Getting the Best of Treatments Writing and Creatively Developing LoBudget Feature Films
Two Day Workshop with Stephen Cleary, October 2007
“Knowing how to bring your lo-budget film in on budget will not make it good, it just makes it possible. What do you need to know to ensure your film is worth shooting in the first place?”
In October 2007 Script to Screen in association with the New Zealand Film Commission proudly presented a two day workshop with Stephen Cleary. Stephen founded Arista in the UK in 1996 and it has since grown to become Europe’s largest private story and script development agency. In addition to working with filmmakers and a variety of financing and development institutions across Europe, Stephen runs a series of successful and popular training courses throughout Europe and consults on development issues to filmmakers and film agencies throughout the world.
After a successful career as an independent producer in the music industry Stephen turned to film working at British Screen for five years, being Head of Development for three of those years. He executive produced the Short and Curlies scheme for three seasons, designed and co-funded the Premiere short film scheme in Northern Ireland, the Short Cuts scheme in Scotland and the First Take scheme in south-east England. He has developed over 50 produced features, including Rob Roy, Before the Rain, The Escapist, Land and Freedom, The Killer Tongue, Photographing Fairies, The Darkest Light and The Governess. Stephen produced his first feature, New Years’ Day in 2000, and co-produced another, Goodbye Charlie Bright the same year.
Stephen spoke in New Zealand about crafting lo-budget films of excellent quality. From a brief history of lo-budget filmmaking to issues facing lo-budget filmmakers today, he covered lo-budget genres and markets, directing lo-budget, and microbudget & lo-budget development.
With a look at successful and unsuccessful lo-budget initiatives from around the world, Stephen explained to local filmmakers how he creates distinctive films on a lo-budget.
