JANUARY 9th
IS YOUR STORY A DOC OR PODCAST?
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Are you passionate about storytelling but unsure whether your project belongs on screen or in your listeners' ears? Join us for an engaging and insightful workshop with N'Jeri Eaton, Head of Audio/Podcast Programming at Netflix, designed to help you find the perfect medium for your story! Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Emerson College Los Angeles Center.
"Is Your Story a Doc or Podcast?" workshop is tailored for filmmakers, journalists, and storytellers who are exploring whether their narrative ideas would resonate better as a visual documentary or an immersive audio podcast.
Additional guest speakers include members PaSean Wilson-Ashley and Steve Williams will share their experiences with the format.
Whether you dream of seeing your story unfold on screen or hearing it captivate audiences through their headphones, this workshop is your first step toward making it a reality.
Let’s find the right format for your voice. See you there!
Ife has conducted ethnographic observational fieldwork worldwide and in their communities in America. They won Best Experimental Documentary at the New York International Film & Video Film Fest of 2006 for their short film Fidel. But it wasn't until 2014, when they became a Kartemquin Diverse Voices in Documentary Fellow, that they started producing documentaries for distribution. Ife worked as the documentary production manager for Participant from 2022- until they closed in 2024, helping to produce more than 12 feature docs, including Descentant, Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power, Oscar Nominated All The Beauty and the Bloodshed, I'm Your Venus a sequel to Paris is Burning, and Separated by Eroll Morris among many more. Today Ife is an independent producer and film critic in Los Angeles, CA. You can read their articles on film websites and blogs such as RogerEbert.com, PeepsMagazine.com, and more.
OBSERVATIONAL CINEMA AND
THE ART OF CINEMA VERITE
with Ife Olatunji, MA, BA, is a visual anthropologist, documentary filmmaker, writer, producer, and educator.
Both observational cinema and cinema verité have made a significant impact on documentary filmmaking, offering two distinct pathways to explore truth and reality. Observational cinema seeks to capture life as it unfolds without interference, cinema verité engages with its subjects to provoke a deeper, more dynamic truth. Join us on Thursday, October 3, 2024 for Observational Cinema and the Art of Cinema Verite as Ife Olatunji, visual anthropologist and documentary filmmaker discusses and shares examples of these rich traditions of innovative and reflective approaches to non-fiction filmmaking, each offering unique insights into the complexities of human experience.
SHOW 10/TALK 10
Thursday, September 5, 2024
6:30pm - 8:00pm PST
Join us a we launch our new meeting space, Thursday, September 5, 2024 for Show 10/Talk 10. This a BADWest workshop allows members and non-members working on a documentary project to show 10 minutes of a work-in-progress and receive 10 minutes of constructive feedback from their fellow filmmakers.
Sign-Up Details:
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First come, first serve basis.
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Only five (5) work-in-progress films will be screened and discussed.
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Documentary filmmakers from all disciplines are welcome.
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Sign up at badwestla2@gmail.com with the title of the film and a brief synopsis.
We're not done yet!
Event Highlights:
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Black Doc Trivia: Between the works-in-progress sessions, we’ll play a couple of rounds of trivia. Winners will receive a Target gift card.
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Networking Opportunity: Even if you’re not working on a project or not in a phase to share, this is a great meeting to come, observe, and contribute.
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Refreshments: Light refreshments will be provided.
Let's celebrate the new in-person meeting space. Looking forward to seeing you there!
CALIFORINA HUMANITIES
CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTARY PROJECT GRANTS
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Thursday, JUNE 6 2024
6:30 - 8:00 pm
John Lightfoot, Director of Media & Journalism Programs at California Humanities. Interested in CDP but have questions about whether your project is a good fit? Or what kind of subjects California Humanities is looking for? What should you submit as a work sample? Or what does a humanities advisor do and where do I find one? Bring your questions with you and have them answered during this session.
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Join us for an informational session about the California Documentary Project (CDP) grant program. CDP supports original independent documentary film, audio, and interactive media productions that explore California in all its complexity. Funding is available in two categories—Research and Development Grants up to $15,000 and Production Grants up to $50,00—for projects that explore California subjects and issues, have the potential to reach and engage audiences both statewide and nationally, and use the humanities to provide context, depth, and perspective. Productions of any documentary style and length are eligible—shorts, features, podcasts, web series, VR, (and more). This year’s deadline is November 4, 2024 and California residency is not required to apply.
SHOW10/talk 10
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​Thursday, May 2, 2024
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Filmmakers working on their documentary projects can show 10 minutes of a work-in-progress video and receive 10 minutes of constructive feedback from fellow filmmakers. The videos will be shown via Zoom Share Screen.
