From Micro-Budget to the Sundance Film Festival: The Real Path of Independent Producing
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About this Intensive
All of the numbers, none of the secrets. A transparent look at the true indie producing process from start to finish.
This comprehensive live online intensive course reveals the actual mechanics of independent film producing. Unlike theoretical workshops, this class uses real budgets, genuine contracts, and authentic industry documents from an actual indie feature that traveled from micro-budget production to festival circuit success.
Over the course of four days, you'll examine every stage of the independent producing process through the lens of transparency and practical application. Each session combines in-depth analysis of real industry materials with hands-on exercises that simulate actual producer responsibilities. You'll review genuine investor agreements, negotiate industry specific scenarios, analyze authentic festival submission materials, and evaluate real distribution offers.
This intensive format is designed for aspiring producers, filmmakers seeking to understand the business side of their craft, and industry professionals looking to deepen their producing knowledge. The course combines expert instruction with peer collaboration, creating a dynamic learning environment that mirrors the collaborative nature of film production itself. Every topic is grounded in actual case studies and supported by real industry documentation. No secrets, no shortcuts—just the real path of independent producing.
What you'll learn from the course:
- An overview of production budgets
- An understanding of financing models including equity, debt, and pre-sales
- Casting processes and talent agreements
- Post-production workflows from editorial through delivery
- Strategies for festival submission
- Pathways for your film’s distribution
What you bring to the course:
- Familiarity with the film production process - this is not an entry level course
- A basic understanding of the film business
This course will:
- Equip you with core producing skills
- Connect you with a community of peers via discussion boards and live interactive sessions
- Give you a realistic understanding of what it takes to bring an independent film from concept to audience.
Intensive Schedule
- Introductory Session: Monday, July 28
- 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (PT)
- Day 1: Tuesday, July 29
- 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (PT)
- Day 2: Wednesday, July 30
- 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (PT)
- Day 3: Thursday, July 31
- 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (PT)
- Day 4: Friday, August 1
- 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (PT)
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available and are considered on a rolling basis as they are received. Those who apply earlier will have a greater chance of getting support. To apply for a scholarship, please complete the course registration form.
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.
IntensiveScholarships
Sundance Collab offers a limited number of full and partial need-based scholarships for individuals who need assistance.
Due to limited scholarship funds available, we prioritize one course scholarship per participant in a 12-month period. Scholarship applications are available up to one week before the registration deadline and do not stack with discounts or promotions, including early registration.
Outline
Topics covered include:
- Types of Investment: Equity, Debt, Pre-Sales, Tax Incentives
- Key Investor Documents: Lookbooks/Decks, Chain-of-title, Actual Investor Agreement
- Do-it-yourself Casting: Character Lists, Breakdowns, Auditions and Real Offers
Topics covered include:
- Budget Breakdown: Reviewing the actual budget and understanding budget assumptions.
- Crew and Vendors: Department Heads, Equipment, Crew and Vendor Deal Memos
- Production Logistics: Scheduling, Unions, Insurance, Day Out of Days and Shooting Schedule.
Topics covered include:
- Editorial Workflow: From Assembly to Final Cut
- Post Production: Sound Design, Color Grading, VFX, Music Score, Licensing
- Delivery: Documents and physical deliverables including genuine Delivery List.
Topics covered include:
- Festival Strategy: Where, When, and How to Submit
- Marketing: Defining the audience, Materials, Trailers, and Social Media
- Sales & Distribution: Navigating Offers and Deliverables
Team
Seth Caplan
Instructor
Seth Caplan is an award-winning producer whose movies have been released theatrically around the world and programs have been televised on all major channels and streaming platforms. His work has been featured at top film festivals and he has won numerous awards including the NEXT audience award for best feature at the Sundance Film Festival plus the John Cassavetes Independent Spirit Award.
FAQ
In Sundance Collab’s Intensives, participants attend live, virtual class sessions in a condensed time period. These sessions are led by an instructor and supported by the Sundance Collab courses team.
All members of the Sundance Collab community are welcome to register for Sundance Collab Intensives. Some Intensives require an application. Please review the description and any eligibility requirements to ensure the Intensive is a good fit. If you have any questions, please email collab_courses@sundance.org.
For application-based Intensives, note that space is limited. Applications are considered as they are received and applicants are accepted on a rolling basis until the Intensive is full or the deadline has passed, whichever comes first. If the application window is open, you will see an “Apply” button on the course page.
We send our application acceptance notifications on a rolling basis, starting after the application deadline. You will be notified of your acceptance status no later than three days before the first session. At any point, you can check the status of a course that you have applied to by logging into Sundance Collab and visiting the course page. You’ll see a purple bar there indicating your status.
When reviewing applications for an Intensive, the Sundance Collab team evaluates the needs and expectations of each applicant. We are also looking to convene a diverse group of participants who will work well together and support each other throughout the Intensive. Finally, we will confirm that the applicant can meet the time commitment necessary and has a strong interest and readiness to complete the Intensive and meaningfully contribute to the group process.
We do not offer any combined applications or discounts for Sundance Collab Intensives.
We often offer a limited number of need-based, full or partial scholarships. Check the course description to see if that course currently has scholarships available. Scholarships are prioritized for one per person per year (from the date of issue). Scholarship applications are available up to one week before the registration deadline. To apply for a scholarship, complete the registration form by clicking the REGISTER button and selecting the option to apply for a scholarship, if available.
Applicants will be notified about their scholarship decision prior to the first day of the course. Due to the volume of applicants, we are not always able to provide a scholarship, but we may still offer a spot in the course. In this case, depending on the course, payment plans may be available and can be selected at checkout.
No, because of the length of the course, we do not offer payment plans for Intensives. However, we do offer a limited number of need-based scholarships which can be applied for within the course registration process.
Yes, you are welcome to take a live, online Intensive even if you can’t make the live sessions. Recordings of each session are available online within two business days.
All sessions are recorded and usually made available within two business days. The videos will also contain the chat and transcript from the session, viewable in the video playbar.
Participants will have access to the recordings for one year following the last session.
All participants will receive a Certificate of Completion. The certificate will include the name associated with your Sundance Collab account.
You can join a course via a computer or mobile device. All of our Intensives are conducted via Zoom.
Download and set up the Zoom software and make sure you have the latest update. Here are some great resources from Zoom’s Knowledge Base to take a deeper dive into using Zoom:
- Watch Zoom's Video Tutorials or review training materials on the Getting Started page.
- Join a Live Training from Zoom.
If you have any further questions, please email collab_courses@sundance.org.
Sundance Collab provides accommodations and support services to participants with disabilities. Please contact us at (435) 776-7790 or email us at accessibility@sundance.org to ask any questions or to discuss your specific needs after you have been accepted into the course.
No currently scheduled sessions
Interested in hearing about the next session of this course?
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