Production Coordinator Master Class: How to Set Up a Production For Your Film or Series
Reviews Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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Gina Galway This course was a terrific opportunity to learn about the Production Office from a knowledgeable and experienced professional. It was an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. -
Pam Elliott The class was fine - just a lot of money for what it was though. -
Patricia Walsh This was an excellent refresher course for me. Carol covered so many important details that go into coordinating a film and television production and the material was very well organized. I loved Carol's enthusiasm and sense of humor and feel her presentation was as entertaining as it was informative.
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Producing Your Ultra Low Budget Film – The Journey
An Exclusive Stage 32 On-Demand 4-Part Class Plus! Get a 25 page Producer Checklist that will help you navigate from Prep through Post! Don't miss out! You don't have to wait for a green light from a studio to make your movie! Audiences have never been hungrier for original content, and there’s nothing to stop you from giving it to them if you know how to produce an ultra-low-budget film. In this exclusive Stage 32 4-part intensive course, you’ll get a step-by-step guide on how to get your film made. Not all movies need to cost tens of millions of dollars to produce. In fact, some of your favorite producers and directors, like Darren Aronofsky, Sam Raimi, and Robert Rodriguez, famously made films on ultra-low budgets early in their careers. Now, it’s your turn. Over four sessions, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to produce an ultra-low-budget movie, including: Choosing the right story Perfecting the script Building your budget from pre-production through post Finding your funding Managing your team Locking locations Casting Insurance and safety considerations How to shoot fast safely Handling unexpected costs Finding distribution And so much more To show you how it’s done is producer and unit production manager Aymie Majerski, the founder and CEO of LotusShark. She’s produced low-budget indies such as SANTA’S PROMISE, HEALING RIVER, NOTZILLA, 4192: THE CROWNING OF THE HIT KING, and 7 BELOW. In addition to film projects, Aymie and her team at LotusShark produce digital content for Showtime, Spotify, HBO, YouTube Originals, the OTR International Film Festival, and more. Not only will Aymie provide you with what she’s learned in her many years of experience, but she’ll also provide you with 25 pages of producer checklists that you can use from prep through post-production so that you’re prepared as possible well after the course has ended. Don’t let fear, budget, or industry access hold you back from making the film the world is waiting to see. This class will show you how you can get it done! Praise for Aymie's Teaching: “Aymie not only knows her stuff because she has been in the trenches and uses real-world examples but she does so in a fun and approachable way and truly cares and wants to help other filmmakers” -- Sara T. "Aymie taught me so much in just 4 sessions. Her knowledge is truly invaluable for anyone interested in any part of the filmmaking process." -- Mark L.
Deconstructing the O-1 Visa: How To Get A U.S. Entertainment Visa
Learn directly from Liz Profumo, Managing Attorney of the Immigration Firm D'Alessio Law Group! "Lots of info provided and all questions were answered. Thank you so much, you've made the first step much easier! So glad this webinar came up as I was feeling pretty lost and confused on how to go about it. I'm trying not to 'self-diagnose' as you said, but it has made me realise I need to get more professional experience and put myself out there more, to give myself the best shot at getting the visa." – Jessamie K. "[They were] very informative and gave great advice…All in all, I left the webinar very pleased and more informed!" – Herschel A. In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, Managing Attorney Liz Profumo and her team at DLG Immigration will walk you through the O-1 ‘Artist of Extraordinary Ability' Visa. Liz will deconstruct the issues that foreign nationals encounter when crossing the border, applying for visas, finding employment in a new country and relocating. You will leave the webinar knowing: Exactly what the O-1 visa entails. How to construct the resume of the visa. How to getting letters of support. What other visa options exsit if the O-1 isn’t a good fit for you. What to do - and not to do - at the border. How to identify and avoid immigration scams. Your host Liz Profumo has been practicing immigration law exclusively since 2007. Her practice is limited to immigration and nationality law and concentrates on temporary and permanent business and employment related visas for investors, artists, and entertainers, and she has assisted hundreds of artists, performers, and other industry professionals to realize their dreams of living in the United States. The associates at DLG Immigration have personal experience in the immigration process and the entertainment industry, and understand your logistical requirements as well as your legal requirements. They understand the types of documentation you will have and what to ask you for and are here exclusively for Stage 32 to help our members around the world pursue their dreams of working in the U.S. PRAISE FOR LIZ'S TEACHINGS: [They were] amazing in helping me get my O1 visa. More than caring about [their] jobs, [they] really care about their clients and when I encountered obstacles to my getting a visa they not only stuck it out with me but were also more than helpful in solving the problems. Top notch! – Niles S. I'm a video editor from Brazil and, when you really want something, like I wanted to edit movies in the U.S., you always want the best possible person to assist you. Working with [DLG Immigration] it's exactly that, for they were always available to me and gave me the support I needed. I am forever grateful for all the patience and assistance they have provided me. To the entire team at DLG immigration, thank you for all your help! – Luiz S. When you're shooting a movie and things change and suddenly you're faced with visa issues you need someone who understands the business. They got me approved in record time and I didn't worry about a thing. If I can sum it up in a word it would be CARE. They take a vested interest in their clients' immigration goals and [they're] there every step of the way. Everyone at D'Alessio Law Group knows the entertainment business and the legal industry, it's a perfect combination. – David H. Lots of info provided and all questions were answered. Thank you so much, you've made the first step much easier! So glad this webinar came up as I was feeling pretty lost and confused on how to go about it. I'm trying not to 'self-diagnose' as you said, but it has made me realise I need to get more professional experience and put myself out there more, to give myself the best shot at getting the visa. – Jessamie K. [They were] very informative and gave great advice…All in all, I left the webinar very pleased and more informed! – Herschel A.
