DATE: 11/1/23 - 11/30/23
LOCATION: Online
INSTRUCTOR: Kathy Berardi
PRICE: STANDARD REGISTRATION: $200 NON MEMBERS – Now until November 15th

Save $50 if you register by October 17th with discount code: SHORT50

ATLFS Member discounts applied at checkout

Taught online as a 4-part series, Kathy Berardi is offering a November 2023 workshop in which attendees will receive A to Z guidance on how to successfully write, produce and direct a short film. Filmmakers in all roles of the creative process will learn how to select fellow lead team members, how to effectively collaborate, and the following comprehensive highlights:

• The Beginning Steps to Make a Short

• How to Write Your Short

• Produce a Short like an Indie Film

• Direct in a Collaborative Way

• Build Experience to Launch a Film Career

• And network with other students who can help you make your film!

All coursework will be made available online and filmmakers will be able to connect with the instructor and each other throughout the month of July on class topics, assignments and questions. The class each week will go in-depth on the following 4 topics:

Class 1: SO, YOU WANT TO MAKE A SHORT FILM?

• An Introduction to the Most Important Steps in the Filmmaking Process

You have an idea for a short film. Or, you may be currently stalled on the story in progress for a short film that should be underway. This class will cover the soup to nuts overview of the questions you need to ask yourself as a filmmaker to ensure the idea for your short film is worthwhile, and the essential steps you need to take to move into the planning and production phase of your short film.

This class will provide:

• A checklist of questions to ask yourself about the idea behind your film to truly vet it as worthwhile

• Guidance on the team members you should have in place from step one

• Preparatory steps you should take to familiarize yourself with short films as an independent medium to ensure a tight and efficient production

• Tips for funding and creating the timeline and plan to ensure a definite start and end date to your film

Hand-outs and examples of supporting materials will be provided. As needed, the instructor will also make recommendations for outside reading resources. 

Class 2: IT ALL STARTS & ENDS WITH THE STORY

• Deep-Dive Into the Crucial Storytelling Elements of a Successful Short Film

The screenwriter is the specific person responsible for putting the words to the page that will tell the story. However, all of the lead creative roles on the short film – including the director and producer – are essential to the storytelling process. Takeaways from this class for filmmakers specializing in writing, directing or producing will include:

• How to effectively brainstorm as a team ahead of the “pre-production” phase of a short film

• Collaborative tactics to embrace valuable feedback from all sources and seek outside neutral validation on the soundness of the story’s structure, plot and characters

• Screenwriting tips on script formatting, structure and key elements to develop characters and a plot that quickly engage a short film audience

Hand-outs and examples of supporting materials will be provided. As needed, the instructor will also make recommendations for outside reading resources. 

CLASS 3: PRODUCING YOUR SHORT FILM

• Someone's Got to Do It & Why It Should Be You

The vast majority of short films are independent productions, with many of the key creative team members holding more than one designated role on the project. If you’re a writer with sound organizational skills – you should seek out the opportunity to learn and lead and be one of the producers on the film as well. If you’re a lead actor or director whose name and reputation are riding on the film – you should definitely be involved in a key producing capacity on the film. If you’re strictly a well-organized, go-getter of a producer looking to deliver an amazing short film – partnering with talented writers, actors and directors is the key way to landing future positions and projects. To ensure everyone has enough information to be dangerous when it comes to knowing how a short film should successfully be produced, the following will be covered in this session:

• Definition of different producers, and roles (i.e. the “investor-producer”, the budget-balancing “line producer”, the “creative” producer involved in casting and artistic decisions with the director)

• The key elements and how-to’s of producing during each phase (pre-production, production, and post-production)

• Why the producer’s job never ends – key elements after the film is complete to effectively market and distribute the film (tactics such as what film festivals are most valuable; web distribution options; and high-impact, affordable marketing tactics)

Hand-outs and examples of supporting materials will be provided. As needed, the instructor will also make recommendations for outside reading resources. 

CLASS 4: LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! DIRECTING YOUR SHORT FILM WITH A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

This class will give guidance regarding how to effectively work as or with a film’s director in a collaborative effort, and how to be selective about the projects you work on depending on the director’s attitude, openness to total team involvement, and commitment to completing a high-quality film.

Specifically, attendees of class #4 will learn the following steps it takes to successfully direct a short film:

• Important directing decisions and preparations to make ahead of starting a short film

• How to recruit and select key creative team members who will deliver on the vision you intend for your film

• When to be strategic and practical; and when to set boundaries to allow for artistic and visual creative time in every phase of the production

• When and how to take constructive feedback from team members and outside, credible sources for the ultimate benefit of the short film

• How to balance artistic vision with budgetary limitations

*Please note that livestream webinars for this course are held every Saturday from 10am - 11am during the month of November, beginning on November 4th, which will be recorded and made available for playback on demand if attendees aren’t able to join.

Please contact the instructor if you have questions at 678-644-4122 or KathyABerardi@gmail.com.