20 Years of Project Involve: Hands-On Filmmaking 101
Lately you’ve been hearing quite a bit Project Involve, our signature diversity program dedicated to cultivating the careers of filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the industry. But how exactly do we help cultivate these careers?
In addition to a one-on-one mentorship and master workshops on the craft as well as the business of filmmaking, PI Fellows also work together to create a collection of short films during the nine month program. The goal: to provide these Fellows with hands-on knowledge of the complete filmmaking experience, from development to pre-production to post.
The Process — From Development to Pre-Production to Post
It begins with the writing of a treatment, which all the Fellows are welcome to submit. The PI team combs through the submissions, selecting the most competitive treatments to move on to the screenwriting stage. Those Fellows whose treatments are selected then submit a complete script for a short film. Again, the PI team reads through the scripts, choosing those that will be greenlit for development. But the process doesn’t end here.
Once scripts are greenlit, all the directors in the program are then invited to pitch the PI team, sharing their visions for bringing the scripts to life. And once the directors are chosen, (tiny) budgets are given, teams are assembled and roles are assigned. Then the group heads into pre-production, followed by production, followed by post — a process in which the teams must navigate the indie world of tight schedules and tighter spending to get their short made. The result? A completed film to each filmmaker’s credit like the short below, and a deeper understanding of just how involved the filmmaking process really is.
The Result — short fix: GIMME U. I WANT U NOW. (Project Involve 2011)
In this Project Involve-produced short from PI Fellow Huy Chau, a young boy rehearses a provocative dance performance in his room — until an unwelcome spectator interrupts his number. Starring Richard Huang and Austin Chandra.
Gimme U. I Want U Now. (2011) from huy chau on Vimeo.
CREDITS:
Written/directed by Huy Chau.
Produced by Frances E. Chang and Joy Ganes.
Casting by Crystal Holt. Cinematography by Eunsoo Robin Cho.
Production Design by Chia-Yi Renée Chao.
Costume, Hair, and Make-up by Trang Chau.
Edited by Joe Murphy.
Original Song, “Gimme U. I Want U Now.” by Trang Chau
Click here to learn more about Project Involve
