The Working Director

Acquiring, Licensing, Composing and Getting it Right! Music can make or break your film so let's make sure you have all the right elements in place! In this workshop you'll learn:-How you can acquire music rights to popular songs-What are the rules around music sites like Artlist-What contracts and licensing do you need for each kind of music you acquire-Working with a composer to get the...

Join our panel of working television directors to learn about their process. This week we have a guest host and three kick ass TV directors! To join us live and get your questions answered be a part of our filmmaker group (it's free!) by clicking JOIN NOW at BlackmagicCollective.com or be a part of our private FaceBook group at AllFilmmakersWelcome.com.​GUESTS: LIONEL COLEMAN cut his teeth at...

Are you looking to have more control over your distribution? Do you want to learn ways to get your film out there through non-traditional options? Indie distribution companies, indie streamers, and filmmaker-controlled platforms give you back your power. They have more transparency when it comes to rev share too. Through our discussion with Nancy Criss, whose distribution channels are numerous (Tu...

LEARN HOW TO DO YOUR OWN PR FOR YOUR FILMIn this special class edition of The Working Director, in association with Blackmagic Collective and sponsored by Blackmagic Design, Amanda Samoyloff, Founder and Principal of Samoyloff PR (SPR), a Los Angeles-based, full-service public relations and branding agency that champions the personal and professional reputations of diverse clients, will help filmm...

FILM FINANCING OPTIONS IN TODAY'S MARKET PGA producer Jim Holt will dive into equity investors, bank loans, pre-sales, and everything in between in this mini version of our finance intensive. (Episode 64) Hosted by Director/Producer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jenn Page.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you want to be  notified when the next accelerator goes live and other fun events fill out the form on our web...

How can you have the best communication with your AD? We dive deep into the AD - Director - Crew relationship in this episode of The Working Director with film & TV director American Young. (Episode 61) Hosted by Director/Producer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jenn Page.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you want to be  notified when the next accelerator goes live and other fun events fill out the form on our websi...

In this episode from our NAB Show lives we talk to director Oscar Rene Loyoza about his transition from indie filmmaker and TV editor to TV director. What are the biggest differences from indie film to TV director? Let's find out! Thank you to our live sponsors: NAB Show, Blackmagic Design, Sigma, Hollyland, and Aputure. Our lives were part of the League of Filmmakers booth at NAB Show in Las Vega...

In our first of our NAB Show live episodes we talk to Dave Hoffman from Blackmagic Design about their latest announcements that should get indie filmmakers excited! Thank you to our live sponsors: NAB Show, Blackmagic Design, Sigma, Hollyland, and Aputure. Our lives were part of the League of Filmmakers booth at NAB Show in Las Vegas 2024. (Episode 59) Hosted by Director/Producer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

If you want to be directing regularly, you have to treat your directing career like it's your production company. Hint: It is. If you are tired of sitting around waiting for someone to hire you, join us for this live Q&A and learn how Alex Mehra has directed/produced over 1000 videos from various industries, and has worked with some of the biggest brands in the country like AT&T, NBC, Atla...

How do you get the most out of your production studio rental? How do you make the most of your studio rental? How many times have you rented a stage only to be nickle-and-dimed by the owner? How many times have you arrived and realized the studio wasn't exactly what you thought you wanted or needed? Whether it's green screen, white cyc, build sets, you are spending those hard earned dollars for th...

Six common reasons film festivals reject your film with Dr. Rebekah Louisa Smith, Founder of The Film Festival Doctor. One of the hardest things to deal with as a filmmaker is film festival rejection. You worked so hard to make that piece of art, why don't they love it?!?!? We're going to go into six common reasons your film was not selected. We are also going to talk sustaining your mental health...

It doesn't matter if you are an aspiring director or a veteran, there is a non ending question of "HOW AM I GOING TO GET PAID TO DIRECT?!" In this live Q&A conversation we give you some ideas on how to do just that. How do you get clients/brands to work with you? How do you use TikTok to grow your directing career/video biz? How do you keep getting asked back? And more! (Episode...

