Learn Producing Class - From the Heart Productions - Carole Dean, Robert L. Seigel, Jonathon M. Smith

AI is not the end of film, nor is it the beginning of a new era. It is a tool that, when used ethically and judiciously, can help every filmmaker stand comfortably on the industry's three pillars: Creative, Marketing and Business Affairs.
AI can help research and create stellar presentation decks that are five steps above what I see in the industry today.
AI can help you find and vet funders, distributors and talent in ways previously impossible.
The secret to AI is "prompt engineering," which is how we tell the AI what to do. The better we instruct the AI, the better our results will always be.

Human Judgment in the Age of AI: Ethical Practice in Modern Film Production This session explores how artificial intelligence can be integrated responsibly across motion picture production and post-production — including screenplay development, storyboarding, camera and lighting workflows, production design, visual effects, sound editing, motion capture, and finishing. Rather than focusing on tools or trends, the class examines the ethical, creative, and practical boundaries that must guide AI use in filmmaking. Participants will learn how to leverage AI to increase clarity, efficiency, and workflow intelligence while maintaining authorship, consent, leadership, and accountability across departments. The emphasis is on disciplined integration — using AI to strengthen the craft without compromising human judgment.

Year 1 of the Producer’s Class (Classes 1-26) is based on Producer to Producer: A Step-by-Step Guide to Low Budget Independent Film Producing by Maureen A. Ryan, an award-winning producer whose credits include the documentaries Man on Wire, Dick Johnson Is Dead, and Becoming. This is the Bible for learning to develop & produce in the film industry. One of the most asked questions is, “What do Producers do?” Maureen Ryan says, “They make it happen.” This is what we are teaching, how to “make it happen” with developing and an emphasis on funding.

Year 2 and beyond of the Producer’s Class will expand on topics explored in Year 1 and new topics!

Carole Dean is the Founder and President of From the Heart Productions, a top-rated 501(c)3 non-profit that supports independent filmmakers by helping them raise funding for their projects. Over thirty years through From the Heart’s fiscal sponsorship program, she has assisted filmmakers in raising over $30 million for their films.

She created the Roy Dean Grant in 1992 and has awarded over $2,500,000 in grants to independent filmmakers, and helped to produce over 80 films through the grant.

Her creation of a business in 1970, Studio Film & Tape, that purchased leftover motion picture film from production then resold it at a discount, helped spark the independent film revolution by giving filmmakers affordable film stock.

In the 1980s, she produced 120 Health Styles Shows that were sold to Oasis Cable and 30 Filmmaker shows, now in the National Archives. She was Executive Producer for BAM 6.6, Women Behind the Camera, Step Away From the Stone, and American Chain Gang. More of Carole’s producing credits are available on IMDB.

Carole Dean is the author of The Art of Film Funding, 2nd Edition: Alternative Financing Concepts & The Art of Manifesting: Creating your Future. Click here to see Carole’s complete Curriculum Vitae.

Carole Joyce Co-Host, From the Heart Productions Board Member and Producer A talented filmmaker, photographer, and producer, Carole Joyce is a Board Member of the 501(c)3 non-profit From the Heart Productions, and Director of the Roy W. Dean Grant, of which she has been an integral part of for over 20 years. Carole is also the CEO of Authentic Vision Consulting, a consulting firm specializing in independent film production and financing.

A graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography, Carole is an award-winning filmmaker for her documentary Survivors. Carole served as Executive Producer for the award-winning short film Stairway to the Stars starring Sean Young and as LA Line Producer for Wheels of Heaven with Mickey Rourke. Carole produced the short film Living UnDone, which won the Grand Jury Award at the Ethos Film Festival and Best Short Documentary for the Paris Film Festival. Carole is a Producer for the upcoming film Prodigal Daughter. Carole’s additional credits are available on IMDb. From the Heart Productions’ credits are also available on IMDb.

Carole also serves as an Advisor for the Authentic Global Film Festival and a Judge for the Ethos Film Festival.

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Founded over 30 years ago, From the Heart Productions is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting independent filmmakers at every stage of the creative journey.

Your purchase of this educational content constitutes a tax-deductible donation to From the Heart Productions, Inc. (EIN # 95-4445418). Purchases are exempt from Sales Tax. Proceeds from this purchase support our nonprofit mission to empower and support independent filmmakers in completing films that are unique and make a meaningful contribution to society. We do this through our five yearly grants, fiscal sponsorship, education, mentorship, and free resources.

Thank you for being part of this work.

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