How The Independent Filmmaker Labs Work
Each Lab is led by IFP staff and seasoned, independent producers who are the primary advisors for Lab projects. These Lab Leaders work with participants in advance of arrival, on-site in small group sessions, and serve as a resource throughout the life of the project.
Participants receive a dynamic system of peer & professional feedback and advice on specific technical, creative and post production issues through their interaction with top editors, composers, producers, sound designers and festival strategists, as well as sales, marketing, publicity, new media, and distribution experts.
In addition to Lab Leaders, each film is also paired with a one-on-one Lab Mentor. These top independent filmmakers and producers help Lab filmmakers to establish goals to prepare them for the Lab program – and beyond.
2010 Lab Curriculum
In addition to this project-specific mentorship, participants receive individual attention on their work through sessions led by industry professionals. Filmmakers participate in these open forums on specific technical, creative and post production issues such as:
- Editorial - strengthening your structure and story
- Music – collaborating with a composer, song selection, rights and clearances
- Exploring legal issues - navigating contracts and deliverables
- Film festivals - assessing your representation options, building your team, and evaluating your festival screening opportunities
- Publicity and marketing - building social networks, developing audience and creating the assets necessary to promote your film at festivals and beyond
- Distribution models - evaluating models to understand the best option
(alternative, DIY or traditional distribution] for your film Documentary-specific topics – reviewing archival footage and fair use
Additional Program & Participation Opportunities:
Independent Film Week
Alumni filmmakers are invited to participate in IFP’s Independent Film Week Project Forum and Filmmaker Conference, during which special programs will be presented. In 2009, these Lab alumni programs included one-to-one meetings with festival programmers and industry, including buyers, distributors, exhibitors and sales agents.
Documentary and Narrative Lab Showcase
A special “Sneak Preview” Showcase featuring 2-3 minute clips from all the current year Narrative and Documentary Lab films will be screened privately for an industry-only audience, as well in a public showcase during Independent Film Week.
Diversity Screenings
In our efforts to promote our diverse alumni filmmakers post-Labs, screenings of finished films will be held to showcase Lab Alumni films in New York and/or LA. These will be films directed by women or people of color who are seeking distribution or are self-distributing their films.
These screenings are supported by Time Warner and SAGIndie.
Post Labs Alumni Support
Throughout the life of the film, IFP promotes Lab Alumni projects during their festival and distribution cycle. In addition, IFP senior programming staff is available year-round to Lab Alumni for consultations as needed.
Additional promotions include:
- A press release announcing all projects selected for the Lab;
- A dossier promoting Lab projects sent to select festival programmers,sales reps and agents post-Labs;
- Advertising, email campaigns and promotional efforts at major festivals and markets throughout the year highlighting Lab films.
2009 Funding Opportunities:
Independent Filmmaker Lab Finishing Package The 2009 grant saw $90,000 in services from Goldcrest Post NY, Edgeworx Post, Gray Kraus LLP, International House of Publicity, The Tank, and 4over4.com. The 2009 Awards were granted to Documentary Lab alumnus War Don Don and Narrative Lab alumnus Stranger Things.
The Adrienne Shelly Director’s Grant:
This competitive award presented a female Narrative Lab alumnus director with an unrestricted cash grant of $5,000. Funding is provided by a generous grant from The Adrienne Shelly Foundation. The 2009 Award was granted to Perfection, directed by Christina Beck. |
