Christopher Mick
Director of Access and Facilities
IFP Minnesota
www.ifpmn.org
Christopher Mick has taught television production at the University of Tampa in Florida, as well as digital and film production, screenwriting, and development at Columbia College in Chicago. Christopher is very involved with the Chicago International Children's Film Festival as a selection committee member, head juror, and media educator for children. He has written film criticism for Static Multimedia's online magazine, works as a freelance director and DP for several theater, digital, film, and corporate projects, as well as being the Director of the Film & Video Group and partner at Christiansen Creative. Christopher was recently an adjunct professor at the McNally Smith College of Music's Motion Imaging Department and presently works full-time as IFP MN's Director of Access and Facilities, where he consults students on developing, financing and exhibiting their work.
Session 1: Fundraising for Films
How to raise funds for your DVD or Film project. The art of dealing with regional and national grants, endowments, and access. How to attract local investors from your community or hometown. Developing a good paperwork trail. Expenditure of funds for Pre, Productions, and Post. Contingency funds, copyright and clearance will also be discussed, as well as contracts and paying your cast and crew.
Session 2: Preproduction For Success
Project Development and Research. Determining strength of subject matter for both Documentary and Narrative works. Backwards Planning. Budgets, timelines and target zones for "end product." How to hire crew and actors. The art of executing your vision. Speaking the language, determining potential audiences, alternate markets, and how to develop the strongest possible material will all be discussed.