The Working Director Jenn Page

If you want to be directing regularly, you have to treat your directing career like it's your production company. Hint: It is.

If you are tired of sitting around waiting for someone to hire you, join us for this live Q&A and learn how Alex Mehra has directed/produced over 1000 videos from various industries, and has worked with some of the biggest brands in the country like AT&T, NBC, Atlas Entertainment, CNN, and much more. From video editing, producing, filming, talent development - his journey and expertise has taken businesses, brands and talent to new heights. A little over a year ago he moved his agency into a 3000 square-foot studio, and built over 12 different unique TV and Movie sets, from different time periods. It’s his mission to continue making explosive “video crack” that wows audiences, and turns viewers into customers.



https://sunnycreative.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnycre8tive



(Episode 58)

Hosted by Director/Producer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jenn Page.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you want to be notified when the next accelerator goes live and other fun events fill out the form on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWorkingDirector.Pro.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.


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How do you get the most out of your production studio rental?

How do you make the most of your studio rental? How many times have you rented a stage only to be nickle-and-dimed by the owner? How many times have you arrived and realized the studio wasn't exactly what you thought you wanted or needed? Whether it's green screen, white cyc, build sets, you are spending those hard earned dollars for the day(s) there. You may not realize there is a better way. 

Long time studio owner, speaker, and filmmaker Bob Bekian is going to share  insider secrets to help you have a better production day and get the most bang for your buck. He's going to share some of the crazy things he's seen on sets...and how to avoid ruining your production and wasting precious time and money.



(Episode 57)



Hosted by Director/Producer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jenn Page.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you want to be notified when the next accelerator goes live and other fun events fill out the form on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWorkingDirector.Pro.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.



More on Bob:

Originally from Venice California, Bob Bekian was one of the original Dogtown skateboarders in the 1970’s and  has kept that “go for it “ attitude throughout his  life business career.

Bob started his career selling industrial contracts for Billion dollar companies and learned how big corporations operate.

 Bob learned the lessons of business first hand and then was recruited into the media industry taking over a $5 Million annual revenue SONY distribution company and building it to $35 million in 3 years. 

His innovative approach landed contracts with clients such as the NBA and Disney.

From there he built his own companies including Pro HD Rentals , Spotburner and Loyal Studios. Evolving into producing and directing, Bob has completed over 1000 projects in 15 years ranging from pharma commercials to Snoop Dogg music videos.

Bob continues to run his media companies and has evolved into developing a self-development platform (bobbekian.com) which focuses on Mind/Body and Spirit motivational content.

Bob is very proud of his family including his wife of 35 years Sonia and his two grown sons Shane a business litigation attorney  and Bryce who owns a digital advertising agency. Bob is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys  skiing, golf and pickleball.




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Six common reasons film festivals reject your film with Dr. Rebekah Louisa Smith, Founder of The Film Festival Doctor.

One of the hardest things to deal with as a filmmaker is film festival rejection. You worked so hard to make that piece of art, why don't they love it?!?!? We're going to go into six common reasons your film was not selected. We are also going to talk sustaining your mental health during your film festival season.

(Episode 56)

Hosted by Director/Producer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jenn Page.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you want to be notified when the next accelerator goes live or when we open our doors to our green screen virtual production studio dedicated to indie filmmakers (and indie film budgets) and other fun events fill out the form on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWorkingDirector.Pro.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.



More on Dr. Scott:

Dr. Rebekah Louisa Smith is an award-winning film festival strategist and founder of The Film Festival Doctor. Rebekah and the hard-working team behind her company are committed to nurturing filmmakers in order to help them secure film festival screenings, win awards and earn positive recognition within the film industry. Currently, her company has won more than 2,000 awards for its clients and has supported nearly 850 creatives across the world, enlightening and inspiring their journey towards achieving their goals and following their filmmaking dreams. They have secured hundreds of festival screenings including the Tribeca, Palm Springs, Sundance, & BFI London Film Festivals, to name a few. In her latest e-book, Film Festivals & Looking After Your Mental Health, she offers essential tips and techniques on how to adapt the right type of mindset and take care of yourself as you navigate the world of film festivals.



Instagram handle: https://instagram.com/rebekahfilmdrOfficial Site: https://www.thefilmfestivaldoctor.com/


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It doesn't matter if you are an aspiring director or a veteran, there is a non ending question of "HOW AM I GOING TO GET PAID TO DIRECT?!"

In this live Q&A conversation we give you some ideas on how to do just that. How do you get clients/brands to work with you? How do you use TikTok to grow your directing career/video biz? How do you keep getting asked back? And more!


(Episode 55)

Hosted by Director/Producer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jenn Page.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you want to be notified when we open our doors to our green screen virtual production studio dedicated to indie filmmakers (and indie film budgets) and other fun events fill out the form on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWorkingDirector.Pro.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.




