San Francisco Film Society

PROFESSIONAL INTENSIVES

23 Ideas About Making Short Films
Taught by Mitchell Block
Thursday, November 6; 7:00–10:00 pm
Ninth Street Independent Film Center
Enrollment limited to 20
Enroll Online: $75 (SFFS member) / $95 (General Public)

Give your film its best shot at success. View excerpts from documentary, animated and live-action films to learn specifically what makes a short film work and how to avoid common mistakes. Learn how to design short works that can be produced with modest budgets, small crews and short production schedules. Leave with new ideas for crafting short films that can win awards, make money and get you work as a filmmaker. With over 30 years of experience, Mitchell Block is able to provide specific ideas about how to make the best possible short film to accomplish these goals. Whether you are a student or a professional, Block has seen thousands of short films and has handled the marketing and distribution of over 40 Oscar-winning and -nominated works.

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Documentary Tune-Up
Taught by Mitchell Block
Friday, November 7; 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Ninth Street Independent Film Center
Enrollment limited to 20
Enroll Online: $150 (SFFS member) / $175 (General Public)

This daylong workshop is intended to help you decide if that dream doc is worth pursuing. Can’t find funding? No one wants to invest? Why isn’t it attracting funding from a studio, network or cable company? Is it the package? The proposal? The idea? Maybe it’s the idea or the project. Get a documentary proposal check-up and tune-up. Ideas or projects at any stage of development are welcome. We will spend the day reviewing a number of projects as a group. Explore how the doc can be tuned up, who might produce it, how to pitch it, what is needed to sell it and which broadcasters should be considered. Find ways to make your packaging bankable. Develop hard information to integrate into your business plan.

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Financing and Producing Documentaries
Taught by Mitchell Block
Saturday, November 8; Sunday, November 9; 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Ninth Street Independent Film Center
Enrollment limited to 20
Enroll Online: $285 (SFFS member) / $300 (General Public)

Learn to design a successful documentary by looking at specific case studies. Explore the ins and outs of both for profit and nonprofit fundraising, distribution and marketing opportunities. Learn how to best package your work to attract funding and select festivals. Share your ideas or projects at any stage of production and have them evaluated as part of the class. For projects that are not ready to go public, the instructor will provide a personal analysis of the work’s possible markets and funding sources as well as advice on the marketability of the project.

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Mitchell Block Weekend Special
Taught by Mitchell Block
Thursday, November 6, 7:00–10:00 pm;
Friday–Sunday, November 7–9,
10:00 am–5:00 pm
Ninth Street Independent Film Center
Enrollment limited to 12
Enroll Online: $400 (SFFS member) / $425 (General Public)

For a special discounted price, take 23 Ideas About Making Short Films, Documentary Tune-up and Financing and Producing Documentaries—three very valuable classes on topics ranging from narrative shorts to full-length documentaries. View the specific class for an overview of what is covered in each class. This is the first semester this bargain rate has been offered. Please note: Classes are also offered individually.

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WRITING AND DOCUMENTARY STRUCTURE

Screenwriting I
Taught by Lisa Rosenberg
Thursdays, 7:00–10:00 pm
October 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, December 4, 11, 18
San Francisco Film Centre
Enrollment limited to 16
Enroll Online: $345 (SFFS member) / $375 (General Public)

Screenwriting I—the first course of a new sequence of Screenwriting I, II and III—will introduce you to the art of storytelling for the screen. The work of learning screenwriting will be both practical and intuitive as you study unique storytelling structure en route to making dramatic stories come alive. The basics will be covered: three-act structure, plot vs. theme, conflict, character development, effective dialogue and momentum, as well as the use of space and silence and the mythic underpinnings of stories. Ongoing written peer critiques, reading, film viewing and short analytical assignments will complete the work. The goal of the three-course sequence will be to complete a first draft of a feature-length screenplay. Required text: Making a Good Script Great, Second Edition, by Linda Seger.

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Structuring the Story-Driven Documentary SOLD OUT
Taught by Karen Everett
Saturday November 1; Sunday, November 2;
9:00 am–5:00 pm
Ninth Street Independent Film Center
Enrollment limited to 14
Enroll Online: $180 (SFFS member) / $200 (General Public)

Acquisition execs from HBO, PBS and Sundance all want story-driven films that deliver an engaging story rather than delivering a meandering essay. Whether you are a novice making your first nonfiction film or a seasoned veteran, this acclaimed, information-packed weekend seminar promises to reveal the essential building blocks to an engaging, plot-driven documentary. What can documentary filmmakers learn from the screenwriter’s three-act structure? Learn the lore of dramatic structure, view screen clips from award-winning contemporary docs and analyze case studies. Construct narrative devices such as inciting incident, midpoint, backstory, climax and epilogue. Learn ideas and strategies for honing in on structural problems that students can then use in their own films. The seminar is geared for those in both pre- and post-production.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

How to Ask People for Money
Taught by Holly Million
Tuesday, December 2; Wednesday,
December 3; 7:00–10:00 pm
San Francisco Film Centre
Enrollment limited to 16
Enroll Online: $180 (SFFS member) / $200 (General Public)

The universe of foundations that support films rarely changes, except that it is shrinking. At the same time, new filmmakers emerge every day, and all of them are applying to exactly the same places. That is why you must do individual fundraising. Individual fundraising gives you more control, easier access and more solid long-term relationships that keep paying off in the future. This class features a lively, hands-on process to help filmmakers craft the messages and tools they need to approach individual donors. You will put this information to work during the class and become prepared to take your show on the road. The second night of the class includes a mock pitch session with a panel representing potential funders.

