May 27, 2010 All about residencies and retreats for filmmakers

There are places — hundreds of them, in fact — where artists of all disciplines can go to work on their art: painters and playwrights, filmmakers and fiction writers, composers, choreographers, printmakers and poets, sculptors, scholars, and songwriters. The Alliance of Artists Communities is a national and international association of artists' communities and residencies — a diverse field of more than 1,000 programs worldwide that support artists of all disciplines in the development of new creative work. Supporting today’s artists in the creation of new work is essential to human progress — not as a luxury, not as a leisure activity, but as a vital and necessary force in society. Artists’ communities are not about retreat; they are about advancement. Advancing creativity. Advancing human progress. Advancing the way we examine the world. In short, they are research-and-development labs for the arts, providing artists with time, space, and support for the creation of new work and the exploration of new ideas.

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 6:30 p.m.

Join Adam Short –Development and Program Manager at the Alliance – as he discusses the range of wonderful options available to filmmakers interested in participating in a residency experience.

Adam joined the Alliance in February 2010 as the Development and Program Manager. His work is focused around coordinating and managing programs and special funding projects for the Alliance. Prior to joining the Alliance, Adam served as the Producing Director of the Rhode Island International Film Festival – New England’s only Academy Award qualifying event. He has an MBA from Bryant University and a BA in English Literature from Reed College. Adam continues to expand his interests in film, video, and new media through the Digital Video Production Program at Rhode Island School of Design, Continuing Education.

As usual, we'll provide some snacks...but bring something to add to the table if you are so moved!

As a reminder, these workshops are FREE and we welcome ALL area filmmakers to come and join us. One of the main goals of these events are to provide you with opportunities to meet one another and to come together as a community. We hope you'll come! Bring a friend!

Filmmakers Workshop
Thursday
May 27,2010
6:30-9:00pm

6:30-7:00- networking/refreshments
7:00-8:30 - presentation/questions
8:30-9:00 pm conversation & refreshments

Filmmakers Workshops are a program of THE CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY and are held at the CID meeting space at 93 Border Street in West Newton.
The workshop is FREE. Please feel free to bring some food or beverage to add to the snack table.

While RSVPs are not required, we do appreciate knowing if you plan to attend so that we can plan refreshments.

RSVP HERE

Filmmakers Workshop- April 14, 2010

Rough Cut Screening of "The Ghost Army" by Rick Beyer

"The Ghost Army" tells the story of an extraordinary US Army unit that used inflatable tanks and sound effects records to stage a traveling road show of deception on the battlefields of Europe during WWII. Many who served in this top-secret unit were artists destined for illustrious post-war art careers, including a budding fashion designer named Bill Blass. In their spare time they painted and sketched their way across war-torn Europe. Imagination flourishing under the most extreme circumstances, a secret mission bordering on the absurd, and dazzling performance art designed to save lives: that’s "The Ghost Army."

Rick Beyer is a lifelong history enthusiast who has made films for The History Channel, National Geographic, The Smithsonian and others. He is also the author of the Greatest Stories Never Told book series. This is his first independent film.

The workshop is FREE. We ask that you register/rsvp so that we can have an idea of how many people will attend. As usual, we will have refreshments. Please feel free to bring something to add to the refreshment table! ALL are welcome to this event. We hope you'll attend! For those of you who have never attended a workshop at our 93 Border Street site: it is a mint green warehouse building that is currently FOR SALE. Our entrance is in the back of the building. Please drive to the back to park and enter. There is plenty of free parking.

Event Schedule:

6:30-7:00 pm :Networking/socializing

7:00- 8:25 View Rough cut of "Ghost Army"

8:25- 9:15 Discussion as group

9:15-9:30 networking

RSVP/REGISTER HERE

March 24, 2010 Workshop will be on TRAILERS

In January, workshop attendees had the opportunity to share their written grant proposals with one another for peer feedback. This month, we'll do the same for trailers- though we'll stay together as one group. Due to time constraints, it would be very helpful if, when you rsvp, you could put with your name an indication that you would like to have your trailer screened. Just write the word "trailer" on the same line as your last name in the ticket order form. Thank you! We should be able to do quite a few, but to be fair, we will do them in the order that people rsvp.

As usual, we'll provide some snacks...but bring something to add to the table if you are so moved!

Filmmakers Workshop
WEDNESDAY
March 24,2010
6:30-9:30pm

6:30-7:00- networking/snacks
7:00-9:00 - screen & discuss trailers
9:00-9:30 pm conversation & more snacks

Filmmakers Workshops are a program of the Center for Independent Documentary(CID) and are held at the Center for Independent Documentary meeting space at 93 Border Street in West Newton.
The workshop is FREE. Please feel free to bring some food or beverage to add to the snack table.

