Producing with Passion: Making Films That Change the World
PRODUCING WITH PASSION
Table Of Contents
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction. How Can a Film Make a Difference? xiii
Keeping Your Focus xvii
Using This Book xvii
Chapter 1. Trusting Your Instincts 1
Passion and Intuition, the Magical Connection 1
My Story 2
Igniting the Spark 3
Choosing a Subject 4
Choosing a Subject That Has Life 5
Imagining Possibilities 5
Questions That Might Help You Choose a Subject 6
Friends, Colleagues, and Companions 8
Distractions and Doubt 9
Unasked-for Attention 10
Your Own Doubts 10
Getting Stuck 11
Restoring Your Energy 12
Finishing the Project 12
Key Points 13
Chapter 2. Focusing Your Energies 14
How to Increase Your Chances of Finishing Your Film 15
Finding a Balance 16
One Filmmaker.s Success at Finding and Following a Single Premise 17
The Project Description 23
Maintaining a Balance 24
Key Points 25
Chapter 3. Know Your Subject 26
Background Research 27
Kinds of Information 28
Finding People as Sources 29
Information Management 34
The Universal Matching Grant Service 36
Key Points 36
Chapter 4. Building Community: From Kickoff to Launch 37
Attracting a Support Group 41
Community 43
Key Points 44
Chapter 5. Planning an Unscripted Documentary 45
Do You Need a Script? 45
Your Treatment 48
Ways to Tell Your Story 49
Getting Started 52
Key Points 57
Chapter 6. Creating a Blueprint for Your Film 58
Why You Need a Proposal 59
Elements of a Proposal 60
Proposal Writing Resources 65
Key Points 67
Chapter 7. Attracting Funding 68
Raising Spirits 68
People Fund People, Not Ideas 69
Realistic Budgeting 71
Fundraising Options 76
Points to Keep in Mind 78
Key Points 79
Chapter 8. Your Core Group 81
What Is a Core Group? 81
Attracting a Core Group 82
Working with Your Core Group 84
Commitment 85
Key Points 89
Chapter 9. The Production Team 90
Bringing Together the Right People 91
Working Together 95
Your Responsibilities 97
Avoiding Problems 99
Key Points 102
Chapter 10. Interns and Volunteers 104
The Difference Between Interns and Volunteers 105
Choosing Interns and Volunteers 105
Working with Interns and Volunteers 108
What Interns and Volunteers Take Away 110
Key Points 110
Chapter 11. Preproduction Planning: Getting Ready To Shoot 111
Your Production Binder 112
Selecting Interviewees 113
Scouting Locations 115
The Shot List 117
Documents 118
More Documents 120
Key Points 121
Chapter 12. Field Production 122
Before the Shoot 124
A Small-Crew Interview 125
The Day of the Shoot 126
Shooting Interviews 128
After the Shoot 136
Key Points 137
Chapter 13. Interviews: Gathering People's Stories 138
Interviewing 140
The Spirit of an Interview 144
If the Interview Is Not Working 148
After the Interview 149
Key Points 150
Chapter 14. Building the Story 151
The Fine Art of Building a Story 155
When a "Character" Is Not a Person 161
Other Elements of Story 162
Where Do You Want to Take the Viewer? 165
Key Points 168
Chapter 15. Editing 169
Weaving the Threads Together 172
Preparing for the Edit 173
Hands-On Editing 176
Building the Story in the Editing Room 179
Working with an Editor 180
Crafting the Story 183
Finding Your Style 184
Key Points 186
Chapter 16. Feedback Screenings 187
A Reality Check 188
Stages of Feedback 188
Logistics 189
The Feedback Screening 191
Integrating Feedback 194
Key Points 195
Chapter 17. Finishing the Film 196
The Problem of "Not Finishing" 196
Obstacles to Finishing 199
Steps Toward Finishing a Film 208
Key Points 209
Chapter 18. What's Next for You? 211
Personal Growth 212
Feeling Exposed 212
What Now? 214
Moving On 215
Key Points 216
Chapter 19. Screening Your Movie 217
A Spectrum of Purposes 218
Screening Sizes 222
Existing Audiences 224
Virtual Audiences 229
The Business of Screenings 233
Reaching People Through Screenings 235
Key Points 236
Chapter 20. Publicity 237
Materials to Distribute 238
Working with the Media 240
Screenings for Publicity 244
Key Points 245
Chapter 21. Reaching Potential Viewers: Distribution 246
The Options 246
Professional Distribution 248
Self-Distribution 254
Study Guides 256
Outreach 256
Key Points 257
Conclusion 258
About the Authors 260
Index 262
"Masters at the art of making films who are willing to share their experiences with us."
-Stewart Cheifet, Producer,
Director & Writer of over one
thousand programs for PBS