to begin when seeking funding for their projects. With studios producing and releasing fewer films every year, independent filmmakers must rely on non-traditional financing models to fund projects. Where can you find the funds to get your project made? How can you best mitigate downside risk while maximizing upside potential? What options are available in terms of equity, soft money and pre-sales to get you to your financing goal? In this On-Demand Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, Jason Mirch navigates you through the Risk Mitigation Model of independent film financing, which utilizes foreign pre-sales, soft money, and equity to finance feature film projects. Drawing from his 10 years of experience financing both independent and studio films, Jason teaches you some traditional and non-traditional financing models so you can choose the right model for your specific project and gives you strategies to put these models into action. He then covers what international sales companies look for when evaluating potential projects and gives advice on how to position your projects when pitching to these companies. You will leave this on-demand webinar with a comprehensive understanding of not only the world of independent film financing, but how to get your project funded and breaking even before its release!
Short Film Master Class - Learn To Take Your Idea From Concept To Post-Production
In this 5-session online master class, learn from leading producer Jason Mirch, and his special industry guests on how to take an idea for a short film from concept all the way to post-production. Every successful filmmaker has, at some point in their career, written, directed, and/or produced a short film. For filmmakers who are just starting out, a short film is the best calling card to showcase their unique talent and vision. It is important to remember that short filmmaking is different from feature filmmaking, with challenges unique to the process. Even so, producing a short film may seem daunting, but there are several key secrets to getting the most out of your project. This intensive 5-week course will give students the tools and techniques necessary to produce a world class short film. Each week will be dedicated to a different aspect of the short filmmaking process, including, concept development and writing of your short, budgeting and scheduling, understanding and drafting production agreements, pro-tips on directing actors, and how to get the most out of the post production process. You are strongly encouraged to come with ideas for a short film, which will be developed over the course of the 5 weeks, so by the conclusion of the class, you should have a screenplay ready for production! Every week your host, Jason Mirch, will be bringing in special guests to help teach you, including: Christina Snider - Casting Associate, Susan Edelman Casting (Melrose Place, Malcolm in the Middle, Drop Dead Diva, Wonder Years) Michael Carney - Director (Same Kind of Different As Me) Brian Swanson - editor and sound designer Abeer Abu Schmeiss - Marketing Director, Image Nation (He Named Me Malala, Flight,The Help, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel)
The Secret to Cracking Your Script's Second Act
Ask any executive where most screenplays go wrong and they'll tell you it's in the 2nd act. That's because many screenwriters type FADE IN knowing their opening (Act I) and closing (Act III) inside out, but haven't thought through how to bridge the gap (Act II). How many times have you watched a film and thought that it dragged in the middle? It happens more often than you think. Introducing a great concept and fantastic, deeply drawn characters is, of course, a staple of Act I, but the Second Act is where the heart of the narrative happens and where momentum must be found. Your Second Act must propel you through to the climatic Third Act. If your Second Act stalls, anyone reading your material will likely quit right there and then. As a 10+ year executive and producer, Jason Mirch has read (or partially read, when things go bad) thousands of screenplays. He's also been involved in some of the most successful films of the last 10 years including THE HELP, THE BEST MARIGOLD HOTEL, FLIGHT and more. Jason has taught for Stage 32 for 6 years and now serves as our Director of Script Services. There are few that know story and story structure better. In this webinar, Jason will explain the common pitfalls and why so many Second Acts fail. You will learn techniques for crafting dialogue that moves the narrative forward, while exposing their characters’ flaws. You will learn how to carefully order their scenes in such a way that it creates a series of authentic and escalating obstacles for their characters to overcome. He will identify and explain key plot points that typically exist in a well-written Second Act, and explain how you can use these as guidelines for their own projects. Jason will be citing specific examples from films in several different genres as well as providing you tools to apply to your own writing.
Stage 32 Writer Hangout Webcast
Hey screenwriters and creatives! Mark your calendars and come hang out online with Stage 32 Director of Script Services, Jason Mirch on Tuesday, November 12th at 1pm (Pacific). If you're a screenwriter and looking for support for your writing or your career, this is the online hangout for you! What is a Stage 32 Writer Hangout? This is an online webcast where screenwriters and creatives gather to share what you're working on, things that are inspiring you and give you a forum to ask questions you have about your craft, the business or the industry. For over a decade, your host, Jason Mirch, has worked in nearly every aspect of the business, including representation, development, production, and film finance. He has worked with Academy and Emmy Award winners on studio and independent projects.
Pictures Up!—The Thought, Theory, and Practice of Being a 1st AD
2 part class taught by Joe Bohn, Assistant Director who was worked with the Russo Brothers, David Fincher, Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake and more! AVAILABLE ON DEMAND! Are you interested in being the point person on a film set responsible for how the day runs and coordinating the structure and workflow of the day? Do you have a drive to shoulder the responsibility of keeping a production on track, ensuring clear and concise communication between the higher ups and the below the line team and being the directors right hand for any and all needs? Welcome to being a 1st AD. Stage 32 is excited to bring you the previously-recorded 2 part class: Pictures Up! Thought, Theory and Practice of Being a 1st AD taught by Joe Bohn, Assistant Director with over 50 IMDB credits! This intensive class will give you an in-depth and thorough examination of the 1st AD position, supplemented with exercises that simulate real world responsibilities. Purchasing gives you access to the previously-recorded live class. Although Joe is no longer reviewing the assignments, we still encourage all listeners to participate.
What It Takes To Get Your Project Set Up at Amazon/Netflix, Studios and TV (Cable, Network & Reality)
In this 90-minute webinar your host Aimee Rivera will go over the steps to set up a project in various different film and television mediums. She will go over everything you need to consider - audience, domestic vs. international, commercial vs. niche. She will then go into an overview of the current marketplace and what's selling in film and television. If you are a filmmaker, you will learn how to set up a project for a studio, with a case study for Sony Pictures. If you are a film or TV creator, you will learn what you need to know about both Amazon and Netflix in order to get your project set up at each streaming platform, and Aimee will also go over case studies of several of their most popular shows. If you are a television creator, Aimee will walk you through what packages are required for cable networks, what elements need to be attached and go through case studies for AMC, FX and HBO. Additionally, Aimee will go over packaging and element requirements for traditional broadcast networks such as NBC, ABC, CW, FOX and CBS. You will also walk away with what each will NOT consider. Your Stage 32 Next Level Webinar host, Aimee Rivera, will discuss her background which spans studios, TV and streaming platforms. Aimee has worked with Sony, Cindy Cowan Entertainment, Amazon Studios, Exclusive Media - Rush, End of Watch, The Woman in Black, Prospect Park (Salem, Unstoppable, Wilfred), Village Roadshow Pictures (Lego Movie, Sherlock Holmes) and more. She will go over what she learned from each company that helped shaped the knowledge she knows on getting projects set up. To read more click the "What You Will Learn" tab above!
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