“Producing The Independent Film: An Insider’s Perspective” with J. Todd Harris
The Georgia Production Partnership and Atlanta Film Festival 365 is pleased to present a one-day seminar “Producing The Independent Film: An Insider’s Perspective”, taught by veteran Hollywood independent producer J. Todd Harris, CEO of Branded Pictures Entertainment and producer of 38 films, including five official Sundance Film Festival entries, plus the Golden Globe Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT. The seminar will be staged at SCAD Atlanta on Sunday, October 30 from 10am-4pm.
The in-depth class offers aspiring producers (and interested writers, directors and actors) a 6-hour practical seminar on producing the independent film in 2011 and beyond. Mr. Harris will take attendees through the steps of making a picture: selecting material, developing the screenplay, assembling the creative team, approaching talent, creating a business plan, raising financing, pre-production, production, post-production, marketing and distribution. He will also discuss strategies and realities for producing a film outside Hollywood.
Mr. Harris executive produced THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, produced the critically acclaimed Sundance entry BOTTLE SHOCK, THE FAMILY TREE, MISS NOBODY and the recently wrapped CROOKED ARROWS. Mr. Harris, who teaches producing at the Los Angeles Film School, earned his BA and MBA from Stanford and is 12-year member of the Motion Picture Academy, Producers Branch.
Those interested are encouraged to prepare by putting together a 60-second pitch of a movie project, watching one of Mr. Harris’ recent features, particularly BOTTLE SHOCK or MISS NOBODY (available on Netflix), by visiting www.crookedarrows.com, the FB page for CROOKED ARROWS, or Mr. Harris’ website www.brandedpicturesentertainment.com. For more information, please see registration information below.
“The Indie Producing Seminar is great! Todd maps out the road to producing an independent film drawing from his own experience producing over thirty features. A concise primer on indie production and more than a little entertaining”
-Paul Yeuell, Screenwriter, Script Coordinator DAMAGES (Sony Pictures Entertainment, DirectTV)
“When Todd speaks you know it’s coming from the trenches. He’s the anti-thesis of the theory—everything he says is because he’s done it and believes in it. Funny as hell, too.”
-Brent Roske, Emmy nominated director (‘African Chelsea’)
Registration Information:
Date: Sunday, October 30, 10AM-4PM
Location: SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree Street N.E.,
4C-Event Space, Atlanta, GA 30309
Cost: Advance - $100, $50 Faculty, $25 Students
Day of Seminar - $125, $75 Faculty, $50 Students
Free Parking, Refreshments Included
Register: Go to www.atlantafilmfestival.com
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Moving Picture “CLAIRE” with LIVE ORCHESTRA de LUNE
TWIST ON JAPANESE FAIRYTALE WITH SILENT FILM EVENT:
Atlanta Indie Filmmaker Milford Thomas’ CLAIRE is loosely based on the ancient Japanese fable “Kaguyahime.” This version tells the story of a charming elderly male couple in the rural 1920s South (Short Mountain Radical Faeries JIM FERGUSON and MISH P. DeLIGHT) that find an enchanting girl from the moon on their farm (Blast-Off Burlesque’s TONIET GALLEGO) and adopt her as their own.
“An uncompromising work of art.” – American Cinematographer
CLAIRE is 53-minutes, silent, and black-and-white, shot on an antique hand-crank 35mm Mitchell Standard camera (same model used by silent great Mary Pickford) in Atlanta and other locations throughout Georgia, Tennessee, and North and South Carolina.
“CLAIRE is a rare treasure, an ancient legend told in an archaic, low-tech way that somehow enchants us far more than Spider-Man or any other multi-million-dollar CGI marvel.” – East Bay Express
The film toured internationally as special opening event for film festivals in Milan, Brussels, and Montreal, always accompanied by the “Orchestra de Lune,” a live 11-piece chamber orchestra performing an original score by composer-conductor Anne Richardson.
CLAIRE was awarded “Special Jury Mention” for first feature at the San Francisco Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and is the first non-vintage feature to screen at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.
“…Utterly charming, even poignant viewing experience.” - Variety Magazine
This screening with the live “ORCHESTRA de LUNE” at the Woodruff Arts Center is a special 10th anniversary celebration reunion with the filmmaker and much of the cast and crew in attendance. Legendary cast member Mish P. DeLight is a charter member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, San Francisco, and will be on hand with Sisters from the Atlanta chapter to greet moviegoers.
Funds from the event will allow composer Richardson to write an alternate score for string quartet, thus enabling the more economical and mobile version to reach a wider audience beginning in 2012.
“CLAIRE has magic and wonder to spare.” – San Francisco Examiner
Composer Anne Richardson received a Degree in Music from Oberlin University and a Masters in Composition from the San Francisco Conservatory. She currently lives in Washington DC with her wife.
Atlanta-based Writer / Director Milford Thomas is a 2006 Sundance Director and Producer’s Lab Fellow, and the recipient of a 2006 Annenberg Fellowship. He is currently developing a “tongue-in-cheeks” gay zomedy, PRETTY LIKE ME (www.prettygayhorror.com).
When: Thursday, November 3, 2011 - 8pm
Where: Woodruff Arts Center (Rich Auditorium)
1280 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
Box Office Telephone: 404 733 5000
Online Tickets: www.woodruffcenter.org (“Claire Screening”)
Contact: (Filmmaker) Milford Thomas 404.451.4998
milfordearl@gmail.com
More info, film excerpt link, and downloadable press photos at:
www.clairesilentmovie.com
Thursday, December 1, 2011 
