Resources
Sundance-created and curated resources to expand your creative practice
Featured
How To Refine A Shooting Script (And Still Adapt On Set)
Here are some things to keep in mind when revising a shooting script on a film set.
Documentary Budgeting for Emerging Filmmakers
A HotDocs overview on budgeting that helps you enact best practices for your next project.
View NowHow To Refine A Shooting Script (And Still Adapt On Set)
Here are some things to keep in mind when revising a shooting script on a film set.
Paths to Becoming a Professional Screenwriter
A ScreenCraft guide on making your way in your screenwriting career.
Behind the Scenes: The State of Inclusion & Equity in TV Writing
Four years ago, Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity (TTIE) began examining the state of inclusion and equity in TV writing. In this report, TTIE identifies the barriers to entry and career advancement for historically excluded¹ writers, as well as obstacles to authentic, inclusive, and responsible storytelling. The report digs deeper into how these persistent barriers and seismic shifts in the industry (e.g., the rise of streaming platforms, the proliferation of mini-rooms, the impact of a global pandemic) affect hiring and, ultimately, storytelling on a profound level.
The Hollywood Disability Inclusion Toolkit
From RespectAbility, this toolkit is a guide on disability inclusion in the entertainment industry. Storytellers often make glaring, yet easy to avoid, errors when covering the disability community, America's largest minority (one-in-five Americans have a disability) and third largest market (valued at more than $1 trillion). The purpose of this toolkit is to help entertainment professionals ensure their stories are as inclusive of people with disabilities as possible.
SUSTAIN is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts
California Lawyers for the Arts
California Lawyers for the Arts helps artists find qualified legal counsel to assist with the legal matters they may encounter as artists.
Creative Capital: A Cheat Sheet on Financial Literacy for Artists
A critical understanding of artist finances is key to building a sustainable creative career. From Creative Capital, this cheat sheet helps artists navigate the financial landscape and considerations of freelancing and consulting.
Filmmakers Legal Clinic (Formerly Indie Film Clinic)
The Filmmakers Legal Clinic (FLC), formerly known as the Indie Film Clinic, provides free transactional, intellectual property, and First Amendment legal services to visual advocates, filmmakers and video journalists working to move the social justice needle and diversify the stories that are told through media.
The Whole Picture Toolkit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Mentally Healthy Production
From The Film and TV Charity, this step-by-step guide helps filmmakers create mentally healthy productions.
We Make Movies: Mental Health Tips For Filmmakers
Head Above Water: A Filmmaking & Mental Health Podcast
CineLink Talks: Mental Health in the Film Industry (presented by Documentary Campus)
What does our industry need to do to make sure those employed within it enjoy good mental health? In this panel presented by Documentary campus, two filmmakers and two qualified therapists working in film discuss strategies and suggestions for a healthier industry.
NFT Financing: How to Use NFTs to Fund and Distribute Your Projects
The Writers Guild Foundation with The Business of Creating bring this dynamic panel and Q&A with seasoned entertainment professionals on how filmmakers can raise money for their projects with NFTS.
VC Workshop: Grant Writing to Get Noticed
From Video Consortium, this workshop "Doc Grant Writing: Writing to Stand Out," features filmmakers and funding gurus Gabriella Garcia-Pardo (TIME, 2020 Sundance Creative Producing Lab Fellow), Heidi Reinberg (93QUEEN, HOT ZONW), and Shaleece Haas (REAL BOY, THE GENIUS OF MARIAN) as they share strategies to get your independent documentary funded with VC Education Committee member Julia Pontecorvo.
Our Professional Everest: A Panel Recap on the State of Indie Producing
A recap of Dear Producer's panel on the state of indie producing moderated by Avril Speaks (producer, JINN) with panelists Amanda Marshall (producer, SWISS ARMY MAN), Kim Roth (producer, BLUE BAYOU), Rachel Shane (producer, THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE) and Lizzie Shapiro (producer, SHIVA BABY).
Filmmaker Joshua Sanchez (FOUR) On How To Stay Sane and Healthy While Making a Film
YEA! Mental Health Toolkit for Filmmakers
From Young Entertainment Activists, this toolkit is an actionable, community sourced compilation of resources and information. Find everything from therapeutic services to storytelling techniques that address mental health through an accessible and inclusive approach.
