Hands-on Intensive Evening Producing Workshop

OVERVIEW

The Twelve-Week Evening Producing Workshop is designed to illuminate one of the most important and misunderstood jobs in film and television. Students eager to control their own destiny in the business world of film and television will flourish in this intensive hands-on program. It is geared to students with little or no experience in producing, but who recognize that an intensive and demanding program, much like the job of producing itself, will provide them with the knowledge they seek.

The Evening Producing Workshop is an intensive study into the world of film producing. The schedule is designed for students with other daytime commitments who can only devote themselves to part-time study. The course meets on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and some Saturdays. Additional time will be required outside of class for course assignments.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

Students will learn the real-word strategies for successful producing and have opportunities to make the actual contacts needed within the film and television industry. Students must be prepared for intensive work three nights a week, throughout the entire workshop. They must be committed to a fast-paced, intensive learning. Skills learned as a result of successful completion of this program include:

• Introduction to the roles, tasks and obstacles faced by film and television producers
• Analysis of key elements of effective producer's craft
• Introduction to filmmaking from the perspective of the screenwriter, director, editor, cinematographer and sound designer
• Understanding of the basic principles of entertainment law
• Marketing and Distribution
• Packaging
• Film Finance

Course Description

• Producer's Craft This core introductory course outlines the essential roles, tasks and obstacles faced by film and television producers. Topics include navigating the studios, television networks and emerging media, and the relationship between producer and the unions, guilds and talent agencies. In addition, students are introduced to the language of Producing and Filmmaking. Through lecture, discussion of industry developments, handouts and individual research assignments, Producer's Craft lays the groundwork for a profession as a Creative Producer. Course work will covers, the role of the producer; development of IP (intellectual property); Option agreements, rights research, chain of title and deal memos; script coverage and working with writers; budgets; packaging presentations; production overview and management; post production; marketing and distribution; and new media perspectives.
• Case Studies This course will use specific in-depth examples of already produced movies to introduce students to the specific issues, problems and solutions of pre-production, production, post production, distribution and exhibition of studio and independent films; including domestic and foreign films to provide a global perspective for the students. Topics of discussion will focus on talent relations, studio politics, development and the A-Z of produced films to expose the students to real life cinematic situations.
• EP Budgeting and Scheduling This course introduces students to the industry-standard software used to schedule and budget productions. In a hands-on lab setting, students are instructed in the use of Entertainment Partners (EP) Movie Magic Scheduling and Budgeting software programs, including established scheduling and budgeting techniques.
• Developing the Pitch Through rigorous in-class exercises, students will develop brief and effective "pitches" of the material they choose to pursue. Each student will practice and gain critical and fundamental pitching skills culminating in a semester-end presentation for fellow students, staff and producing chair.
• Film Finance/Distribution/Marketing Using produced films as case studies; this course focuses on successful strategies employed in the finance, marketing and distribution of studio and independent films.
• Story & Script Analysis Students will gain firsthand knowledge of fundamental screenwriting elements. They will study story analysis from a conflict, character, premise, plot and thematic point of view. They will learn the role of the protagonist and the antagonist and they will understand what moves a story forward from beginning to end utilizing all screenwriting tools available.
• Entertainment Law This course is an overview of contract law and how it impacts the entertainment industry. Producing students will study legal issues regarding television, films, recordings, live performances and other aspects of the entertainment industry. Topics include copyright law, intellectual property and talent representation.
• Hands on Sound Students will learn the basic fundamentals of recording sound for film utilizing the latest in digital recording and mixing equipment. This course will provide the student with enough knowledge to deal with basic production sound issues.
• Hands on Camera Students will learn the basic fundamentals of using a camera for film capture utilizing the latest in digital technology. This course will provide the student with enough knowledge to deal with basic production camera issues.
• Hands on Lighting Students will learn the fundamentals of lighting a basic scene utilizing small lighting equipment packages. This course will provide the student with enough knowledge to deal with simple production lighting issues.
• Film Festival Procedures With the proliferation of film festivals around the world, this course will offer the student as opportunity at a "low cost" option for submission of their films and a means to develop a film community of their own. Film Festivals are expanding as the technology explodes in the digital universe.
• Film Exhibition In this class, the students will be learn how a film moves into the theatre both domestically and internationally.

Dates & Tuition