2010 DCIFF Seminars

CALL FOR GUEST SPEAKERS:

The guest speakers at the DCIFF seminars inform and inspire Indies to excel and prosper.  Many innovative and influential contributors in the filmmaking industry speak at our seminars. Among the speakers, last year were: The Producer's Guild of America; Lloyd Kaufman - Iconic Troma filmmaker and President of the Independent Film & Television Alliance; Diane Watson, Congresswoman (D-CA) and Chair of the Congressional Entertainment Industries Caucus; Rosemarie Levy, Business Affairs IATSE 487; Kathi Ash, Maryland Film Office; David Brillhart, Director of Photography; and more ....

We are now recruiting guest speakers to host the seminars listed below.  If you are an experienced member of the filmmaking community, please consider hosting one of these seminars, or suggest a seminar you would like to host.  If you wish to host, or if you have any suggestions for a seminar, please email us at seminars@dciff.org.

Tentative 2010 seminars:

- Making it in DC - Meet the people that you need to know to produce films in the region from union representatives to film commissioners. These are the people that make it all happen.

- The Untapped Distribution Opportunity in Broadband - With broadband distribution the producer of new media and film|tv content can deliver their content to new market audiences that may have never seen it. YouTube, itunes and other streaming content providers can be viewed on our desktop, laptops, in our hands using PDA's and in our living rooms with Internet connections like never before. It is now upon us to understand, market and provide opportunities of distribution through broadband. This seminar will be educational, entertaining and groundbreaking.

- Master Class with PGA Producers - In-depth seminar with veterans of the industry and their thoughts on the current and future state of independent film.

- Rehash – Open Content: The New Trend in Media - Open Content is the freedom to share, remix and reuse. Shepard Fairey did it when he created the iconic Obama poster. Lawrence Lessig writes and lectures about this in his bestseller, Remix. Discover how filmmakers are putting it into practice and talk about the future of the art form.

- Red Digital Cinema Camera Workshop - For independent filmmakers, Red Digital Cinema Camera is the best invention since sliced bread. Given its cost, its ultra-high resolution, and a whole slew of bells & whistles, this is manna for the indie. Come learn more about the magic of the camera !

- Gaming and Film – These worlds collide! - Movies and video games share common elements of story-telling and visual imagery. As the two mediums have evolved, they have become evermore intertwined as each blockbuster spins off a video game and popular video games are made into films. Learn from experts about the convergence of gaming and filmmaking.

- Acting for the Screen - Acting for the Screen is for those wanting to focus on acting in film, television and other screen-related media. You will explore the expressive potential of performance for the screen and enhance your understanding of the relationship between performer and camera.

- Music and Film - A Panel Discussion for Composers and Filmmakers - Join us for a rare glimpse into the process of writing music for film, the Composer-Director relationship, song placements, and an overview of the business and legal issues inherent in creating, publishing, and synchronizing music with visual media.

- The Business of Screenwriting - Scriptwriting workshop: Ever wonder why certain scripts "get" made – and others do not? This seminar lays out how the entire film business works and will give you strategies for breaking into the Biz as a writer. You’ll explore screenwriting craft – but from the point of view of people reading your scripts (producers, agents, executives, paid readers), learning what makes them shine to certain screenplays - and what turns them off. Learn what mistakes not to make, plus how to pitch and stand out. Appropriate for all experience levels. 

- Grant Writing for Independent Documentary Filmmakers - This seminar walks you through each step in the grant writing process. Learn four keys that allow you to set instantly a realistic course through a myriad of funding agencies. Come prepared with a synopsis of your film.

- Finance and Distribution Workshop - From Private vs. Industry financing, to Hard vs. Soft Money, this workshop will focus on how to navigate the world of private equity to finding a distributor. This workshop is geared towards filmmakers that seek industry financing and distribution. Be prepared to discuss a summary of your project.

- Legal Clinic – You have questions, our experts have answers! This panel of top legal experts in entertainment answers all your questions and discusses issues - from Fair Use to music licensing - that usually come between a filmmaker getting their film out in the marketplace successfully.

- Suggest a panel - email us with your suggestions: seminars@dciff.org

JOIN US AND MAKE THE 2010 DCIFF FESTIVAL THE BEST EVER!