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Transcript: Online Chat with Local Documentary Film Funders

Two prominent documentary funders -- LEF Foundation Program Manager Sara Archambault and MassHumanities Program Officer Hayley Wood -- discuss how to apply for grants at their organizations, the funding environment for documentaries in the current climate, and more.

The following is a transcript from the live chat

Chat with Documentary Film Funders(08/25/2009) 
1:00 NewEnglandFilm.com:  Welcome to our live chat where LEF Foundation Program Manager Sara Archambault and MassHumanities Program Officer Hayley Wood will be discussing how to apply for grants at their organizations, the funding environment for documentaries in the current climate, and more. Please post your questions!
1:00 Sara Archambault:  Hello all! Greetings from LEF.
1:01 Sara Archambault:  I'm pleased that people could join us here today, and apologize for our failed last attempt!
1:02 NewEnglandFilm.com:  Ok, we have our first question. Here it is...
1:02 [Comment From Morris]
What are the key areas you look for in determining who will get grants?
1:02 Sara Archambault:  I hope today goes much more smoothly.
1:02 Sara Archambault:  For LEF, we fund documentary films in Pre-production, Production and Post-production.
1:02 Sara Archambault:  Our main criteria are as follows:

· Quality of cinematic form and technique

· Originality of filmmaker’s voice, vision, and point of view

· Resonance and power of the film’s core idea or story

· Feasibility of production

1:03 Sara Archambault:  One suggestion I can give you is that a strong sample of your work will be a big factor in a successful application.
1:04 [Comment From Chris]
Hi. I have a documentary in pre production, and I'm wondering how detailed my budget ought to be when applying for grants. Thanks!
1:04 Sara Archambault:  Great question.
1:05 Sara Archambault:  Your budget should be most detailed for the phase of production you are currently in. In your case, Pre-production.
1:05 Sara Archambault:  However, we do ask that you have a sense of what it will take to complete the project. This will give a sense of the feasibility of the project. What kind of funds will you need to complete it?
1:06 Sara Archambault:  Of course, we know that you won't know for sure until you finish your pre-pro stage. But we hope that you can give us a sense.
1:06 Sara Archambault:  Don't forget - the next Pre-production deadline is on September 18th!
1:06 Sara Archambault:  Get your proposal in to the LEF office at 5pm!
1:07 Hayley Wood:  This is Hayley here--I'm still futzing with joinging as a panelist!
1:08 Hayley Wood:  Good, looks like we're all set. Sorry about the brief delay--got a bit confused with signing in.
1:08 NewEnglandFilm.com:  Hayley -- would you like to answer the previous question as well which is how detailed should a budget be when applying for grants?
1:09 NewEnglandFilm.com:  We also have another question which I will pass through...
1:09 [Comment From Perpetual]
I'm working on a documentary which has as its subject people from many places, including New England. Is it vital for your organizations that there be a major New England tie-in?
1:09 Hayley Wood:  Sure: budget for preproduction grants (for the purposes of our application) should cover the expenses related only to the early, preproduction (research, some filming ,etc.) costs.
1:10 Hayley Wood:  Mass Humanities does prioritize film projects with strong, specifically MA stories.
1:10 Sara Archambault:  For LEF, it is not vital that the subject matter is related to New England. However it is essential for eligibility that the primary creative staff live in New England.
1:10 NewEnglandFilm.com:  Hayley, does the filmmaker have to live in Massachusetts in order to apply?
1:11 Hayley Wood:  No.
1:11 Sara Archambault:  Hayley - what are the major grant categories for media-related grants at MassHumanities?
1:12 Hayley Wood:  We have two, currently: preproduction and distribution. We don't currently fund "production," although I realize that increasingly all of these project categories merge.
1:12 Sara Archambault:  It's true.
1:12 NewEnglandFilm.com:  For those of you watching, please just pick and name and type in your questions!
1:13 Hayley Wood:  I want to also mention our media project grant application deadlines: Nov. 1 and May 1. Please see our website: www.masshumanities.org for more vital information on timing (deadlines by which you need to contact a program staff member to determine eligibility, draft deadlines, etc.).
1:13 Sara Archambault:  Hayley - Have you seen funding for films that come to MassHumanities change in recent years? Do you have traditional funding partners or are you finding the filmmakers are becoming more creative?
1:13 [Comment From Perpetual]
I've filmed a live performance of a one-man play, about an incredible musician from Somerville. Would Mass Humanities be a possible source for a grant of $7,000 for post-production amd distribution?
1:14 Hayley Wood:  Sara, by funding partners, do you mean other orgs that typically give grants to our grant recipients?
1:14 Sara Archambault:  Yes.
1:15 Sara Archambault:  I'm assuming the National Endowment for the Humanities would be one source.
1:15 Hayley Wood:  Yes, it ofen is--as is ITVS and, I believe, LEF.
1:16 Hayley Wood:  Responding to thet question above about the one-man play featuring the musician: it's unlikely that MH would fund that, unless a humanities discipline is heavily utilized and some scholarship incorporated.
1:16 [Comment From Claire]
Hello Hayley, For the distribution grant, can one apply for a project already released, but want to do major, new digital distribution campaign?
1:18 Hayley Wood:  Claire: yes, one can apply for a distribution grant for a film already released. A digital campaign would be an eligible project.
1:19 Sara Archambault:  This project would be less within LEF's interest area. We are more interested in the production of the film itself.
1:20 [Comment From Chris]
Hi, again. Two questions, actually. Approximately how many films do you sponsor in a given year? Just curious how active the community is. And do you have an average amount per grant or does it vary widely.
1:20 Hayley Wood:  Chris: in FY 08 we funded seven film projects, most of them in the preproduction category. The grant max for this category is $10,000, and that is what is generally asked for and received.
1:20 Sara Archambault:  For LEF, we typically receive approximately 150 requests for funding per year. Of those, about 40 are brought to full proposal stage and about 20 are funded at a total of $200,000 in funding per year.
1:21 Sara Archambault:  Our preproduction grants are $5,000. Production are $15,000, and Post-production are $25,000.
1:21 NewEnglandFilm.com:  Hayley how many applications do you get per year approximately?
1:22 Hayley Wood:  Hmmmm. I'd say we receive about 18-20 finished film proposals a year. I speak with many who don't end up applying, however.
1:23 [Comment From littleplum]
Are there 'hot' topics right now that are more likely to get funded?
1:23 Sara Archambault:  In terms of LEF's funding, no. We are interested in the great diversity of stories out there.
1:24 Sara Archambault:  We're more interested in an artist's vision for telling a story than the subject matter itself.
1:24 Hayley Wood:  We haven't identified any hot topics that we're particularly keen to fund, but we do have a thematic initiative called "Liberty and Justice for All," and projects that fit that theme take priority.
1:24 NewEnglandFilm.com:  What experience do you look for in a director or applicant?
1:25 Sara Archambault:  LEF is equally interested in supporting veteran filmmakers and finding new talent.
1:25 Hayley Wood:  That's a good question. It varies hugely. I'd say that an emerging filmmaker with, say, one or two solid films under her belt has the same chance as a seasoned professional.
1:26 Sara Archambault:  We have often been the first funders on a filmmaker's first feature length project.

