Film Producing: Core Elements

Do you have a short or feature film you plan to produce? During this live, online course you’ll learn the fundamental concepts of creative producing for independent fiction films - from development to financing to budgeting and more - with accomplished producers as your guides.


Designated homework is reviewed by your course advisor and is designed to help you create pitch materials to communicate your project’s vision to funders and key collaborators and deepen your understanding of fundamental producing concepts. The course concludes with a one-on-one mentoring session with your advisor focused on your project.


What you bring to the course:

  • a short or feature film project you plan to produce.

What you’ll get from the course:

  • An understanding of your role in creative development and how to identify your core producing philosophy.
  • How to assemble a strong team and key crew.
  • The opportunity to practice verbal pitches of your project.
  • An understanding of the process of optioning material as well as hiring and collaborating with screenwriters.
  • Knowledge of industry standard deal terms and the fundamentals of deal negotiation.
  • An overview of financing available to independent filmmakers and how to develop your financing strategy.
  • How to break down a scene and schedule your days on set.
  • An understanding of the key steps of the marketing and distribution process.
  • How to consider festival and distribution options for your project.

This course will:

  • provide tools and techniques to apply to your project.
  • offer opportunities for designated homework to be reviewed by a Sundance Advisor.
  • connect you with other creators via a discussion board where you can talk through core concepts and share your work.
  • conclude with a one-on-one mentoring session with your advisor.

Course enrollment is approximately 50 participants per session, with a participant to advisor ratio of 12-to-1.


Scholarships are currently unavailable for this course.


Space is limited. Applications for this course are considered as they are received and applicants are accepted on a rolling basis until the course is full or the deadline has passed, whichever comes first.


Sundance Collab provides accommodations and support services to participants with disabilities. Accommodations and services are designed to meet the needs of each participant. Please email us at accessibility@sundance.org to arrange for services.