NO MONEY FILMS

Organized and hosted by Crystal Emery, a New Haven-based filmmaker with over 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry, this weekend workshop series offers filmmakers with all levels of experience a valuable guide to the film production process on a limited budget.  From pre-production to post-production, Ms. Emery and a team of experienced professionals will teach seminars about how to efficiently and professionally run the business and administrative sides of your artistic venture, even when funding is short.  Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to network with one another and with moderators, and to brainstorm ideas about one another’s current projects.

FRIDAY, 6-10 pm.  Introduction – Outline the entire production process and the forums to come, especially:

• The Internet is Your Friend. (See below)
• The Biggest Mistake: Not Doing Prepwork. How should you budget your time, and how long should the different stages of productions take?  How much can you take care of before filming begins, and which tasks can wait until post-production?
• Script breakdown.  How can you most effectively and legibly summarize the needs of each scene?
• Budgeting.  (See below)

SATURDAY, 9-6 pm.

• Casting (10-12) – Casting agents Ellen Long and Maria Nelson.  Should you hire a casting director?  How can you hold efficient auditions?  How should you advertise them? What should you look for in a headshot and resume?
• Lunch (12-1)
• Cinematography (1-3) – Bobby Sheppard.  How can a cinematographer help you capture your vision?  What should you look for in hiring one?
• Break (3:00-3:15)
• Editing (3:15-5:30) – Jim Gehr and Patrick Lee. What is the role of an editor? How do you interview an editor?  How do you interpret an editor’s reel?  What you should know about negotiating with editors?
• Q&A (5:30-6:30)

 SUNDAY, 9-6pm.

• Budgeting (9-10:30) – How should you keep track of your accounting?  How much funding should you allot to different stages of the process?  In which ways do beginning filmmakers tend to spend too much, and how can you save money?  What are some common unexpected expenses, and how can you prepare yourself for them?  
• Raising Money (10:30-12) Which grants should you apply for?  What are the components of a successful grant application, and how can you make yours stand out?  What special terminology should you be familiar with?
• Lunch (12-1)
• Distribution (1-3) How do you get a distributor?  Which film festivals should you apply to, and how can you make your application more eye-catching?
• Break (3:00-3:15)
• The Internet is Your Friend (3:15-5:30) How can different forms of new media help your film reach a wider audience, and which forms should you use?  Which interactive resources should you be aware of?  How can you quickly acquire the skills to take advantage of the online world without having to read through information that won’t be useful to you?
• Q&A and Wrap-Up (5:30-6:00)