"The Future of Independent Film in the Age of the Corporate Streamers" Interviews with Filmmakers, Programmers, Distributors, Exhibitors & More
From The Film Collaborative, a video interview series of informal 20-minute chats with filmmakers, programmers, distributors, exhibitors, distribution experts, and other industry professionals on pressing film-distribution-related topics in this these tumultuous and unpredictable times.
Black Film Space Podcast: Tiffanie Young On Running A Production Company
The Black Film Space Podcast is a resource for emerging filmmakers to learn the ins and outs of production from the world’s top Black TV & Film industry professionals. In this episode, Tiffanie Young, Senior Vice President at Rock Shrimp Productions, is interviewed about her experience starting and running a production company, navigating the industry as a black woman, taking responsibility as a leader, and much more.
Green Production Guide
Sustainability matters. Created by studios and industry professionals, the Green Production Guide is a set of tools and resources to help filmmakers plan, communicate, implement and track sustainable production practices and reduce the environmental impact of their projects.
Musician Otura Mun On Being Unafraid to Try New Things
2021 Hollywood Climate Summit: Hollywood's Footprint Panel
In this panel discussion, policy leaders, scientists, and activists weigh in on what it would take for the Hollywood film industry reach net zero status and how Hollywood can use its global power to infuse policy and scientific innovation into storytelling.
A Guide to Creating and Maintaining Email Newsletters for Artists
Email newsletters are by no means a new concept, but in the last year, it seems like everyone has one. In this article, Creative Capital talks to four artists about what goes into making email newsletters, what to know about managing them, and some tips about how to be successful with limited time.
Black Film Space Podcast: Mel Jones on Directing
The Black Film Space Podcast is a resource for emerging filmmakers to learn the ins and outs of production from the world’s top Black TV & Film industry professionals. In this episode, Writer-Producer turned Director Mel Jones is interviewed about her directing practice.
In The Cut: BIPOC TV Show Support Staff Training Course (for writer's PAs, writer's assistants, and showrunner's assistants)
In the Cut is frequently asked to recommend BIPOC support staff for writer’s rooms. But employers typically request that candidates have previous experience. We recognize the reluctance to hire inexperienced people is practical—it can take time to teach others and the entertainment industry is extremely fast-paced. However, it’s impossible to champion diversity without also committing to train those that have lacked access to opportunity. In order to bridge that gap, ITC created a free video course to train people for the following positions: writer’s PA, writer’s assistant, and showrunner’s assistant.
In The Cut: BIPOC TV Show Support Staff Database (Register Free Account for Access)
From Women In Film: Women Entrepreneurs in the Screen Industries
Commissioned and published by Women In Film, this report shines a light on the grave disparities in funding for women-owned companies in the film and television industries, and lays a crucial groundwork for the steps that need to be taken to remedy this imbalance.
How Do You Make a Living Being Creative?
The Essential Guide to Production Insurance
Production insurance can make all the difference between a catastrophe or a manageable set-back on a shoot. From Vimeo's Video School blog, this guide outlines the essentials to production insurance.
THE TIME IS NOW: The Power of Native Representation in Entertainment
This guide can serve as a resource for writers, producers, directors, creators, and others in the entertainment industry who seek to develop accurate stories and characters by and about Native people in television, film, and other forms of media. This guide incorporates the learnings and insights of nearly two dozen Native creatives who participated in in-depth interviews to discuss the opportunities, barriers, and experiences of working within the entertainment industry.
DISCLOSURE Toolkits & Discussion Guide
The DISCLOSURE toolkits and discussion guide have been assembled to help folks engage in conversations about trans representation that connect family, friends, classmates, colleagues, and communities. The DISCLOSURE team wants to make sure toolkits are accessible to all, so if you are interested in purchasing a toolkit but cost is a barrier, you can use the discount codes on the website to purchase at a reduced cost or email the team at info@disclosurethemovie.com.
Wscripted Platform
Wscripted is a talent discovery marketplace for content written by women. Wscripted facilitates the discovery and hiring of women writers by decision-makers in the entertainment and literary industries worldwide. Wscripted aims to bridge the gap between storytellers and industry professionals by offering a secure platform for women writers to showcase their literary works available for option in different languages and to curate excellent content submissions for Film, TV and Publishing worldwide.