That said, those projects are usually accompanied by a strong DVD sample of that person's work.
1:26 Hayley Wood:  Sara: do you think your maximum awards for your film categories are . . . effective? Reflective of what filmmakers require?
1:27 Sara Archambault:  That's a great question.
1:27 Sara Archambault:  The funding world has changed a lot for films.
1:27 Sara Archambault:  The grants are typically smaller (I think ours are indicative of the current size of grants from medium sized funders), and filmmakers need to reach out to a greater number of funders.
1:28 Sara Archambault:  There are still funders like the Ford Foundation who can support a film with up to $200,000 or more for a project they believe in.
1:28 NewEnglandFilm.com:  We have another question from the audience...
1:28 [Comment From Judith Monachina]
Hello. How likely is a first time filmmaker to get LEF funding? I am currently working under a Mass Humanities grant (thank you!), am still in pre-production, and have little to show of previous film work.
1:28 Hayley Wood:  Right. It seems like the work filmmakers are doing on fundraising is getting way more intense, as with distribution.
1:29 Sara Archambault:  Judith - congrats on your MassHumanities grant!
1:29 Sara Archambault:  It is possible to get LEF funding as a new filmmaker.
1:30 [Comment From Wendy Fine]
Hayley, would you consider funding an emerging filmmaker making her first film?
1:30 Sara Archambault:  Express the passion for your idea in your proposal, and provide the best sample that you can. Or if you are working with a cinematographer, you could submit some of that person's work to show a bit of the visual plan for the film.
1:30 Sara Archambault:  But be clear on what you are submitting as a sample and why we should be taking it into consideration.
1:31 Hayley Wood:  Hi Wendy: sure, but you'd need a sample of work that was impressive, even if you didn't have a finished film yet.
1:31 [Comment From Erin Trahan]
Hayley, for the distribution grant, do you have an opinion about where your grant dollars are best spent given how much distribution is changing?
1:32 Sara Archambault:  What we will be looking at is your ability to tell a story well, the feasibility for you to execute the project and your artistic vision for the piece. So be sure that in whatever you submit, those aspects are clear.
1:32 Sara Archambault:  That's a great question!
1:32 Hayley Wood:  In response to a recent comments: filmmakers can pay themselves with our grants.
1:33 Sara Archambault:  Same with ours.
1:33 NewEnglandFilm.com:  Here's the matching question for that...
1:33 [Comment From littleplum]
I have a question -- does 100% of the money you give as a grant go towards production costs or does some of that go towards paying the filmmaker for their time in doing the film?
1:34 Sara Archambault:  At LEF, and it appears that MassHumanities is similar, you can use our grant funds to compensate yourself.
1:34 Hayley Wood:  On the use of distribution funds: there are many avenues one can pursue. Certainly we want to see filmmakers utlizing current social networking technology, and every film should have a good website. A website that delivers strong educational content is very competitive. But scheduling communitiy screenings and facilitating post-films discussions is also considered valuable.
1:35 NewEnglandFilm.com:  In compensating oneself, does that go as a specific line item in the budget? What percentage is appropriate?
1:36 Hayley Wood:  On the Mass Humanities grant budget form, there are a few lines that might be used for a filmmaker to compensate herself, depending on how much of the research she's doing, how many interviews she's conducting, etc.
1:36 NewEnglandFilm.com:  We also have a follow up quesiton on distribution subject.
1:36 [Comment From Sarah Katz]
I have a similar question - do you take into account broadcasting or distribution plans when considering applications?
1:36 Sara Archambault:  Compensation should reasonably reflect where you are in your career. What is your day rate? That might be a good indicator. Keep in mind that many filmmakers take a cut in their rate to make sure the project is completed.

