The Working Director

You Don't Need Perfect Circumstances to Get Your Film Made Have the script and the vision, but keep hitting roadblocks getting your short film into production? Join us for this informative and inspiring Q&A with this year's BMC Film Festival finalists and hear what it really took to get their films made! Get answers on how you can navigate limited budgets, deal with unexpected challeng...

Join us for an open, candid conversation about the realities of selling your film. Learn how sales agents evaluate projects, what makes a film marketable, how to understand the true value and marketability of your cast, how deals and territories work, what filmmakers should have prepared before approaching an agent, and the mistakes that can make a project harder to sell. This is your chance to as...

Do you have your eyes set on working on a TV series? If yes, you must join us for this talk with Cindy Chu, who recently became a staff writer on Sony's SWAT Exiles (SWAT Spinoff). She'll share what it's like to navigate your first season as a staff writer. And this talk isn't just for writers — Cindy co-wrote and produced an episode with her supervising producer, and she'll be sharing what it's l...

You Don't Need Perfect Circumstances to Get Your Film MadeHave the script and the vision, but keep hitting roadblocks getting your short film into production? Join us for an online Q&A with this year's BMC Film Festival finalists and hear what it really took to get their films made! Get answers on how you can navigate limited budgets, deal with unexpected challenges, handle difficult d...

A great film or television concept means nothing if you can’t get people excited enough to say yes. Whether you’re pitching a series, raising financing, attracting talent, or trying to sell your project, a strong sizzle reel can often do more than a pitch deck ever could. In this class, we’ll break down the art of building a reel that grabs attention fast, communicates the vision of your project,...

So you have your vertical script ready, you’ve booked your crew, now what? If you have questions about what cameras are being used, how many will be needed, what lenses are being used, how to frame, how to schedule, and everything else around shooting, you’ll want to be here for this talk! Join producer Cate Fogarty , who-over the last two years-has been falling in love with the mini-drama model a...

Learn what it means to be "studio ready." We'll talk about going from an indie mindset to a powerhouse professional, how to command a multi-million dollar set, scaling your vision, and more! To join these talks live and ask YOUR questions, as well as be in the know for events, classes, and career advancement initiatiaves, join (it's free!) allfilmmakerswelcome.com. Guest Host: Lauren White (actor/...

Making a great film is only half the battle. The real challenge is getting it in front of audiences and turning it into a profitable investment. Join filmmaker Jason Horton, who has successfully distributed dozens of independent films, many of which have recouped their budgets and secured upfront minimum guarantees. We'll also learn what distributors are really looking for, how to position your fi...

What happens when the person shaping the story is also the one behind the camera? The relationship between a director and cinematographer is already a delicate creative balance, but combining both roles creates an entirely different challenge. If you want to join live and ask YOUR questions, as well as be in the know about events, classes, and career advancement initiatives, join (it's free) at Al...

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...