DOC NYC PRO Day: The First-Time Filmmaker Wed, August 5 from 11am-3pm ET
This program was recorded live on Wednesday, August 5, 2020.
Click here to watch the recorded panel.
DOC NYC PRO presents a day of practical guidance for the first-time filmmaker, including panels on developing a story, building a team, finding a supportive professional community and securing funds and distribution. The daylong course will feature first-time filmmakers who have successfully finished and released feature docs; filmmaker collectives that provide professional and peer networks to emerging filmmakers, as well as an interactive Q&A breakout session and social hour.
Developing an idea and building a team
In our first session, Multitude Film’s Anya Rous (Always in Season, Pray Away) moderates a conversation with Sian-Pierre Regis and Meredith Chin (Duty Free) and Jasmín López(Silent Beauty), about launching a first documentary production. The conversation will address the process of turning personal stories into a feature documentary narrative; identifying filmmaking partners to advance a creative vision; and securing the funds necessary to lock a finished film and bring it to market.
Creating a community of support
In our final session, Yuqi Kang shares the story of her first feature, A Little Wisdom, which debuted in 2018 at SXSW and went on to garner awards at festivals internationally, including at DOC NYC. She is joined by Lindsay Lindenbaum, whose first feature, Tomboy, was slated to premiere at SXSW in March, and whose three previous short films have won student and new filmmaker awards at festivals nationally. Both speak with moderator Rose Vincelli Gustine of the SVA MFA program about bringing their first films to fruition, including envisioning the story, thinking through structure, finding funding and navigating release.
Filmmaker case study
In our final session, Yuqi Kang shares the story of her first feature, A Little Wisdom, which debuted in 2018 at SXSW and went on to garner awards at festivals internationally, including at DOC NYC. She is joined by Lindsay Lindenbaum, whose first feature, Tomboy, was slated to premiere at SXSW in March, and whose three previous short films have won student and new filmmaker awards at festivals nationally. Both speak with moderator Rose Vincelli Gustine of the SVA MFA program about bringing their first films to fruition, including envisioning the story, thinking through structure, finding funding and navigating release.
Breakout Sessions and Social Hour
Following our panel programming, live participants will be paired with presenters in small-group settings for virtual breakout question-and-answer sessions.
If you have questions about accommodations and accessibility for this event, please email accessibility@docnyc.net.
Tickets to this event are $40 and offer access to participate in the livestreamed panel sessions and to have unlimited access to session recordings after the livestream. Live participants are also encouraged to join the interactive breakout session and social hour from 2-3 pm ET; this last hour will not be recorded, nor available to those watching after the livestream is over. All registrants will receive written resource materials, including a transcript of the live sessions and referenced links and materials.
To purchase a pass to DOC NYC PRO’s entire line-up, including ten events taking place between August and October, and our six spring events, register here; passes are $150 and include live access to upcoming PRO programs and access to recordings and transcripts to all past events.
