AFI's Directing Workshop for Women (DWW) has been a major force in training women in narrative filmmaking since 1974. Over 200 women have been given the opportunity to participate in this innovative and unique training program for tomorrow's directors. Some DWW alumnae include Lesli Linka Glatter (MAD MEN, HOUSE, HEROES, SWINGTOWN, THE CLOSER); Randa Haines (CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD, DANCE WITH ME); Victoria Hochberg (NOTES FROM THE UNDERBELLY, REAPER, SEX AND THE CITY, GHOST WHISPERER); Matia Karrell (7th HEAVEN, BEHIND THE RED DOOR, AMERICAN HEIRESS); Neema Barnette (GILMORE GIRLS, CIVIL BRAND); Maya Angelou (DOWN IN THE DELTA); Becky Smith (HOW TO LOOK GOOD NAKED, QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY, BOY MEETS BOY); Tricia Brock (SAVING GRACE, LIPSTICK JUNGLE, DIRT, BREAKING BAD, THE L WORD, GREY'S ANATOMY, UGLY BETTY); and Deb Hagan (COLLEGE).

The schedule for the 2009 Directing Workshop for Women is:

THREE-WEEK WORKSHOP

The three-week Workshop focuses on the development and production of a short narrative project. Participants enter the program with a short screenplay, which they develop within the Jessica Kaplan Screenwriting Series at the Directing Workshop for Women. A revised draft of the script is required at the end of the three weeks.

Upon acceptance into the program, it is crucial that participants begin immediately to fundraise and interview producers. It is recommended that each project have two producers and a line producer prior to the start of the three-week workshop. Participants are also required to have raised $2,500 in support of their productions by the first day of the May workshop. Fundraising information and support will be provided shortly after acceptance.

Classroom attendance during the Workshop is mandatory and critical to participants' success. Attendance and participation in class demonstrates a commitment to the program, to the projects and to classmates.

At the end of the three-week Workshop, pre-production begins in earnest. Participants will have the opportunity to select production dates from a list of available times. Production is then permitted only during the specific dates assigned each project.

PRODUCTION

All DWW participants will direct a short narrative project.

AFI does not provide crew for DWW projects, however there are many opportunities for participants to meet AFI Fellows (graduate film students in the AFI Conservatory). Fellows have generally completed films within similar parameters and are a rich resource for participants to include on their crews. An AFI liaison will be provided for each production to help facilitate the completion of paperwork required by AFI.

AFI provides $5,000 (paid in installments based on paperwork deadlines) to each production. Participants are required to raise an additional minimum of $5,000 in support of their productions, with $2,500 due by the first day of the Workshop. Participants may raise up to $20,000 in support of their productions ($25,000 for participants who are not local).

Complete production details will be explained to participants during the three-week Workshop. ALL PRODUCTIONS MUST COMPLY WITH DWW AND AFI PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS.

Productions will be scheduled within a very strict time frame. Production will take place in the Los Angeles area during the months of June and July 2009. Although participants are given access to AFI editing facilities, participants may also choose to edit at an outside facility. Outside editing facilities must be approved in advance. Schedules are very strictly monitored and all participants are required to screen cuts of their film for evaluation of progress. Some areas of post-production, such as mixing, will need to be done outside AFI at participant's expense.

COSTS

Participants must have the financial means to dedicate full time concentration to the Workshop and the production of their films. This will preclude participants' ability to work full time for approximately four months (May-August) when the DWW project has reached picture lock. DWW is not a grant program. There is no tuition fee to attend.

As explained, participants will be required to raise a minimum of $5,000 in support of their projects; half of this money ($2,500) must be raised by the first day of the May workshop.

The minimum costs of living in Los Angeles during full time attendance (May-August) is approximately:

Room & Board Allowance:	$6,300
Miscellaneous/Personal Expenses Allowance:	$1,532
Transportation Allowance:	$924
TOTAL:	$8,756

AFI does not provide food, housing or transportation to participants.

DWW AT A GLANCE

• Three-Week Training Workshop: Full-time classes and instruction. Many evenings are required.
• Pre-Production: Approximately five weeks from the end of the training workshop session until the first production begins shooting.
• Production: AFI provides lighting, grip and 24P HiDef video camera equipment that are required to be used for a five-day shoot. Equipment pick-up and drop-off times are specified. Participants are responsible for damaged and missing equipment. AFI provides limited insurance and requires shooting/location permits, compliance with AFI's SAG Deferred Agreement and other production paperwork.
• Post-Production: Participants are required to find editors for their projects. Projects must lock picture within the assigned 30 days, regardless of whether editing takes place on or off campus. On-campus editing facilities are available only during specified hours.

Click to see WORKSHOP AT A GLANCE page.

FUNDING AND SUPPORT

Significant contributions from individuals and corporations committed to providing opportunities for women in the media arts sustain the Workshop's activities. AFI is grateful to the following supporters who have made the DWW possible:

Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
AFI Associates
Edith and Barry Briskin, and their children Andrew Briskin and Dr. Susannah Briskin
Sony Corporation of America
Jean Picker Firstenberg Endowment
The Collins Fisher Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts