Maureen Ryan
Producer and Professor at Columbia University, MFA Film Program
Budget and Scheduling Day
Wed, April 23. 10-4 pm. IFC Center, NYCJoin Columbia University professor and veteran documentary producer Maureen A. Ryan (Man on Wire, Dick Johnson Is Dead) for an in-depth, hands-on seminar covering the fundamentals of scheduling and budgeting for documentary feature films. Using a case study film, participants will gain practical, step-by-step experience in breaking down a script, structuring a production schedule, and drafting a budget—key components in setting up a successful documentary shoot. Maureen will walk attendees through industry-standard best practices, sharing real-world insights into balancing creative ambitions with financial realities.
10-12:30 pm
Scheduling for Documentary Production
The morning focuses on what you need to know to create a script breakdown and schedule for documentary feature films. Using a case study film, we will discuss general scheduling principles and break down a written treatment to create an overall schedule using a simple spreadsheet.
Maureen Ryan
Producer and Professor at Columbia University, MFA Film Program
Maureen A. Ryan is a producer based in New York concentrating on narrative and documentary feature films. She is the co-producer of James Marsh’s Man on a Wire, a documentary that won the Academy Award® for Best Documentary and the BAFTA Award for Best British Film. Her other co-producer credits include Dick Johnson Is Dead, Becoming and Project Nim. Her producer credits include Wisconsin Death Trip, Stanistan, The Gates and Bomber. Ryan is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and is a Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University’s MFA Film program and her books include “Producer to Producer: A Step-by-Step Guide to Low Budget, Independent Film Producing” and “Film+Video Budgets”. She received her MFA degree in Film from Columbia University’s School of the Arts.
1:30 – 4 pm
Budgeting for Documentary Production
The afternoon focuses on how to create a first draft budget for documentary feature films. Working from the same case study film schedule, we will discuss general principles for budgeting documentary feature productions using a simple spreadsheet template.
Maureen Ryan
Producer and Professor at Columbia University, MFA Film Program
Maureen Ryan
Producer and Professor at Columbia University, MFA Film Program
Maureen A. Ryan is a producer based in New York concentrating on narrative and documentary feature films. She is the co-producer of James Marsh’s Man on a Wire, a documentary that won the Academy Award® for Best Documentary and the BAFTA Award for Best British Film. Her other co-producer credits include Dick Johnson Is Dead, Becoming and Project Nim. Her producer credits include Wisconsin Death Trip, Stanistan, The Gates and Bomber. Ryan is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and is a Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University’s MFA Film program and her books include “Producer to Producer: A Step-by-Step Guide to Low Budget, Independent Film Producing” and “Film+Video Budgets”. She received her MFA degree in Film from Columbia University’s School of the Arts.
4- 6 pm
Drinks and Conversation at The Half Pint
We’re excited to have you join us at The Half Pint! Drinks will be available for purchase. The location is 76 West 3rd Street (Greenwich Village) which is a 5 minute walk from the IFC Center.
Early bird tickets to the Budgeting and Scheduling Day are $85 ($70 for IFC members) through April 7 and $99 ($80 for IFC members) after April 7. Save money and purchase a conference pass for all three days for $250 ($210 for IFC members). Tickets are non-refundable.
If you have questions about registration, please email ticketing@docnyc.net. For questions about accommodations and accessibility, including requests for live ASL interpretation, please email accessibility@docnyc.net.
DOC NYC PRO is co-presented by
