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

Giovani Lampassi is a highly accomplished Director, Cinematographer, and Writer with over 26 years of experience in the film and television industry. His extensive resume includes work on more than 24 TV series and 27 feature films. Some of his notable TV projects include "Home Economics," "Veronica Mars," "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," "Up All Night," "The Unit," and "Party Down." In the realm of feature films, he has contributed to titles such as “A Merry Friggin' Christmas,” "Go," "Panic," "Torque," "Lonely Hearts,"** and "The Reaping."

Recently, Giovani has worked as the cinematographer on the highly rated TV series "High Potential," an American crime drama that premiered in September 2024. He also served as the cinematographer for the workplace comedy series "Unstable," for Netflix.

Throughout his career, Giovani has had the opportunity to work with many renowned actors, including Kristen Bell, Robin Williams, John Travolta, Andy Samberg, Kathryn Hahn, Gina Rodriguez, and Topher Grace. His collaborations with these talented actors have contributed to the success and acclaim of the projects he has been involved in.

Giovani is a member of both the Directors Guild of America and the International Cinematographers Guild. Known for his engaging personality, he is always ready with a dad joke to lighten the mood on set. His dedication to his craft and his ability to bring stories to life through his lens have made him a respected figure in the industry.

Giovani's professional ability to see light and shadows is unparalleled, setting him apart from many other cinematographers. He honed this skill under the mentorship of legendary cinematographers John Alonzo, ASC and Peter Levy, ASC, ACS, for whom he worked as a gaffer. Their guidance helped shape his unique visual style and deep understanding of lighting.

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 dedicated to supporting independent filmmakers at every stage of the creative journey. We provide fiscal sponsorship, grants, education, mentorship, and practical resources to help filmmakers secure funding, build sustainable projects, and bring their films to life.

While purchases on ThriveCart are not tax-deductible donations, your support directly sustains our work, strengthens our organization, and helps empower filmmakers with the funding and support they need to tell stories that might not otherwise be told.

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