Dear Producer: Producer Rate Sheet
The Producer Rate Sheet has been created as a tool for producers who are striving to build a sustainable career. A producer’s knowledge and time should be adequately valued and compensated by stakeholders who are reliant on our participation and expertise. Whether you lead a non-profit organization, run a film festival, teach at a university, or are a filmmaker trying to get your project off the ground, we ask that you reevaluate your beliefs about sustainability and your policies on compensation using this Producer Rate Sheet as a guiding star.
Black Film Archive
Black Film Archive is a living register of Black films. In its current iteration, it showcases Black films made from 1915 to 1979 currently streaming.
AMP Better Futures: Visioning In A Time of Crisis
Writer and activist Walidah Imarisha discusses the work of visionary fiction as a way of imagining a better future, and how organizing in itself is a type of science fiction.
1in4 Coalition's 10 Ways To Support Disability Representation in Hollywood
1IN4 is an intersectional coalition of disabled creatives currently working in Hollywood focused on long-term institutional shifts to increase employment and authentic representation of disabled people. This resources outlines 10 ways film professionals can start supporting disability representation in Hollywood.
Film Fatales Directors Database
A directory of directors for Film Fatales.
Creative Capital's Livestreaming for Artists Online Workshop
This workshop, hosted by Creative Capital, explores how livestreaming can serve as a powerful tool for artists that are currently looking for ways to maintain their artistic practice and livelihood, especially as we continue to reimagine art making in a COVID world.
The Creative Independent's Applying for Artist Grants Overview
Applying for a grant is not only a chance to share your work and have it be seen—it’s also a great exercise to put into words what it is that you’re seeking to create. Every grant is a chance to open up a relationship with a potential funder, curator, or peer. Use this guide to help you apply to grants.
Restoring the Future: Building a More Abundant Media Arts System Through Restorative Values Practices
The Restoring the Future reports maps out systemic harm in the arts ecosystem and then, using a worldbuilding practice, creates a framework of provocations for implementing and operationalizing restorative values in the work of artist support and art production. Download the report and learn how to create a restorative arts practice whether you're a creator or cultural worker.
COVID-19 Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations from The National Endowment for the Arts
COVID-19 Housing Assitance Resources from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Arts practitioners and artists who have been experiencing housing instability, or are having trouble making rent or mortgage payments as a result of the coronavirus pandemic should know that they are not alone. Federal, state, and local governments are offering help with housing expenses and avoiding eviction. Information is available at the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau's mortgage and housing assistance site on available resources.
FWD-Doc Engagement Pack Toolkit
The FWD-Doc Engagement Pack Toolkit focuses on the processes of collaboration and audience engagement in documentary filmmaking with a view to social impact. This disabled-led resource offers empowering and practical information and best practice examples, focused on the crucial topic of engagement: engagement with disabled colleagues and expertise, and engagement with audiences.
Tech As Art: Supporting Artists Who Use Technology as a Creative Medium
From the National Endowment for the Arts, this report is the result of a two-year research initiative exploring the multifaceted creative practices of artists who engage with digital technologies. The research examines the creative infrastructure supporting tech-focused artistic practices and provides insight into the existing challenges and opportunities faced by artists and organizations working at the intersection of arts and technology.
Explaining Hollywood: How To Get A Job As A Producer
This article outlines Siena Oberman's journey to becoming a producer and navigating Hollywood, providing insight for emerging producers on how they can do the same.
A Step by Step Guide to NFTs for Creators
From the Creator Economy, this article outlines step by step how creators can use NFTs.
Social Media Best Practices for Artists
Building a social media following can be a daunting task, especially for those starting out. Many artists have made social media a natural extension of their practice, while others only use it when they have time or when they want to promote their work. Regardless of your experience with social media, communicating across different platforms can take time and some strategic thinking. Creative Capital created a guide of best practices for artists who want to gain a following on the most popular digital platforms.
NFT 101 for Artists
Check out this panel with industry experts from For Freedom to gain access into how to navigate the rapidly growing NFT marketplace and monetize your art pratice.