Film Workshops & Student Seminars - The Reel World: Oct. 2008
The Miami Film Association is proud to offer specialty workshops for independent filmmakers and students a-like. Covering all topics related to film production & film industry networking, from script-writing to cinematography, sound-design, editing, special & visual effects creation, to pitching, marketing and releasing films, as well as the film festival and studio systems. Whether you're a first-time filmmaker, or a veteran of the indie world, if there is ever something you wanted to know, keep an eye-out for a workshop that will help you get your questions answered! MFA will also regularly work with other regional organizations to help promote additional workshops around the region. In addition, if you're an industry professional who would like to give a workshop, please let us know.

**COMING IN OCTOBER, 2008: "The Reel World"
The Reel World will be a 3-Night series of 2-hr workshops focusing primarily on the ins and outs of the current independent and hollywood systems, including specific focuses on how the industry actually works, including direct first-hand experiences, and in-depth focuses on common mistakes made by inexperienced and/or new filmmakers looking to get ahead in the industry. These workshops will be directed towards an audience with little to no experience in film, who may be considering starting a career in entertainment. Workshops will be presented by MFA Exec Director and award-winning Director/Producer JC Schroder, with varied industry guest speakers based on the focus of each night.

10/12/08 - "How to Get A Quality Movie Made On A Budget" - A realistic approach to filmmaking focusing on how to break into the industry, building a reel and producing quality films that will not only attract attention but potentially get you hired on to new projects and tips on how to make those first few films from writing to financing through production. Guest Speaker TBA - There will be a time for Q&A following the workshop.

10/19/08 - "The First-Time Director/Producer: Things you NEED to Know" - Everyone wants to Direct, but very few actually understand what it means to direct and what separates a good director from a bad director. This workshop will focus on explaining what it means to direct various types of productions, more specifically how to get the most out of a production, including common mistakes made by inexperienced directors and tips on everything ranging from Casting, to working with Professional Actors & Crew, As well as specific insights from several special guests (eg. Actor, Cinematographer, and PA) who will chat about their personal experiences working for multiple directors (good and bad) with varied directing styles. There will be a time for Q&A following the workshop.

10/26/08 - "Distribution 101 - Festival vs. Independent vs. Studio" - Ok, so you've finally made a film, but how do you get it out to the world? This workshop will focus on each of the key areas of the modern distribution system, including in-depth insights into how film festivals & studios work (what they're looking for and how they select films) as well as other new options like online distribution, vendors, and common scams. Guest Speaker "Michael Katchman": Former VP of Distribution for MGM, LionsGate and FirstLook. There will be a time for Q&A following the workshop.

Workshop Fee: $25.00 per workshop OR $70.00 for all three (purchased in advance). Workshops are held at the MIAMI UNIVERSITY Shriver Center, in Oxford, OH, and will begin at 7:00pm nightly. Advance registration is required.