2023 Carmel Film Forum: How Hollywood Works; The Behind-The-Scenes Of Bringing A Motion Picture To The Screen

Moriarty Media is partnering with the Carmel Clay Public Library, Indy Film Fest, and Indiana Filmmakers Network to produce the 2023 Carmel Film Forum: How Hollywood Works; The Behind-The-Scenes Of Bringing A Motion Picture To The Screen. Production Manager/Line Producer Jennifer A. Haire, a feature film and television production professional with twenty-two years of experience, will implement the program.

Dates: 

Saturday, August 26, 2023, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (EDT) 

Sunday, August 27, 2023, 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM (EDT)

Age group: 16+

Event Type: Workshop/Lecture

Location: CARMEL CLAY PUBLIC LIBRARY (Community Room) 425 E. Main St. Carmel, Indiana 46032

Admission: FREE sign-up below.

Have you always dreamed of a behind-the-scenes career in the film and television industry? Are you ready to produce that script you've written? Are you curious about how your favorite shows are made? 

How Hollywood Works; The Behind-The-Scenes Of Bringing A Motion Picture To The Screen will inspire and educate the next generation of filmmakers and passionate hobbyists. This two-day workshop pulls back the curtain on industry-standard methods of scripted content production, focusing on the best-kept secret in Hollywood, Production Office operations.

Indiana's new Film and Media Tax Incentive has Hollywood knocking on the door of our state. The 2023 Carmel Film Forum will give Hoosiers the keys to growing our film and television industry. So are you ready to walk the red carpet?

Sponsors: City of Carmel and Roberts Camera. 

Attendees will learn the following:

• The traditional film or TV production timeline from pre-prep through wrap with key benchmarks that will help make your project run smoothly.

• The hierarchy, scope, and responsibilities of the above-the-line and below-the-line artistic creative and support crafts that bring a project's creative vision to life.  

• The importance and responsibilities of the Production Office and how it facilitates the needs of every department on the show. 

• How to break down a script into its production elements: common Hollywood production paperwork, how to read it, what it's for, and why.

• What it takes to succeed on a motion picture and how to maximize each opportunity to reach your Hollywood career goals.

• How to navigate your way through working freelance in film and television, including where to look for work, how to build experience, ways to adapt non-production work experience, guidance on networking, resumes, and interviewing.

• Responsible, independent filmmaking best practices. Addressing challenges and avoiding common mistakes when producing independent productions in a non-production hub.

• Personal "about you" pitch session and direct Q&A with speakers

• How to get involved with the local filmmaking community through Indy Film Fest and Indiana Filmmakers Network.
  
  

How Hollywood Works Sessions

DAY ONE (SATURDAY 8/26/23)

• Session 1: FROM GREEN LIGHT TO ACTION
  “Failure to plan, is a plan for failure.” Getting a project from an idea to principal photography requires intense creative and logistical planning. From hiring crew, designing shots, casting roles, building the creative scope, deciding where to film, how the cast and crew will be fed, where the equipment is coming from and countless other decisions are all part of the pre-production “dance” that must be uniquely choreographed with many team members. This lecture will provide an overview of a traditional film or TV timeline from pre-prep through wrap with key benchmarks that will help make your shoot run smoothly. 

• Session 2: COLLABORATION FOR THE CREATIVE VISION
  It can take an army to make a motion picture. Whether you have a crew of 30+ or you are personally wearing 30+ hats, each position on a film or television crew is vital to the creation process. Based on the traditional Hollywood structure, this session reveals the hierarchy, scope and responsibilities of the above-the-line and below-the-line artistic creative and support crafts that bring a project’s creative vision to life. Discussion includes why each crew position is necessary, how to navigate hiring compromises, and anticipate the benefits and challenges when working with various crew sizes.

• (Lunch) PERSONAL PITCH A SPEAKER Q&A
  First 20 sign ups will receive a free box lunch and direct participation. Observers welcome. Participants must prepare a 30 second personal pitch about themselves. Following the pitches, open question and answer with speakers.

• Session 3 BEHIND-THE-SCENES, THE PRODUCTION OFFICE
  From pre-production through wrap, the Production Office is the core of any film or TV production and is vital to the success of any show. It is the central communication center and the problem-solving nucleus. Every member of the cast, crew and staff will be in communication with the Production Office. The Production Coordinator manages the production office, supervises the production office staff and facilitates the needs of every department on the show. Learn the responsibilities of the Production Office and how the team interacts with every department to keep your show running smooth. The Production Coordinator and their team are the most sought after local first hires.

• Session 4 Session FROM THE SCRIPT TO THE SET; COMMUNICATION IS KEY
  Movies and Television require an abundance of paperwork to communicate many aspects of productions needs, creative or otherwise. Whether it is the foundation for the project (the script) or the document telling everyone what time to report to work (the callsheet) or the myriad of other paperwork dictating the who, what, where and when, deciphering it can be daunting and confusing. This session will review the process of breaking down a script into its production elements, how it is translated into common Hollywood production paperwork, an overview of how to read it, and what it’s for and why. Consider it movie making literacy 101. 

DAY TWO  (SUNDAY 8/27/23)

• Session 5: GUEST SPEAKER PANEL- HOLLYWOOD TO HOOSIERWOOD; RECOMMENDED BEST PRACTICES FOR INDEPENDENT PRODUCTIONS
  Dreaming of a career in the film and television industry? Expedite the transition from student or hobbyist to professional by avoiding common mistakes and using methods to successfully take the first steps in your career. Many entry level positions can launch you into a variety of industry career paths. Learn essential entry level job skills, how to perform as a professional in the workplace and give you the confidence to succeed from day 1. This session will unlock what it takes to succeed on a motion picture and how to maximize each opportunity to reach your Hollywood career goals. 

• Session 6: UNLOCKING SUCCESS IN THE FILM AND TV INDUSTRY
  Are you ready for a career in film and television? This session highlights the good, the bad and ugly of freelance employment. Discussion includes ensuring you get paid, unemployment, availability, where to look for work, how to build experience, ways to adapt non-production work experience, guidance on networking, resumes and interviewing. How to discern a professional vs passion project and the benefits of each.