Monday, July 28, 1997
Industry experts teach students how to sell their film ideas to
Hollywood in UCLA’s Summer Workshop.By Aimee Phan
Daily Bruin Staff
One of the most popular occupations in Hollywood is the
"aspiring filmmaker," with an emphasis on the aspiring part.
Growing competition amongst producers and directors has created a
greater appeal for film students to enroll in specialized
workshops, all in the name of getting ahead in "the biz."
Students can learn the ropes of this cut-throat business at the
UCLA Summer Workshop in Producing. The program provides a complete
overview of how to produce a film and guides students through the
film and television industries.
While a slew of Hollywood artists are aching to make their
films, the business side of tinsel town simply prods for profit.
Unfortunately, creativity is often halted due to a lack of
financial support. And while these new filmmakers may have taken
classes on editing and cinematography, some may be unprepared to
play the Hollywood game  pitching ideas, compromising and
schmoozing.
But now, classes aimed at these aspects of the biz are being
offered as well.
Since the end of June, the UCLA School of Theater, Film and
Television Professional Program has been holding a 12-week summer
workshop providing students with insider tips. Pitching movie ideas
and programming and developing film projects are just a few of the
skills taught in the classes.
"The Summer Workshop in Producing provides 50 students from
across the U.S. and internationally to gain a greater understanding
of the intricacies of the Hollywood film and television
industries," says Denise Mann, vice chair of the Independent
Producers Program at UCLA.
Stephanie Moore, coordinator of the Professional Programs at
UCLA, says the workshop is beneficial for producers seeking
involvement in the entire process of filmmaking. Involvement spans
from the first steps of writing or discovering a film script to the
final editing or distribution processes.
"The producer is involved throughout the entire making of a
film," Moore says. "This class is for producers who want to get
directly involved in the process instead of just putting up the
money."
The workshop, which is held Monday through Thursday evenings,
features classes that emphasize production. They include Production
Planning for an Independent Feature, Marketing/Distribution of a
Low-Budget Independent Feature, Story Development, TV Series
Development/Production, International Financing and others.
Students receive valuable information from the class materials,
but also have the added benefit of instructors’ expert advice.
Using the shared insight of industry insiders, Mann says that the
instructors’ careers serve as positive models.
For instance, Lisa Neeley, a development executive at HBO,
employs practical exercises in writing coverage, story notes, and
even production meetings. Neeley uses mock writer/executive pitch
meetings to improve upon students’ personal interaction
techniques.
Focusing more on the business end of the workshop is Cameron
Jones, an entertainment attorney. He will cover topics ranging from
international finance to negotiation strategies.
Taught by established professionals in the industry, the
workshop is also an excellent "connections" headquarters. Students
can mingle and find internships with reputable film studios. Mann
sees the program as a means for students to meet people who run the
film industry.
"The advantages of having professionals teach these courses is
their up- to-the-minute expertise in their respective areas," Mann
says.
Some of the students enrolled in the workshop have already taken
advantage of these connections by finding internships through the
workshop. The jobs usually entail working closely with professional
directors, producers and other respected occupations in the motion
picture industry.
"Since we have many professionals from different companies
involved in the workshop, students do have an opportunity for
internships," Moore says.
Although this comprehensive class gives students a better
understanding and slightly more edge in Hollywood, both Mann and
Moore agree that successful careers will ultimately come down to
the individuals.
"The film industry is very competitive," Moore admits. "This
course will teach them how to get their own projects off the
ground, but they will need tenacity, persistence, and a realistic
but optimistic outlook. They’re going to hear ‘no’ thousands of
times, but they can’t let that stop them from their goals."
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"The film industry is very competitive," Moore admits. "This
course willteach them how to get their own projects off the ground,
but they will needtenacity, persistence, and a realistic but
optimistic outlook. They’re going to hear no thousands of times,
but they can’t let that stop them from their goal."
After looking at the students in the class, Mann is assured that
the prospective filmmakers will find success in each other career
paths.
"Fortunately, the students in the program bring a great deal of
energy and enthusiasm to the task ahead of them," Mann says. "While
I have great confidence in each of them will come closer to
discovering their unique path, ultimately, each student’s future
success will depend on the degree of passion and dedication to
learning and focus he or she brings to the process."