The 2015 SDF Artists Convening runs Friday, May 15 - Sunday, May 17. Last year’s inaugural gathering was impressive and invigorating. This year the convening will be even bigger and bolder!
SDF Project Directors are invited to Durham NC for a weekend of sharing best practices and community building. Our robust three day program is listed below.
New this year are a handful of events open to the public. These include: the Friday reception/workshop at UNC-TV (free, rsvp required), the Saturday Master Class at the Full Frame Theater (ticketed), the Sunday Spring Brunch and Showcase (ticketed together, or Showcase only)
A huge thanks to this year’s organizing committee: Co-Chairs Lana Garland and Judy Van Wyk, along with Kenny Dalsheimer and Lisa Sorg, with help from SDF Board Members Eric Johnson and Ellen Stolzman.
See you in Durham this May!
Current SDF filmmakers: please register for the events using the registration form sent to you via email.
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3:00-3:30p :: Convening Kickoff & Reception at UNC-TV** RSVP HERE
UNC-TV 10 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC
3:30-5:00p :: Workshop #1**
Pain-free Post Production with Eric Johnson, Trailblazer Studios
From choosing the right camera to premiering your film on TV or theatrically, this workshop will look at the many ways filmmakers can prepare for post-production from Day One. In mid-production? Find out how to take the necessary steps to ensure the post process goes as smoothly as possible and that you get the most out of your post-production dollars. Using an SDF sponsored film as example, the post staff at Raleigh, NC’s Trailblazer Studios will walk through the full production and post process sharing tips and discussing best practices. Topics include: Camera Choices; Location Audio; Data Management; Editing Platforms; Preparing for Post; and Deliverables.
6:00-9:00p :: Filmmaker Potluck Supper
SDF Board Member Vandana Dake’s Downtown Durham Rooftop
We’ll share a communal meal this first evening, where artists have the opportunity to get to know each other and catch up at the outset of the convening.
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CDS Auditorium, 1317 W Pettigrew Street, Durham NC
8:30-9:00a :: Pastries & Coffee
9:00-10:30a :: Workshop #2
Creating Work Samples That Work with N’Jeri Eaton, ITVS
So you've written the perfect treatment and now you have to tackle the work sample. But where do you start? ITVS Programming Manager N'Jeri Eaton will walk you through what makes a great work-in-progress sample. She'll talk about how treatments and work samples need to compliment each other in order to make your project stand out. She'll go over the different types of work samples, how ITVS evaluates, and what we expect of work samples at different stages of production. We'll watch work samples from ITVS funded producers and discuss the various elements that were successful.
10:30-11:00a :: Morning Break
11:00a-12:30p :: Workshop #3
Immersive Storytelling with Ingrid Kopp, Tribeca Film Institute
We will explore the growing field of interactive storytelling, a space that brings together mediamakers, technologists and designers to create media projects that go beyond traditional screens. Come hear about the most exciting work happening in this sphere and find out about cutting-edge projects that integrate film with content across media platforms, from video gaming, apps, social networks and the Web. We are fortunate to have Ingrid Kopp, one of the most innovative leaders in the field, lead this workshop. Ingrid is the Director of the Tribeca Film Institute's Digital Initiatives, including TFI New Media Fund, TFI Interactive and Tribeca Hacks, all of which she will discuss during this info-packed workshop.
12:30-2:00p :: Lunch Break (lunch provided by SDF)
2:00-3:30p :: Workshop #4
Crowdfunding to Build Independence with Erica Anderson, Seed&Spark
The only proven path to true independence as an artist is a direct connection to your audience. Crowdfunding is becoming a fundamental piece of most financing plans for independent film. However, many filmmakers miss the opportunity to turn their film funding campaigns into audience-building opportunities that can last an entire career – and provide the groundwork for distribution that you control. This workshop will provide the crowdfunding and distribution action plan most likely to create a lasting, flourishing, direct relationship with your audience.
3:30-4:00p :: Afternoon Break
4:00-5:00p :: SDF Artists Meeting
5:00-7:00p :: Dinner Break (we’ll provide a list of nearby restaurants)
7:00-9:00p :: Master Class with Heather Courtney** TICKETS HERE
Full Frame Theater @ American Tobacco
Filmmaker Heather Courtney will join SDF Executive Director Rachel Raney for an in-depth conversation on the making of her latest feature documentary, the award winning Where Soldiers Come From. Heather will talk about the genesis of the project, casting, gaining access and trust, longitudinal production (at home and overseas), her editing process, and distribution/engagement strategies.
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CDS Auditorium, 1317 W Pettigrew Street, Durham NC
9:00-9:30a :: Pastries & Coffee
9:30-11:00a :: Pitch Your Project
You never know when you might land an opportunity to pitch your project to a potential funder, producer, broadcaster, or distributor. In this session, four SDF filmmakers will practice pitching to industry professionals, and receive constructive feedback.
12:00-2:00p :: SDF Spring Brunch TICKETS HERE (Includes Spring Showcase)
Mateo Bar de Tapas, 109 W Chapel Hill Street, Durham NC
Please consider joining us for this 3rd Annual SDF fundraiser hosted by Chef Matt Kelly. Tickets for SDF filmmakers $50 each (half off regular price).
2:30-4:00p :: SDF Spring Showcase** TICKETS HERE (Showcase only)
Full Frame Theater @ American Tobacco
New this year, we’ll cap off this extraordinary weekend with the SDF Spring Showcase, a public screening highlighting a number of exciting projects in our pipeline.a
**These events are open to the public
The SDF Artists Convening is made possible with generous support by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, and Duke’s Center for Documentary Studies.
