Summary
An Information-Packed 4-part class with a Writer-Producer-Director With Hits On Lifetime, Apple TV, Amazon + handouts to help you with your projects!
Made-For-TV Movies are feature films that are released on streamers and TV networks without a theatrical release. These films are incredibly hot content for both PayTV/Cable networks and streamers alike right now and a great way to build your writing and filmmaking career.
Traditionally thought of as the romance, holiday, and thriller movies seen on networks like Lifetime and Hallmark, Made-For-TV Movies have seen a boom in viewership in recent years, which has resulted in the major streamers - Netflix, Amazon, Paramount+, Hulu, just to name a few - green-lighting numerous Made-For-TV Movies each year. The tried and true structure, tone, and pacing of Made-For-TV Movies are clearly striking a chord with audiences right now, as more and more people are tuning in for these types of movies. Everyone is getting into the Made-For-TV Movie business…and business is booming!
In this 4-session on-demand Stage 32 class, you will learn the step-by-step process of developing, writing and producing your own high quality Made-For-TV Movie for a cable network or streamer. You will be taught by Made-For-TV Movie guru Michelle Mower, whose debut film THE PREACHER’S DAUGHTER, starring Andrea Bowen (“Desperate Housewives”), garnered the highest ratings for Lifetime in 2021. With Made-For-TV Movies featured on Amazon and Apple TV, Michelle is a true expert in all aspects of making a Made-For-TV Movie - from development through production and distribution. Michelle will equip you with the necessary tools to conceive, sell, and produce your own successful Made-For-TV Movies.
While many writers, producers, and directors are clamoring to make Made-For-TV Movies with networks and streamers during this gold rush, many professionals aren’t well equipped to jump into the niche and deceivingly complex world of Made-For-TV Movies. For example, holiday films, thrillers and romance are some of the most in-demand genres for Made-For-TV Movies, but what types of stories/themes are programmers really wanting to buy? What type of cast do these movies feature? And how do you know if your idea will make a great Made-For-TV Movie? Many independent filmmakers approach the development of Made-For-TV Movies the same way they develop independent features, but there are distinct differences that must be considered if you want to make a successful Made-For-TV Movie.
Plus! Michelle will provide you with exclusive handouts to help develop and execute your current and future MOW projects! Downloads include:
- Michelle's Screenplay for THE PREACHER'S SIN
- A Made For TV Movie Shooting Schedule
- A Made For TV Movie Copyright/Licensing Deliverables List
- Copies of Michelle's Industry Blog Post
- An Example One-Sheet From A Made For TV Movie
You will walk away from this 4-part Stage 32 on-demand class with a comprehensive understanding of how you can successfully develop and sell your Made-For-TV Movie to a major network or streamer and how you can effectively produce the film to ensure it is a financial success and a hit with audiences.
Testimonials on Michelle's Work and Teaching:
"Michelle was incredibly helpful in getting my film in good shape to pitch to Netflix and Lifetime!" - Sammy C.
"Michelle is a wealth of knowledge on everything from screenwriting to the business side of selling your project. I'm lucky to have had the chance to work with her before taking my project forward!" - Alison L.
"I thoroughly enjoyed Michelle Mower's How to Develop, Sell & Produce Your Made-for-Television Movie. The creator of Lifetime's The Preacher movies gave us importantinsight and the essential tools needed to write compelling Made-for-TV movies viewers will watch over and over again. But, that's not all--she also opened up the world of developing and directing this jewel, covering every facet with tips to avoid production mishaps. It was an eye-opener. She's funny, down-to-earth and cares about paying-it-forward. You won't regret taking it." -Gayle R.
What You'll Learn
SESSION 1: It All Starts With A Great Story!
Story is everything in film, particularly when you're making a Movie Of The Week (MOW). With strict network and marketing requirements to fit into your story, it is critical you know what is expected of you when developing your MOW. This week we will go over all the essentials in how to develop story, structure, tone, and characters that will succeed in the MOW market.
- What tones and themes work for MOWs?
- Elements of a successful Holiday and Romance MOW
- Elements of a successful Thriller MOW
- How to structure your story for the MOW format
- Writing your 9-act MOW
- Writing a strong synopsis that will entice the network or streamer
- Writing a treatment that will get you the greenlight
- How to pitch your ideas to a cable network or streamer
- One pagers, pitch decks, and bibles - what will you need to sell your MOW?
- Writing great female and BIPOC characters
- Q&A with Michelle
SESSION 2: Developing Your MOW With A Network Or Streamer
MOWs are almost always developed alongside the studio or distributor, which comes with its own set of benefits and challenges. This week, we will discuss how you can work effectively and efficiently with your network or streamer to not only guarantee a quality film, but build a long lasting relationship for projects to come.
- Which distributor is the best for your particular story?
- How to connect with distributors or producers with output deals with networks and streamers
- Win the room - tips and tricks for once you get the meeting
- What to expect when you produce a MOW for a network or streamer - deliverables, workflow, and output
- Budgets & schedules
- Navigating network notes
- How to go from script to production with a network or streamer
- Working with the unions
- Casting MOWs
- How to build your team behind the camera
- Q&A with Michelle
SESSION 3: Directing your MOW
MOWs have a very particular look and feel to them, which has to come from the director. This week, we will dive deep into the creative choices you should make when directing your MOW and how you can run a great set while shooting your film.