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Sign up for Show 10/Talk 10 is on a first come-first serve basis. Only five (5) work-in-progress films will be screened. BADWest members have first priority. Documentary filmmakers from all disciplines are welcome. Please include the title of the work and a brief synopsis at badwestla2@gmail.com.
Even if you're not working on a project at this time, these conversations are most valuable.
Thursday, April 4, 2024
6:30pm - 8:00pm PST
Virtual
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS
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Medea Brown
Associate Programmer Pan AFrican Film Festival
Melissa Randle
Traffic Coordinator , Pan African Film Festival
"INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS"
We invite you to join us for "International Film Festivals", Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 6:30PM conducted by Medea Brown ans Melissa Randle.
Medea will explore the intricacies of navigating international film festivals, including identifying the most advantageous ones for Black filmmakers, understanding associated costs, evaluating the necessity of submission, and uncovering the potential benefits thereof.
Thursday, MARCH 14th
6:30p - 8:00p PST
Virtual Program
DIRECTORS' SPOTLIGHT
Meet Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson, the directors of the Sundance award-winning and Spirit Awards-nominated documentary film, Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project. Join them for an insightful discussion about their extensive body of work, where they will candidly share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs as filmmakers. Delve into their storytelling journey and explore the artistry behind documentary filmmaking with these accomplished directors.
Michèle Stephenson
Director and Producer
Joe Brewster
Director and Producer
Diem Van Groth
Executive Producer at Diem Van Groth Productions, Business Leader and Filmmaker
Thursday, March 7, 2024
at 6:30PM - 8:00PM
Virtual via Zoom
HOW TO BRING ON A PRODUCTION COMPANY
conducted by Diem Van Groth,
Executive Producer at Diem Van Groth Productions,
Business Leader and Filmmaker.
In the dynamic world of filmmaking, producers often face complex challenges and shifting requirements throughout the production process. When the need arises to enlist the support of a film production company, careful planning, strategic decision-making, and effective collaboration become paramount. Diem will discuss the steps and considerations involved in bringing on a production company to assist in completing a film.
As the Executive Producer at Diem Van Groth Productions, Diem focuses on impactful projects like "612," a documentary addressing social justice in Minneapolis. Simultaneously, his roles as a pro-bono Strategic Consultant for V3 Sports and a Communications Consultant for the City of Compton underscore his dedication to community development.
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FEBRUARY 1st, 2024
6:30PM - 8:00PM PST
VIRTUAL via ZOOM
HOW TO CREATE A DYNAMIC PITCH DECK
We invite you to join us for "How to Creat a Dynamic Pitch Deck", conducted by graphic designer Aaron Davis of Aaron Davis Graphic Design Studios, who specializes in pitch decks.
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A dynamic pitch deck is a crucial tool to convey the ideas, concept and story of your film. This workshop aims to provide participants with the skills and knowledge needed to create a compelling and engaging pitch deck that captures the attention of investors, partners, procuers and stakeholder. The session will cover essential elements, design principles, and strategies to make your pitch deck stand out.
Aaron Davis
Aaron Davis Graphic Design Studios
JANUARY 4th, 2023
6:30PM - 8:00PM PST
VIRTUAL via ZOOM
I NEED HELP
Join is for "I Need Help" - a BADWest workshop designed for both members and non-members actively engaged in documentary projects seeking advice on specific aspects such as editing, crew, script, equipment, clearances, and more. Projects at any stage of development are welsome.
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This interactive session allows eveyone in attendance to listen and learn from the advice given to fellow filmmakers. Registration for "I Need Help" operates on a first-come, first served basis. When signing up, please indicate the particular area in which you seek advice.
NOVEMBER 2, 2023
6:30PM - 8:00PM PST
VIRTUAL
MEET THE DP'S
From discussing the technical nuances of lighting and camera techniques to exploring the emotional aspects of storytelling through visuals. "Meet the DP's" will delve deep into the creative minds behind the lens; aimed at providing invaluable insights into the art and craft of cinematography and how to work with them in the world of documentary filmmaking.
Johnny Simmons
DP
Crystal Kelley
DP
Steven Farrier
DP
RSVP TO ATTEND A WORKSHOP
MEMBERS RSVP @ BADWESTLA3@GMAIL.COM
Everyone must Register or RSVP 24 hours in advance.
The Zoom link/information will be emailed to all confirmed participants the day before the meeting.
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JOIN BADWEST TODAY!
Join BADWest for $45, and reap all the benefits of being a member, including free monthly meetings, screenings and other special events.
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