Educated, Inspired & Ready To Work!

WIFTA president Dellis Caden Noble promised attendees of WIFTA’s 2011 kick off event “a night of inspiration and education” and that’s exactly what they got! New and seasoned actors, editors, designers, producers, directors, sound mixers, script supervisors, talent agents, writers and union representatives mingled as they awaited the main event: Insider tips from four of 

Atlanta ’s most knowledgeable production industry vets. For a snippet of what the evening’s speakers shared with the audience… 

 

Will Packer, Co-Owner / Co-Producer 

at Rainforest Films

Will Packer, being one of the most prominent independent film producers in Hotlanta and Hollywood, shared advice on how to stay encouraged while trying to “make it” in an industry that is light on kudos and heavy complaints. His advice in a nutshell:

Use what’s uniquely you. Figure out what you have that no one else does, and use that to get where you want to be.

Be you own #1 fan. 

Hollywood is notorious for telling people “No” or “You’re not good enough.” It would be easy to believe them, but don’t. Instead, believe in yourself; know that you are the best at what you do and keep trying it…whatever it is.

Embrace failure. The failures you experience can be opportunities to learn what you need to succeed…if you let them.

Make no excuses. Yes, the odds are against you when you’re new to 

Hollywood  -  especially if you are a woman or ethnic minority. And? Accept it and don’t let it stop you. It’s no excuse.

Kat Phillips, Director / Producer / Owner 

at Kat Scratch Films

Kat Phillips, an award-winning, no-nonsense director and producer, used the 2011 WIFTA kickoff to share an array tips for filmmakers in the making. She shared a truckload of advice, far too much to include here. Here are four highlights:

Act like an entrepreneur. A movie is a product. If you want it to be a good product and if you want it to sell, you have to think of it as such. So, plan out your strategy for its success. Be tight-fisted with money but don’t cut corners too sharply. Above all, protect yourself and your project by making sure you do everything legally.

Be in “the know.” Who’s buying what? Who is the next “big thing” going to be? How are films distributed today? What’s does a “good deal” really include? Who’s who in town and what or who do they know that can help 

you? In short, stick your nose into everything you can!

Aim high. The best isn’t as hard to get as you may think. So, strive to recruit the very best talent you can findundefinedbehind the scenes and in front of the camera. You will be surprised with what you can attain when you reach for it.

Learn from all mistakes. Never make the same mistake twice. When you learn about others’ mistakes, don’t make their mistakes either!

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                                             Allison Wise                                                             Melissa Goodman        

                               Assistant Executive Director,                                    Executive Director, SAG Atlanta

                                    SAG / AFTRA  Atlanta

Union is not a four-letter word. That was part of SAG Atlanta Executive Director Melissa Goodman’s opening message when she took over the microphone. Her goal: To let the film / TV / media production community know that working with SAG on a project won’t make things more challenging. In fact, she spoke about how having SAG and AFTRA on a filmmaker’s team could actually help. Three key benefits of partnering with SAG and / or AFTRA that she mentioned include:

More opportunities.  Being able to tout your project as a SAG or AFTRA production increases the presumed professionalism of your project in the eyes of potential investors and distributors.

Skilled Talent: Working under SAG or AFTRA agreements gives you access to a more seasoned population of actors.

Learning the Ropes: The process of producing a SAG or AFTRA project introduces you to industry-standard contracts and production practices, making you that much more ready to work on larger productions.

She ended her talk, reassuring the audience that the SAG / AFTRA doors aren’t just open for actors; they are open for TV / filmmakers too. Did I mention that she helped Will Packer to get his first SAG film on the right track? Well, she did…and look at him know! Just think: That could be you in a few years.