While RSVPs are not required, we do appreciate knowing if you plan to attend so that we can plan refreshments.

February 17, 2010 Filmmakers Workshop- Rough Cut screening of "COEXIST" by Adam Mazo

About “Coexist”
Coexist explores the experiences of trauma survivors searching for ways to coexist with their loved ones’ murderers. As killing continues in Rwanda today and the government forces citizens to consider reconciliation, we examine how survivors cope when forced to face adversaries every day. In a world where innocent people are regularly attacked or killed because of who they are, we challenge the viewer: how can the experiences of Rwandans inform your efforts to build peaceful coexistence, eliminate hate crimes, and prevent all types of violence? When hate persists, how will you coexist?

About the Filmmaker
Adam Mazo is an experienced commercial television news producer embarking on his first full-length documentary film. Three years prior to production he spent time in Rwanda researching and shooting around the country beginning the investigation for what became “Coexist”.

Adam has a rough cut and would really appreciate YOUR feedback! We hope you’ll come! As usual, we’ll have some snacks…but bring something to add to the table if you are so moved!

Filmmakers Workshop
WEDNESDAY
February 17,2010
6:30-9:30pm

6:30-7:00- networking
7:00-8:25 – screen rough cut
8:25-9:30 pm discussion followed by conversation

You can view the trailer at the Center for Independent Documentary YouTube channel.

Filmmakers Workshops are held at the new CID space at 93 Border Street in West Newton.
The workshop is FREE. Please feel free to bring some food or beverage to add to the snack table.

While RSVPs are not required, we do appreciate knowing if you plan to attend so that we can plan refreshments. RSVP HERE

'February 17 Filmmakers Workshop and more news from CID'

'February 17 Filmmakers Workshop and more news from CID'

January 21, 2010 PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOP

Preparing a proposal for the upcoming LEF Foundation deadline? Or other Foundations? Preparing a fundraising campaign with an appeal to individuals? Not sure if what you have written is telling the story of your film in a way that will make it stand out and have people running to you with money?

Join your fellow filmmakers in a peer proposal review session. Bring your materials (yes, budgets too) and we'll break into small groups and do a read and review. Come get some feedback BEFORE you send it to a review panel. We'll have the ability to screen some trailers and work samples too, if your question is about your sample.

Filmmakers Workshop
THURSDAY
January 21,2010
6:30-9:00pm

6:30-7:00- networking
7:00-8:30 - proposal review session
8:30-9pm trailer viewing & networking

IMPORTANT!!!! Please bring several copies of your proposals or materials. Don't worry, you wil not be leaving them! It will just make it easier within the small groups for sharing.

Filmmakers Workshops are held at the new CID space at 93 Border Street in West Newton.
The workshop is FREE. Please feel free to bring some food or beverage to add to the snack table.

While RSVPs are not required, we do appreciate knowing if you plan to attend so that we can plan refreshments.


RSVP HERE:
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/539044296

November 11, 2009 ROUGH CUT SCREENING

WORK IN PROGRESS SCREENING:
A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT DAVID HAMILTON SMITH

PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY DAVID TAMES AND ALICE APLEY

EDITED BY JEAN DUNOYER

Please join us to view the current cut of the film and to give the filmmakers feedback as they move forward in their editing process.

Filmmakers Workshop
Wednesday
November 11, 2009
6:30-9:00pm

6:30-7:00- networking
7:00-8:30 - screening of rough cut and discussion
8:30-9pm networking

RSVP TO FILMMAKERS WORKSHOP

David Hamilton Smith was a visionary; interested in having a large impact on society; capable of staying focused on the big picture and looking to the future and the next generation. He was a pediatrician and a researcher, but at heart he was interested in applying science to solving societal problems. Eliminating spinal meningitis was the biggest challenge for a pediatric researcher during his early career- many people today are not aware of Hib or what a devastating illness bacterial meningitis once was. David's greatest contribution (along with his collaborators) was in making this major childhood disease essentially unknown. Before the vaccine, 20,000 children each year were infected with Hib; 5% died of meningitis; 30% were impaired for life with acquired mental retardation, deafness or other neurological impacts as a result of the illness.

But David Hamilton Smith's story shows us that skill as a scientist is not enough for solving problems...

Filmmakers Workshops are held at the new CID space at 93 Border Street in West Newton.
The workshop is FREE. Please feel free to bring some food or beverage to add to the snack table.

While RSVPs are not required, we do appreciate knowing if you plan to attend so that we can plan refreshments.

Adventures in Independent Filmmaking- June 3, 2009

Join us as we screen Doug Block's terrific documentary "The Heck With Hollywood", about the trials and tribulations of getting an independent film marketed and distributed. The film follows three filmmakers for four years as they struggle to finish and find distribution for their films. After the screening we'll hold discussion, share stories and trade resources.

