The Industry: A Crash Course (intensive)
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About this Intensive
How do you step into an industry with no clear entry points? How do you build relationships without feeling like you're imposing? Can you balance the creative spirit of an artist with the strategic mindset of a businessperson?
If you’ve ever felt lost, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next move, this course is your roadmap. Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker seeking fresh perspectives or just starting out, this intensive one-day workshop will equip you with the tools, strategies, and confidence to take charge of your career.
In just one day, you will:
- learn how to present yourself professionally and make lasting impressions
- develop a career business plan tailored to your goals
- explore ways to sustain yourself as an artist
- master the art of telling your personal story
- understand the different types of industry meetings
- boost your networking skills
- discover what goes into a strong portfolio
- learn how to navigate the roles of agents, managers and lawyers
- gain confidence in how to follow up and keep doors open
No matter where you are in your journey, this course will help you take the next step with clarity and purpose.
This intensive is ideal for:
- Emerging filmmakers looking to gain a clearer understanding of the industry and how it works
- Experienced producers, writers and directors looking for tools and techniques to better present themselves and their work
Intensive Schedule
Saturday, March 8:
- Session 1:
- 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT
- Session 2:
- 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. PT
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.
IntensiveOutline
- Session 1:
- 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT
- Session 2:
- 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. PT
Team
Tessa Blake
Instructor
Tessa Blake is an award-winning filmmaker and a prolific television director (American Horror Story; NCIS: Tony & Ziva; Matlock; 9-1-1). Chosen as one of eight women for AFI’s prestigious Directing Workshop for Women, Tessa’s films have premiered at Cannes, Woodstock and SXSW, have won awards at Nantucket Film Festival and the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, have been honored by the Academy, and been released theatrically.
As a writer, she has enjoyed script deals with ABC, NBC, FOX and Warner Brothers. Currently, she's the creator/showrunner for a series set up with producers in Spain, which explores the history of female espionage in WWII .
Tessa has directed plays for Naked Angels Theater Company and The Atlantic Theater Company, is a proud alumna of the 24 Hour Plays, and a founding advisor for The Moth.
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.
We may offer the option of either a two or three-part payment plan for Intensives. If offered, the first payment will be due at the time of registration and the last payment will be due before the halfway point of the Intensive. Due to the length of Intensives, a payment plan option may not be available closer to the registration deadline. For specific payment plan dates, please reach out to our team at: collab_courses@sundance.org.
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 sessions scheduled.
Want to be notified when new dates open for this course?