The Alliance of Women Directors (AWD) Works in Progress program provides peer-to-peer opportunities for members to share and receive feedback on projects that are currently in post-production or heading to the festival circuit.
Program emphasis is on:
- Providing constructive feedback that enriches the works
- Sharing resources
- Building the AWD community
WIP is held monthly and alternates between virtual sessions and in-person events in Los Angeles. Each gathering kicks off with a Tech Talk, an engaging workshop led by a guest speaker covering topics on the business or craft of filmmaking. After the talk, two to three short films by AWD members, either nearing picture lock or completed, are screened. Directors then participate in a candid, members-only conversation to share their creative process and post-production journey.
What AWD directors are saying about the program:
“AWD’s Works in Progress program was a game-changer for me. I brought my short “7AM Wednesday” in a couple years ago and got incredibly smart, thoughtful and kind advice. Thanks to notes I received, I left the first three minutes of that short on the floor and started the story in the middle of the action. It made for such a better film. This last short, “A Close Call” is only three minutes long and has a twist ending, so it was more about what was landing and what was getting missed. The best part about it was realizing that as I reviewed the notes, I became more clear on the story I wanted to tell and how I wanted to tell it. The program has truly helped me find my voice as a filmmaker.” – Julie Herlocker
“Canon has been so generous in their support of the WIP program. Jesica Sill and Michael Bravin have gone above and beyond to welcome our directors and ensure a wonderful focused event each time. The facilities are world class and it’s been a privilege to have the chance to work there.” — Leah Patterson
“The Works in Progress Program was a great motivator for me. It gave me a firm deadline by which to finish a first pass of my edit, sound, and color, and then I received the feedback I needed to take the film from great to excellent. The high marks my film received, also gave me the confidence to apply to top tier festivals, many of which the film is being accepted to. And finally, it gave me a chance to bond with the many women who got a chance to see my work, and with whom I’ve been able to form relationships since then.” — Monique Sorgen
How to participate:
Directing members in good standing can attend the evenings by logging into their account and RSVPing through the calendar.
AWD Directing members can request to screen their films/webisodes/etc using this form. Priority will be given to those who have attended previous evenings.
If you are an Industry expert and would like to be a featured guest, please contact WIP Chair Robyn Symon.
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