FILMMAKER LABS The Miami Filmmaker Project is anchored by a series of Filmmaker Labs taking place in Miami, Florida, practical and challenging programs for select writers, directors, and producers working in narrative, independent feature film. Each Each Lab runs for several consecutive weeks, meeting on selected evenings and led by South Florida-based professionals, then culminates in a final, full time intensive with a nationally recognized filmmaker brought to Miami to work with the group.
There are three different Labs that run consecutively and annually over a period of a year: a Screenwriters Lab, a Directors Lab and a Producers Lab. The Screenwriters Lab is the first to take place as the MFP is launched, with dates and applications for the other Labs and programs to be announced.
The unique aspect of the Labs is that they are not classes or seminars per se, but production workshops that require the participants to already have a narrative feature film project of quality ready to develop and move towards filming and completion. While Labs include general information and training at a professional level, the focus is on developing the individual projects artistically and practically, both in the group setting and in one-on-one consultations. The Labs are hands-on in nature, taking participants through practical exercises, including selected scene taping, staged readings, and development of individual financing plans, as well as case studies.
Lab Participants Though a maximum of ten filmmakers can be accepted into each Lab, only applicants who meet the Lab criteria will be accepted, that is, have creative projects that can make good use of the Lab process. The goal is that, when a project has gone through a full cycle of Labs, it will be ready to acquire financing and crew in order to be filmed. In the future, the Miami Filmmaker Project intends to provide additional professional support to these projects beyond the Labs themselves.
It is anticipated that while some filmmakers will indeed continue through all three Labs, developing a project from start to finish and wearing multiple “hats,” others will partner with other creative and professional personnel who will join the Labs at different points. Some projects themselves will actually enter the cycle at a later stage, so that a producer can still participate in the Producers Lab with a new script that has not been part of the previous Screenwriters Lab.
The Labs are not open to currently enrolled students at any level but filmmakers in the early part of their careers who have yet to make a feature are welcome to apply. If a strong first draft script is submitted, those with no film experience will be considered, especially if they have a background in other related fields (theater, journalism, etc). Filmmakers with industry experience as well as those who have made a short film are encouraged to apply. A team of no more than two people who are full partners (as in co-writers) can apply together and receive a place for both people
Filmmakers from anywhere in the United States and from other countries are all eligible to apply. Geographic priority is given to applicants who live in Miami-Dade County, those who live in the neighboring counties of Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach, and other current and former Florida residents. Additionally, projects intended to film in Miami-Dade, or adjacent South Florida counties, will also be sought.
Filmmakers who tell stories that reflect Miami’s diversity as a true crossroads of the Americas will be actively sought, irrespective of their or their film’s location. These include Hispanic, African-American and African-Caribbean artists, as well as women, and gay and lesbian filmmakers, who are all disproportionately underrepresented in mainstream filmmaking. The mix of projects and filmmakers will depend on each cycle’s submissions and is the final decision of the Miami Filmmaker Project.
Lab Costs There is a non-refundable application fee for each Lab of $35 for each submission. There is no tuition fee or additional costs to participate in the Labs. However, no financial stipends are available at this point for participants and, as it is a non-residential program, those who do not live in the South Florida area must make their own arrangements for housing.
Giving Back to Miami Filmmaker Project The Entertainment Industry Incubator is a non-profit organization that supports the development of film and other media in South Florida. Because securing funding (from foundations, government sources, corporations and individual donors) is a consistent challenge, we request that Miami Filmmaker Project Lab alumni whose projects are produced contribute to the organization’s work to support new generations of emerging filmmakers.
Projects supported by the Screenwriters Labs are asked to contribute 1⁄4% (.0025) of their production budget with a cap on the amount to be paid to the Entertainment Industry Incubator not to exceed $25,000. Additional contributions from projects that participate in other Labs and programs may be requested. Contributions are fully tax-deductible and are used to fund the Miami Filmmaker Project programs. An end credit on completed films is also requested that reads “Developed with the help of Entertainment Industry Incubator, Miami Filmmaker Project” along with our logo.