How to Fund and Sell Your Doc in Training on DFGDocs

How to Fund and Sell Your Doc

When:
Weekend 5 - 6 July 2008
10am - 6pm

Where:
DFG, London

You’ve got great ideas and you want to make them. Funding and selling your film (and even knowing where to start finding the necessary funds and distribution options) can be one of the most daunting and challenging aspects of making your film. But worry not, because this course will give you the hefty dose of know-how and insider tips that you need to get ahead in the realm of documentary funding and selling, and start getting your film underway.

This course is for those looking to get into the industry and independent filmmakers working to get documentary projects off the ground. The workshop will also look at distribution options and the contractual jargon you'll face when selling your film. Participants will be encouraged to bring along a proposal* but those without a proposal can also apply. The course leader will give individual attention to each proposal, and examine the various routes to funding – from domestic and international broadcast, theatrical and festival release, to online, mobile, corporate, NGO and gallery exhibition.

You will learn about the current funding opportunities and schemes; how to write proposals and complete applications effectively; what different channels and broadcasters are looking for, and how to best approach them. As part of this process you will explore the kinds of docs that are being funded and why.

The “Gung-ho option” will also be discussed - maxing out your credit card and hoping that someone will buy it or you will get completion money;.You will explore some examples of when this has worked and the pitfalls you may face.

On the selling side of things, topics include an introduction to distribution options, the advantages and disadvantages of selling your documentary independently and through a distributor.

Topics include:

•    What broadcasters are looking for at the moment
•    what makes a good film
•    Models of film financing in the UK
•    European and international funding
•    Developing and maintaining a healthy relationship with funders
•    Opportunities for production for online TV stations
•    Protecting your ideas and intellectual copyright
•    Overcoming the challenges of being a small independent freelancer or company in the marketplace

You will be enlightened as to how to negotiate and stand your ground without jeopardizing a deal and the current distribution market will be examined and explored – what sells, what doesn’t sell and why.

You will learn where and how to make and approach invaluable contacts - another pivotal element in funding and selling your documentary.

* All participants will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement before starting the course, to protect each others’ proposals.

Tutor: Isabelle Fauchet Collier
Isabelle started her career in documentary distribution over 10 years ago, selling programmes to broadcasters and video and DVD distributors. She went on working in documentary development and financing for the Programme Media II of the European Community where she contributed to the selection of projects from 16 European countries to receive Media funding. More recently, she was Acquisitions and Co-production Manager at UK distribution company Electric Sky for over three years.
Throughout her career, Isabelle has met with hundreds of UK and international producers and filmmakers and is well aware of the pressures they experience. She is now a freelance documentary consultant specialising in development, finance raising and distribution.
Channels that Isabelle has developed working relationships with include:
BBC2, BBC4, Channel 4, Five, Sky One, Granada, ARTE France, France 2, France 3, France 5, PBS, A&E, Discovery Europe, UK and US, National Geographic Channels, The Biography Channel US and UK, ABC Australia and SBS, AVRO, ZDF, ARD, DRTV, TV2 Denmark, YLE, Documania.

How Much:
Freelance DFG Members: £200 + VAT
Freelance non-members: £220 + VAT
Corporate rate: £500 + VAT

Full DFG members get great discounts...
If you're not already a member click here to join the doc gang.

To book your place, call Laura or Jenny on +44 (0)20 7249 6600 or email training[at]dfgdocs[dot]com

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How to Fund and Sell Your Doc

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