How To Write A Short Film That Gets You Noticed
You may be surprised by JUST how many successful filmmakers today began their career by writing short films. Everyone from Christopher Nolan to Ryan Coogler to Chloe Zhao to Justin Lin have short film writing credits to their name and used those projects to springboard their career. This is how new and untested creatives can prove their mettle, get their name out there and actually get their foot in the door. And you can do this as well. Whether you’re building up your filmmaking career, itching to write the next festival darling or award-worthy short film, or just love the short form format, you too, can master the art of short film writing. There are many reasons and inspirations for writing a short, but shorter doesn’t mean easier to write. One of the great challenges is that many people go into writing a short with the mindset of creating a proof of concept for a feature. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this, this mindset tends to encourage a few logical fallacies, and in a strange way actually devalues the work. Short films require a fine balance of elegance and story economy. They require an innovative storytelling technique that usually takes years of practice and feedback to master. With the right guidance though, you’ll be able to master this in no time. Clay Liford is an award-winning independent filmmaker and director of photography whose many shorts include the Sundance hit MY MOM SMOKES WEED. His projects have premiered at Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, Munich, AFI Film fest and more. As a director of photography, Clay has shot over twenty-five features, including the SXSW award-winning films ST. NICK and GAYBY. His film credits also include WUSS, EARTHLING, SLASH, and MY MOM SMOKES WEED, a Sundance Film Festival favorite. As an indie filmmaker, editor, and writer, Clay has mastered the art of writing and making both feature length and short films. He is also a film production instructor at the University of Texas, who has become proficient at teaching his methods for efficiency and artistic self-sufficiency. Now he’s sharing what he knows with the Stage 32 community. Clay will take you through his proven and effective approach to writing and effective short films that get you noticed and advance your career. He’ll go over the REAL differences between shorts and features, what every short film needs to succeed, how to think like a director (even if you’re not one), and how to maximize your festival strategy. Most importantly, he’s going to introduce you to the concept of Iconography. You’ll have the opportunity to ask him questions, and by the end of this webinar, you’ll fall in love with this format and walk away with a new perspective and appreciation for the short film format. Clay's guidance will give you confidence to develop your short film and help you succeed in the short film market. PLUS! Clay provides you with the following handouts: Overview of How to Write a Short Film - Things to Consider & What to Watch Out For Story Structure Diagram Breakdown of Film Roles on a Set Elements of a Lookbook Duties of a Director Suggested Reading List Testimonials for Clay's Webinar: "Clay had great energy and pace. He was able to explain things in different ways and with excellent examples." -Magi A. "Clay didn't sugar coat anything - keeping the short within a tight budget and length is smart strategy & practical. I appreciated his honesty." - Shaan D.
An Indie Producer’s Guide to Working with VFX and Special Effects
In today’s climate, independent filmmakers and producers are expected to make their movies on lower and lower budgets. This is hard enough for a simple or grounded drama, but what if your film includes supernatural elements or other aspects that require effects? How can you keep the budget low while still including the monsters, explosions, illusions, and other that can only be made possible special and visual effects? As it turns out, it’s more possible than you might think, especially with the right preparation. Whether you need to work with practical special effects or include visual effects in post, the key is always careful planning ahead of time. There are many pitfalls that producers and filmmakers can run into when working with effects, including going over budget and not getting the result your film needs, but these can always be overcome with the appropriate preparation, research and understanding ahead of time. So how exactly do experienced indie producers prep for effects? What can be done in early pre-production and throughout? And how can you make sure that, even on a low budget, your effects are, well, effective? Let’s explore. Micah Gallo is an award-winning writer, director, cinematographer, producer and post-production expert who has been making films for over ten years and has worked on effects and post-production for over 40 feature films. A filmmaker from an early age, Micah’s fascination with visual composition and technology inspired him to cofound the award winning post-production facility Lit Post where he built the company up and collaborated with other top artists to design new cutting-edge effects previously unavailable for independent films. As a filmmaker, Micah has earned several Best Director and Best Cinematography awards as well as the Emerging Cinematography award for Achievement in Cinematography from the International Cinematographers Guild. Micah most recently served as writer, director, producer and post production supervisor on the celebrated cult creature feature ITSY BITSY, starring Bruce Davison (X-MEN) and Denise Crosby (STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION). Micah’s excited to bring his experience both as a writer/director and as a post-production expert to the Stage 32 community. Using his experience both as a filmmaker and an effects guru, Micah will walk you through the steps you need to take as an independent filmmaker to include visual effects and special effects into your film at any budget. He’ll go through the process of analyzing your script with an eye for effects, how to research and get bids from vendors, and incorporating effects into both your shot lists and storyboards. Micah will also give you tips on how to handle the critical lighting and video testing phase of effects and how you can work with your DP, AD, and production designer to ensure everyone’s on the same page. Micah will also lay out how to handle effects while on set and how you should be shooting for VFX. He will also teach you how to navigate effects shots in post-production. Throughout, Micah will be providing specific examples from his own award-winning film ITSY BITSY, which heavily used both special effects and VFX, and using this as a case study you can take back to your own project.
