liv42dy
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- Nov 6, 2007
- 48
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I'm organizing a seminar for local filmmakers that will cover topics like preparing a business plan that will attract funding, the different kinds of funding options available to filmmakers, and the process of producing a feature film and a television series, from conception to completion.
I've got a "hold" placed on my location, and the speakers are all lined up; so I started sending out the invitations last week with an "early bird" discount to those who signed up before a certain date. But no one has signed up yet.
It could just be that I'm not giving it enough time, but I would like to know from those of you who have organized a seminar or conference of your own what I can expect. Are there a lot of last-minute sign-ups? Or do you experience a steady stream from the time it is announced?
Also, when you are looking for presenters what is your approach? i.e. Have you waited 10 days for a possible presenter to return your invitation to speak before you approached another person, or did you ask as many qualified people as possible so that you could check the presenters availability, fees, etc. and then chose the one that responded first (but also fit your budget)?
Most of the producers I contacted responded to my invitation within 48 hours, were great to talk to, and were flattered by the invitation (even if they had to decline it). But there was one Hollywood big shot who was so annoyed with the fact that I didn't wait 10 days for his response before I filled his slot that he claimed I was jerking him around and was a bad business person because of it. (Then promptly hung up on me.)
Inspite of this, I'm still planning on putting on another seminar in the summer to teach the local investors about investing in the film industry, but I would rather not experience a repeat performance of being called a bad business person by a possible presenter.
Your input and advice is greatly appreciated...and thanks for being patient with the fact that I'm a newbie. I wish I had more wisdom to contribute to this great forum! (Hopefully soon.)
I've got a "hold" placed on my location, and the speakers are all lined up; so I started sending out the invitations last week with an "early bird" discount to those who signed up before a certain date. But no one has signed up yet.
It could just be that I'm not giving it enough time, but I would like to know from those of you who have organized a seminar or conference of your own what I can expect. Are there a lot of last-minute sign-ups? Or do you experience a steady stream from the time it is announced?
Also, when you are looking for presenters what is your approach? i.e. Have you waited 10 days for a possible presenter to return your invitation to speak before you approached another person, or did you ask as many qualified people as possible so that you could check the presenters availability, fees, etc. and then chose the one that responded first (but also fit your budget)?
Most of the producers I contacted responded to my invitation within 48 hours, were great to talk to, and were flattered by the invitation (even if they had to decline it). But there was one Hollywood big shot who was so annoyed with the fact that I didn't wait 10 days for his response before I filled his slot that he claimed I was jerking him around and was a bad business person because of it. (Then promptly hung up on me.)
Inspite of this, I'm still planning on putting on another seminar in the summer to teach the local investors about investing in the film industry, but I would rather not experience a repeat performance of being called a bad business person by a possible presenter.
Your input and advice is greatly appreciated...and thanks for being patient with the fact that I'm a newbie. I wish I had more wisdom to contribute to this great forum! (Hopefully soon.)
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