Page 13 - 2023 Official Program

Saturday, July 29 through Saturday, August 5, 2023

Master Class, Panels and Workshops

Our Master Class, Panels and Workshops are a wonderful opportunity to learn from some of today’s
most important voices. All events will be presented live and in-person unless otherwise indicated.

MASTER CLASS
Master Class with Allison Otto, WHFF Filmmaker in Residence
Character Driven Storytelling in Documentary Film
Monday, July 31, 12 pm, Woods Hole Community Hall
A character-driven story is one of the compelling and engaging ways to drive a documentary, but it can be a complicated process
to navigate—and one that is totally different from a traditional expository documentary. In this masterclass we’ll examine how to find
characters that will make your story “pop,” how to make use of storytelling tools traditionally used in the narrative
space to craft a story arc, how to remain flexible with the story, and how to bring it all together to create a memorable character-
driven story that captivates viewers.

SEED&SPARK workshops with Meghan Ross, the Head of Creator Success at Seed & Spark, a film centric
crowdfunding and SVOD platform.

WORKSHOP WORKSHOP WORKSHOP
Stretch That Buck: Film Crowdfunding to Build Short Form Distribution
Budgeting 101 Independence Down Low
Monday, July 31, 2 pm, Community Hall Tuesday, August 1, 12 pm, Fire Station Tuesday, August 1, 1:30 pm, Fire Station
How much should you crowdfund for? As much as Seed&Spark’s cornerstone class lays out the steps So you’ve made a short film or web series, and now
you need to move your project forward! In this work- toward a successful crowdfunding campaign, as well you want to share it with the world (or a more specific
shop, you’ll learn how to build a budget, utilize loans as a career-long action plan most likely to create a audience than that)! But what comes next? We’ll break
to make up your budget (conceptually as well as lasting, flourishing, direct relationship with an audience. down the current landscape of distribution for indepen-
literally), navigate the ask, break down your script, and Attendees learn how to find your audience, structure dent short films and web series, including the econom-
get creative with ways to cut costs without sacrificing your crowdfunding campaign, pick the right goal and ics of different avenues to take, the right questions to
your vision. incentives, and much more. ask potential partners, and other information to arm
yourself with as you enter negotiations.

WORKSHOP
Comedy On The Page – And Even On The Stage!
With Steve Young
Wednesday, August 3, 4, and 5 | 10 am | Workshop is over all 3 days.
Are you an experienced writer looking to push ahead with a comedy project? Or maybe you’ve got an itch to try your hand at funny
writing in a fun, supportive environment? If so, this Woods Hole Film Festival writing workshop is for you! Over three days in beautiful
Woods Hole, participants will read, discuss, be inspired, make new friends — and write funny stuff. Whether you’re interested in writing
monologue jokes, sketches, longer comedy scripts, humorous fiction, or even song lyrics, veteran comedy writer Steve Young (leading
his third Woods Hole comedy workshop) will help you make progress. Participants will collaborate on a comedy piece that will be per-
formed live on Saturday evening as part of the Awards Night festivities. An opportunity to perform (if you want) as well as write!
About Steve Young: in addition to 25 years on the Letterman writing staff, Woods Hole alum Steve has written for The Simpsons, Lorne
Michaels’ variety show Maya & Marty, Harry Connick Jr.’s show Harry, and more. He recently wrote and starred in two comedy short films
which have toured the film festival circuit, winning multiple awards, and his growing portfolio also includes performing his own songs.

PANEL DISCUSSION
How To Market Your Film
Thursday, August 3rd, 2 pm, Woods Hole Community Hall
First impressions matter! Knowing when to start marketing yourself and/or your project is crucial to its success. Before you launch
an endeavor, learn how to identify your marketing audience, the timing for your outreach, and how to present yourself with best
industry practices. We’ll touch upon AI and how to use this tool to your advantage. WIFVNE Board of Director Kristen Falso-Capaldi
will moderate this panel discussion with experienced professionals in the business. Christine Merser, Managing Partner of Blue Shoe
Content; Gia Galligani, Executive Producer/Showrunner and Development Executive; and John Edginton, Documentary Film Direc-
tor/Producer/Executive Producer.

PANEL DISCUSSION
The Role Of Film Critics In The Age Of Artificial
Intelligence And Streaming
Friday, August 4th, 2 pm, Woods Hole Community Hall
Join Moderator Tribekah Jordan, Tim Miller, Allyson Johnson, Sarah G. Vincent, Tim Jackson and Tom Meek, members of the Boston
Society of Film Critics for a spirited discussion about the changing role of film critics in the age of artificial intelligence and streaming.

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