Hands-on Intensive 4-Week Producing Workshop

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 final pitch to fellow students and producing faculty.
• Film Finance/Distribution 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