Feature Blueprint Lab
Start with the End Game
The Feature Blueprint Lab is a five-week collaborative working experience for independent filmmakers developing their first—or next—feature.
Rather than waiting until your film is finished to think about audience, financing and release, we work backward from where you want the film to go—connecting Audience, Strategy, Finance, Production and Exhibition into one practical Blueprint for your project.
The Feature Blueprint Lab is a five-week collaborative working experience for independent filmmakers developing their first—or next—feature.
Rather than waiting until your film is finished to think about audience, financing and release, we work backward from where you want the film to go—connecting Audience, Strategy, Finance, Production and Exhibition into one practical Blueprint for your project.
Enrollment for September is now closed, and applications are open for the remaining 2026-27 cohorts:
September 24, 2026 - ENROLLMENT CLOSED
November 5, 2026 (Other dates for this session: November 12th, 19th, December 3rd, 10th)
January 7, 2027 (Other dates for this session: January 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, February 4th)
Each five-week session is limited to only 10 filmmakers. Choose the start date that works best for you.
Note: All Lab sessions are transcribed and recorded so that participants can review or refer back to them anytime.
September 24, 2026 - ENROLLMENT CLOSED
November 5, 2026 (Other dates for this session: November 12th, 19th, December 3rd, 10th)
January 7, 2027 (Other dates for this session: January 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, February 4th)
Each five-week session is limited to only 10 filmmakers. Choose the start date that works best for you.
Note: All Lab sessions are transcribed and recorded so that participants can review or refer back to them anytime.
A Blueprint in Action: Alchemy in Venice
You won't just learn what works, you'll see how real decisions are made. Throughout the Blueprint experience, you'll have an insider's view into the production, festival strategy, audience development, and distribution planning for the feature film, Alchemy in Venice. Rather than studying completed case studies, you'll see strategies evolve in real time as the film moves toward release.
For You If...
- You've made shorts and are ready to take the leap into features
- You have a feature idea in development but haven't yet brought all the pieces together
- You want to understand your audience and end game before locking your budget and production strategy
- You're building an independent filmmaking career—not simply trying to get one movie made
- You're ready to share your project, ask questions and actively participate in a small working group
Can’t make every session live?
All sessions are recorded, summarized and available to all participants to revisit sessions on your own time.
I've spent 30+ years helping filmmakers navigate festivals, production, distribution and independent release. The Feature Blueprint brings those experiences together around one idea: make better decisions before you spend the time & money making your feature. - Jon Fitzgerald
Cost