Masters of Craft: Writing & Producing Compelling Television for Today's Market with David Weddle
It's an undeniable fact, there is no hotter market right now than television. Over the last year, over 600 shows were broadcast on TV networks, basic cable, premium cable, and the streaming platforms. And this isn't even counting limited series, docu-series and other short form content. And with new platforms like Disney+, Apple, Facebook TV and others diving into original content, there is no peak in sight or end to this gold rush on the horizon. If anything, we may just be getting started. In fact, most streaming platforms like Netflix have made a pledge to have their entire libraries consist of over 50% original content in just a few years. Think about that! So how can you take advantage of this incredible buying and producing spree, get in a writers room, work your way up to an executive producing/showrunning position and run your own show? We're glad you asked. David Weddle has been at the television game for over 20 years. Over a prolific and well documented career, David has worked on some of the most highly acclaimed and longest running shows of all time including Battlestar Galactica, CSI, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Guillermo del Toro's award winning and ground-breaking series, The Strain. David has worked side-by-side with some of the top showrunners in the business including Cartlon Cuse (Lost, Bates Motel, Jack Ryan). Currently, David is a co-executive producer/showrunner and writer for the Apple TV hit For All Mankind. In this exclusive special event Stage 32 Masters of Craft Webinar, David will take you to what it takes to build a career from writer to showrunner. He will explain the entire landscape and give you a full understanding of who does what and why. He will explain how to get into a writer's room and what to do (and not to do) once you get in. He will show you how to play the political game, climb the ladder, and earn respect. He will teach you how to think and work like an EP until you become one. As if that wasn't enough, David will then take you through the world of showrunning. He will explain how writer's rooms are staffed. How seasons are laid out, how arcs are created and how episodes are broken down. He will explain budgets and scheduling, using real world examples from The Strain, Battlestar Galactica and CSI. He will talk hiring directors, getting your cast and making sure your show runs like a Swiss watch. And he will take you through the days and nights of being an EP and showrunner, so you know exactly what to expect and how to navigate the playing field. Joining David to moderate this exclusive Stage 32 Masters of Craft webinar is our very own CEO, Richard Botto, a writer and producer himself with a television pilot in development. The world of breaking in and staying in television doesn't need to be complicated. David will show you the tricks, tips and, most importantly, the facts you need to shorten your path to success. PRAISE FOR DAVID'S TEACHINGS: "I was in a writer's room for 9 weeks and then our show got cancelled. I learned more today than I did being in that room for those 9 weeks." Anthony P. "This truly was a masterclass. I learned so much." - Rebecca C. "I was in a writer's room for 9 weeks and then our show got cancelled. I learned more today than I did being in that room for those 9 weeks." Anthony P. "David, you're a rock star." - Pam J. "Rewatching. Rewatching. Rewatching. Thank you, David and Stage 32." - Annette F.
A Filmmaker’s Guide To Making Your Independent Movie A Success
A New Exclusive Webinar Learn the keys to making a successful independent film that launches your career in this exclusive Stage 32 webinar with the Co-Chairman of the Producer's Guild of America's International Committee and Founder of Producers Without Borders We know that you are serious about your filmmaking career so we've brought in a successful filmmaker to teach you the most important things that you need to know to make your independent film a success and something that can take your career to the next level. No matter what your skill set or experience, there are key lessons that you need to know before stepping on set for the first time to make your movie. Having the guidance of a professional filmmaker will help you sidestep common obstacles and be best prepared for your creative journey and Stage 32 has you covered. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you’ll be guided by Kayvan Mashayekh, a professional filmmaker, Co-Chair of the PGA's International Committee and the Founder of Producers Without Borders. Kayvan launched his career by writing, producing, and directing the epic independent feature THE KEEPER: THE LEGEND OF OMAR KHAYYAM. After winning the Relativity Media Special Prize for his writing, Kayvan was mentored by GLADIATOR and SCHINDLER’S LIST Oscar-winning producer Branko Lustig as they developed a slate of international, studio-level projects. Kayvan understands the importance of mentoring up-and-coming storytellers. Now, Kayvan is sharing his well earned knowledge directly with you. Through this webinar, Kayvan will show you the crucial steps you need to prep before your film, the importance of your budget, and where to invest your time and money to have the most successful independent film production. He’ll also show you how to use test audiences to your advantage so you can ultimately produce and release the best version of your film. From prep to physical production through post-production and marketing, Kayvan has the guidance, tips and tricks you need to successfully make your own film. You walk away from this webinar with tons of knowledge that you can immediately apply to your project. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from a world-renowned producer and independent filmmaker.
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