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Category: About Deb Patz

The Spring New Year For Us All

grwflrsSpring brings the birth of a new year of nature, new possibilities and new directions… This year I am thrilled to be starting an MFA in Creative Writing. Ironically, it will mean that I will have less time for blogging F.I.L.M. about our industry as I concentrate my efforts on other, longer works.

In keeping with my life’s passion, I plan to be crafting stories primarily for children and youth… no doubt with the film industry involved in some way or another!

Please note that this new direction doesn’t mean I won’t blog at all… just not as often, and not regularly. Thank you so very much for your support and interest in my F.I.L.M. blog! I’ll keep you updated on the development of my new works.

What new spring beginning are you planning for yourself?

In the meantime…

All the best and a great shoot to you,
Deb

MWP New Spring Catalogue is here!

Spring and the birth of new trees… happy sigh.

Though books don’t grow on trees, they are made of trees… well the hard copy is, at any rate.

If you love to browse through through bookstores – especially to be re-inspired in your craft – surf over to MWP.com and peruse the books now available in the:

MWP Spring 2014 Catalogue

mwp-spr14

My book (Film Production Management 101) is on page 33 along with other excellent production books.

Which one(s) catch your fancy? Something for your craft now… and something for what you plan to do in the future? Spring is a time of new beginnings. Perhaps it’s time you explored that untrodden path.

Cheers & happy browsing and exploring to you,
Deb

Film Gifts Can Last A Lifetime

prezyChristmas decorations are filling stores and websites. Catalogues of all types are arriving for perusing both typical and unusual gift ideas. How fun to see what’s been invented or written this year! The season of giving approaches.

When it comes to the gifts we give, we want them to be both thoughtful and meaningful. Though we give for the season, we want the gift’s spirit to last long beyond the days of the winter holidays. Know the saying about “give a man a fish vs. teach him how to fish”? How about a book that helps to teach a new career or new skills? Now there’s a gift that can affect a lifetime!

In that spirit, peruse on over to the MWP online bookshop/catalogue of film industry books at: http://www.mwp.com. What skills and inspiration might you be looking to share this season?

PM101-2nd-EdMy own book (at: http://shop.mwp.com/products/film-production-management-101) covers the entire production process from the POV of the Coordinator and Manager – the folk who know everyone at the wrap party because they’ve been involved in everything along the way.

On MWP, you’ll also find some new, enhanced eBooks, and discover that MWP now takes Paypal to make purchases online-easy for you.

For added interaction and news, drop by the MWP Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/mwpfilmbooks) to keep up on events and specials.

Happy holiday shopping and a good shoot to you,
Deb

Teaching “The Biz”

We say “the biz” or “the business” when we mean to say “the film industry” or “show business”. Funny how we shorten it to refer only the “business” portion instead of the “film” or “show” portion when we are so proud that it’s a creative industry! Just goes to show you how important business activities are in this creative industry.

Look at the credits and you’ll see Producers, Executive Producers, Line Producers, Production Managers, Production Supervisors, Associate Producers, Production Coordinators, and more. All business folk covering different business aspects of the production. My book Film Production Management 101 was written to cover the business logistics side of the industry primarily for the PM and PC.

Because it’s hard to emulate real-life business situations in a school setting, I’ve just written a course outline based on my book including recommended activities and assignments to dynamically learn how to manage the logistics of production. I mean, how do you simulate the issues that arise when cost reporting a real production with real money being spent while in a school setting with equipment and labour already donated? Having designed and taught numerous seminars, courses and workshops over the years, I’m sure this course outline will help those in “the biz” of film education design and teach essential business skills for the next generation of filmmakers.

If you’re in the business of teaching film skills, download the course outline for free at MWP Books:

Film Production Management 101 – Course Outline
http://www.mwp.com/filmschool/database/resources/PM101/PM101-Course-Outline-2012.doc

Cheers & a good shoot (or cost report!) to you,
Deb

The Future of Story – Chicago (8-Aug-12)

I have a production jacket from a sci-fi I worked on that declares: “The Future Is“… but the jacket never identified what the future was! Although I guess it means that the future is here and now.

Well, in Chicago on August 8, I’m on a panel for the conference “The Future of Story – Chicago” and will naturally be talking about the business of filmmaking. It’s going to be an information-packed set of panels for real concentrated learning on screenwriting, the business and pitching, plus some crazy discounts on MWP Books too. Last year it was in LA, so if you’re in the Chicago area, this year it’s your opportunity to attend locally! I very much hope to see you there.

For more info see the conference’s FB page or Event page:

http://www.facebook.com/TheFutureOfStory

http://www.facebook.com/events/328763390542729/

And for even more info, and to reserve a seat go to:

http://www.chicagohollywood.com/

See you in Chicago! In the meantime…

Cheers & a good shoot to you,
Deb

Browsing Books Virtually… in the MWP Book Catalogue 2012

Oh to browse through bookstores… and industry books especially!

Well, the new MWP Books catalogue 2012 is out. You can peruse the PDF catalogue online to find out what’s new at: http://www.mwp.com/catalogs/MWP.com_Catalog_2012.pdf (2.2 MB). My book (being published last year) is now on page 37. Browse the pages and then let me know… what books peak your interest? What topics do you find lacking?

As a MWP author myself, it’s an honour to be part of such a professional team of industry workers & writers. I’ve read many MWP books over the years and have never been disappointed by a single book. So if your thinking of Christmas, thinking of your career, or thinking of just browsing… enjoy!

Plus you can join the many folk at MWP Books FB page (http://www.facebook.com/mwpfilmbooks) where the is much industry discussion, announcements, and I’ve seen free book giveaways now and then.

Might “see” you there!

Cheers & happy industry browsing to you,
Deb