Dept. of Film, Communication, and Performing Arts to host Investor Ready Filmmaker Workshop

(July 12, 2024) - A state representative is partnering with Clayton State University’s Dept. of Film, Communication, and Performing Arts (FCPA) to host its first-ever “Film Business 101: Investor Ready Filmmaker Workshop” at the Harry S. Downs Center on Saturday, July 20 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The event is presented by State Representative Yasmin Neal from Georgia’s 79th District, who also has experience as a filmmaker, director, writer, and producer in addition to her government duties.

Joining her will be Entertainment Attorney Beth Moore, Investment/Securities Attorney Darshun Kendrick, and Aneesah Bray – the CEO of Creative Collective Capital.

FCPA Chair Jonathan Harris said the opportunity the workshop presents is “invaluable” and is meant to serve as a means of composing business plans with filmmakers who already have a script written and drafted for upcoming film projects.

“The people who would attend this workshop would be filmmakers who need legal and accounting input, as well as her input as a filmmaker, on how to get their film’s business plan off the grounds to have a successful launch for the project,” Harris said. “It’s a great chance for our students to work with a working filmmaker to see the legal and business sides of film.”

Harris also added that the majority of classes offered in the university’s Film Production program focus on technical skills and narrative storytelling, meaning students will have a great opportunity to be exposed to learning a brand-new angle to the industry they’re actively pursuing careers in.

“The students realize this is a chance to hear from experts in the field about things they're going to need if they want to be producers and get a film project off the ground,” Harris said. “They're very excited about the financial and legal aspects of this workshop.”

Clayton State students are also invited to volunteer at the event or can pay a reduced price for the workshop if they use the discount code CLAYTONSTATE.

Student registration details and additional information on the workshop can be found here: https://www.charleewhiteproductions.com/storyteller-film-fund