Virtual Open House Recap and Update

VOH Recap

The Virtual Open House for the Independent Poducers Guild and its associated 501(c)(3) Stage And Screen Innovations went off very smoothly the entire week of March 17-21, 2025! 

Every day was well attended. We had different people each day, with a few attending each day. That was our goal, one of the reasons that we had different seminar presentations on different topics each day. Overall, this expanded the IPG and SSI profile, and has already shown results in public awareness and industry awareness of our presence.

 Each day had two mini seminars, and a question and answer period.

On Monday we went over Stage and Screen Innovations Virtual Theatrical initiative. Guest speaker Joey Madia Presented on how he is working to adapt his immersive play Three Gothic Doctors and Their Sons to be produced in the Virtual Theatrical format. The Virtual Theatrical program was detailed separately by SSI artistic director Diamond Monique Washington, and Shadow Dragu-Mihai.

 On Tuesday, guest presenter and IPG member Alex Moreno detailed his Future Leaders Of The World (26) program, which uses screenwriting and film production to reach at risk youth. We also detailed the producing unique new creators (punc) program by SSI.

 Wednesday IPG UK director Leigh Ariana Trifari discussed emerging artificial intelligence issues for actors and producers. This was followed by a mini-presentation of the workshop Branding For Creatives by Diamond Monique Washington and Shadow Dragu-Mihai. Thursday saw IPG member Steve Taylor layout the casting process and pitfalls in independent film, followed by an overview of the upcoming CandieTV platform by founder Chris Blair. Friday had a quick recap of the week, enclosed with a detailed mini seminar on Contracts for Writers and Producers, and an overview of best practices as set out in the IPG Members Handbook. Both these presentations were by Shadow Dragu-Mihai.

 The live seminars were recorded, and streamed live to the SS I YouTube channel. Over the next week, we will be taking down those liestream recordings, editing them for brevity and sound issues, and putting them back up in a more viewer friendly format. When that is done, we will announce it in the newsletter.

 And Moving Forward!

 1. FILMPODS: You have long heard about the IPG's Direct to Audience initiative, which has evolved into the FilmPod concept. Coming towards the end of April, Filmpods will be publicly announced for the first time. Filmpods is a comprehensive set of tools which help an independent producer to reach global audience, and to increase the profits from their films substantially, while maintaining full ownership and control of their intellectual property. There will be opportunities to be involved in the film pod team, as well as possibilities for investment, partnerships, and first in line for Filmpods, for IPG members and then other people in the film industry.

 2. SSI Moves Forward. Stage and Screen Innovations is the recipient of sponsorship from Google/YouTube, which gives SSI an array of online tools for free, and subsidizes marketing costs for the 501(c)(3). As you may know, financial support at this time for nonprofit organizations has become more problematic than usual. We have experienced several instances of promised support going unfulfilled. SSI is moving forward with whatever resources we are able to put together, but it is a very large task and we do need the support of financial donors, as well as interested volunteers. If you would like to be involved as a volunteer, we have things that you can do even on a couple hours per week. If you are able to lend financial support, do not hesitate because you think you cannot give very much. Every little bit counts especially in these early days, and it is more important than you might think. Tax-deductible receipts are made available for any donation of $25 or more. In addition, you can support SSI for free by joining our YouTube channel Stage and screen innovations and our Instagram channel at stage and screen innovation (there is no S on Instagram channel), and like, comment and share posts there. You can also spread help spread the word about the PUNC program and about the Virtual Theatrical program to anybody who you think might be interested.

 3. PUNC Moves Forward. First PUNC production! The first production that will introduce PUNC trainees to hands-on production is already in preproduction. This will be a short two day shoot in the Los Angeles area, and we will make space for two people who get hands-on experience on set, which will supplement their first seminars and workshops under the program. We will update you on the details of the shoot has things continue, in addition to the general call for support in the previous paragraph, if you have any of the following resources that you could make available to SSI for this shoot, you will be contributing to the career development of the filmmaking community: camera and lens equipment, casting location, audio equipment and services. If you have professional level skills in the following areas, in Los Angeles. In general, you may also be able to contribute: sound recorders, makeup with skills of blood effects, trip, lighting, camera operation.

 4. CONTACT: For any inquiries regarding IPG membership, or to support or otherwise be involved with IPG initiatives, including FilmPods, or SSI programs including Virtual Theatrical or PUNC, contact Shadow Dragu-Mihai directly at [email protected]