Josh Penn

For many years, our founders Michael Gottwald and Josh Penn have conducted enlightening Independent Filmmaking symposiums worldwide, including prestigious venues like Sundance, the Toronto International Film Festival, AFI, and the University of Chicago. These symposiums offer students a producer's perspective on filmmaking, providing an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the craft. Ideal for aspiring film industry professionals, the events serve as a platform for Josh and Michael to discuss the ever-evolving industry landscape. They also offer courses covering various aspects, from "The Genesis and Making of Beasts of the Southern Wild" to "Creative Producing: The Development Process," "The Director's Path," Documentary and Hybrid Filmmaking, and a workshop on the Current Industry State.

For many years, our founders Michael Gottwald and Josh Penn have conducted enlightening Independent Filmmaking symposiums worldwide, including prestigious venues like Sundance, the Toronto International Film Festival, AFI, and the University of Chicago. These symposiums offer students a producer's perspective on filmmaking, providing an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the craft. Ideal for aspiring film industry professionals, the events serve as a platform for Josh and Michael to discuss the ever-evolving industry landscape. They also offer courses covering various aspects, from "The Genesis and Making of Beasts of the Southern Wild" to "Creative Producing: The Development Process," "The Director's Path," Documentary and Hybrid Filmmaking, and a workshop on the Current Industry State.

I offer consulting on a wide range of topics for directors, writers, producers, financiers, and other organizations in the filmmaking space. Drawing on my fifteen years of experience in the industry, we can cover everything from the creative and strategic to the financial and logistical, offering advice on pitch decks, rough cuts, financing plans, legal strategies, and any other materials pertaining to the project.

I offer consulting on a wide range of topics for directors, writers, producers, financiers, and other organizations in the filmmaking space. Drawing on my fifteen years of experience in the industry, we can cover everything from the creative and strategic to the financial and logistical, offering advice on pitch decks, rough cuts, financing plans, legal strategies, and any other materials pertaining to the project.

I will review your grant application in advance and provide detailed feedback on your written and visual materials in writing, followed by a 1 hour zoom meeting to go over any questions you might have.

I will watch your cut and provide written feedback followed by a 1 hour zoom to dive deeper into my notes.

An immersive edit intensive for teams with a feature film in the rough cut stage. Tailored to the team’s unique needs, these sessions are designed to get rough cuts over creative hurdles by helping collaborators align on a creative vision, holistically evaluate their project, clarify intentions and goals, and prepare for the next stages of the edit. Together we will focus both on the big picture of the film and team’s vision and also get into the edit minutiae by identifying paths and strategies to strengthen storytelling, pacing, and thematic resonance. I will not only provide feedback on the project but also facilitate essential and often previously unexplored discussions within the creative team. These sessions provide a structured opportunity for teams to come together, reflect on their work and refine their approach as they head toward completion. Format: 2 consecutive facilitated sessions, and one follow up session 1-2 months later. Duration: 4–6 hours per session