"Low-budget filmmaking workshop to be held in Tokyo by Stephen Cleary"

Announcement from Japan Today:

Stephen Cleary, one of the most experienced and respected story/script consultants and development experts in Europe will visit Japan in late February and teach a one-day workshop (in English) on the development of low-budget feature films.

Despite the excitement about low-budget production and new distribution channels, most low-budget films never get seen by audiences. Cleary will analyze some of the reasons for the failure of low budget projects, and some of the myths that surround the “new technology and new distribution paradigms” and suggest ways in which filmmakers can develop their stories to best position their films for festival success or commercial release. This is not a “recipe for success” approach, but a hard-headed industry-insider’s advice on how to best avoid failure.

Cleary was head of development at the UK Film Council. He then established ARISTA, a script and development workshop that was funded by MEDIA in Europe and which developed hundreds of European feature films. He was consultant for the METI-sponsored J-Pitch initiative, a development workshop to help Japanese producers make international co-productions. Currently, he works closely with National and Regional Film Agencies in Australia on projects, workshops and co-producing initiatives.

The workshop will be in English, and held at the Toho Gakuen Graduate School of Film Producing in Nishi-Shinjuku 5-chome (Oedo Line).

For: Producers, Writers and Directors
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Doors open at 10:10 a.m.)
Place: Graduate School of Film Producing
〒151-0071 東京都渋谷区本町3-40-6
山手通り・方南通り「清水橋」交差点角
都営地下鉄大江戸線「西新宿五丁目」駅 A2出口左手に徒歩3分

For filmmakers with projects in development (writers/directors/producers), Cleary will also offer consultation on specific projects. A full treatment (8–10 pages) or English script will need to be ready by Feb 20 at the latest. This story consultation involves a read of the material, and a two-hour intensive session on the story development. As these sessions are limited we have to prioritize them on a first come/first serve basis, and it may not be possible to accommodate every request. The consultation fee for projects is 50,000 Yen.
Individual consultation:

For: Producers, Writers and Directors
Date: Feb 22-26
Place: 100 Meter Films office
Fee: 50,000 yen

To book a place at the workshop on Feb 27 (8,000 yen) or to book an individual consultation, please contact Saki Watanabe at 100 Meter Films - saki@100meterfilms.com
100 Meter Films
Saneicho Mansion 201
Saneicho 4-12
Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo 160-0008
Tel: 03-3358-3411
Fax: 03-3358-3459
Email saki@100meterfilms.com