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Fiscal Sponsorship
Taught by Michele Turnure-Salleo
Tuesday, November 11; 7:00–10:00 pm
San Francisco Film Centre
Enrollment limited to 20
Enroll Online: $40 (SFFS member) / $50 (General Public)

Whether you are a filmmaker with a seed of an idea, heading into production, have just finished your rough cut or are putting your distribution strategy into action, fiscal sponsorship can help you access much needed funds from foundations and individual donors. How do you apply for fiscal sponsorship? What is a proposal that foundations will want to see and potentially fund? And how can a fiscal sponsorship program set you on the right course for your particular project?

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Forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and Financing Issues
Taught by Richard J. Lee
Tuesday, October 21; 7:00–10:00 pm
Ninth Street Independent Film Center
Enrollment limited to 16;
Enroll Online: $180 (SFFS member) / $200 (General Public)

If you are trying to raise money with investors or are concerned about limiting your liability for a production you are working on, you may need to set up an LLC. Richard J. Lee, an experienced attorney in the area of independent media productions, discusses the various forms your offering or business can take, the basics of the securities laws regarding investors and how to form the entity.

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APPRECIATION

Film Criticism I
Taught by Sean Uyehara
Thursday, December 4; 7:00–10:00 pm
Ninth Street Independent Film Center
Enrollment limited to 16
Enroll Online: $150 (SFFS member) / $175 (General Public)

What are the criteria used by film critics when they develop their essays, reviews and recommendations? Why is it that two respected critics often disagree about the value of the same film? To be sure, many critics simply tell you what they like and don’t like, relying on nothing but their taste and culture. This class will introduce you to some of the major rubrics of film criticism: ontology, epistemology, ideology, aesthetics and realism and provide a foundation to help you glean the specific reasons for critical responses to films.

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Issues in World Cinema
Taught by Graham Leggat
Wednesday, November 19; 7:00–10:00 pm
San Francisco Film Centre
Enrollment limited to 16
Enroll Online: $150 (SFFS member) / $175 (General Public)

Film is a business and a demanding one. Even the smallest productions are shaped by their economics, fore and aft. But at the same time, most of the tens of thousands of films made each year—some of them by you, dear readers—add up to much more than the sum of their budget lines. Most are aimed well beyond their financial exigencies, and, individually and collectively, they offer an essential snapshot of contemporary society as it is coming into being. This wide-ranging talk and discussion surveys the international film scene, world-making and the world. Participants are encouraged to come prepared with searching questions and astute observations.

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Ethics in Documentary
Taught by Bill Nichols
Tuesday, December 9; 7:00–10:00 pm
San Francisco Film Centre
Enrollment limited to 16
Enroll Online: $150 (SFFS member) / $175 (General Public)

Are there foundational ethical principles for documentary filmmaking as there are in medicine or journalism? If so, why have they not be codified and promoted? If not, what guiding principles come into play? What is the filmmaker’s responsibility to his or her subjects? Does signing a release mean giving up all rights? When is payment or other support for subjects appropriate? How much can actual events or behavior be shaped before it becomes distorted? What does the filmmaker owe his or her audience? What builds trust, what erodes it? Questions like these will be the focus of this discussion.

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MEET THE MAKER

My First Film
There’s nothing like looking back on an event for clarity, knowledge and entertainment—and there’s nothing like the first time at filmmaking. As any filmmaker will tell you, your first film is as about as big as life events get. Join us for the new series, My First Film. Listen to the stories of artists each month as they describe their experiences with their first films. And whether it was the worst or the best of experiences, it is still nice to remember.

My First Film: Dale Djerassi
Taught by Dale Djerrassi
Friday, October 24; 7:00–9:00 pm
San Francisco Film Centre
Enrollment limited to 20
Enroll Online: $20 (SFFS member) / $30 (General Public)

Join us for a night with Dale Djerassi as he remembers the making of Koko, a Talking Gorilla, the feature length documentary he produced about the famed sign language speaking gorilla.

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My First Film: Logan and Noah Miller
Taught by Logan and Noah Miller
Friday November 21; 7:00-–9:00 pm
San Francisco Film Centre
Enrollment limited to 20
Enroll Online: $20 (SFFS member) / $30 (General Public)

Join us for a night with the Miller brothers as they remember Touching Home. (SFIFF 51), their intensely autobiographical film set in a small northern California town.

