The Documentary Summit

CHICAGO

9:00AM - Welcome to the Summit! 

Andrew Zinnes

In order to give context to the weekend, we will start off with an introduction by Andrew of the events and the speakers. This is followed by a discussion of The Burning Question, ‘what is it that drives you to make documentary films and more importantly, what is the story that keeps you awake at night - the tale you have to tell?’

 

9:30AM - Storytelling: The Producer's POV 

Gordon Quinn/Kartemquin Films

Tod Lending/Nomadic Pictures

How do you get that idea up and running? And how do you get all the pieces together. 

 

10:45AM Filmmaker Storytelling I

Jeff Spitz/Native Pictures

Michael Caplan/Montrose Pictures 

Let's get creative! Accomplished filmmakers give us case studies on their work.

 

12:00PM - Network Storytelling I 

Stephen Harris/A&E via Skype

What do broadcasters want you to bring them? And how do you make your pitch sizzle? 

 

12:30PM - Network Storytelling II

Amy Shatsky/Independent Lens via Skype

 

1:00PM: LUNCH 

2:15PM - Filmmaker Storytelling II 

Alicia Sams/Play It Again Productions

Greg Jacobs/Siskel/Jacobs Productions

 

3:30PM - Thinking in Pictures

Dana Kupper

Damon Hennessey

DP's will share their philosophies on shooting documentary as well as their takes on the best gear to use in 2012.

 

4:45PM - Putting it Together/Editor Storytelling

Liz Kaar

Leslie Simmer

A good chunk of the documentary storytelling is done in the edit suite, so we MUST hear from a couple top notch cutters. 

 

9:00AM - Introduction to Day 2

Andrew Zinnes will recap Day 1 and rundown the panels for Day 2.

 

9:30AM - Funding the Doc 

Judy Helfand/Chicken & Egg Pictures

Elspeth Revere/MacArthur Foundation

Erin Sorenson/BeCause Foundation

Grants - how do you get them? An expert will lead us through the process.

 

10:45AM - Distribution

Tamara Biggs/Chicago History Museum

Casey Callister/Garden Theives

Abbey Rose/Facets Media

If no one sees your project, then all your hard work is for naught. Learn the various ways to get your film out there from traditional to alternative methods.

 

12:00 - Social Media: Your Best Weapon!

Tim Horsburgh/Kartemquin Films

Shuling Yong/Media for Social Change

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs, vlogs...all ways you can fundraise, produce and sell your projects. Get some top tips from social media experts.

 

1:00PM - LUNCH

 

2:15PM - Advocacy

Ruth Leitman/Ruthless Films

Steve Dixon/Ruthless Films

Case study on using documentary film for advocacy based projects.

 

3:30PM - Clearance and Copyright

Tom Leavens/Leavens, Strand, Glover & Adler

Nancy Watrous/Chicago Film Archives

Archival material and music are elements you will need for your film. Get tips on how to navigate this minefield from industry experts.

 

4:45PM - Crowd Funding and DIY Distribution

Bob Hercules/Media Processing Group

Jessica King & Julie Keck/King Is A Fink

Crowd funding and other methods of DIY finance are becoming more and more popular. Hear a case study of a filmmaker that's gone through the process.