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 (THE WEST WING, GREY'S ANATOMY, THE CLOSER); Randa Haines (CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD, DANCE WITH ME); Victoria Hochberg (SEX AND THE CITY, GHOST WHISPERER); Matia Karrell (BEHIND THE RED DOOR, AMERICAN HEIRESS); Neema Barnette (GILMORE GIRLS, CIVIL BRAND); Maya Angelou (DOWN IN THE DELTA); Becky Smith (QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY, BOY MEETS BOY); Tricia Brock (THE L WORD, GREY'S ANATOMY, UGLY BETTY); and Kellie Martin (MYSTERY WOMAN for Hallmark Channel).

WORKSHOP

Monday, May 5 — Friday, May 23, 2008

AFI's Directing Workshop for Women focuses on the development and production of a short narrative project. Participants enter the program with a short screenplay, which they develop for three weeks within the Jessica Kaplan Screenwriting Series at the Directing Workshop for Women.

The preproduction period for these projects can be very short. It's recommended that participants begin fundraising and crewing up immediately upon acceptance into the program. Production is permitted only during the specific dates assigned each project.

PRODUCTION

All DWW participants will have the opportunity to direct a short narrative project.

Essential to the success of any project is the director/producer relationship. Producers are required on all DWW projects; however, AFI does not provide a pool of producers. Producers are required to follow AFI production policies, regardless of previous experience. An AFI production coordinator will be provided for each production to help facilitate the completion of the specific paperwork required by AFI.

AFI provides $5,000 (paid in installments based on paperwork deadlines) to each production. Participants may raise up to an additional $20,000 in support of their productions ($25,000 for participants who are not local).

Complete details of production will be explained to workshop participants during the workshop training series. 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 2008. Although AFI provides access to editing facilities on campus, 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 must 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.

WORKSHOP 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 digital video camera equipment for a five-day shoot. A $5,000 production grant is awarded to each production (paid in installments based on paperwork deadlines). 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 20 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:

The Adrienne Shelly Foundation
The Shirley K. Schlafer Foundation
The Collins Fisher Foundation
Jean Picker Firstenberg Endowment
National Endowment for the Arts
Sony Corporation of America