As for the line item, it would be whatever role that person is playing - director, producer, what have you.
1:37 Sara Archambault:  We are definitely interested in the success of your project. So a strong distribution plan should be in place.
1:37 Hayley Wood:  Yes, a distribution plan that includes a strategy for achieving a broadcast is a required part of the application, and it's taken seriously.
1:37 [Comment From David Ruck]
I'm from Michigan, but I'm making a film on a national issue. Do I qualify?
1:37 Sara Archambault:  That said, we don't require that you have broadcast pre-sale or any other grant investment.
1:38 Hayley Wood:  For Mass Humanities, if your film will include a Massachusetts-specific component, you could be eligible. Without one, you will be eligible (provided it's a humanities film) but will have a competitive disadvantage.
1:38 Sara Archambault:  Sorry, Michigan. You're not eligible for a LEF grant. Look at your local arts and humanities councils for support, though. They often offer pre-production support.
1:38 [Comment From Adam]
I've just returned from Rwanda completing production on a project designed to teach students in America about preventing violence and managing conflict through the struggles of Rwandan genocide survivors and killers. I was denied preproduction funding from LEF, Sara would it be worthwhile to apply for post? And Hayley would MassHumanities be interested in partnering potentially on something like this?
1:39 NewEnglandFilm.com:  michigan: Check out the article in The Independent http://www.independent-magazine.org/magazine/2008/12/grants both national and state resources (for Michigan as well) are listed there.
1:39 Sara Archambault:  In order to be eligible for LEF post-production funding, you must have received a prior LEF grant for that project. We are trying to deepen our investment in selected projects and so established that criteria for post.

