Pitching a potential film is one thing. Finding funding and resources to execute the vision is another. That’s the bare bones concept of the upcoming “Roads to Resources” event, which will connect filmmakers to funders to back their aspirations.
Hosted by Women in Film Cincinnati — a nonprofit that seeks to help women in the media, entertainment and communication industries reach their potential — the event will take place 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Woodward Theater (1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine).
For Laure Quinlivan, a local filmmaker and WIF board member, it took years to raise enough funds to produce Cincinnati LEEDs the Nation, a PBS documentary. She’s not the only one, Cincinnati and beyond.
According to findings from 2017’s State of the Field, a report from The Documentary Sustainability Summit, only 22 percent of documentary professionals said they were able to make a living from filmmaking; 66 percent made either no salary or less than half of their income from their work.
But films cost money to create; the report also cited that professionals spent between $5,000 to $50,000 on their most recent projects.
Andrea Torrice, a local doc producer with 20-years plus experience, says that locally, funding for such projects are lacking. “And some funders have a policy of not funding documentaries,” Torrice says in a press release. “Why? How will you keep our talented producers here if you don’t support our work?”
The State of the Field reported that foundation grants are the top-funders for these projects, with personal finances and cable licensing deals trailing behind. Of the panelists attending the event, the “funders” half of the equation include Frisch’s CEO Jason Vaughn, Chair of The Wilder Foundation Beth Sullebarger and ArtsWave’s Kara Shibiya and ArtWorks’ Colleen O’ Connor.
Kristen Schlotman of Film Cincinnati, Jim Szekacs of the Ohio Arts Council and David Merkowitz will also speak as panelists. Ultimately, this event will serve as discussion on how projects might be funded, as well as the best practices to follow.
While the event is targeting local filmmakers, lovers of the craft are welcome to join, too — as well as students just getting acclimated to the scene. Sara Drabik, an associate electronic media and broadcasting professor at Northern Kentucky University, is doing just that: encouraging her students to come out.
“Many young filmmakers are brimming with talent and ideas, but have no idea how to navigate the financial needs of a production,” Drabik says in the press release. “When the access to free gear and facilities disappears after graduation, what do you do? The fundraising forum is a great opportunity to hear about options to finance their projects.”
Other filmmakers showing up include Meg Hanrahan, Tara Jayn, Natalie Lynch, Aymie Majerski, Pamela Thomas and Allyson West. Following presentations, audience members can pitch in their own voices with a Q&A session emceed by WLWT’s anchor, Sheree Paolello.
Come early or stay late to network, eat some grub, grab some suds at the cash bar and chill to live music. Tickets are $15 at the door, $10 advance and students will receive a one-year membership to Women in Film Cincinnati upon attending.
“Road to Resources” will take place 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Woodward Theater (1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine).More info: wifcincinnati.org
This article appears in Sep 19-26, 2018.
