Guided by a deeply-experienced producer, learn how to produce for film & TV, and shepherd projects all the way from greenlight to distribution in this comprehensive workshop.

Dates:
Sep 16, 2024 - Sep 20, 2024

Levels: All
Workshop Fee: $1495
Workshop Duration: 1-week (Monday-Friday)
Workshop Location: On-campus
Class Size: 12

A producer must be adept at bridging creative and financial worlds in order to make a film or TV project happen. This workshop closely examines the role of the creative producer in overseeing the development and production of a project from conception to completion.  Particular attention will be paid to strategies for getting a project to be financed and greenlit.

Explore how to attract talent, acquire and develop material, deal with agencies, determine an appropriate budget level, and spend the budget wisely.  The producer’s role in interacting with writers, directors, and the creative team will also be covered in depth.  

You’ll learn how to determine what medium or platform best suits a project.  Case studies will illuminate the nuances of assembling a package and different options for financing: development deals, studio vs. independent models, tax credits, foreign sources – even crowdfunding.  The crucial dynamics of pitching a project and preparing a presentation to talent, financiers, studios, networks, and distributors will be explored.  The class will also examine how to choose and work with key production personnel, legal and union issues, contracts, deal-making, and the implications of different distribution models.  You’ll also learn how to assess which film festivals and markets are vital for your particular project.

Through it all, you will be guided by a deeply-experienced producer who has shepherded many successful and award-winning films through all phases of development and production.  This course is also recommended for directors and writers who want to understand the dynamics of working with a producer, or how to be your own producer.

Image Credits:  Jen Hoffer, Christine Moriello

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Instructor: Alexis Alexanian

Alexis Alexanian has over twenty years of industry experience as a producer and consultant to major industry players. Her credits include high-budget studio films and micro-budget independents. She began her career in production on high-profile films such as MISSISSIPPI BURNING, A BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, and STRIPTEASE. She co-founded the groundbreaking digital initiative, InDigEnt where she produced nine ultra-low budget features in four years: the Sundance hits TADPOLE (Miramax), directed by Gary Winick, PERSONAL VELOCITY (UA), directed by Rebecca Miller (for which Alexis won the John Cassavetes Independent Spirit Award), PIECES OF APRIL (UA), directed by Peter Hedges, TAPE (Lionsgate), directed by Richard Linklater, and Cannes Directors Fortnight favorite CHELSEA WALLS (Lionsgate), Ethan Hawke’s directorial debut. As President of Production at LOCOMOTIVE, an independent production and financing start-up, Alexanian managed a broad slate of film and television projects. In 2015, the company financed and executive produced Rebecca Miller's MAGGIE’S PLAN (Sony Pictures Classics), starring Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke, and Julianne Moore, and produced LOVE IS BLIND with UK's Big TV!  Under her banner, Elixir Films, credits include the international hit TV series LONG WAY ROUND (SKY-UK, BRAVO-US), featuring Ewan McGregor, and Ethan Hawke’s THE HOTTEST STATE (ThinkFilm).

Alexanian is well known for her tenure as President of the Board of New York Women in Film & Television and currently serves on the Board of BAFTA North America. 

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