Producing for Film and Television Master Course

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  • This course is open for Lifetime Access
  • 37 lesson series
  • Certificate of completion
  • 15 hours, 17 minutes of video

$399.00

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Producing is the business of movie making. Producers assemble the raw talent, and equipment for the director to build his vision on the set.  But the business of filmmaking is like no other – the demands are constantly changing and each scene requires its own unique approach to be successful.
 
In the FilmSkills Producing Course, you will learn how to start and run a production company, manage payroll and production expenses, negotiate with vendors, work with unions, and hire the cast and crew, including, SAG-AFTRA actors.
 
Your instructors - Hollywood producers whose credits include top blockbusters, critically acclaimed productions, as well as Emmy and Academy-Award winning projects - will walk you through every step of how to produce a film from the broad picture to the fine details.
 
In addition to the rich video modules that take you onto the set and behind the scenes, you will have access to our database of industry-standard contracts and forms you can use on your own projects.  Get the edge and learn from the people defining Hollywood today in the FilmSkills Producing Course.

The lessons
  • The Studio System

    In this module, you'll explore the studio system, learn who the players are, who the mini-majors are, the ever-evolving role of the studios as new corporate conglomerates, the types of movies they are making, and how you can be part of it.
  • Working For a Studio

    Learn how to get your project through the studio approval system, what studio executives are looking for, and how studios work with directors and producers.
  • Making a Business Plan

    Learn, step-by-step, how to build a business plan that will appease even the savviest investors. Hollywood producers take you through the process so you can go into the fundraising process confident in the movie you’re selling.
  • Packaging Your Movie

    Learn how to choose the right actors for your movie, work with distributors in the development process, determine the value of your creative talent, how to attract top-tier talent, and ultimately make your movie attractive to distributors and audiences.
  • Agents and Managers

    Learn the different between an agent and a manager, the roles each fulfill, how to get one, the costs involved, and how to use their services to promote your career.
  • Raising Money

     Learn how money is raised for motion pictures, from equity and debt financing to tax incentives
  • Tax Incentives

    Learn how to take advantage of tax incentives, the difference between rebates and credits, how to convert credits into money, what to expect during the auditing process, and how to collect your money.
  • Forming a Production Company

    Learn how to choose the right corporate structure, set up a company, open the proper accounts, establish the legal framework for the production, work with an attorney, and set-up the production office.
  • Money Management

    Learn to manage the budget, set-up a bank account, manage the flow of money throughout the production including payroll, loan outs, kit fees, per diems, mileage, and petty cash.
  • Hiring the Crew

    Learn how to hire an experienced crew, work with above the line vs, below the line, union vs. non-union crew members, manage pay or play deals, work with independent contractors and employees, address personal conflicts on set, and ultimately assemble the most talented professionals for your project.
  • Working with Vendors

    Learn to find qualified vendors in your shooting area, manage relationships with vendors, the financial workflow from purchase orders to invoices, and tips to making sure you get the resources you need on set.
  • Unions and Guilds

    Learn how the unions function, the benefits for members, the key unions: IATSE, DGA, SAG, and WGA, the differences in hiring union and non-union crew, how productions flip, and how to shoot in a “Right-to-Work” state.
  • Working with SAG/AFTRA

    Learn how SAG functions, the ramifications of the SAG-AFTRA merger, how signatories work, how the Taft-Hartley act admits new members into SAG-AFTRA, and the benefits and drawbacks of Financial Core.  Be prepared when working with SAG-AFTRA actors on your production.
  • Beginning Pre-Production

    Once the script is complete, learn the overview of the process of prepping the project to go to camera.
  • Breaking Down the Script

    Learn to properly break down the script,  line the script, techniques for breaking down each scene, how to use scene breakdown forms, and how assistant directors and line producers should manage the breakdowns from other departments on the project. 
  • Scheduling the Production

    Learn to determine the number of shooting days needed to shoot your film, how to determine the shooting order, manage day and night shoots, account for turnaround time, and the benefits of shooting consecutive shooting days.
  • Scheduling the Day

    Learn how to schedule company moves, meal breaks, learn the productivity arc of a shooting crew, how to work with the director’ shot list, skills for managing a shoot running over schedule, how to generate a one-line schedule, and how to create call sheets.
  • Budgeting

    Learn to create an accurate budget, tricks to reducing the budget if you’re running over, how to plan for contingencies, how to manage crew expectations, and how to go into production knowing you’ll have the money to finish.
  • Insurance

    Learn how to insure your production against liabilities and costs incurred from accidents, the types of insurance you’ll need, where you can buy production insurance, the costs of insuring a production, cast insurance, film and video tape insurance, equipment insurance, and E&O insurance. 
  • Film Commissions

    Learn how to use the services of a film commission to secure locations for your movie
  • Working with Location Owners

     Learn how to work with location owners, negotiate location agreements and deal with problems.
  • Film Permits

    Learn when you need a filming permit and how to obtain one
  • Community Relations

    Learn how to professionally integrate a film production into a community
  • Film Marketing

    Learn how the massive marketing machine works in hollywood and how you can use it to promote your movie.
  • Reaching Your Audience

    Learn how to effectively determine, define, and market to your audience.
  • Designing the Key Art

    Learn how to design an effective movie poster that will reel your fans in, help you raise awareness in your film, and get a distribution deal.
  • Making a Movie Trailer

    Learn how to market your movie with key do's and don'ts when making the trailer.
  • Building Your Website

    Learn how to build an engaging website that will help you sell your film to audiences and distributors.
  • Building a Press Kit

    Learn how to craft the idea press release to get the media interested in covering your story.
  • Working with the Media

    Learn how to conduct yourself during television, print, and radio/podcast interviews to get the maximum exposure for your project.
  • Intro to Distribution

    Learn how the distribution process works, the way studios approach the process, the windows and time frames of distribution, how to approach self-distribution, and knowing your audience.
  • Film Ratings and the MPAA

    Learn how a rating can impact your ability to sell and monetize your movie, how to work with the MPAA, and the process of obtaining a rating.
  • Domestic Distribution

    Learn the distribution process so you know what to expect, what materials are needed, and most importantly how to protect yourself in the high stakes game of film distribution.
  • Foreign Distribution

    Learn how foreign sales agents work, how to find a reputable agent, common scams used to steal your movie without paying you, what you will be expected to deliver, how to collect your money, and hundreds of other tips.  We take you to the heart of it all at the American Film Market to see – firsthand, how the foreign distribution process works.
  • Mistakes Filmmakers Make at Film Festivals

    Learn the top five mistakes filmmakers make at film festivals and how you can avoid them.
  • Film Festivals

    Learn how to find a qualified producer’s rep, how to get into top film festivals, what to do once you are accepted, how to attract the right audiences at the screenings, and how to leverage the opportunity for your next production.
  • Internet Distribution

    Learn how to properly distribute your movie online, how content aggregators work, how to find a unique presence online, and how to leverage your online movie to get your next movie deal.