Doug Block is the founder and co-host of The D-Word, the online forum for documentary professionals.

Filmmakers Workshop
Wednesday
June 3, 2009
6:30-9:00pm

6:30-7:00- networking
7:00-8:10 - screening "The Heck With Hollywood"
8:10-9pm discussion/networking


Filmmakers Workshops are held at the new CID space at 93 Border Street in West Newton.
The workshop is FREE. Please feel free to bring some food or beverage to add to the snack table.

While RSVPs are not required, we do appreciate knowing if you plan to attend so that we can plan refreshments.
RSVP HERE

Doug Block will be speaking at the MAKING MEDIA NOW conference just two days later on June 5th! This is a great opportunity to see his work before the conference (it will not be shown there). You won't want to miss this years conference which features such guests as Keynote Speaker Robert Greenwald, Doug Block, and Sandi DuBowski. USE THE COUPON BELOW TO SAVE $10 OFF YOUR REGISTRATION!

Budgeting! Scheduling! and More! February Filmmakers Workshop

Budgeting, Scheduling and Bookeeping Software
with Steve Bizenov and Joe Maiella, Media Services

The February workshop will be held at National Boston
(and will include a tour of the facility)

Do you need to buy budgeting, scheduling or accounting software but don't know how to tell which one is right for you? Steve Bizenov and Joe Maiella are two experts who will demonstrate how production software can assist you with your project (including how to use these tools and reports for filing for tax credits in Massachusetts and other states). They can also answer all your questions about payroll and payroll services.

Software demo's will include EP, Frameforge Storyboard and Gorilla, and ShowBiz Budgeting and Scheduling among others.

After the presentation, we'll have a tour of National Boston and some refreshments.
February 18, 2009
6:30-9:00 pm
at
National Boston
115 Drummer Street
Brookline, MA 02446

RSVP is not required but appreciated. RSVP at: http://febfilmmakersworkshop@eventbrite.com

THIS WORKSHOP IS A FREE EVENT. SPECIAL THANKS TO MEDIA SERVICES, CREWSTAR AND NATIONAL BOSTON.

JANUARY 28 FILMMAKERSWORKSHOP POSTPONED

THE WORKSHOP WHICH WAS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 28TH HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO THE FORECAST SNOW AND ICE STORM.

Please check back for the rescheduled program.

Filmmakers Workshop - January 28, 2009

WEDNESDAY January 28, 6:30 - 9:00

Adventures in Independent Filmmaking

Join us as we screen Doug Block's terrific documentary "The Heck With Hollywood", about the trials and tribulations of getting an independent film marketed and distributed. The film follows three filmmakers for four years as they struggle to finish and find distribution for their films. Afterwards we'll hold discussion, share stories and trade resources.

Before the next workshop, you might also want to watch the Lunchbox Labs videotapes at http://www.motionmedia.org

&

The DIYDays New York dinner videos at : http://diydays.com/

Filmmakers Workshops are held at the new Center for Independent Documentary (CID) space at 93 Border Street in West Newton.

The workshop is FREE. While RSVPs are not required, we do appreciate knowing if you plan to attend so that we can plan refreshments.

RSVP HERE

December 10, 2008 EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO APPLY TO THE LEF MOVING IMAGE FUND

DECEMBER 10, 2008
6:30-9:00 pm
93 Border Street
West Newton, MA
FREE. but please RSVP

The LEF Foundation has recently released new guidelines for their Moving Image Fund. LEF program officers will explain their new funding initiative and answer all your questions about the application process. We will also leave some time to celebrate the season. The workshop is free, but we do ask that you RSVP. Please feel welcome to bring along something to add to the refreshment table(not required, but always appreciated!)

ABOUT THE LEF FOUNDATION:
The mission of LEF New England is to fund the work of independent film and video artists in the region and broaden recognition and support for their work locally and nationally.

LEF seeks to accomplish its mission through deeper, more focused, multi-year funding of selected film projects, and by sponsoring programs that highlight the rich history and ongoing legacy of innovation within New England’s independent film community.

Consistent with the Foundation’s original mission, LEF New England supports artists with an independent, creative vision whose work informs and animates the larger public conversation essential to a democracy.

LEF New England continues to be a regional funder, advocating for, and supporting, the innovative work of both emerging and established independent film and video artists. The overall purpose of LEF’s philanthropic investment is to help build a more sustainable and stronger community of support for artists and their work.

Moving Image Fund Overview
LEF New England launched the Moving Image Fund (MIF) in 2002 to support independent film and video artists creating work in all genres. In the current transition from a broader to a more defined funding strategy, LEF will focus its funding on documentary filmmaking, with the goal of applying the learning from this deeper investment in one genre.