That said, contact me off-list. I'd love to hear more about your project.
1:40 Hayley Wood:  Adam, if this film includes some discursive, analytical segments that describe the Rwandan genocide with research provided by a humanist, such as a historian or political scientist, the project could be eligible. Again--without a MA connection, your chances aren't as good.
1:40 [Comment From David Ruck]
THANKS!
1:41 [Comment From Adam]
Hayley I live in Boston and the intended audience is Mass. students. Is that a sufficient connection? Sara, Thanks, I will contact you!
1:41 Sara Archambault:  More on distribution - We are interested in you having the RIGHT distribution strategy for your project. There should be an online component, yes. But if you don't make it to Sundance, and yet do backyard screenings across America - if that's the RIGHT way to draw in an audience for your film, we'll support it. We just want to be sure you're thinking about distribution and you're considering the best options to get your project in front of audiences.
1:42 Sara Archambault:  Of course, we also love it if a film goes to a major festival, makes it into the PBS network, etc.!
1:42 Hayley Wood:  The indended audience isn't what's meant by "MA connection," that refers to the content of the film, the story it tells. But feel free to be in touch directly and I'd be happy to learn more.
1:42 NewEnglandFilm.com:  Do all of the films you fund receive funding from other sources as well?
1:43 Hayley Wood:  All the films that get finished do.
1:43 Sara Archambault:  Usually. We prioritize films with budgets of $350,000 or less. LEF cannot provide all of that financially, so often we are one among several funders on a project.
1:43 [Comment From Sarah Katz]
I am originally from Maine, I'm making a doc about a development issue in Maine but live in Washington, DC right now - am I eligible for LEF funding? I will look at The Independent article too! Thanks!
1:44 Hayley Wood:  One thing worth emphasizing: for a Mass Humanities grant proposal to be successful, at least one humanities scholar needs to be involved in the project. This is often a bit of a barrier for applicants, but it helps us to narrow the field.
1:44 Sara Archambault:  LEF has been known to support a film on a New England-based issue, without the primary artist living in the area, but it's very rare.
1:45 Sara Archambault:  Contact me via email and we can discuss the prospect further.
1:45 NewEnglandFilm.com:  Hayley -- can you clarify 'humanites scholar'?
1:46 Hayley Wood:  A humanities scholar is someone with an advanced humanities degree (disciplines include: history, philosophy, literature, political science, women's studies, etc.) who is active in his or her field.
1:46 [Comment From Adam]
In terms of distribution plans, can you talk about the level of specificity you are looking for from applicants?
1:46 Hayley Wood:  On distribution plans: we really want you to have thought through your plan. So a high level of specificity is required.
1:46 Sara Archambault:  As the climate for distribution has changed dramatically in the last few years, it's important that you start thinking about distribution from the very beginning stages of your project.
1:47 Sara Archambault:  That said, I would not expect a distribution plan to be fully fleshed out until after the completion of the pre-production stage for a proposal approaching LEF.
1:48 Hayley Wood:  That's an important point. And we require more specificity in a distribution plan that is being presented in a grant FOR distribution, as opposed to preproduction, at which stage I wouldn't expect the same detail.
1:49 NewEnglandFilm.com:  If there are other questions out there, please choose a name and submit your question!
1:49 Sara Archambault:  Just a reminder to please check out LEF's deadlines, guidelines, and eligibility requirements at www.lef-foundation.org.

Upcoming Deadlines:
September 18th - Pre-production proposals.
January 29, 2010 - Letters of Inquiry for Production and Post-Production
June 18, 2010 - Pre-production proposals.
1:50 NewEnglandFilm.com:  Thanks Sara, I was going to ask you both for links & upcoming deadlines -- Hayley please post as well.
1:50 NewEnglandFilm.com:  Do you expect this to be a more competitive year?
1:51 Sara Archambault:  I do.
1:51 Hayley Wood:  Here's a link to our grant section with deadlines and a downloadable application:
http://www.masshumanities.org/?p=project

Media proposal deadlines: May 1 and Nov. 1. Be in touch at least a month before the deadline to establish eligibility with a program staff member.
1:51 [Comment From Vinca]
What other sources of grant money have either LEF or Mass Humanities worked with cooperatively? And have you done matching programs?
1:51 Sara Archambault:  As video technology becomes more accessible and the craft of documentary becomes more well-known, I suspect LEF will be seeing more projects coming to us than in years past.
1:52 Hayley Wood:  Same here--I am fielding inquiries already for our November deadline. Interest in all our grant categories is on the rise.
1:53 Hayley Wood:  Mass Humanities doesn't have any partner relationships with other funders of films.
1:53 Hayley Wood:  I should add that all Mass Humanities grants are matching grants: 100% or more of a grant from us needs to be matched, but only 10% of the grant request needs to be matched in cash. That is, in-kind contributions of time count.
1:54 Sara Archambault:  I am relatively new to LEF (January 2009), but as far as I know we have not funded cooperatively. That said, we do talk to other funders often about projects we are reviewing and we do have some typical funders who we share the bill with. They include Sundance Fund, Tribeca Gucci, MassHumanities, Fledgling Fund, Cinereach. There are many more...
1:54 Sara Archambault:  However, I would like to add that LEF does not require that you have other funding in place in order to be eligible for funding. We are often seed funders of a project.
1:55 Hayley Wood:  Mass Humanities does the same: we will fund a project that has no other support in place.
1:56 Hayley Wood:  A couple other funding sources I've seen: Chicken and Egg, and the Open Society Foundation.
1:56 Sara Archambault:  Yes! Also, wonderful funders. We've often funded projects that they have supported.

