Getting To The Director's Chair: Shorts, Proof of Concept & Features
Webinar hosted by: Jairo Alvarado
Literary Manager at Redifine Entertainment
Jairo Alvarado started his career as a creative executive at Warner Bros. While there, Jairo helped about a dozen young directors get signed during his 2 years Warner Bros. stint. He was an early advocate of Fede Alvarez’s short Panic Attack, which was acquired by Sam Raimi’s Ghost House Pictures, and Ricardo De Montreuil’s The Raven, which sold to Universal. He then went on to the next stage of his career by moving to management at 3 Arts Entertainment. He joined Circle of Confusion in 2014 where he looks after clients such as Josh Bearman and Josh Davis (Epic), Jordan Blum (American Dad), Christian Cantamessa (Air), Greg Williams (Samarkand). Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
Learn directly from Jairo Alvarado, Manager at Circle of Confusion (The Walking Dead) who specializes in representing and breaking young directors, and who recently signed Mischa Rozema on his feature debut with Warner Bros. for his project Sundays!
"I've taken a lot of classes and in particular, webinars over the years. Jairo is probably the best instructor I've encountered. He's not just throwing the stuff we always hear at us, but he's going to the true heart of good [filmmaking] yet explaining it in a way that turns on the light ... constantly. He is truly teaching us "how to become fishermen (or women).” - M. Beattie
In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, you will learn the different creative approaches you can take to make your directorial debut or move from writer into the director’s chair. Your host Jairo Alvarado will go over how to look at your career with a modern and technical approach, as well as strategies to help you stand out in today’s competitive climate.
Your host Jairo Alvarado is a manager at Circle of Confusion (The Walking Dead) and recently made a big splash in the industry trades when he signed the filmmakers behind Sundays. Due to Jairo's foresight in assisting the talented filmmakers to make a "proof of concept" film based on a feature idea, the $51,000 short resulted in an industry wide bidding war, with Warner Brothers eventually winning the rights to turn the short into a feature film. As a manager at Circle of Confusion Jairo also looks after clients such as Josh Bearman and Josh Davis (Epic), Jordan Blum (American Dad), Christian Cantamessa (Air), Greg Williams (Samarkand). Back by popular demand, Jairo is here to share his expertise exclusively with Stage 32!
PRAISE FOR JAIRO'S TEACHINGS:
I've taken a lot of classes and in particular, webinars over the years. Jairo is probably the best instructor I've encountered. He's not just throwing the stuff we always hear at us, but he's going to the true heart of good [filmmaking] yet explaining it in a way that turns on the light ... constantly. He is truly teaching us "how to become fishermen (or women).” - M. Beattie
Jairo was amazing... very succinct. Great, great webinar. I must say one of my favorites! – S. Llewellyn
Jairo was very interesting and personable. – C. Koehler
What You'll Learn
- Identifying what career path makes the most sense for you and your vision as a director.
- How to move up in the size of projects you work on to get more recognition.
- How to create your ‘brand’ or how to reinvent yourself as a director.
- How to pick the right projects.
- Why certain stories play better to director’s strengths than others.
- What types of stories exemplify visual storytellers, dramatic performances, and abstract and stylized pieces?
- How you should be managing your time.
- Chasing scripts that already have financing behind them vs. focusing your time on developing your own projects.
- If festivals make sense for you, and if so, which ones are worth your time?
- Each festival has a different type of audience and how that makes or breaks your first impression.
- What do representatives consider an “exciting director"?
- Getting to know your competition.
- How to stand out when you’re not the only one aiming for certain projects and financing.
- What is the bar of quality you should be aiming for.
You will leave the webinar knowing:
- How to choose a project that will accurately represent your voice.
- How to get your work to stand out and get seen by the movers and shakers in the business.
- If the festival track is right for you, and if not what to do next.
- If you should consider making a short for proof of concept or go straight for a feature.
- What Reps and Producers look for in a director and how to make yourself stand out.
About Your Instructor
Jairo Alvarado
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Testimonials
I've taken a lot of classes and in particular, webinars over the years. Jairo is probably the best instructor I've encountered. He's not just throwing the stuff we always hear at us, but he's going to the true heart of good [filmmaking] yet explaining it in a way that turns on the light ... constantly. He is truly teaching us "how to become fishermen (or women).” - M. Beattie
Jairo was amazing... very succinct. Great, great webinar. I must say one of my favorites! – S. Llewellyn
Jairo was very interesting and personable. – C. Koehler
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