Master Classes - Wednesday, February 5, 2003
(3 classes per person)

Back by popular demand, these pre-conference workshops give small groups time and space to interact with industry leaders. For $300 on top of the two-day registration fee, registrants are guaranteed three different sessions, on a first come, first served basis.

9.15am - 10.45am

Dealing With Stock Footage
Presented by:
Jeff Goodman, President, Producers Library Service, Inc.
Lisa Oberhofer, Director, Operations, BBC Library Sales at CBS News Archive

Sooner or later, every documentary filmmaker will need to deal with film and video archives, whether you're making a clip show or just need that one specific stock shot. How do you budget for stock, navigate through myriad websites to find footage and protect yourself in license agreements? Hire a researcher or do it in-house? Just where are the non-traditional sources?

OR

*FULL*  The Final Frontier: An Independents' Guide to International Coproduction
Presented by:
Louise Rosen, Managing Director, Louise Rosen Ltd.

Development, production and marketing tips for international coproductions.

10.45am - 11.00am - Network Break

11.00am - 12.30pm

*FULL*  Faster, Cheaper And In Control: New Technologies and Documentary Production
Presented by:
Jeff Tuchman, Director/Writer, Documania Films

Cheaper, better cameras, editing systems and post-production tools, have created major new possibilities, particularly for small, independent producers. This master class will explore the implications of new technologies -- from the internet, to digital video, to wireless networks, to new graphic solutions -- for the budgeting, scheduling, production and post-production of documentary television. Two case studies; a verité-style hour-long investigative doc and a 4-part historical series will be featured to illustrate exactly how things have changed.

OR

*FULL*  Evaluating the Production Budget
Presented by:
Andy Halper, Sr. Producer, News and Public Affairs, Thirteen/WNET & Sr. Producer - Wide Angle
Julie Schapiro Thorman, Sr. Project Manager, Thirteen/WNET

Is there such a thing as the "perfect" production budget? This session will define the parameters of what you should include in your production budget in order to ensure that you have maximum financial control over your film as well as making the budget negotiation process as painless as possible with the broadcasters and other potential funding partners.

12.30pm - 1.30pm - Lunch

1.30pm - 3.00pm

*FULL*  Effective Story Telling
Presented by:
Carol L. Fleisher, President, Fleisherfilm, Inc.
Alex Gregory, Executive Producer, TV Gregory
Make your scripts better. When does the picture lead and when do the words? How do you know if your structure is right? How do you write your way out of a jam? What makes some scripts soar above the commonplace?

OR

Outreach: Great Opportunity or a Necessary Burden?
Presented by:
Mark Shelley, President, Sea Studios Inc.
A television broadcast will come and go, but a good outreach effort can be enduring. Outreach is an important component of many projects and is often a requirement for foundation or government funding. What is it? Who can a producer turn to for assistance or resources? And how do you measure its effectiveness?

3.15pm - 4.45pm

*FULL*  The Art of the Pitch
Presented by:
Gary Cohen, President, DocuMENTOR Seminars
Your written proposal and your verbal pitch are the two most important tools in selling your idea. This master class will provide insights on how you can improve your proposals and pitching strategies to enhance your success in getting shows made."

OR

Intellectual Property: Copyrights and Trademarks
Presented by:
Sylvia Strobel, Sr. Partner, Lehmann Strobel PLC
Producers create and license material everyday. Much of the material is protected under copyright and trademark law. But what is a copyright? How does a trademark differ from a copyright? This session will discuss the nuts and bolts of developing, obtaining and protecting intellectual property as well as the fair use defense and moral rights of artists.

5.00 - 7.00 - Pre-Summit Drinks