There are dozens of classes and seminars that profess to teach what a producer does, but very few that teach the manner in which one should do it. How do you schmooze, cold call, or work a room? What approach and choice of words will make an impression when you only have 60 seconds? How can you be persistent without being a pest? And how do you avoid wearing “the smelly coat of desperation*?”

In this session, Stu Pollard will offer tips and advice on how to best carry yourself as a producer; why a script or screener thrust into another producer’s hand often does far more harm than good; and why it’s better to be wanted than to want.

About the Speaker

Stu Pollard’s popular Business Plan/Private Equity class is a consistent sell out each time we hold it at Film Independent. With over a decade of filmmaking experience, Stu has plenty of production knowledge to share. His producing credits include Rust Creek, And Then I Go, Men Go to Battle, True Adolescents, Dirty Country and Ira & Abby.

Pollard’s Lunacy Productions has numerous projects in development, including the riveting two-hander The Man Who Knew Belle Starr (based on the award-winning Richard Bausch short story and adaptation by Rust Creek writer Julie Lipson), the uproarious southern political satire Wonderdog (based on the novel by Inman Majors), Begin River Road, a family drama based on the Chris Bohjalian best-seller, and Alas, Babylon, a post-apocalyptic survival parable based on Pat Frank’s classic Cold War-era novel.

Pollard has directed two features; the rom-com Nice Guys Sleep Alone and the suspense drama Keep Your Distance. In addition to Film Independent, he teaches at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. He holds a degree in business from Georgetown and an MFA in film from USC, and is a member of the PGA and DGA.

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Please note: This event is non-refundable (no credit/exchanges) and will not be available On Demand.
 

Accessibility

Film Independent is committed to hosting events that are accessible. For inquiries regarding accessibility, or to request an accommodation, please contact us at accessibility@filmindependent.org or 323 556 9305.

* Ava DuVernay, Film Independent Forum Keynote