Summary
Learn from a Production Executive who's worked with Oscar-winner Olivia Colman, Gerard Butler and Jamie Dornan
No matter what part of the film or TV making process you are involved in ultimately your job is to tell your story in the best way possible - on the page or on the screen. And, sometimes, if you get a story on the page you realize that there is no one better than you to be able to direct that vision.
Maybe you have a vision for the way your characters look or how they talk. Maybe you have a vision for a set piece that you just know, if shot just right, will make a scene perfect. Ultimately what's in your Mind's Eye can catapult you to be an excellent director for your project.
But, where do you begin?
Becoming a first time writer/director takes a lot of risk on both sides creative and professional. Creatively, you may not have the experience to be able to correctly execute your vision in the way your mind sees it. Professionally, a producer or financier has to take a risk on you and believe in you to make sure that they make back the money they invest in you.
Although this isn't an easy scenario for either side, the great news is that it can be done.
And, we've brought in a Stage 32 Educator who has helped do just that for first time writer/directors Britt Poulton and Dan Madison Savage whose film THEM THAT FOLLOW got produced by Gerard Butler, starred Oscar-winner Olivia Colman and screened at Sundance!
Josh Sathre is the Production Executive at Amasia Entertainment, where he was the executive on WILD MOUNTAIN THYME starring Jamie Dornan, Emily Blunt, Jon Hamm and Christopher Walken. He is also in active development on many of Amasia's projects with major studios. He is actively working with newer writer/directors and has seen incredible success...as long as they are prepared for the opportunity.
In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, Josh will teach you the ins and outs of what it takes to stand out as a writer/director in order for you to effectively get your shot at making your first feature film!
Testimonials for Josh:
"Josh is the real deal. His experience taking first time filmmakers Britt and Dan into a feature film starring Olivia Colman was extremely inspiring!" - Alan F.
"I feel so motivated. Thank you Josh." - Paul W.
"It makes my head spin how much control I actually have to be able to direct my own material. I'm mapping out my short film now. This crystalizes so many things for me and I liked the way he made it accessible in the webinar." - Amy A.
What You'll Learn
The First Time Filmmaker label
- What is the definition?
- Why are the gatekeepers hesitant to get behind a first-time filmmaker?
- How do you circumvent that label and keep the industry’s attention?
Case Study of Damien Chazelle and WHIPLASH
- Background of Damien Chazelle
- Steps he took to get to the feature film WHIPLASH
- The team behind Damien, how he got them and how they were instrumental in his success.
The Importance of Understanding the Industry Today
- How has streaming affected the industry and small indies
- Box office examples of “hits” from Miramax days vs today
- What is a studio’s role (like A24) and it’s importance for a first time filmmaker?
5 Most Common Hurdles for First Timers
- With case studies and examples
Tools to Help Overcome the Hurdles
- Something to “Point to”
- Shorts
- Commercials
- Music Videos
- Web content of note
- You need cheerleaders (preferably with experience)
- Producer
- Manager/Agent
- “Name” cast
- Film Festival & Screenplay Competitions
- Example of film festivals that “matter”
- Screenplay Competitions
- Example of competitions that “matter”
4 Must-Haves for First Time Filmmakers to Break In
- With practical examples
Q&A with Josh
Who Should Attend
- All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn the ins and outs of what it takes to stand out as a writer/director.
- All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn the ins and outs of what it takes to stand out as a writer/director.
- Producers looking to learn the ins and outs of what it takes to stand out as a writer/director.
- Actors looking to learn the ins and outs of what it takes to stand out as a writer/director.
Executive
Josh is the Production Executive at Amasia Entertainment, where he was the executive on WILD MOUNTAIN THYME starring Jamie Dornan, Emily Blunt, Jon Hamm and Christopher Walken and he served as Associate Producer on their feature film THEM THAT FOLLOW, produced with Gerard Butler, which premiered in Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival. He is also in active development on many of Amasia's projects with major studios. Prior to joining Amasia he worked for over a decade in freelance production.
He began his career in Chicago, producing micro-budget indie projects and working as an in-house shooter/editor for non-profit organizations. Eventually relocating to LA, he has worked in production on dozens of movies, TV shows, and video games.
Some of the films he worked on as the Production Coordinator include the Sundance Audience and Grand Jury Award-winning WHIPLASH, CAKE, and THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT.
Testimonials
Testimonials for Josh:
"Josh is the real deal. His experience taking first time filmmakers Britt and Dan into a feature film starring Olivia Colman was extremely inspiring!" - Alan F.
"I feel so motivated. Thank you Josh." - Paul W.
"It makes my head spin how much control I actually have to be able to direct my own material. I'm mapping out my short film now. This crystalizes so many things for me and I liked the way he made it accessible in the webinar." - Amy A.
Credits
