DOC NYC PRO Day: The First-Time Filmmaker
This program was recorded live on Wednesday, August 5, 2020.
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.
Tickets are $40; all who register prior to the live event will receive access to the livestream; all registrants also receive access to the recorded session, a written transcript and a copy of the slide presentation. Tickets are non-refundable. If you have questions about registration, please email caitlin@docnyc.net.
To purchase a pass to DOC NYC PRO’s entire Summer/Fall 2020 line-up, register here; passes are $150 and include access to recordings and transcripts for all past events.
For questions about accommodations and accessibility, please email accessibility@docnyc.net.