Greenhouse is a project, which offers an intensive one year programme for developing feature length documentaries geared towards the big screen and made by Mediterranean (MEDA) filmmakers. Greenhouse's primary goal is to provide both directors and producers, together and apart, with the best personal mentors and experts in the field of documentaries to assist in improving the quality of their projects, which are aimed at international theatrical release. Greenhouse aims to encourage the exploration of innovative non-fiction storytelling methods that can bring about a change, not only through the social message they deliver, as good documentaries often do, but also by means of their cinematic language. Greenhouse's credo is to provide the best scheme, individually tailored for each of the participating projects, a process, which will lead the filmmakers to realize the potential of these projects to the full, and produce them into the best films they can be.
Greenhouse's programme consists of two methodological approaches:
A structured programme providing the participants with all professional needs for developing their basic concept into a feature length documentary project: creating a full film package for marketing; establishing networking possibilities; making a trailer which will be edited during the seminars; and participating in a pitching session in the presence of leading forces in the European and Mediterranean cinema industries. A custom-made personal programme specially designed for each and every project, emphasizing the importance of dialogue with oneself and with ones peers to encourage the exploration of innovative non-fiction storytelling techniques, and promoting the exhibition of feature length documentaries to international audiences.
- Our programme is designed to enable the exchange of skills and know-how between the personal mentors and the filmmakers, and to stimulate the individual creative process of the producer and the director in order to attain perfect team work. The participation of filmmakers from different MEDA countries in the programme, contributes as much to the learning process as that of the mentors. We believe in providing a platform for interactions, exchanges of ideas and group feedback. This is especially important in this region, as this is the only place for these filmmakers to meet and interact with one another.
- Our programme is designed for MEDA filmmakers, not only in order to train the next generation of international feature length documentary film directors and producers, but also to turn these filmmakers into regional professional documentary leaders and create an intercultural dialogue between them.
- Our custom-made programme is adapted to the needs of each participant, designed and tailored for film directors and producers, and will include team sessions as well as separate ones for each.
Hands on experience Greenhouse's programme offers different techniques and approaches to the development process, and only after a trial and error stage, during which the participants learn through practice, they move on to the next level. This way, the participants are able to check their initial proposals by investigating their personal motivations and their goals, their starting point and their final quest, before delving into the basic elements of scriptwriting. The "10 Commandments of Scriptwriting", for instance, are only taught after the initial script development stage, which allows the participants to find their own unique way to realize their ideas. Only after this trial and error stage is completed, they are able to check themselves against the theory and respond to what they have learned. And only after a long day of attempting to better understand their motivation to make their projects, do they present them to the whole group for further feedback.
Seminar themes
Focusing on the director's role: Script analysis of documentaries for the big screen, story development, the documentary script approach, visual concept, research, the art of interviewing, editing techniques and cinematography for the big screen. Focusing on the producer's role: Film production management, international financing, co-productions, legal aspects, marketing strategies, distribution and international sales. Mastering the Pitching Session – editing a trailer and preparing a full presentation of the project.
Seminar structure A one year support system for the participating filmmakers and their projects, including 3 yearly seminars, and 365 days per year, 24 hours a day tutoring support through e-mails provided by the personal mentors. The benefit of attending 3 seminars a year is that it enables Greenhouse's team to adapt each seminar to the needs of each project and the follow up e-mail support makes sure, that each project has a full film package, including a trailer, by the end of the programme. The programme includes: frontal lectures, film case studies, master classes, personal one on one tutorials, networking, group feedback sessions, meetings with special advisors, trailer editing and a pitching forum.
One on one tailored tutorials: The meticulous selection process of the participating projects enables us to adapt to the projects' various needs, thus designing a custom made programme tailored especially for each project. The one on one tutorials, as well as the frontal lectures are adapted to the needs of each participant and project. The mentors have the task of exposing the unique voice of each of the filmmakers, as well as their weaker points, so that they are able to work together with them to realize the projects to their maximum potential.
Our leading mentors also act as critics of the individual works in progress as well as personal coaches, so that the filmmakers learn to better understand and improve their abilities. The participating filmmakers also receive guidance and professional assistance from international experts and special lecturers as well as from Greenhouse's team.
The following year Greenhouse's team will also be available to the participating filmmakers after the completion of this one-year development scheme, and will continue to offer the necessary support.
Greenhouse's programme consists of two methodological approaches:
A structured programme providing the participants with all professional needs for
