Back to school with SWOTS:

Date 19th Aug 2008
Submitted by Nic Seton on 19 August 2008 - 5:23pm

- S - W - O - T - S
SPANNERFILMS' WEEKEND OF TOP TIPS AND SECRETS... everything you need to know to make independent documentaries with no commission, crew or contacts... and still get 51 million viewers.

NEXT SWOTS COURSE
6th and 7th of September, 2008, in Central London.

TWO DAY INSANELY FAST LECTURE COURSE INCLUDES:
more than 400 tips and secrets from every stage of making documentaries; from idea to broadcast. from cameras to editing. from interviewing to subtitles. from journalist visas to jail detentions. from limited companies to VAT returns. from clearing copyright to avoiding libel. from translators & animators to websites & DVDs. from lighting with no lights to fundraising from your kitchen. from shameless self promotion in the international press to charging batteries with solar panels. from photocopying press packs to free holidays at film festivals. from blagging Moby’s music to persuading Ken Loach to direct reconstructions. from screenings in tribal Indian villages with no electricity to international TV broadcast deals from radio mics to radio interviews. from hooking up with oscar-winning producers to filming pete postlethwaite in a carpet warehouse in willesden. from shooting seasonal timelapse from trains to dangling from helicopters with the jordanian police. from building sets to designing 3d worlds. from clearing pop music to hiring an orchestra. from animation to special effects... everything we’ve learnt in twelve painful years, you can have in a weekend.

CROWD FUNDING SESSION:
How to raise 450k without giving away any of the rights or getting into debt. Including copies of our legal agreements you can take away and use. "The most original film financing scheme I've ever seen - but it's illegal" - our lawyer. (But we changed the illegal bit.)

PITCH & PUTT SESSION:
Where a distribution expert will advise on distribution of your documentary ideas, from BBC to bin.

SNEAK PREVIEW SCREENING OF 'THE AGE OF STUPID'
The course includes a screening of Spanner's new epic three-year climate change documentary starring Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite. www.ageofstupid.net

YOU’LL ALSO RECEIVE
a CD containing all our budgets, release forms, treatments, music cue sheets, copyright agreements, and distribution contracts. Plus: an equipment list of everything you need to buy, borrow or blag to deliver a broadcast documentary, including discounts from friendly shops. And: a free DVD of our 'McLibel' film with 4 hours of extras.

THE COURSE DOES NOT COVER
how to spend three years and £30,000 at film school. Or how to run around after TV commissions.

YOUR TEACHERS ARE
* Franny Armstrong, Director of The Age of Stupid, Drowned Out, McLibel and Spanner Films
* Lizzie Gillett, Producer of The Age of Stupid.
Distribution expert , TBC

THE WEEKEND'S EVENTS WILL BE
Sat 6th September, 2008 afternoon: introduction & lectures, evening: screening 'The Age of Stupid' and Q&A session
Sun 7th September, 2008 10am->6pm. All day lectures. Soft drinks included. Optional evening in pub. Central London venue TBC.

PREVIOUS SWOTS SAID
Wonderful! Really glad I came! Inspirational and encouraging - very confidence building Adela P. Excellent, very informative and inspiring. Anna E-F. Brilliant! This was exactly what I was looking for. Amazingly almost all of my questions have been addressed, answered, hinted at. I loved the format - bite-size, manageable chunks- and the relaxed, laid-back attitude of all involved. Sally C. Mind-blowingly good. Inspiring. Stuart U. Bloody brilliant. You are an extremely inspiring team and I am impressed at how generously you have given information. I am inspired to make my documentary on my own terms. Taina G. I liked the balance between the actual filming and all the preparation/legalities/paperwork. Fascinating to see all that goes on behind the filming. Very encouraging & inspiring. Deborah C. Really great. Good people and nice laidback atmosphere was positive. Very informative. Cressida R.

AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS
Part with your cash.
Full price = £230 +VAT
Early bird (before August 25th) = £190 + VAT
Students/OAPs/Unemployed = £140 +VAT
Payment by cheque = £10 off prices above
Spanner Films volunteers = £0

MORE INFO
EMAIL US: swots@spannerfilms.net
SPANNER WHO?: www.spannerfilms.net
THE AGE OF STUPID: www.ageofstupid.net
BOOKINGS: www.spannerfilms.net/swots/

Or phone Lizzie on 07789 862 011