I think we're getting close to quittin' time! This was incredibly fun. I hope we were able to share some important information with all of you about our organizations. Is there time for one more question?
1:57 NewEnglandFilm.com:  It sounds like the first step is always to reach out to someone at the organization and ensure eligibility before submitting a proposal, is that correct?
1:57 Hayley Wood:  That's true for us. An initial contact (via our web form, an email, or phone call), is required. We're user friendly, though!
1:57 Sara Archambault:  It's a really good idea to be in touch with me before you submit your project. Even if it's just by email.
1:57 NewEnglandFilm.com:  Thank you Sara & Hayley for taking the time to discuss with everyone your organizations and grants!
1:58 Hayley Wood:  Thank you for inviting me. I've enjoyed it! Hope we gave some useful info.
1:58 NewEnglandFilm.com:  This chat will remain online archived for others to read as well.
1:58 Sara Archambault:  Absolutely pleased to do it! Hope we can do this again sometime in the future.
1:58 Sara Archambault:  Thanks everyone! Keep making films!
1:59 NewEnglandFilm.com:  Absolutely -- I certainly learned a lot! Yes, absolutely -- now that we have the technology let's do more chats! NewEnglandFilm.com readers -- let us know what subjects you'd like to have chats about!
1:59 [Comment From Claire]
Thank you all. This is very helpful!
2:00 NewEnglandFilm.com:  I will be closing this chat shortly. Sara & Hayley are email contacts on your site of who to touch base with first?
2:00 [Comment From Chris]
Yes, thanks!
2:00 [Comment From Vinca]
Wonderfully done. Thanks for coordinating, Michele...
2:00 [Comment From Judith Monachina]
Many thanks!
2:00 Hayley Wood:  Yes, you can find my email on our website: www.masshumanities.org. Feel free to be in touch.
2:01 [Comment From Sara]
I'm at sara@lef-foundation.org.
2:01 NewEnglandFilm.com:  Ok, everyone -- I think that's a wrap!
2:02
 

 

About LEF Foundation

The mission of LEF New England is to fund the work of independent film and video artists in the region and broaden recognition and support for their work locally and nationally. LEF primarily executes this mission through its Moving Image Fund. Through MIF, LEF provides funding across all phases of production, supporting films from the early risk-taking stage through a project’s completion. LEF invests in projects that demonstrate excellence in form and technique, strong storytelling ability, and originality of artistic vision and voice. LEF is currently focusing MIF support on documentary filmmaking.

About Sara Archambault, LEF Foundation Program Manager

With 15 years experience in media and non-profits, Sara Archambault’s support of the filmmaking community includes roles as a funder, exhibitor, teacher and maker. Before coming to LEF, Sara was Managing Director/Producer for Emmy-nominated Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North, and worked as a Producer for Christopher Lydon’s online radio show Open Source. From 1997 – 2004, Sara was the Creative Director of the Picture Start Film Series which brought original, undistributed, independent film to Providence. In the funding arena, she served as the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities where she specialized in media grants and partnerships. Sara has a BFA in filmmaking from Syracuse University, an MA in Communications/Cultural Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and studied radio production at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies. Sara is currently working on an audio archive project called Rhode Island Lost Landscapes and volunteers with the Women’s Fund of RI and Girls Rock! RI.

About Mass Humanities

Mass Humanities supports programs that use history, literature, philosophy, and the other humanities disciplines to enhance and improve civic life throughout Massachusetts. It funds preproduction and distribution efforts for humanities-based documentary films.

About Hayley Wood, Mass Humanities Program Officer

Hayley Wood has been with Mass Humanities since 1998. She received her BA in literature from Marlboro College and her MA in English literature from the University of New Hampshire. She manages the grant program at Mass Humanities and ushers many applicants, including independent filmmakers, through the grant application process. Another one of her chief responsibilities at Mass Humanities it to edit and contribute to The Public Humanist, the foundation’s group blog that she founded. She is also a freelance writer, and has written articles for The Valley Advocate including a cover story about intentional communities in Western Massachusetts (inspired by reading a grant proposal for a documentary about '60s communes in Massachusetts and Vermont!)