LEF will provide multi-year funding to fewer projects, across all phases of production, providing support from the early risk-taking stage through a film’s completion. In this way, the Fund offers a continuum of support for selected projects, while continuing to identify new talent. With fewer projects being funded, LEF anticipates a highly competitive grant process. In identifying projects to support, LEF will follow the lead of artists whose innovative work continues to push the boundaries of independent filmmaking.
For the next several grant rounds, MIF will specifically support documentary filmmakers. However, the long term view for the Fund is to expand its support for the broader community of independent producers in New England in response to future trends and opportunities.

Eligible projects must have a running time of no less than 40 minutes.

Criteria for Project Funding:
• Quality of cinematic form and technique
• Originality of filmmaker’s voice, vision, and point of view
• Resonance and power of the film’s core idea or story
• Feasibility of production

October 29 Filmmakers Workshop

Post Production in a Not So Brave New World
with Dave Allen and Jeff Herzog

Post-production today is more complicated than ever. What used to be a straight forward process has become a bewildering array of resolutions, formats, and frame rates. Do you shoot 29.97 in 1080i or 1080p? 720p or 30i? 59.94? DV? And what about P2? Then, which format do you offline in? Graphics delivery? Which codec do you use?

The purpose of this seminar is to help you understand and create a clear workflow path – from shooting through offline to online and delivery – for your upcoming and current projects. Let Dave Allen and Jeff Herzog help you get the picture straight!
THIS WORKSHOP IS FREE -BUT PLEASE RSVP

Dave Allen – Colorist/Online Editor:
In 2006, Dave Allen launched a Final Cut Pro/Avid finishing suite in Sudbury, MA, continuing his 25-year relationship with Boston's filmmaking community. Recent projects include Linda Harrar's "Roots of Health," Mark Davis' "Five Years on Mars: The Rovers," Nancy Porter and Harriet Reisen's "American Masters: Louisa May Alcott" (PBS), Michal Goldman's "At Home in Utopia," Linda Garmon's "The Truth About Cancer" (PBS), Allison Argo's "Crash: A Tale of Two Species" (Nature PBS), Marty Ostrow and Terry Rockefeller's "Renewal" (PBS), and David Huntley's 13-part History Channel series, "Tougher in Alaska."

Many in Boston are familiar with Dave's work from his 18 years as a documentary colorist at Multivision in Needham, MA. While there, he worked on such esteemed series as Blackside's "Eyes on the Prize," "I'll Make Me a World," and "The Great Depression," as well as David Sutherland's ambitious FRONTLINE series, "The Farmer's Wife," and Longbow's "The Gate of Heavenly Peace" – an epic two hour film about the uprising at Tienamen Square.

Working as an independent since 2003, Dave has continued to create a buzz and delight clients with his work. Past projects include Allison Argo's "Chimpanzees: An Unnatural History" (Nature/PBS), Melanie Perkins' "Have You Seen Andy?" (HBO/Cinmax), Linda Garmon's "American Experience: Sister Aimee" (PBS), Peter Frumkin's "American Masters: Woody Guthrie" (PBS), and Allie Humenuk's "Shadow of the House" (Theatrical Release). Dave has also been an offline editor on many projects, including the highly praised PBS cooking show, "Simply Ming."

AUGUST 13, 2008 ROUGH CUT SCREENING OF CHICO DAVID COLVARD'S "FAMILY AFFAIR" AT FILMMAKERS WORKSHOP

JOIN US ON AUGUST 13 AT 6:30PM FOR A ROUGH CUT SCREENING OF CHICO DAVID COLVARDS WORK IN PROGRESS "FAMILY AFFAIR". THIS IS A FREE EVENT- LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE (FEEL FREE TO BRING SOMETHING TO ADD TO THE TABLE!) RSVP'S ARE NOT REQUIRED, BUT WE DO APPRECIATE HAVING A HEAD COUNT FOR DRINKS AND CHAIRS! HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US. TO RSVP:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/145194280

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT OUR NEW LOCATION IN WEST NEWTON AT 93 BORDER STREET.

“The ordinary response to atrocities is to banish them from consciousness. Certain violations of the social compact are too terrible to utter aloud: this is the meaning of the word unspeakable.”
Judith Herman, M.D.,
Author of Trauma & Recovery and Father-Daughter Incest

Like a scene torn from The Color Purple or Capturing the Friedmans, filmmaker Chico David Colvard’s deeply personal and uncompromising documentary examines the complex levels of pedophilia and how it can manipulate and control an entire family for life. The film is also a portrait of a family that struggles with issues we all face. Family Affair challenges the audience to take a more complicated view of child molesters like the filmmaker’s father, while fostering compassion for their victims, like his sisters. Their story is a universal one about resilience, survival and having the capacity to accommodate a parent’s past crimes in order to satisfy their longing for family.

DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL FILM FINANCING TUTORIAL- SPECIAL 2 NIGHT FILMMAKERS WORKSHOP

Domestic & International Film Financing Tutorial
June 18 & 19 from 6-10 pm BOTH NIGHTS
Location: 93 Border Street, West Newton MA 02465
(The NEW temporary space of the Center for Independent Documentary and the Filmmakers Workshop)

This tutorial will be taught by Sandra Schulberg (sschulberg@aol.com), one of the pioneers of international financing for independent movies. Ms. Schulberg has been active in raising money for independent productions and nurturing indie filmmakers for more than 20 years. From 1998 to 2001, Ms. Schulberg worked as Executive Producer for the private German media fund, Hollywood Partners, and structured its financing in a slate of films (including the Oscar-nominated movie QUILLS, starring Geoffrey Rush and Kate Winslet), all of which involved multiple international production partners. From 1989 to 1996, she served as a senior executive of "American Playhouse," the PBS drama series, charged with raising funds from abroad. During the last three years, she served as Senior Vice President of its movie production subsidiary, Playhouse International Pictures. Her production credits include SHADOW MAGIC, UNDISPUTED, THE LAST YELLOW, WAITING FOR THE MOON (Sundance Grand Prize winner), I'LL TAKE YOU THERE, SHIMMER, ROOSTERS, WILDROSE, BELIZAIRE THE CAJUN, NORTHERN LIGHTS, ALAMBRISTA. Additionally, she was involved in the financing and marketing of more than a dozen Playhouse films, including SAFE, I SHOT ANDY WARHOLL, ANGELS & INSECTS, THE MUSIC OF CHANCE, AMATEUR, SIMPLE MEN, etc., and she helped Barbara Kopple to raising finishing funds for her non-fiction feature, MY GENERATION. She has been a key figure in helping to create worldwide markets for independent films as founder and former president of the Independent Feature Project (IFP) and as creator of the IFP Market. In 1980, Ms. Schulberg co-founded the niche film distribution company, First Run Features, which is also still operating today. She was one of the first nominators to the Sundance Institute's Filmmakers Lab, and served on the Sundance Festival Advisory Committee for 5 years. She also served on the Board of ITVS (Independent Television Service) for 3 years, during which it created a new world affairs satellite channel, Link-TV, in cooperation with Internews. She served as a founding director of the New York Documentary Center and its Docfest film festival. In 1994, Ms. Schulberg received the IFP Spirit Award for her contributions to independent cinema. Her movies have been showcased and have won awards at film festivals throughout the world. She does a limited amount of private consulting to assist both experienced and fledgling producers.


Session I: Domestic Film Financing

Combining For-Profit and Nonprofit Monies
▪ How a movie qualifies for tax-deductible contributions
▪ Understanding the notion of "mission" under non-profit law
▪ Appropriate use of a fiscal agent
▪ Obtaining a PRI, a Program-Related Investment, from a foundation
▪ Development loans from private individuals
Key Elements of a U.S. Investor Offering
▪ Determining the right financial instrument and when to form it
▪ What your offering plan tells investors
▪ Synopsis
▪ Cast/Crew Bios
▪ Chain of Title
▪ Summary of Talent Agreements (producer/writer/director)
▪ Production Budget & Schedule
▪ Financing Plan
▪ Deal Structure (description of investment units for sale and ROI)
▪ Marketing & Distribution Plan
▪ Risk Factors & Disclaimers
Session II: Foreign Film Financing
International Co-Production
▪ Official "treaty" co-productions
▪ Non-treaty co-financing
▪ Tax-driven funds
▪ Regional economic funds
▪ The key Co-Production Markets
Foreign Sales & Distribution
▪ Principles of pre-sale financing
▪ Selecting and contracting with a foreign sales company
▪ Structuring foreign sales and foreign distribution agreements
▪ The role of collection agencies

Session III: Project-specific guidance from Sandra Schulberg
During the final session, on the second night, Ms. Schulberg provides specific financing guidance for each participant's current feature project (whether fiction or non-fiction), applying her sense of the domestic and international opportunities and illustrating how they might be combined where appropriate. This aspect of the Tutorial has proved to be extremely useful and popular. It is conducted publicly, so each participant gets customized guidance but also learns from the discussion of the other projects.



REGISTRATION BY POSTAL MAIL:

Domestic and International Film Financing Tutorial
June 18 and 19 from 6-10pm both nights

Please fill out the form carefully and make sure your phone number and e-mail are correct, it is very important that we be able to contact you.
First Name
Last Name
Company or Organization
Email
Phone
Address
City, State
Zip
What is your primary role? (Producer, Director, editor etc….)