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PRODUCTION

The Craft of Producing
Taught by Vivian Kleiman
Wednesday, November 12; 7:00–10:00 pm
San Francisco Film Centre
Enrollment limited to16
Enroll Online: $150 (SFFS member) / $175 (General Public)

A good idea for a documentary film is a great start, but producing it can be a challenge. This intensive seminar will explore the fundamental tasks required to produce an indie documentary. It is especially designed to guide filmmakers who’ve already made their first film and don’t want to repeat the same mistakes: budgeting, planning and key legal issues.

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Red One Camera Orientation
Taught by Mike Epple
Tuesday, December 9; Wednesday, December 10, 7:00–10:00 pm
Ninth Street Independent Film Center
Enrollment limited to 12
Enroll Online: $165 (SFFS member) / $185 (General Public)

This two-day workshop will cover the Red One Camera through prep, production and conversion of RAW master files to several formats needed for postproduction. Day one will cover the camera system, menu, compatible lenses, recordable media and accessories, as well as its different formats and record modes. Day two will cover working with the camera in different practical situations, downloading and backing up recorded media and transcoding the RAW footage into a final deliverable format.

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Panasonic HD HVX200 Camera Orientation
Taught by David Walter Lech
Tuesday, November 18; Wednesday, November 19, 7:00–10:00 pm
Ninth Street Independent Film Center
Enrollment limited to 12
Enroll Online: $165 (SFFS member) / $185 (General Public)

Get an in-depth look into the Panasonic HVX200 HD camera, covering both advanced pointers and basic operation on the first evening. Topics covered include recording media, shooting techniques, scene files and a general Hi-Definition overview. Get tips on which recording format to shoot in, using filters with HD, as well as on-set usage and protocol. The second class examines the workflow that HD users must set up in order to have an efficient and properly functioning film set and postproduction process. Topics which will be covered include importing media through P2 cards and developing the best workflow for your project, proper media organization, what is needed in production vs. what can be accomplished in post, necessary system specs and a number of other tips.

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Sound Basics
Taught by Dan Olmsted
Wednesday–Thursday,
October 15–16; 7:00–10:00 pm
Ninth Street Independent Film Center
Enrollment limited to 12
Enroll Online: $150 (SFFS member) / $175 (General Public)

Sound can make or break your project. Learn about boom technique, strategizing for weather, choosing and trouble-shooting locations for sound and post solutions for problematic recordings. Get to know the range of microphones and recording devices available and when and why to use them.

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DV Camera Basics
Taught by Jason Wolos
Wednesday, October 22; 7:00–10:00 pm
Ninth Street Independent Film Center
Enrollment limited to 12
Enroll Online: $100 (SFFS member) / $125 (General Public)

To shoot great video you need to know the essentials. Perfect for first-time shooters and people who want to improve their shooting skills, this class will cover the basic operations of DV cameras as well as aesthetic considerations and more. Don’t just capture footage, create memorable high-quality digital video no matter which camera you use. You will also learn good audio recording techniques and other tips and tricks to getting the shot. Students are welcome to bring their own video camera or follow along with ours.

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ONLINE CLASSES

New online classes have been designed with input from our seasoned instructors. We will continue to create online versions of many of our celebrated and newly developed classes. Those who are unable to utilize the San Francisco Film Centre and Ninth Street Independent Film Center locations will now be able to access our classes worldwide. For every session newly developed online educational opportunities will be added in fields like screenwriting, production and professional development. Our goal is to offer our same personal, relevant instruction taught by working professionals, but now online as well. Keep checking sffs.org for newly added online classes.

Learn Online with Donna Eyestone
The following four online classes are uniquely designed to bring beginning online media users into the essential world of online digital communication. If you are hesitant about taking classes online or working with digital media—or just ambivalent toward the computer in general—Donna Eyestone will ease your concerns and guide you through a world of limitless creativity and community. Students progress at their own pace, working through weekly assignments aided by learning materials posted by the instructor. Moreover, the class participates in a free exchange of ideas and information posted on an online message monitored by Donna Eyestone. These classes are designed to be gateway educational experiences that will help students access a growing list of online course offerings.

Digital Imaging Basics
Taught by Donna Eyestone
Saturday, November 15–Saturday, December 13
Enroll Online: $40 (SFFS member) / $50 (general)

Using your computer to create and alter images is a fantastic way to engage an audience, whether that’s via presentation, film or promotional materials. Learn how your computer processes images and understand common file formats to use with your images. This class—the second in a series of four—is designed to help students get their films or presentations noticed with images that demand attention.

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Digital Audio Production Basics
Taught by Donna Eyestone
Sunday, February 1–Sunday, March 1
Enroll Online: $40 (SFFS member) / $50 (general)

Record your spot. Your computer can be a powerful digital audio editing workstation right now. This class—the third in a series of four—is designed to help students learn about how their computer processes audio, file formats, quality and file size trade-offs and the basics of Internet radio and podcasting.

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Digital Video Production Basics
Taught by Donna Eyestone
Sunday, March 1–Sunday, March 29
Enroll Online: $40 (SFFS member) / $50 (general)

Learn how to get your latest trailer or short film on the Web. You can do digital video production right now on your own computer. This class—the fourth in a series of four—is designed to help students learn about how the computer records video, including file formats, and the basics of editing. Both production and compression are covered.