Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

On Wednesday we hosted our first webinar for potential applicants of the NSI Features First training program. As the program manager, I joined grads Kyle Rideout, Josh Epstein and Trinni Franke to share knowledge, tips and advice about the course and application process.

The idea behind the webinar was to provide a bit more insight about the program to help you put together a great application package ready for the September 14 deadline. And we recorded the webinar so, even if you couldn’t make the live broadcast, you can still watch it here.

We had so many questions and couldn’t answer them all live. Below are answers to all the questions we received.

• • •

What were you most surprised by over the course of the training period?

According to our alumni, they feel meeting key industry people, forming bonds with the other teams and the continued support from NSI were among the (pleasant!) surprises of the program.

Can you talk a bit about the writing development component? What stage was your project at when you applied, and what steps did you go through with NSI?

Most scripts submitted are at the first or second draft stage. (Note that we will only accept scripts under 105 pages).

We take writers to the Toronto Screenwriting Conference for two days of amazing and influential sessions with key industry writers, showrunners and more. This is followed by two days with story editor Corey Mandell who will have read your script (second or third draft). Corey gives the most incredible feedback.

Can the writer attend the producers boot camp even though she’s not listed as a producer?

This is decided on a case by case basis. If allowed, the writer would be responsible for all costs. We do not invite the producer to attend the writer’s story editing workshop (but they are encouraged to attend the Toronto Screenwriting Conference).

Can a non-Canadian be a part of the team of writers and still qualify? For instance, if there are two or three writers.

The applying producer and writer must be Canadian. We accept one person in each role. If you have additional writers attached they can benefit from the training received by the applying writer and be from anywhere.

Does a script with absolutely no funds attached have a chance at selection?

Absolutely! This is a training program for emerging writers and producers. Some make it through with a feature under their belt already, but most teams have never made a feature or pursued funding yet. The program starts with a focus on script development. All production training will come partway through.

Do you have resources to help us establish our budget?

Telefilm’s website has budget templates. During boot camp, you’ll meet a line producer who will go through your budget line by line to help identify areas of concern. In the past few years we have been lucky to have award-winning producer and NSI grad Paula Devonshire help us (and you) with this.

What are expectations for the budgets on these features?

It’s usually a good start to shoot for around $1.2M for a Canadian film. Of course, that can and will change when you go to make it.

Can your budget be less than $1.2 million? i.e. $200K?

You can come in with any budget, but you would need to have a realistic budget plan that supports your intention.

What budget ranges do the projects usually come in?

We have seen budgets come in under $1M and as far up as $2M+, but as a producer you need to back that up.

What do you feel is the minimum budget that will get your film into theatres? What is it about the film that gets it in? Actors? Quality?

Throughout the training program we will discuss all parts of what makes a successful feature. It’s important to keep in mind it all starts with a great script and a solid team behind it.

Are you looking for ‘uniquely Canadian’ stories, or something less country-specific, to maximize market potential?

We welcome all projects, and celebrating Canadian uniqueness is always great. With that said, for marketing reasons, on some projects it’s good to keep the location more generic. Small town, Anytown!

If the film is a co-production and the applicant knows that it’ll do better commercially in a country other than Canada, how does the NSI jury measure a project’s commercial appeal?

We pride ourselves on training for the Canadian film market – but many of our projects have gone on to co-produce with other countries. That’s something you can discuss throughout the program with our boot camp experts.

How much of a marketing strategy did you have going into the program?

It’s always helpful to do research into a marketing strategy ahead of time, but that’s something we’ll tackle throughout training.

When you say ‘marketability,’ what form do you mean? Theatrical release, TV distribution, online distribution, etc.?

We mean all of these. It’s best for you to research your genre, look at what went through the higher level festivals and see what’s selling. It’s also a great idea to check out what distributors are promoting.

You mentioned you don’t get many family films – are they as marketable as genre films?

We think all genres are marketable. Distributors, Telefilm and other producers will advise on what they’re looking for and what they’d like to see.

What age range do you mean by family film? A Disney film is not the same as a young adult film.

It would be great to see applications with family films suitable for a viewing audience under 13, but young adult films for 13- to 18-year-olds would be great too. Both can be considered family films.

Is there any restriction on projects that have explicit content?

NSI will not accept any project that contains excessive violence, sexual violence or sexual exploitation.

Did you partner with a mentor production company during the program? What was that experience like?

We don’t match teams with mentor production companies, although you may develop interest in your project as you go through the program and meet key industry people.

Development of a short or teaser was mentioned as something that NSI/Whites/Deluxe funding can go towards, but is it acceptable or desirable for teams applying to already have the short or proof-of-concept made?

Although this is a nice bonus for the jury to see, there is no advantage to having that already in place. Your script will evolve and quite possibly change the concept for your project over the 10 months of training.

When you say ‘intended for theatrical/commercial’ what specifics you are referring to? Festival circuit theatrical or Cineplex theatrical?

By the end of training, we expect your project to be ready to produce for theatrical, but first steps might be a short or proof-of-concept for the festival circuit.

Does the project have to be a unionized production?

No, at this stage we’re looking at a good script and budget plan.

Are you allowed to enter the same project into other development programs?

If you accept a spot in the program you’re agreeing to commit to just our program for the 10 months of training. After that, you’re free to develop with other organizations and programs.

After going through your course, where do people get their financing from?

During boot camp you’ll get to hear from many funding sources. Government, banks, Telefilm and more. And you’ll hear from other producers who’ll share their funding plans, traditional and innovative, which can be especially helpful and motivating.

What limitations are placed on successful applicants in regard to pursuing external funding and development opportunities? Are we locked into some sort of ‘first right of refusal’ during the program (spoken or unspoken)?