Are you a member of any of these organizations? (check all that apply) If so, you receive the discounted registration price ($40)
( ) Center for Independent Documentary (CID)
( ) MPC (Massachusetts Production Coalition)
( ) AIMM*
If you checked AIMM, specify which AIMM member:

*AIMM consists of Filmmakers Collaborative, Center for Independent Documentary, Central Productions, The Color of Film Collaborative, the LEF Foundation and WGBH Boston Media Productions. If you are a producer with CID, simply check the CID box above.

Registration fees:

$60 (regular)
$40 (discounted- member of one of the sponsoring organizations)
Please return this form along with your check payable to:
THE CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY
And mail to:
680 South Main Street
Sharon, MA 02067

THIS WORKSHOP IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY SUPPORT FROM:

LAW FIRM TO HOST LUNCH DISCUSSION ON MASSACHUSETTS FILM TAX CREDIT

Entertainment lawyers Sandy Forman and Mary Landergan will be hosting a lunch discussion on the Massachusetts Film Tax Credit law open to producers and filmmakers. The event will be held at the offices of the law firm of Rich May on May 8, 2008, at noon time at 176 Federal Street, Boston. Gerald May, Jr., a Rich May attorney with extensive tax law experience counseling clients in the non-profit and for-profit sectors, will give a presentation on the current film tax credit law in Massachusetts followed by a Q & A session. Food and beverage will be provided.

If you are planning to attend, please RSVP to Joanne Walsh, jwalsh@richmaylaw.com.

March 19, 2008 Special "DOUBLE" Workshop

FREE Legal Clinic AND Conversation with Mary Chiochios, Director of Operations, Massachusetts Film Office

This workshop will be our first "CLINIC" workshop- in which you will have the opportunity to sign up for a 15 minute free individual consultation with entertainment lawyers Sandra Forman or Mary Landergan. We also will welcome Mary Chiochios from the Massachusetts Film Office for a conversation about the film office and the independent film community.

This is an excellent opportunity to speak with a lawyer about entertainment, copyright, business and trademark matters. We ask that you rsvp to this email to request a consultation--we will assign 15 minute sessions in the order in which the request/rsvp's are received. We will write you back confirming with your assigned time.

While the individual consultations are in progress, the whole group will have the opportunity to have a conversation with Mary Chiochios to learn about the Massachusetts Film Office, its services (including the online production guide and how you can get listed), and how you can take advantage of the new tax incentive legislation.

DATE: March 19, 2008
TIME: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
LOCATION: Bernard Toale Gallery, 450 Harrison Avenue in Boston's South End

RSVP REQUIRED FOR LEGAL CONSULTATION To schedule your free 15 minute legal consultation, please rsvp to Susi@documentaries.org

THE LEGAL CLINIC LAWYERS

Sandra Forman ,of counsel to Rich May,has a diverse practice in the areas of entertainment and copyright law. Her clients include film and television producers and directors, screenwriters, animators, book authors, talent, software and book publishers, distributors, and multi-media and educational software producers. Ms. Forman leads RichMay's Entertainment Copyright and Trademark practice group.

Ms. Forman began her career in the entertainment field at WGBH in Boston where she co-developed the Commercial Marketing Department and created ancillary distribution opportunities for WGBH programs worldwide. With the assistance of a venture capitalist she later founded Forman Entertainment Group for the purpose of developing film and television projects. She was simultaneously "of counsel" to the former Boston law firm of Budd, Wiley and Richlin and, in that capacity, represented entertainment clients as both an attorney and a consultant.

In addition to her legal practice, Ms Forman has served over the past several years as project director and legal counsel on the Eyes on the Prize Re-Release Project. Eyes on the Prize is the definitive documentary series on the Civil Rights Movement. In 2003, Ms. Forman began to work with Blackside, producer of Eyes on the Prize, to raise funds to clear the extensive rights in the series and prepare the 14 hours of programming for rebroadcast on PBS and distribution in the educational market. Ms. Forman's efforts resulted in major funding for the re-release of the series from the Ford Foundation and the Gilder Foundation, as well as funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to conduct a national outreach campaign.

Mary E. Landergan, of counsel to Rich May, concentrates on corporate, trademark and entertainment matters. Ms. Landergan is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law (J.D. 1982) where she was an International Fellow and worked for the Immigration Law Clinic and Entitlement Clinic. She graduated with honors from University College in Dublin, Ireland, with a master's degree in Anglo-Irish Literature. She received her undergraduate degree with honors in English and Psychology from Wellesley College, where she was admitted to Phi Beta Kappa in her Junior year.

Ms. Landergan brings over 20 years of diverse experience to Rich May, having practiced in international law, general commercial litigation, bankruptcy, constitutional law, civil rights and entertainment law. She has worked in the legal departments at CBS and ABC, and at an international New York-based law firm. She has provided legal and strategic consulting services for various clients in the media/entertainment industry in the areas of intellectual property, media law, contract negotiation and drafting, employment law, first amendment and pre-broadcast libel review. She is currently a Lecturer of Entertainment and First Amendment Law at Northeastern University School of Law.