- Weighing your artistic vision vs. the MOW formula (can you have both?)
- Preparation
- Creating your shot list
- Making a useful storyboard
- How to analyze the text to create a compelling scene on screen
- How to best work with your actors in a MOW
- On set rehearsals on a time (and budget) crunch
- Getting a good performance in three takes (or less)
- How to communicate with talent to build trust and empathy
- How to communicate your vision with your Director fo Photography and Key Crew
- Q&A with Michelle
SESSION 4: Post Production and Delivery
Your MOW will live on a network or streamer with specific formatting, programming, and marketing guidelines. It is imperative you create and deliver your film to coincide with these requirements. This week, we will discuss how to take your film through post-production to deliver a MOW that your distributor and audiences will love!
- What are the deliverables for network and streamers and how are they different than independent or studio projects?
- How to edit your film for ad-driven networks and streamers
- Sound design and sound technical requirements for television and streamers
- Music matters: creating a soundtrack for your film that will work on your targeted platforms
- How to ensure your final film meets all the required marketing requirements for this type of film
- Q&A with Michelle
WHAT TO EXPECT:
PLEASE NOTE: The opportunity to learn from an executive and an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity.
- This class is designed for beginner and intermediate students looking to learn the fundamentals of developing, selling, and producing a made-for-television movie of the week. This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed class with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
- This class will consist of four sessions, each roughly two hours in duration.
- PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class is now available to watch on-demand but we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.
Who Should Attend
All levels of filmmakers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) studying filmmaking, screenwriting, television production, or related disciplines, with an interest in TV movie content.
All levels of showrunners (advanced, intermediate and beginner) studying filmmaking, screenwriting, television production, or related disciplines, with an interest in TV movie content.
All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) studying filmmaking, screenwriting, television production, or related disciplines, with an interest in TV movie content.
Producers studying filmmaking, screenwriting, television production, or related disciplines, with an interest in TV movie content.
Actors studying filmmaking, screenwriting, television production, or related disciplines, with an interest in TV movie content.
Executive
Michelle Mower is an acclaimed writer, producer and director whose work has been featured on Lifetime, Apple TV, Amazon and many other platforms. Mower’s debut feature film THE PREACHER’S DAUGHTER, starring Andrea Bowen (“Desperate Housewives”), was picked up by Lifetime in 2012 and garnered the highest ratings for the network that year. This success lead Mower to write and direct three more telefilms for the network – A WOMAN BETRAYED (2013), THE PREACHER’S SIN (2015) and WHAT HAPPENED TO MY SISTER? (Fall, 2022).
In 2018, Mower produced and co-directed the political docu-series DAYNA STEELE: ROCK THE 36TH that followed a former radio DJ running for Congress as a Democrat in the “Reddest District in Texas”. The docu-series gave Mower a chance to interview her idol Joan Jett. This lead to her producing and directing political ads for the PAC Mothers Against Greg Abbott that were tweeted by some of her heroes, including Mark Hamill, Mark Ruffalo and George Takei.
Mower more recently directed the dark teen comedy THE NEVER LIST, starring Fivel Stewart, Jonathan Bennett and Booboo Stewart, that was released theatrically in the U.S. in December, 2020. Mower is currently in development on the independent feature film RUNNING FROM HORSES, a coming-of-age drama about a horse racing jockey and her tempestuous relationship with her alcoholic father/trainer.
In 2016, Mower acquired Imagination Worldwide, an international sales and distribution company based in Los Angeles. For 6 years, the company provided opportunities for talented female filmmakers to get their first feature films distributed both domestically and in dozens of territories worldwide. Some of the films distributed by Imagination Worldwide include Amber Tamblyn’s directorial debut “Paint It Black”, starring Alia Shawkat and Janet McTeer, and the 2018 SXSW Audience Award-Winning drama “The Light of the Moon”, directed by Jessica M. Thompson (“The Invitation”) and starring Stephanie Beatriz (“Encanto”, “Brooklyn 99”).
Michelle received her B.A. degree in Radio/Television from the University in Houston in 2000. In 2003, Michelle went to work for Southwest Alternate Media Project (SWAMP), a non-profit media arts organization based in Houston, where she organized monthly professional development workshops for filmmakers, after-school programs for at risk youth, independent film screenings at Rice University, monthly networking mixers and other special film-related events. Through her work with SWAMP, Michelle started Lights! Camera! Action! Summer Moviemaking Camp for teens and the annual Business of Film Conference at Rice University. She currently sits on the board of 4th Wall Theatre Company and on the advisory boards for University of Houston’s Valenti School of Communication, Texas Southern University’s School of Communication and Houston Community College Film & TV Department. Mower formerly served on the boards of Texas Motion Picture Alliance (TXMPA), Women In Film and Television Houston (WiFT-H) and Southwest Alternate Media Project (SWAMP).
Credits
People who bought this also bought
