Online. 1 session: Saturday, February 3, 10:00 am-4:00 pm

This workshop is for newer producers with little to no experience, offering basic steps to producing a low-budget independent feature, what to expect throughout the film’s lifecycle, and essential tools for successfully producing a film. Although there is not a definitive way to produce a film, there are standards that a producer must be mindful of when kickstarting a project. With the use of American Film Market reference materials, case studies and candid conversation, the workshop will cover the following topics:

• The role(s) of a producer
• Budget and finance strategy for all stages of the film
• Preparing for production 
• Festivals, sales and distribution

There will be a lunch break.

NOTE: Participation in this online workshop requires that you use the free Zoom cloud-based video conferencing service. For optimal performance it is recommended that you install Zoom on your computer rather than running it from a web browser. We’ll e-mail you a course reminder and Zoom link a few days prior to the first session. Click here for a Zoom tutorial.

Tuition: $180 regular | $145 member | $115 low-income

Kelly Gilpatrick is a producer on the award-winning 3D feature documentary, Cunningham (TIFF, NYFF 2019), Teddy Award-winning film, Open (Berlinale 2010); The Knife: Live at Terminal 5 and short film, Fray. She was one of seven US producers selected for Trans-Atlantic Partners producing program in 2013 and received the Best Pitch award together with director, Alla Kovgan, for the most promising film at the 3D Film & Finance forum in Belgium. Other credits include work on the Independent Spirit Award Winner Sweet Land, Robert Altman’s A Prairie Home Companion, Older Than America, Nobody, Stay Then Go, Three Christs amongst others. 

With film production and finance company, Werc Werk Works, Kelly contributed to Todd Solondz’ film Life During Wartime and Bela Tarr’s The Turin Horse; served as Associate Producer on Robert Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman’s Howl and Jill Sprecher’s Thin Ice. In addition, she managed all festival and premiere events for the company at Sundance, Berlin, Toronto, NYFF and other top tier festivals leading to her work as Deputy Director, and thereafter Board Member, for the Provincetown Film Society and International Film Festival. Since moving back from NYC to Minneapolis, Kelly has worked extensively with local creative agencies and commercial clients to produce video and photography content for broadcast, social and print media. 

Class Registration Guidelines & Cancellation Policy

• Space is assigned on a first-come basis. Registrations must include payment in full. Registrations are accepted after registration deadlines if space is available.
• If minimum enrollment has not been reached by 7 days prior to the start date of a class, FilmNorth may cancel it, in which case registrants will immediately be notified and receive a full refund within 2 business days. A check will be issued for registrations that were paid in cash. In lieu of a refund, students have the option of applying their tuition to another class scheduled in the same calendar year.
• For those needing to cancel a registration at least 7 days prior to the first class session, 100% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. For registration cancellations received less than 7 days prior to the first class session, 50% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. As of 5:00 pm the day prior to the first class session, no refunds or credits/exchanges will be given (Friday at 5:00 pm for Sunday classes). 
• Tuition is not prorated for missed class sessions.
• By registering for this FilmNorth class you are agreeing to our Community Values Statement.