LAUNCH is a graduate-level program designed for those looking to propel their career into orbit.

Goal Oriented
PROFESSIONAL MENTORSHIP
INTERFACE WITH CLIENTS

Goal Oriented

Professional Mentorship

Interface with Clients

Our Mission

Many film school grads are unprepared to “launch” themselves right out of college for any number of reasons. There’s the fear of the unknown, fear of failure, the reasons are numerous. Going from the classroom to the real world can be intimidating. Additionally, there are those graduates who simply miss the structured environment of the classroom. They are looking to return to a place that brought them much satisfaction and structure. Launch is a workshop designed for a select few who’ve had some time away from college and feel the desire or need to return to school at a graduate level. Launch is a kind of grad school without the cost or commitment. We take about a half dozen students at a time in a mentor type workshop. It’s a four month workshop one night a week on campus and some online time and some weekends during the production phase.

Many film school grads are unprepared to “launch” themselves right out of college for any number of reasons. There’s the fear of the unknown, fear of failure, the reasons are numerous. Going from the classroom to the real world can be intimidating. Additionally, there are those graduates who simply miss the structured environment of the classroom. They are looking to return to a place that brought them much satisfaction and structure.

Launch is a workshop designed for a select few who’ve had some time away from college and feel the desire or need to return to school at a graduate level. Launch is a kind of grad school without the cost or commitment. We take about a half dozen students at a time in a mentor type workshop. It’s a four month workshop one night a week on campus and some online time and some weekends during the production phase.

The program is taught by two individuals: a professional filmmaker and a client/producer. You MUST be a film school graduate to apply for Launch. There is an interview process and incoming students need to know how to shoot and edit coming in the door. There are no production or postproduction classes. If you are not trained in the gear you won’t be handling it. Options for shooters include the teacher and or classmates.
The program is taught by two individuals: a professional filmmaker and a client/producer. You MUST be a film school graduate to apply for Launch. There is an interview process and incoming students need to know how to shoot and edit coming in the door. There are no production or postproduction classes. If you are not trained in the gear you won’t be handling it. Options for shooters include the teacher and or classmates.
The big hook with Launch is that we supply the incoming students with a client. The students will prepare and present a pitch to the client and ultimately be awarded a spot. The Client / Producer will oversee filming on weekends and the students will present both a rough cut for feedback and final spot during their final class. The Client may or may not use the spot. The Student can use the spot indefinitely for their reel. There would also be a nominal LAB fee for the class for filing the LLC, obtaining the tax ID and opening a business account.

The big hook with Launch is that we supply the incoming students with a client. The students will prepare and present a pitch to the client and ultimately be awarded a spot. The Client / Producer will oversee filming on weekends and the students will present both a rough cut for feedback and final spot during their final class. The Client may or may not use the spot. The Student can use the spot indefinitely for their reel.

There would also be a nominal LAB fee for the class for filing the LLC, obtaining the tax ID and opening a business account.

The goal is simple: Provide a graduate school environment for those seeking a return to the classroom. Provide a structured environment, deadlines for completing projects and a chance to polish up their skills.

The class meets formally on Tuesdays from 7pm to 9:30pm in the WAR ROOM and one Thursday a month for a one on one with the instructor.

When the workshop ends the student has formed a real live production company and produced a spot for a client, dealt with a client and have launched.

The goal is simple: Provide a graduate school environment for those seeking a return to the classroom. Provide a structured environment, deadlines for completing projects and a chance to polish up their skills.

The class meets formally on Tuesdays from 7pm to 9:30pm in the WAR ROOM and one Thursday a month for a one on one with the instructor.

When the workshop ends the student has formed a real live production company and produced a spot for a client, dealt with a client and have launched.

Course Overview

Month 1: The Production Company

Timeline Agenda Description
Week 1 Defining Your Niche The Short Content Producer/Types. The 1, 5, & 10 year plans. Setting goals/business plan template.
Week 2 Formalizing the Business Forming the LLC, tax ID, business account, and brand logo. *Guest speaker from Comerica
Week 3 The Pitch Where to Look, Advertising, Networking, COC, the first Client.
Week 4 The Pitch II Creating elements for the pitch and meeting the Client.

Month 2: The Client

Timeline Agenda Description
Week 1 The Brief Guest Client talks and presents the Client Brief.
Week 2 Develop the Pitch Students prepare and assemble the pitch with Client oversight.
Week 3 Pitch Presentation Students present their pitch to the Client.
Week 4 Scheduling Students awarded the gig and productions scheduled.

Month 3: Production

Timeline Agenda Description
Week 1 Tech Scout Visit Location (weekend class)
Week 2 Production On Location 2 spots filmed (weekend class)
Week 3 Production On Location 2 spots filmed (weekend class)
Week 4 Production On Location 2 spots filmed (weekend class)

Month 4: Posting & Presenting

Timeline Agenda Description
Week 1 Content Reviewed/Commence with Edit
Week 2 ADR Sessions Rough Edit
Week 3 ADR Sessions Color Grade/Audio Mix - Client Notes
Week 4 Final Presentation Saturday and Sunday for production during weeks 1 & 2

Launch is for Graduates

  • Who miss the structured environment of film school
  • Who want to sharpen their skills & take them to the next level
  • Seeking mentorship & guidance with their next career step
  • Seeking an intimate class size for their studies
  • Seeking to develop & launch their own production company
  • Seeking to produce content for a Client
  • Seeking to build a demo reel
  • Seeking to build their production resume

Are you ready to Launch?

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