Film Independent, situated in Los Angeles, has many programs designed to help aspiring filmmakers. The only downsides to FIND programs are that you have to live in Los Angeles to participate and that the cost applying to the labs is higher than other similar programs.
Project:Involve 2011 DEADLINE MARCH 29TH
Project Involve is Film Independent’s signature diversity program, dedicated to increasing diversity in the film industry by cultivating the careers of under-represented filmmakers. The program, which runs from October through June, selects filmmakers from diverse backgroun ds and filmmaking tracks. During the nine-months, the Fellows are paired one-on-one with a mentor from the film industry, assigned to a team to make a short film incorporating a given theme, and attend monthly filmmaking workshops and other educational seminars.
Applications for Project involve are accepted in the following categories: Acquisitions/Distribution, Agent/Manager, Cinematography, Development Exec, Directing, Documentary, Editing, Film Programming, Marketing, Producing, Screenwriting, and Writer/Director
Another major option at film independent is the filmmaker labs. The alumni aren’t quite as prestigious as the Sundance crowd, but there are many good opportunities to be had.
The Director’s Lab DEADLINE OCTOBER 4TH 2010 – Application Fee $75 ($55 for FIND Members) – 8 projects.
the Directors Lab is an intensive eight-week program running in Los Angeles in February and March. The primary focus of the Lab is on learning to work with actors and the rehearsal process. Under the guidance of the lab instructor, Directors Lab Fellows select short scenes from their scripts to workshop. Additionally, Fellows go through a mini-production, learning how to break down a script into a shot list, collaborate with cinematographers, and construct a scene in the editing process. Film Independent provides the Lab participants with camera and sound packages to shoot their scenes. All scenes will be shot on digital video and critiqued by the Lab Instructor as well as the other Lab participants.
The Screenwriter’s Lab DEADLINE MARCH 2 2010 – Application Fee $75 ($55 for FIND Members) – 10 projects.
Participants meet two to three evenings per week in Los Angeles in August and September. ”The Lab is designed to help screenwriters improve their craft, develop their voices as writers, and take their current scripts to the next level. During the Lab, Fellows receive feedback on their scripts from the Lab instructor, outside advisors, and the other writers in the program.”
A really excellent part of submitting to this lab is that you receive coverage from a reader. Coverage can run around $150 depending on who you get it from. You can also resubmit projects to FIND Labs, which is not as possible at Sundance.
Fast Track DEADLINE FEBRUARY 1 2010 – Application Fee $75 ($55 for FIND Members)
Fast Track is a film financing market that takes place during the Los Angeles Film Festival designed to help narrative and documentary filmmakers move their current projects forward. During three days of intensive meetings, Fast Track connects filmmakers with financiers, production companies, and other industry professionals. This highly selective program is open to established as well as up-and-comThe Ning filmmakers with exceptional projects still seeking funding. Participants accepted into Fast Track are also eligible for a $10,000 production grant awarded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Fellows from the labs also have the opportunity to receive a number of grants from FIND.