Directing Comedy with Emmy-Award-Winning Comedy Director Mary Lou Belli. Some things we cover: -How do you tackle blocking a multicam show? -Who’s close up do you do first? -How important are reaction shots? -How can you find the comedy beats in a script? -How can you help actors find & perform  the comedy beats? -How can an editor save your comedy? -How much blocking prep should you do? -How...

How do you know what film festivals to submit to? How do you get the attention of the programmers? Why should you volunteer at festivals? Should you hire a publicist, and if yes, how do you know who is right for you? That and more on this episode with producer and festival programmer Jon Fitzgerald. (Episode 53) Hosted by Director/Producer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jenn Page.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you want to be  notif...

How do you answer the dreaded "So, tell me about yourself"? What should you have prepared for your project pitch? How many projects should you have in your back pocket? What materials should you bring in? How do you engage the room, and why are you pitching the room not the project? That and more on this episode with producer Stu Pollard.   (Episode 52) Hosted by Director/Producer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Ask An Entertainment Lawyer In this new semi-monthly series we let our audience ask any production related legal questions their hearts desire to Entertainment Lawyer & Filmmaker Chris Edgar.  This week, some topics covered:  -What will make a distributor reject a chain of title? -When do you need a release when filming in a public place? -Do you need life rights to make a true life story? -Ho...

How Do You Finance Your Film? How do you find investors? What are the ways to bring money into your film? How do you get a bank loan? How do you get a bond to get a bank loan? What companies do you need to know and how do those relationships make or break your film financing? And more! To get in touch with Jim about his next class where you can learn even more about film finance email: jimholt41@g...

Ask An Entertainment Lawyer: FLLCs, Releases, and more! In this new semi-monthly series we let our audience ask any production related legal questions their hearts desire to Entertainment Lawyer & Filmmaker Chris Edgar.  This week, some topics covered:  -When do you need to form an LLC for your film and how long do you need to keep it? -AI – where are we currently at with legal clearances? -Wh...

What is an intimacy coordinator and how can they help you have a safer, more productive set? Whether it's an intimate scene between two actors, a torture or trauma scene, or a scene involving minors, an intimacy coordinator can help you have a safer set and make a better film. Today we highlight this important and lesser-known crew position with intimacy coordinator and actor Chantal Cousineau...

How Do You Direct A.I.? What considerations are there when prepping an A.I. drama? How do you keep it all ethical? We talk with James Walker, Nancy Lanham, and Forest Robin of Velocity Studios about how they created TWO A.I. podcasts (an interview show where an A.I. host interviews an A.I. guest and a narrative feature length show where actors play the humans and A.I. play the robots). (Episode 47...

Ask An Entertainment Lawyer: Fair Use, A.I. Rights and more! In this new semi-monthly series we let our audience ask any production related legal questions their hearts desire to Entertainment Lawyer & Filmmaker Chris Edgar. This week, some topics covered: -who owns the rights to A.I. materials used and should you avoid using them in your film? -what exactly is fair use when it comes to filmma...

ICFX For Indie Filmmakers: Using LED Walls & Green Screen for In-Camera FX What do you need to know when prepping and shooting on LED walls? How about using in-camera fx with green screen? Where is the technology heading and how can you get in on using this now to level up your filmmaking? Let's get in to it! (Episode 45) Hosted by Director/Producer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jenn Page.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you want to...

How can A.I. actually benefit your team when it comes to production and post production? How do you use A.I. to enhance (not replace) what your cast and crew bring to the table? Join this live discussion and Q&A on the current uses of A.I. for indie filmmakers and how to use them legitimately. From capturing actor images to editing, there is a new world at your fingertips.  (Episode 44) Hosted...

How do you approach investors in a time when anyone rarely makes money? What goes in your business plan? Why should you share the bad news first with your potential investors? Why should you use your own money to make your own film? Why shouldn’t you pre-judge potential investors? Why is getting a mentor essential? We are going to dive into all that with filmmaker Scott DuPont in this episode abou...

Would you rather stick forks in your eyes than network with strangers? Do you get excited about going to an event to meet people but end up speaking only to people you already know once there? What about online? Do you know how the way to best use the tools at your disposal? Networking is the key to success. People have to know you exist to hire you. Whether it's reconnecting with old acquaint...