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Doing Your Doc Seminar with Fernanda Rossi
(released 1/4/2009)


A Weekend Seminar in Miami to Kick-Start Your Documentary

Don't miss this unique chance to work with story consultant Fernanda Rossi, the Documentary Doctor, author of the book "Trailer Mechanics," plus receive project mentoring on your proposal, trailer or documentary idea.

This intensive 3-day workshop is right for you, whether you are just beginning, have already shot footage on a documentary project, or are seeking finishing funds.

“Doing your Doc” is designed especially for media makers in the diverse communities of Florida, preparing you to receive production funding and apply to national professional programs while developing your unique stories and views.

Do you have a personal documentary idea, or social change community project that needs development?  Are you considering public television funding sources or need R&D $$??

Join us in Miami – Jan. 9 - 11 – Friday night through Sunday at 5 pm

3-day Workshop Fee

Early Registration by Jan. 9 - $100; Student w/ Valid ID -- $50

Includes lunches, workshop materials, books & private project mentoring
At the door Registration -- $125; Students -- $75

Venue Address: Tower Theater
1508 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135

Register Online – www.nalip.org

Workshop Overview

Friday, Jan. 9

6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Orientation & Program overview
Documentary Case-Study Screening and Filmmaker Q & A

Saturday, Jan 10

9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Doctoring Your Doc: How to Structure Your Documentary

Do you have lots of ideas and even footage but no clue where to get started? Or maybe you are stuck in the cutting room? A solid understanding of story structure is as necessary to your documentary as a strong script is to a fiction film. With hands-on exercises, this full-day workshop is for producers, directors, writers and editors, and can give you the guidelines you need to find solutions that are true to your documentary's style.

You will:

* Learn story development techniques
* Learn story structure templates in an innovative and easy way
* Identify common pitfalls that waste your time and money during production and post, and how to avoid them
* Analyze a film as practice for your own project
* Analyze works-in-progress from the audience

1:00 pm:
Special Lunch presentation on public television funding, and navigating the Consortia System

5:00 pm – 7:30 pm:
Private Mentoring Sessions w/ Guest Filmmakers and Funders –

Have your idea, proposal, trailer, pitch or concept evaluated and discussed for the next best steps to realize your project and documentary production.

Bring your work-in-progress, whatever stage it is in –  Not required to attend

Sunday, Jan. 11

9:00 am – 12:30 pm
Trailer Mechanics: How to Make Your Fundraising Trailer

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Working Lunch: Hi-Def camera choices & post-production consequences

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Getting Your Project Off The Ground -- Elements for successful Proposals and Budgets

"Can I see your trailer?" Let's face it, a fundraising trailer can make or break your film. It can get you funded or it can put you on the "pass" pile. Stop the guess work of what works and what doesn't with this full day workshop for producers, directors, writers and editors.

See all of Ms. Rossi's “Trailer mechanics” theory in action with real life examples.

You will:

* Learn the foundational story structures for fundraising trailers
* Learn the most common mistakes filmmakers make when making their trailers and how to avoid them (not the filmmakers: the mistakes!)
* View trailers before and after Fernanda's doctoring
* View successful fundraising trailers
* View your fundraising trailers, followed by discussion
* Review elements of successful Proposal Writing to request funds
* Cover budget formats and requirements for grants and funding
* Discuss funding opportunities and strategies for your doc
* Learn when and how to handle an editor, a DP, etc. in smart production planning

Register at: www.nalip.org


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