Film Artists Network / About Fan

GRANTS & DONATIONS

Film Artists Network is seeking grants and donations for all of its educational programs.

F.A.N. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS - OBJECTIVES

To develop the talent of students in under served communities and provide them with resources for them to reach their potential .

To use the film and video media to communicate vital issues and ideas, generating a creative, positive society.

To bring together disparate social and cultural groups through sponsoring educational film projects.

To use the entertainment medium to elevate all who participate in it to greater levels of achievement and self-sufficiency.

F.A.N. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS- DESCRIPTION

1. Film Artists Network’s Global Hands Film Mentoring Program

(AN EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING PROGRAM RELATED TO THE ART OF FILMMAKING)

Each project will consist of a feature length motion picture and a motion picture documentary showing the making of the motion picture feature-length narrative.

By participating in the documentary part of the project students will receive hands-on experience from industry professionals, produce a real film project, and create valuable footage for a demo reel, to promote themselves, receive a film credit and build a track record. This will serve as a very important tool to help market the students, get them hired in other film projects and reach the next level in their entertainment industry career.

Furthermore, this mentoring program will help build their bio and resume and help establish contacts and relationships in the film industry. The completed films will gain exposure; receive write-ups, reviews, possible awards by circulating in the film festival route and will be presented for marketing, sales and distribution domestically and internationally.

Film Artists Network also known as FAN created the Global Hands Film Mentoring Program. FAN is a nonprofit, 501( c ) (3) organization in existence since 1977. FAN provides help, training and education in all areas of the filmmaking process, including development, funding, pre-production, production, postproduction, marketing and sales.

FAN holds offices annually at the major markets including American Film Market, and Cannes Film Market (in France).

Its mission is to help, educate, train, and create opportunities for carrier oriented individuals who have a desire to pursue a career in the film industry and gain experience in the different areas of the filmmaking process.

In the narrative part of this mentoring project, career oriented students from around the world shadow and observe industry professionals as they create a feature-length narrative motion picture. Multiple crews of students will alternate through different segments of production.

During the segments of the narrative feature-mentoring project, students are given the opportunity to create a documentary, which details the creation of the narrative feature project.

Any profits or revenues accumulated from the sales of licensing rights to the projects, will be used to support this program, compensate participating professionals for services rendered and to develop future projects for this program.

FAN retains all rights to all projects and motion pictures developed through this program. Each project exists in six phases: development, funding, pre-production, production, post-production, marketing and sales.

Funding will be sought from individual companies, sponsors, donations, government and private grants.

2. Apprenticeship training for inner-city youths and other disadvantaged groups to prepare them for high-wage jobs within the industry, and the knowledge needed to start their own related business.

3. Outreach Seminars - Experienced film industry professionals will visit libraries and schools and give talks to students about various film and television job opportunities. These seminars will open to all.

4. Seminars and Courses on Packaging and Financing - Packaging (writing a business plan, launching, developing and obtaining talent) and how to find and approach film financiers for independent producers will be taught. Students will have the access to F.A.N.’s database of resources to execute actual projects.

5. Sales and Marketing Course - Instruction for independent producers on how to market, advertise and sell their finished films at film markets. Includes sales tools such as posters, trailers and flyers.

6. Sales Training for Film Markets - Techniques of selling films at major international markets, including generating interest, proposing packaged deals, following up and closing deals.

Film Artists Network was established in 1977 to serve the needs of filmmakers, with an emphasis on education, training and mentoring. F.A.N. joins artists of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds to better enable them to realize their potential in the film arts. The following are some of F.A.N.’s already-established programs that have proven to be highly successful:

In 2001, F.A.N. was a participant in six Career Awareness Day events at various Los Angeles Public libraries, speaking to approximately 600 Los Angeles public school students about careers in the film industry.

Since 1977, F.A.N. has trained about 300 individuals in how to sell films at major international film markets. These trainees have participated as sales representatives at the American Film Market (Santa Monica, CA), NAPTE (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Caan (France). Each of the trainees executed their knowledge professionally during the nine markets, participating in the sales process.

F.A.N. has taught approximately 150 independent producers marketing techniques for selling their finished films at international film markets. These sales tools, such as creating video trailers, posters and flyers, have resulted in approximately 40% of filmmakers selling their films.

F.A.N. conducted a digital camera workshop in Los Angels to educate filmmakers in the techniques of digital camera use and technology. Such technology allows productions to occur on a reduced budget

In an experimental program, F.A.N. has trained several filmmakers in packaging (attaching talent and services to the project, writing a business plan) film projects. There is an increasing demand for this program from both F.A.N. members and non-members.

NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Future jobs in the film industry will require increasingly advanced skill and knowledge. Education in the arts, crafts, science and business of this industry will help elevate students from diverse backgrounds to greater levels of achievement.

Exposing young people about potentially high-paying careers in the film industry will provide them with more career choices and opportunities.

Educational and cultural activities provided for inner city youths will function as a constructive and creative alternative to gangs by creating an environment of cooperation and teamwork.

F.A.N. Education Programs will train and educate filmmakers who do not have the means to attend costly film schools.

F.A.N.’s emphasis on education, training, networking and teamwork will give students experience and opportunities not found in traditional film schools.

SUPPORTING ELEMENTS
F.A.N. PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMS

F.A.N. holds occasional social mixers and professional events to advertise and promote the organization. Many associates and members are introduced to F.A.N. via these events.

Networking Events - F.A.N. sponsors free monthly networking events for members to meet and inform others about F.A.N. and its various projects. These events are important for filmmakers to connect with each other and outside people and resources.

Member Meetings - Meetings are held for members only to discuss and plan company strategies, events and share information.

Film Industry Event Dinners - F.A.N. organizes dinner/social mixers at a well-known restaurant in the Hollywood area. Parties involve events such as the Academy Awards and the local International Film Market. These events are highly successful.

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANCE

Film Artists Network provides independent filmmakers with vital education and training, enabling them to achieve their artistic and career goals. F.A.N. supports and unites disparate groups of people, perpetuating creative and professional alliances essential for successful independent filmmaking.