We ask that you go through the entire program, use the training and then look at how you will fund your feature. We introduce you to multiple sources for funding, where available, and open doors to communication. NSI does not own your project, but throughout the program we are there to advise you.

Can I assume we should continue to pitch our projects outside of NSI Features First?

Throughout the course we will train you on pitching and loglines, etc. We encourage you to pitch your project throughout the boot camps to all guests. We hope to give both writers and producers the support and confidence to pitch anyone. All experts and industry representatives you’ll meet are getting a first look at your project and you as a team.

I understand that four teams make it to phase two, but how many teams are shortlisted to enter phase one?

We shortlist around six to seven projects per year, then narrow down to the final four teams. The accepted four teams complete both phases of training.

Who reads the scripts that come in?

We have a jury of key industry pros with their fingers on the pulse of the current market.

My script is progressing in competitions. Does this influence your acceptance decision positively or otherwise?

That’s great! We’ve had projects that made it to the final four that have already done well in script competitions and shorts competitions. This is always great to know as it shows a strong script, but absolutely not required.

What are some common errors or omissions in the application process?

Be sure to read all guidelines and have all portions of the application completed before submitting. We have provided a checklist on our website.

The letter of recommendation(s) must be current and written for this program. Your application must be saved as one file (PDF, zip or Word doc).

If you have any questions directly related to your project that have not been addressed here, please contact program manager, Shelly Quade.

• • •

NSI Features First is a development training launch pad for writer/producer teams looking to produce their first or second feature film with strong commercial appeal.

NSI Features First is funded by Presenting Sponsor Telefilm Canada; Supporting Sponsors Super Channel, Corus Entertainment and Breakthrough Entertainment; Provincial Sponsor Creative BC through the Daryl Duke and William Vince Scholarship Fund; and Industry Supporters William F. White and Deluxe. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.

The post Answers to all your questions from the NSI Features First Q+A webinar appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).

On Wednesday we hosted our first webinar for potential applicants of the NSI Features First training program. Program manager Shelly Quade and program grads Kyle Rideout, Josh Epstein and Trinni Franke shared their knowledge, tips and advice.

The idea behind the webinar was to provide a bit more insight about the program to help you put together a great application package ready for the September 14 deadline. And we recorded the webinar so, even if you couldn’t make the live broadcast, you can still watch it here.

We had so many questions and couldn’t answer them all live. See answers to all the questions we received.

• • •

NSI Features First is a development training launch pad for writer/producer teams looking to produce their first or second feature film with strong commercial appeal.

Up to four teams will work with Canada’s best industry experts to:

• polish their script;
• hear firsthand how a feature film comes together from development, to pitch, to production, to release;
• get the latest in market intelligence from distributors, producers, broadcasters and funders, and find out where their film fits into the marketplace;
• meet potential financing partners and learn more about banks, agencies, funds, private investors and tax credits;
• attend the Toronto Screenwriting Conference plus a two-day story editing session (writers only);
• explore online marketing and find out how to extend their personal brand, generate buzz for their film, use crowdfunding and build an audience.

Accepted teams also receive $7,500 from NSI to put towards additional story editing and approved development costs, up to $10,000 in-kind in lighting and grip equipment rental from William F. White International and up to $7,500 in-kind post-production support from Deluxe.

Kyle Rideout is a director, writer, and actor. His latest feature film, Adventures in Public School (2017), premiered at TIFF, was selected as a TIFF Top Ten, and was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for best original screenplay and sold to Netflix in a multi-territory deal. His directorial debut, Eadweard (2015), won five audience choice awards, and multiple best feature film special jury prizes at festivals worldwide. His short films Hop the Twig (2010) and Wait for Rain (2011), won on the CBC Short Film Face-off and best short at Comic-con, respectively.

Josh Epstein and Kyle Rideout’s film Adventures in Public School stars Judy Greer, premiered at TIFF 2017, was the opening film of TIFF Top Ten, with theatricals in Canada, the US, the UK and Japan before finally landing on Netflix, TMN and HBO Eastern Europe. Their first film Eadweard won five international film festival awards and was distributed around the world. This year – as a writer and producer – Josh was nominated for 10 Leo Awards and a Canadian Screen Award for best original screenplay. As an actor, he was nominated for a Jessie and a Dora. Currently, he’s re-writing scripts for EOne, Mark Gordon and a Canada/Berlin co-pro. @joshepstein1

Trinni Franke is a filmmaker and digital media marketer and has worked with Cineplex, Union Pictures, A71 Entertainment and Triptych Media. As a producer at Willis Sweete Productions, she recently helped release the multi-screen dance production I Lost My Talk, directed by Barbara Willis Sweete, at Luminato in 2017 with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. After attending NSI Features First with the project Rust (in development), Trinni joined forces with Hugh Patterson to produce the high-octane action adventure SuperGrid (also an NSI Features First-developed project) to be released in 2019. She is currently in production on the comedy series Tokens by director Winnifred Jong.

Shelly Quade manages NSI Features First and takes great pride in her role as facilitator, guide and friend to her teams. Her interest in script reading and proofing has brought even more enjoyment to her job. Based on the east coast, Shelly represents NSI from her office in Halifax, always looking for the next story to be told.

NSI Features First is funded by Presenting Sponsor Telefilm Canada; Supporting Sponsors Super Channel, Corus Entertainment and Breakthrough Entertainment; Provincial Sponsor Creative BC through the Daryl Duke and William Vince Scholarship Fund; and Industry Supporters William F. White and Deluxe. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.

The post Now available online: video of NSI Features First Q+A webinar with program alumni appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).