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Stephen Cleary, one of the most experienced and respected story/script consultants and development experts in Europe will visit Japan in late February and teach a one-day workshop (in English) on the development of low-budget feature films.
Despite the excitement about low-budget production and new distribution channels, most low-budget films never get seen by audiences. Cleary will analyze some of the reasons for the failure of low budget projects, and some of the myths that surround the “new technology and new distribution paradigms” and suggest ways in which filmmakers can develop their stories to best position their films for festival success or commercial release. This is not a “recipe for success” approach, but a hard-headed industry-insider’s advice on how to best avoid failure.
Cleary was head of development at the UK Film Council. He then established ARISTA, a script and development workshop that was funded by MEDIA in Europe and which developed hundreds of European feature films. He was consultant for the METI-sponsored J-Pitch initiative, a development workshop to help Japanese producers make international co-productions. Currently, he works closely with National and Regional Film Agencies in Australia on projects, workshops and co-producing initiatives.
The workshop will be in English, and held at the Toho Gakuen Graduate School of Film Producing in Nishi-Shinjuku 5-chome (Oedo Line).
For: Producers, Writers and Directors Time: 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Doors open at 10:10 a.m.) Place: Graduate School of Film Producing 〒151-0071 東京都渋谷区本町3-40-6 山手通り・方南通り「清水橋」交差点角 都営地下鉄大江戸線「西新宿五丁目」駅 A2出口左手に徒歩3分
For filmmakers with projects in development (writers/directors/producers), Cleary will also offer consultation on specific projects. A full treatment (8–10 pages) or English script will need to be ready by Feb 20 at the latest. This story consultation involves a read of the material, and a two-hour intensive session on the story development. As these sessions are limited we have to prioritize them on a first come/first serve basis, and it may not be possible to accommodate every request. The consultation fee for projects is 50,000 Yen. Individual consultation:
For: Producers, Writers and Directors Date: Feb 22-26 Place: 100 Meter Films office Fee: 50,000 yen
To book a place at the workshop on Feb 27 (8,000 yen) or to book an individual consultation, please contact Saki Watanabe at 100 Meter Films - saki@100meterfilms.com 100 Meter Films Saneicho Mansion 201 Saneicho 4-12 Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 160-0008 Tel: 03-3358-3411 Fax: 03-3358-3459 Email saki@100meterfilms.com
© Japan Today
7 Comments
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nemoflow
Low budget film making seminar which costs 50,000yen.
You could make an entire film for that, if you played your cards right.
papigiulio
Lol @ nemoflow! Indeed. 5000 yen wouldve been nice, but 50000.
motogaijin
Where better to have a low-budget film making workshop than in Japan, the capital of low-budget films?
nemoflow
I imagine the budgets are pretty high in Japan. It is the people that make them that suck here.
A case of 'all the gear and no idea'.
As for my first comment; I might actually make a film to prove this.
My shopping list consists of;
Editing software = 0円 (already got everything I need) Computers = 0円 (already got them) Camera=0円 (already got one) Script=0円 (I have an imagination) Actors=0円 (SOOOO many wannabe actors in Japan desperate for a break. No money required here) Distribution=0円 (everything can be done online, and I already have webspace and an internet connection) Lighting=0円 (Low budget film, so all atmos can be dealt with post-production)
The only thing I can think that would actually cost any money would be train fares to locations, and the odd bit of make up and a prop or two, which could also be ruled out given the right script.
So yeah, 50,000円 for what is essentially peer editing already available on the zillions of forums on the net. Wishful thinking!
motogaijin
Can't agree with you on that one. It looks like most Japanese TV and films were filmed in someone's basement. If the films have a high budget, it's because all of the money is being spent on "actors" and the "talent" they use to promote the films.
borscht
nemoflow,
You're forgetting to feed your actors and having a wrap party. That'll run you a small fortune.
ratpack
50,000 yen??? Maybe if it were George Lucas or Speilberg......but then again if it were them you could add another zero and it would still be worth it.