Our popular “Filmmaker Conversations” Workshop Series returns to the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Each is designed to give attendees insight into the various aspects of filmmaking. Workshops and discussions are presented by industry experts with vast knowledge and personal experience in the featured subject. Topics covered will be: Getting Started: Producing a Short Film; Docs that Make a Difference:?Documentary Filmmaking; The Distribution Game: Getting Your Film Into the Market; Getting the Biggest BANG for your SOUND?BUCK; and Screenwriting: From Page to Pitch.
Monday, June 14 • 10:00 a.m.
Getting Started: Producing a Short Film
Often times, the old saying is true:?Good things come in small packages. And our festival short films are no exception!
Join festival short filmmakers in an open dialogue and discussion about what it takes to get your concept from idea to script to screen and the challenges and triumphs of producing and directing a short film. Whether it is a narrative, animated or documentary short, our panelists can help shed some light on the creative process and the journey of getting your short film into festivals and onto the big screen.
This panel is set up to be an interactive conversation addressing such issues as financing your short film, casting, shooting, editing and the business of a short film. Don’t miss this chance to interact with fellow filmmakers and aspiring writers, directors and producers!
Tuesday, June 15 • 10:00 a.m.
Docs that Make a Difference: Documentary Filmmaking
Inspired by our “Docs That Make a Difference” film series, we are proud to present a filmmaker discussion that focuses on turning the art of film into activism and movies into movements through documentary filmmaking.
Filmmakers are making statements, effecting lives and changing the world through thought-provoking, inspiring docs that challenge audience members to make a difference through involvement, activism and motivation.
Make a movie, make a difference in this inspiring conversation! The panel will feature festival filmmakers who are bringing powerful non-fiction stories to life and to audiences around the world. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the issues that face documentary filmmakers and what it takes to get these films into the marketplace.
Wednesday, June 16 • 10:00 a.m.
The Distribution Game: Getting Your Film Into the Market
Film distribution options for filmmakers have changed significantly over the past few years. Getting your film finished is one thing; getting it into the marketplace and in front of audiences presents a whole new set of challenges. Sometimes you just have to take matters into your own hands.
New distribution options are springing up daily. Stay on top of what are the current trends in spreading the word about your film. Join distributors and public relations experts — and other festival filmmakers — to explore the options out there and creating a buzz about your film. Millions await ... get your share of the market!
This discussion will be led by Nancy Gerstman, Co-President and Co-Founder of Zeitgeist Films, renowned for their ground-breaking documentaries and highly curated collection of foreign language films, which will celebrate its 33rd anniversary in November 2021.
Gerstman has worked in all aspects of film distribution and exhibition including a stint at Landmark Theatre Corporation, the largest independent theatre chain in the U.S. She has traveled throughout the world as a juror, panelist and commentator on issues related to independent and foreign language film, and is Permanent Artist-in-Residence in the Master’s Program in Media and Communication Arts at City College of New York (CCNY). In 2016 she became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Thursday, June 17 • 10:00 a.m.
How to Get the Biggest BANG for your SOUND BUCK
Enjoy a lively sound workshop with veteran sound editor Vickie Sampson (“Return of the Jedi” • “Donnie Darko” • “Speed”).
Do you groan when you first hear your sound recordings when you get into your edit bay? Why is your sound so bad when your shots are so beautiful? Does the saying “Fix it in post” make you cringe? Your film looks beautiful and your acting is great but the sound is terrible. What do you do? How much of the budget should be allotted to sound? How do I know if my production mixer is good? How do I communicate with a sound designer if I don’t know what sound possibilities there are?
This workshop will give filmmakers practical techniques to turn most low budget sounding films into a top-notch professional grade soundtrack without breaking your bank. Your ears will become attuned as much as your eyes see shots. Your sound awareness and sound possibilities will be illuminated! Your ignorance and fear about sound will magically disappear with the knowledge you will gain! You will hardly believe what little it really takes in order to give yourself good sound to work with in the editing room.
Using clips and hand-outs, this workshop will forever change the way you capture sound, edit sound and mix sound and your film will sound as amazing as it looks. Remember, FIX IT ON THE SET, NOT IN POST! (Save Post Production for the creative stuff!)
After a successful and award-winning 40 year career as a Supervising Sound Editor with over 200 film credits, Vickie Sampson retired in 2014 to devote her time and energy to directing and teaching.
She has received an Emmy, 4 Golden Reel Awards (from the Motion Picture Sound Editors) and has edited on Sound Oscar winning films (“Speed” and “The River.”) Her mother, Kay Rose, was the first woman sound editor to win an Oscar for her stellar work on “The River.” Vickie worked with her mom on many award-winning films, including “On Golden Pond,” “The Prince of Tides,” “The Rose,” and “Ordinary People.”
In 1987, Vickie was one of twelve women (out of 600) selected to the Directing Workshop for Women from AFI, where she made her first short (30 min) film, “The Last Chance Saloon.” She has since directed 7 award-winning short films, over 15 commercials and PSAs and is in pre-production for a new short, “Fortunate Cookie” to be shot in the fall.
Friday, June 18 • 10:00 a.m.
Screenwriting: From Page to Pitch
Whether it’s a Hollywood blockbuster, a documentary, or a short film, it all begins with the story. From concept to pitch, to finished script, we will discuss what goes in to getting your story green lit. Studio or independent: What is best for your screenplay?
Join moderator Bob Reynolds — the director and coordinator of the Sedona International Film Festival Screenplay Competition — and festival screenwriters for an enlightening, informative and entertaining conversation and will cover what it takes to get your idea from concept to page to screen. Come with questions and leave with ammunition for your screenwriting arsenal!
This converstion will include advice from Sterling Anderson, invited guest speaker who will either be here in person or joining us via Zoom on the big screen. Anderson is an award-winning, Emmy-nominated screenwriter of more than 20 years. He has written for some of the most popular network television shows, such as “The Unit” on CBS, as well as NBC’s “Medium” and “Heist”. His teleplay “The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn”, written for CBS starring Sidney Poitier, received three Emmy nominations and won an Image Award.
His extensive resume also includes screenplays written for Lions Gate, Disney, HBO, TriStar Pictures and Columbia Pictures. Anderson is the writer of three books: "Go To Script: Screenwriting Tips From A Pro", "15 Steps To Becoming A Successful (Artist) Screenwriter" and a fiction book "Five Seconds To Go".
This is sure to be an inspiring, educational and enlightening discussion with fellow filmmakers and screenwriters.