Posted by: Matt Watterworth
The NSI Features First experience continued in Toronto this month as the “producer” members of each team gathered at The Fairmont Royal York (who took amazing care of us, by the way) to learn from innumerable industry professionals about the ins and outs of film financing, logistics, insurance, casting and, most importantly, networking and relationships.
Posted by: Scott Westby
Those who read about screenwriting often bump up against the same group of tips/rules time and time again. This time around, as we wrap up phase 2 of our NSI Features First program, I’ve punched out a new draft of Synapse and I’d like to share some things I’ve learned that AREN’T those same old boring (but of course important!) rules.
Today is the day! The Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo begins again and I’m pumped! Also, when I see a title like “10 Tricks to Buying a Car” and “7 of The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen” I really hate it when the first paragraph goes on and on about the subject and tries to add something witty to get the audience interested. I’m already interested! I wouldn’t have clicked it if I wasn’t interested, am I right?
Nerds unite! The time is drawing near for the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo. Every year, we’re honoured to speak on a panel or two about filmmaking and new media. This year, however, Matt and Scott will be on four panels throughout the weekend. We invite everyone who wants to pick our brains to join us! Here’s the schedule, still marked as “tentative”:
After many long days and short nights, our first phase of the 2014 Features First program is over. Phase 1 was a week-long boot camp in Toronto, with all four teams coming together for intense sessions of feedback and mind-blowing conversations with industry pros, from Broadcasters and Distributors to Producers, Indie Filmmakers and Agents.
Check out our full list of posts here.
Just wrapped up phase one of the NSI Features First program and I wanted to share some of my thoughts.
Our final day of Phase 1 for the NSI Features First program consisted of a full-morning mock pitch session. We were lucky to meet four Producers from some of Canada’s top production companies, who came in for some one-on-one 20-minute pitches.
We welcomed Elise Cousineau from Sienna Films; Sonya Di Rienzo from Whizbang Films; Mark Montefiore from Montefiore Films and Kevin Krikst from Rhombus Media.
So what’s the best way to pitch your film?
Posted by: Matt Watterworth
Wow. Day 4 was enlightening in vastly different ways than our previous days at NSI Features First. Today we met with Broadcasters, Distributors, Telefilm and Marketing Strategists. It was definitely a day for the Producers, though Screenwriters should absolutely be paying attention to these lessons.
When you’re about to embark on something immense, something that you’ve never done before, it’s always a treat to get to pick the brain of someone who’s been there and done that. Today at #FeaturesFirst, we got to meet with agent Linda Saint and then producer Martin Katz. But later in the day we got about an hour and a half with filmmaker Casey Walker. Casey has completed his feature film, A LITTLE BIT ZOMBIE and came in to speak with us about the process.
