Title:  Animation Producer

Language: English

Credits: none

Duration of the program: 2x1 week 

Next program: The course will run again in 2023. Dates and program will be announced here in time.

Application deadline: To be announced

Place: The Animation Workshop/VIA University College Kasernevej 5, 8800 Viborg, Denmark

Fee: To be announced

COVID-19: Should it due to COVID-19 not be possible to run the course physically at campus, we prepare and offer an alternative, online solution.

Through lectures and case studies by Danish and international producers, participants will learn about choosing the right projects (target audience, style and format), according to a company’s strategies/editorial lines, about the life cycle of a project (co-production, rights, and actual production), and gain valuable insights into topics such as public and private financing in Denmark and internationally, running a company (accounting, administration, salaries etc.), working with distributors/broadcasters, clients, identifying and cultivating talents, understanding various media platforms, as well as technical pipelines and their respective potential. Understanding the legal aspects of co-production, marketing, pitching, packaging and more.

Each participant should prepare a presentation of themself answering the following questions, prior to the workshop:

1. What kind of producer are you?
2. What kind of films/series do you want to produce?
3. What kind of company are you running?
4. What current project (s) do you work on?

The first week will focus on getting to know the participants’ wants and needs while following a number of case studies and completing small assignments in groups.

The second week will be focusing more on the participants’ individual projects, companies and careers. Participants will be divided into two groups – one focusing on TV series and one focusing on feature films – and there will be two parallel sets of lectures. Decision makers (commissioning editors, national and regional media funds, sales agents, etc.) will during this week join the participants to discuss their projects.

Schedule

1st week

• Presentation of each participant and their current project(s)
• Talk/discussion on the role of the producer as a feedback on the presentations (What kind of producer are you and how can you get there) including a talk on soft values – cultural differences, leadership
• A case study – a project from development to distribution
• Assignment: in groups of three the participants should define development and financing strategy for a project. Each group will be given a pitch from one of the instructors (a project that has been produced). They will be able to ask clarifying questions about the pitch to the instructor. The financial and development strategy should be presented and discussed with the rest of the participants.
• Talk on Co-production (national and regional funding, European funding, tax credits)
• Talk on Legal, Copy Right Law and contracts
• A Case study – a project from the perspective of a budget
• More on budget – (perhaps made as group work?)

2nd week

During the second week you will be specializing in either Feature film or TV series production. Financing possibilities – TV-Series and Feature Films

• Individual meetings with consultants (producers, distributers, decision makers)
• Talk on Distribution; Cinema, Networks, Broadcasters
• Talk on Marketing and Sales
• Company strategies
• Production accountancy
• Production financing

In case you are working with both formats, you will be able to apply to do the 2nd week the following year while doing the first week at a discount rate.

The workshop was developed for young professionals within animation and film. An applicant can apply together with a partner with a background within business, media studies or similar, who does not necessarily have the same experience.

Application requirements:

• Project description of your in-development feature film or TV series. The project must have received support from minimum one financier (self-investment does not apply).
• CV of producer – including link to minimum one previous professional production.
• In case you apply with a partner – the CV of the partner

The application form will be available here, when more information about the 2023 course is ready.

The Animation Workshop/VIA University College (TAW) reserves the right to cancel the course should there not be enough participants.

The Animation Producer Workshop will encompass the different roles an animation producer must take on in order to develop, finance, produce and distribute animated feature films or TV series. The workshop is also designed to help you understand which kind of producer you are and and how to reach your goals. The course will consist of lectures, case studies, group work and one-on-one sessions with tutors, consultants and decisionmakers.

Accommodation is not included in the fee but Viborg offers several affordable accommodation opportunities. Within walking distance of the school you will find Oasen, Nattely and Klosterpensionen. The latter is located right next to Viborg's old Dome, right in the heart of the city. Other options include Lisely and Danhostel Viborg. You can also take a look at the local tourist agency's list of accommodation.