Production Process

Have a great idea for a short film or web series? We'd love to hear it! Here's a rundown of how the process works:

Part 1: Applications

Near the end of each semester (dates TBA), BTV accepts submissions of short film screenplays and series pitches. Subject matter can be just about anything, whatever you think the Brown community will want to watch. Thanks to our live digital broadcasting platform, series can be live or pre-recorded, scripted or unscripted.

Scripted series should generally be designed for a webisode format of 3-10 minutes, and with the expected schedule being producing an episode every 2-4 weeks. Live series can be any length, but should be able to produce episodes on a weekly schedules.

If you have an idea but don't feel confident writing a screenplay yourself, come to some production meetings, where you can meet other people with your interests, talk about your idea with experienced staff, and make new friends! For more info, email the production director.

Part 2: Acceptance and Revision

If your propsal is accepted, the BTV staff will work with you over the break to polish up your script and begin the pre-production process.

Part 3: Director, Casting, Crew Selection

At the very beginning of the new semester, BTV will accept applications for directors, producers, and other key positions like director of photography and editor. As soon as the director is choosen, auditions are held and cast selected and pre-production begins in earnest with location scouting, storyboarding, and logistics.

Note that director applications are completely independent of screenplay submission. If you want to direct your own work, you need to have the experience to actually put a production through to completion. If you want to be a director, the best way is to sign up for crew or work on the BTV staff and get some on-set experience under your belt.

Part 4: Filming and Post-Production

Filming starts withing 3-4 weeks of the beginning of the semester. For a show, filming and post-production will happen simultaneously and episodes released to our website on a regular basis. Films will typically shoot most of their material before starting serious post-production work.

Part 5: Premiere and Web Release!

Near the end of the semester, BTV will host a huge premiere showing off all our new films and select episodes of our shows! Venues have included the Avon, the Cable Car, and Brown auditoriums. In addition, we will show your project on this lovely website indefinitely.