Due to the COVID-19 crises, Sundance Co//ab (the new educational platform for creators) has announced the much-appreciated initiative, allowing the filmmaking community free access for all its Member Q&As and Master Classes.

Sundance Institute: For filmmakers, by filmmakers

Sundance Institute is a non-profit organization founded by Robert Redford committed to the growth of independent artists. The programs of Sundance Institute include the Sundance Film Festival, a notable and critically acclaimed film festival in the U.S. that serves as a platform for independent filmmakers, storytellers, and composers. As stated by Sundance Institute: “Sundance Institute supports and champions independent artists because we believe their stories and perspectives are essential to a thriving, informed, and connected society. We provide safe and nurturing spaces where artists can develop and share new work while building networks and community with one another”.

We provide safe and nurturing spaces where artists can develop and share new work while building networks and community with one another

Sundance Institute

Sundance Co//ab: Educational platform for storytellers

Sundance Co//ab constitutes as Sundance Institute’s community on-line fertile ground for filmmaking discussions, initiatives, and connections for creators around the globe. This online stage launched by Sundance Institute was created for those who can’t attend live environment events and programs. The goal of this platform is to educate filmmakers regarding the path of their short film in the complex selection maze and enlighten the process further. Most importantly, Sundance Co//ab offers a wealth of resources on all aspects of filmmaking, to provide a unique platform to learn, share, and connect with other like­minded creators worldwide. It’s an excellent place to get some useful info, even if you don’t consider to submit your short film to the festival. We wrote a cool and educational article about one of the hottest and most intriguing topics among filmmakers: Myths & Tips regarding the submission process of the Sundance Film Festival. Furthermore, in case you are eager to learn more about the cameras and lenses used to shoot the selected films, check our articles which include surveys, graphs, tables, and charts.

Free access for all Sundance Co//ab Member Q&As and Master Classes

Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), the film industry is now experiencing a significant negative impact as filmmakers are staying at home, preserving social distancing regulations. As for this delicate and complex situation, the Sundance Institute has managed to offer this decent benefit to storytellers. As stated by Sundance Co//ab:  As we are all experiencing this unprecedented global crisis, at Sundance Co//ab, we will do our small part and bring more resources, tools, and support to the community and let you know about those as we add them. For right now, we are opening all of our Member Q&As and Master Classes for free to the community. We hope you will join us as we support each other through this tumultuous time. We will continue to look for ways to support you wherever you are! “

For right now, we are opening all of our Member Q&As and Master Classes for free to the community. We hope you will join us as we support each other through this tumultuous time. We will continue to look for ways to support you wherever you are!

Sundance Co//ab

Wide variety of educational filmmaking materials

Basically, you are getting free access for two sections: Member Q&As and Master Classes, which include tons of useful and inspiring information. For instance, there are 18 Master Classes in total. The topics are diverse and include almost all aspects of storytelling, from writing workshops, shooting documentary films to music compositions. Check out the slides below and above that demonstrate some of the Master Classes. Furthermore, Sundance Co//ab grants you access to those upcoming live, online events:

1. Éva Gárdos on the Editing Process – March 19:  The process of film editing, working with footage, editing a compelling scene, and collaboration with the director. 
2. Short Film Session – Live from San José – March 20: A live conversation about the art of the short filmmaking.
3. The Art of Feedback: How to Give & Receive Notes – March 25: Understanding how to listen to feedback and integrate notes that will support you in revising your work and taking it to the next level.
4. Film Crowdfunding Strategies with Kickstarter – April 8: Launching a successful film crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.
5. Creating Branded Content Master Class – April 23:  The evolution of branded content, who is making it, how to develop for it.

In case the event has ended, you still can watch it since all events are being recorded.

Final thoughts

At Y.M.Cinema Magazine, we understand and appreciate the extra added value of a good education. We wrote before, and we’ll continue to emphasize it again and again that this unprecedented situation must be utilized to good things like high quality on-line educational sessions to get more inspiration and thus elevating our professional knowledge. Have a look at what the Co//ab platform has to offer. There is a lot of good stuff there. Enjoy!