More on Katie Hunter:

Katie Hunter is a Chicago Emmy-nominated director. She creates commercials, short films, documentaries and viral moments for brands including Claire’s, Lincoln Park Zoo, Northwestern Medicine and more. Her creative work has been featured in the Washington Post, staged off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre in NYC and viewed by more than 15 million people on TikTok. Katie graduated from the University of Chicago where she studied theatre and film. After working as a playwright for the American Theatre Company, Katie began writing and directing indie film projects with comedians from Second City, iO and Reductress, including an improvised mockumentary web series, RideShare, a surrealist, feminist corporate comedy, It’s A Sign, and the first several episodes of a late night talk show filmed live in front of a studio audience, The L8-Bit Show. DM her your cool ideas at @mkatiehunter on all platforms.

Katie's TikTok & Instagram: @mkatiehunter
See Katie's work at KatieHunterCreative.com


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Directing Comedy with Emmy-Award-Winning Comedy Director Mary Lou Belli. Some things we cover:


-How do you tackle blocking a multicam show?

-Who’s close up do you do first?

-How important are reaction shots?

-How can you find the comedy beats in a script?

-How can you help actors find & perform  the comedy beats?

-How can an editor save your comedy?

-How much blocking prep should you do?

-How can you work with an actor who wants to do different
blocking than you need?

-What’s one of the first things you should do on a new set?

 

(Episode 54)



Hosted by Director/Producer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jenn Page.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



If you want to be notified when we open our doors to our green screen virtual production studio dedicated to indie filmmakers (and indie film budgets) fill out the form on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWorkingDirector.Pro.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.



More on Mary Lou:

https://www.maryloubelli.com/

Two time Emmy award-winning MARY LOU BELLI has been directing television for over 30 years including NCIS New Orleans, True Lies, Black Lightning, Bull, Legacies, Station 19, Sweet Magnolias, Pitch, Monk, Famous In Love, Devious Maids, The Quad, American Woman, and Hart of Dixie as well as Disney’s The Secret of Sulphur Springs, Ms. Pat, Wizards of Waverly Place, Sister, Sister, Girlfriends, and The Game.

Her short film, Straight Eye for the Gay Guy won “Best Mini-short” at the California Independent Film Fest where she also premiered I Heard Something, a thriller that went on to play fests internationally. She has done ground-breaking work on web-series. Her award-winning short, America, played its 14th fest on its 4th continent at The Hague and won best micro short.

She was recently nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Comedy Directing as well an another Emmy in the Children’s Programming category. Mary Lou served two terms as the Co-chair of the Women’s Steering Committee at the DGA where she also has served on the Western Director’s Council, presently she is on Leadership Council PAC and as an alternate to the National Board. She is an Honorary Board member of the Alliance of Women Directors and Advisory Board member of Women in Media. Mary Lou also serves on the Advisory Circle of Film Fatales is and a long time member of Women In Film as well as the Peer Group Executive Committee of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences where she presently serves as one of the Governors.

She has served as judge and/or guest speaker for the CSU Media Arts Fest, a judge for the Miss America Outstanding Teen Pageant, a jury member at the Sapporo Short Festival, Newport Beach Film Fest, Regina International Film Festival, and The Voice awards, a lecturer at the Chautauqua Institute, and a panelist for Women In Film, the DGA, SAG, and AFTRA and the LA Times Festival of Books. She has been a guest artist at the International Thespian Festival for secondary school theatre where she gave workshops to thousands of teens and high school theatre teachers. Through her teaching, she supports many of the vibrant diversity programs including ABC/Disney, CBS, Sony, HBO Access, AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women, and Warner Bros. Directing Workshop mentoring the next generation of directors.

She is the co-author of four books: “The NEW Sitcom Career Book,” “Acting for Young Actors,” and “Directors Tell the Story” which she co-wrote with fellow DGA member Bethany Rooney. Her 4th book, “Acting for the Screen” was published by Focal Press summer 2019.


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How do you know what film festivals to submit to? How do you get the attention of the programmers? Why should you volunteer at festivals? Should you hire a publicist, and if yes, how do you know who is right for you? That and more on this episode with producer and festival programmer Jon Fitzgerald.



(Episode 53)



Hosted by Director/Producer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jenn Page.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



If you want to be notified when we open our doors to our green screen virtual production studio dedicated to indie filmmakers (and indie film budgets) fill out the form on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWorkingDirector.Pro.⁠⁠⁠⁠



You can also go there to join our private FB group for directors so you can attend these live conversations and get your questions answered; as well as, to learn about The Working Director course that helps emerging filmmakers become working directors faster.



More on Jon:

Learn how to submit to the right film festivals, get on the radar of programmers, create effective marketing materials, maximize your festival participation, pursue the best distribution model, and take your career to the next level.  We are going to touch on the topics Jon covers in his new book and accompanying workbook in this live discussion and Q&A with Jon Fitzgerald.

Jon has twenty-five years of experience in independent films and film festivals. He has produced award-winning documentaries and has led many independent film projects through the maze of festivals and hybrid distribution models. As a Festival Director he has run several top tier festivals and has consulted on dozens more. Jon has also led acquisitions for several streaming platforms, and now curates movies and series for Cause Cinema. He authored the leading social impact filmmaking book, Filmmaking for Change: How to Make Movies that Transform the World, and also teaches two popular web based courses: Film Festival Mastery and Film Distribution Mastery.

 

key links:

https://www.causepictures.com/

https://onthefestcircuit.substack.com/

https://www.filmfestivalmastery.com/replay-2


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