Producing Independent Film, TV, and Video: A Real-World Guide, Part I

Producers are credited on every film, television, and media project made. They are crucial—even seminal—to each and every production, no matter how big or small. Yet, even as a pivotal position in the creative and practical process of making a film, TV show, or media project, the title, “Producer” is perhaps the least understood of all the collaborators involved. What is a producer? This course answers that question, examining what a producer actually does in the creation of screen-based media and the many hats one, or a small army of producers, may wear at any given time. Students will explore the role of the producer in the filmmaking, television, and video process from the moment of creative inspiration through project development and proposal writing, financing, physical production—indeed, down to,the nuts-and-bolts aspects of script breakdown, budgeting, scheduling, and delivering a film, TV, or video project. Students will gain hands-on experience in developing projects, breaking them down into production elements, and crafting schedules and budgets, as well as learn pitching skills and packaging strategies. Course work includes proposal and treatment writing, script breakdown, scheduling and budgeting, pitching, and final project presentation. Conference projects may include the producing of a film or media project by a student in another filmmaking production class at Sarah Lawrence College, a case study of several films from the producer perspective, the development and pre-production of a proposed future “virtual” film or video project, and the like. A practical course in the ways and means of producing, the class will consider the current state of producing through case studies, nuts-and-bolts production software and exercises, and guest producers, directors, actors, and industry professionals currently working in film and television. Designed to provide real-world producing guidance, the course provides filmmakers and screenwriters with a window on the importance of and mechanics pertaining to the producing discipline and a practical skill set for seeking work in the filmmaking and media making world after Sarah Lawrence College.