Filmmakers Workshop- February 20, 2008- The IFP Market

We hope you'll join us on February 20, 2008 as we welcome Milton Tabbot, Senior Director of Programming at IFP in New York, to talk about the ins and outs of the IFP Market. He'll be joined by filmmakers who have been to the market themselves. Our goal for the evening is to help you determine if the IFP market is right for you- and how to maximize your experience there when you go.

DATE: February 20, 2008
TIME: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
LOCATION: Bernard Toale Gallery, 450 Harrison Avenue in Boston's South End

PLEASE RSVP!! This is a FREE event, but, we would appreciate an rsvp so that we can plan for food and chairs.

THE IFP MARKET
A national program connecting projects with financiers, producers and programmers before they're completed and on the festival circuit. The 30th IFP Market will take place September 14 - 18, 2008 in New York City. In addition to narrative sections (Emerging Narrative for writer/directors with scripts seeking producers; No Borders for producers with new fiction projects with partial financing who are seeking partners), the IFP Market's Spotlight on Documentaries section is for filmmakers in production or post- production on a project seeking financing partners, broadcast/distribution, and festival interest. A primary focus for documentary filmmakers are pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings with potential financing partners. All meetings are at buyer's request based on advance information provided in Spotlight on Documentaries Project Dossier and in a compilation DVD of project trailers sent to accredited buyers in a position to acquire or finance.

On the industry side, IFP accredits roughly 1,000 professionals for project pitch meetings, speed dating meetings, screenings, social events and for panelist participation as part of the Filmmaker Conference. Approximately 50% of these individuals work at production companies, distributors, exhibitors, broadcasters, foundations or film festivals. All filmmaker participants receive a complimentary accreditation to the Filmmaker Conference that runs concurrent with the IFP Market. Daylong thematic strands focus on "Making Your First Feature," "The Future Is Now," "The Global Marketplace," "The Real Deal on Deals," and "The Truth About Non-Fiction."

The IFP Market's objective is to create a destination where the community of individuals involved in independent film can annually convene - from the filmmakers selected for their strong new projects to the individuals from companies and organizations aimed at helping the work get made and ultimately seen by public audiences.

THE IFP DOCUMENTARY ROUGH CUT LAB
The Documentary Rough Cut Lab is a national program connecting mentors and new projects before they are submitted to festivals. The Lab aims to identify ten, high quality independently produced documentaries by first-time feature filmmakers each year that can benefit from the support and expertise of experienced film professionals. Each Lab is led by a group of seasoned, independent producers who are the primary advisors for each project. Lab Leaders work with participants in advance of arrival to establish individual goals. Participants receive a dynamic system of feedback and advice on specific technical, creative and post production issues through their interaction with top editors, composers, producers, sound designers and festival strategists, as well as sales, marketing and publicity experts. Projects are selected by Lab Leaders and Senior IFP programming staff based on the quality of the work and its ability to benefit from the Lab curriculum and mentorship involved. At no time are the films screened for buyers or sales agents during the submissions or acceptance process. The 2008 Documentary Rough Cut Lab will take place May - 9 in New York City.

MILTON TABBOT is Senior Director of Programming at IFP in New York City, overseeing many content-driven programs relating to filmmakers, including supervising all documentary programs and IFP's fiscal sponsorship program. His documentary program management includes the Spotlight on Documentaries section of the IFP Market, including overall responsibility for annual project selection, and management of the IFP Documentary Rough Cut Lab for first-time feature directors. Previously at IFP he managed the Anthony Radziwill Documentary Fund, providing development funding for new documentary features. He has been with IFP since 1996 and served as Director of the IFP Market from 1999 through 2001. In addition to his IFP role, Mr. Tabbot serves as the U.S. Consultant for the Locarno International Film Festival. He has BS in Communications from Northwestern University and an MA in Cinema Studies from New York University.

The IFP Market and Independent Film Labs are produced by IFP, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building the community for a full range of independent film. IFP's year-round and annual programs offer education, mentorship and worldwide industry access to members and the independent film community at large. The organization was founded in New York City in 1979. www.ifp.org

The Documentary- past and future--January 16, 2008 Filmmakers Workshop

We hope you'll join us on January 16 for a unique discussion and celebration as we celebrate 25 years of the Center for Independent Documentary (CID) with a special gathering. For most of those 25 years, CID has hosted FREE monthly meetings for filmmakers with the goal of building community, providing support and skillbuilding, and sparking creativity.

Though they've been called various names over the years ("First Wednesday" screenings, "the independent producer group", the "CID/AIVFsalon" and now "Filmmakers Workshop")- they've continually provided an antidote to that most pervasive of independent filmmaking occupational hazards- isolation.

