Online course: Getting Your Film off the Ground

Dates: any time

Duration: 25 hours

Rating: 4.6 / 5.0 out of 21 ratings (see top rating courses here)

Participating countries: any country

Apply here: Application form

Organizer: Michigan State University at Coursera

Cost:

• FREE
• $49 with sharable certificate

Getting Your Film off the Ground

This course is an introduction to many of the possibilities that exist to fund your film, market it, and create an audience for it. It will give you a sense of possible options and avenues to explore and it will start you on the process of making your film dreams a reality. The course covers the grant researching and writing process for fiction films and documentaries, strategies for developing impactful film websites, best social media practices for filmmakers, and how to approach crowdfunding and seeking investors. Through these experiences you will be prepared to seek funding for your film and to build your own audience through digital spaces.

Instructors

Programme

Introduction to Getting Your Film Off The Ground

General Course Goals:

This course is an introduction to many of the possibilities that exist to fund your film, market it, and create an audience for it. It will give you a sense of possible options and avenues to explore and it will start you on the process of making your film happen. If you watch the videos and complete the assignments, you will: • Become familiar with the grant writing process by articulating their requirements, researching grants that fit your work, connecting with grant winning filmmakers, and outlining you grant application. • Plan your film’s website by evaluating film websites, articulating what you want your website to achieve, and developing a plan for launching your website. • Launch your social media presence as a filmmaker by evaluating the social presence of fellow filmmakers, choosing a platform for you, creating an account and posting in ways that help you establish your brand. • Understand the possibilities of crowdfunding and seeking investors, evaluate successful crowdfunding campaigns and develop a plan for your own, and brainstorm possible investors and articulate why they would fit your project.

Week 1: Applying for Grants

Why Start with Grants?

Why Are We Starting With Grants?
General Advice for Documentary and Narrative Film Grants
Documentary Grant Application
Narrative Film Grant Applications

Week 2: Making Your Website

Why Do You Need A Website and What Platform Should You Use?
What Information Should Your Website Include?
What Should Your Website Look Like?

Week 3: Developing Your Social Media, Newsletter, and Press Presence

Why You Need Social Media and How You Should Approach It?
Which Platforms Should You Use?
Creating a Newsletter
Getting Press for Your Film

Week 4: Crowdfunding and Finding Investors

Deciding Whether or Not to Crowdfund and Selecting Platforms
Getting Your Crowdfunding Campaign Ready to Go
Reaching out to Investors
Conclusion Video