A couple of years ago I worked on a new program with the Independent Feature Project: the Rough Cut Labs. The idea came, in part, from my realization that much of maintaining a filmmaking career involves making a series of mistakes and then remembering not to make them on the next film you do. But if you’re making your first film, what if somebody could tell you beforehand what mistakes you might be likely to make? Or, forget mistakes, what if people who have been through the trenches could let you know what to expect as your film moves from the security of its edit room into the dangers of the real world?

The Rough Cut Lab is designed to provide filmmakers in post with their features a program of advice, feedback and guidance tailored to the specific needs of their film. Filmmakers screen their rough cuts for editorial advisors and then take place in a four-day seminar in which industry professionals offer instruction on locking your picture, figuring out your post-production sound, scoring your film, securing music licenses, getting a sales rep, devising a festival strategy and more. This year I’ll be teaching it with Gretchen McGowan of HDNet, and we have a fantastic group of generous and helpful people coming in as guests. The Lab takes place in New York from June 12 – 15, and the entry deadline for the Narrative Features is April 27. There is a $30 entry fee, but the lab itself is free.

More info and an application form can be found here.