Some of you may remember when these meeting were held in members homes or when they were in the CID office in Newton. Each meeting, screening or workshop has featured talk and socializing. On the 16th, we'll do both as we look back and forward, as we explore the documentary then and now.

Have an artifact or a story to share? Bring it! Ready to talk about the impact of changing technology on the documentary form? What looks fresh, new and innovative to you? What inspires you that you are bringing to your new/next film? What are the forces that are at work changing how you work and how are you adapting? We'll share our thoughts, musings and practical concerns as we delve into these and other questions salon style.

We hope you'll join us for this special salon evening.

DATE: January 16, 2008
TIME: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
LOCATION: Bernard Toale Gallery, 450 Harrison Avenue in Boston's South End

PLEASE RSVP!! This is a FREE event, but, we would appreciate an rsvp so that we can plan for food and chairs.


TO RSVP just reply to this email. While RSVP's are not required for this event, we appreciate you giving us a count of how many to plan for.

As we wind up CID's 25th Anniversary, we hope that you'll join us at one of the upcoming screenings of our filmmakers new work:

Judith Helfand and Dan Golds new film: EVERYTHINGS COOL at the MFA as part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival on January 18th at 8pm

Marty Ostrow and Terry Kay Rockefellers new documentary RENEWAL which will have a run at the MFA in Boston beginning February 21, 2008.

and TODAY THE HAWK TAKES ONE CHICK by Jane Gillooly at the ICA on February 9, 2008

As we launch into 2008, we would like to give a special word of thanks to the tireless volunteers who make FILMMAKERS WORKSHOPS possible. PLEASE THANK THEM: Julie Mallozzi, Tracy Heather Strain, Megan Gelstein and Randall MacLowry. We also want to give a special appreciation to Bernie Toale, who not only allows us to enjoy his beautiful gallery each month, but who also carries chairs, sets up tables and offers complete encouragement and support. This program truly could not exist without all of your efforts. Thank you so much.

November 14, 2007 New Models for Online Distribution and Audience Development

Join us as we welcome Brian Newman, Executive Director of Renew Media in New York, and Joe Zina, Executive Director of the Coolidge Corner Theater. They will be presenting two new models for online distribution and audience development that you will not want to miss.

Brian Newman will talk about the upcoming launch of Renew Media's REFRAME project. Reframe is digitizing and bringing together vital media arts from independent filmmakers, artists, distributors, archives and other sources of independent and alternative media and making them available to audiences in new ways. With an emphasis on socially and artistically important media that connects viewers and furthers the dialogue on topics such as culture, economics and politics, the collection will include documentaries, independent features and shorts, foreign fims, educational work, video arts and vanguard cilnema. Many of these will be available for the first time.

Reframe invites distributors, archives, filmmakers and other owners of film and video content to become partners. Some benefits of Reframe:

• Non-exclusive: Reframe's is non-exclusive, allowing partners to continue distributing content directly or through alternative outlets;

• Free or low-cost digitization: Digitization from a video source is provided at no cost and a wide variety of formats can be supported. For projects on film, high quality digital telecine is offered at a discounted rate, the cost of which is deferred. This is an excellent solution for any artist or organization with content "stuck on the shelf."

• Digital formats: Reframe currently allows partners to distribute work through any or all of these methods:

• Variable pricing: For each title, partners have the ability to set numerous purchase and rental prices to accommodate the educational market and/or individual consumers. More importantly, we've tiered your return so that you get back greater percentages on higher price points, for educational pricing;

• Robust discovery platform: Reframe will launch with a polished website that will allow users to easily find specific titles, filmmakers or distributors, as well as browse to discover new works. .

• Competitive royalty rates and collective bargaining power: Reframe has negotiated a competitive royalty rate with its current partner, Amazon.

Joe Zina will talk about the Coolidge Corner Theatre's new internet broadcast player- The Coolidge Internet Theater. This new generation web site will enable our film community to use the power of the internet to enhance the film viewing experience at the Coolidge. It represents a new way of thinking about the elements of a comprehensive marketing plan for the release and distribution of your film.

Joe will explain the possibilities for this new way of working with the theatre, will clarify the future of "day and date" theatrical release and will explain how these newest technologies can work in tandem with everybody's first choice: viewing the film on a widescreen in a beautiful theatre.

DATE: November 14, 2007
TIME: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
LOCATION: Bernard Toale Gallery, 450 Harrison Avenue in Boston's South End
RSVP REQUIRED!! This is a FREE event, but, you MUST rsvp to attend.

TO RSVP email susi@documentaries.org. You will receive a confirmation from Susi that your seat has been reserved.

For links to more information and resources about distributing your work online and to further the conversation following the workshop, please join us on the Filmmakers Workshop network.