Description
Define Your Voice
Filmmaker Retreat Joshua Tree
Thursday, September 26th – Sunday, September 29th, 2024
Limit 20 Filmmakers
What is it?
2024 WILL BE OUR 3RD YEAR! Given the success of 2022’s inaugural Filmmaker Retreat, and ’23’s sophomore Retreat, our theme is again “Define Your Voice” – as a filmmaker, storyteller and human. This Filmmaker Retreat focuses on your creative leadership and gives you tools to chart your successful career path. I believe when you discover what makes you unique, it helps you win that next directing assignment. We all want better gigs and bigger budgets, this retreat will help make that a reality.
It starts with a 1:1 onboarding & mentorship call, so the experience is tailored to your career needs.
Listen to what filmmakers think of it.
Listen to these working filmmakers had to say about our inaugural retreat.
Who is this for?
This program is tailored exclusively for filmmakers focusing on commercials, the weekend is perfect for Directors, Producers, Director/DP’s, Editors and Agency Creatives. Immerse yourself in nuts and bolts workshops of pitching agencies and clients, ideation, leading your crew, agency & client interfacing, networking and camaraderie.
Commercial Directing Bootcamp alumni get a $300 discount off tuition.
Commercial Directing Masterclass alumni get a $100 discount off tuition.
DM or email me for the code.
Why a Filmmaker Retreat?
Some of us are starting to find our voice. It’s starting to click and you feel it. I know I’m constantly refining my voice 25+ years. 2015, I started teaching commercial directing and selfishly I love exploring how we can each live and work as our authentic self. It’s the most intangible and mystical element of what we do.
Also, why not? I love hanging out with other creative people and there’s no other place for us to share war stories. It’s why I started the Respect The Process podcast in 2013, to break the isolation inherent to our craft. And I love an excuse to get away. if the drought eased up, we’ll have a bonfire Saturday night. Blankets provided.
Where is it?
The JT Retreat Center is the perfect setting for all this Commercial Directing Voodoo and the perfect place to reconnect with yourself, network and even boost your mental health. My aim is both a professional and spiritual experience.
Fall 2021, I gave a workshop inside the Sanctuary at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center at the Slamdance Film Festival. The spiritually-infused desert grounds are amazing, the modest accommodations are clean, the food is better than decent. Perhaps it was divine inspiration, but I knew that weekend we had to give this a go.
Fall 2022, we gathered and immersed ourselves in all things directing. The sharing of ideas and experiences was magical for everyone. Best of all, lasting friendships were made. Thanks to the feedback of our group, 2023’s Retreat was even more transformational. Can’t wait to see who joins in 2024.
Run Of Show:
Like my popular Bootcamps, the curriculum is fine-tuned and personalized to the needs of the attendees. You and I will do a 20 minute onboarding call, which will help me shape the content of the weekend. That said, here’s the schedule of events, subject to tweaks.
PRE-RETREAT
Starting in June, you and I do a 1:1 onboarding call with me to discuss your career needs.
THURSDAY
3pm Arrival & Check in (Let us know if you’ll be earlier, no problem.)
Group Dinner: Greet & Howdy with Career Objectives
Screening: A curated showcase of our own spots & award-winning commercials.
FRIDAY
Group Breakfast & Discussion: Representation
Workshop: How To Get Better Gigs
Group Lunch
Workshop: Case Study of an entire Ad Campaign from Director’s POV.
SATURDAY
Group Breakfast & Discussion: Representation
Walkabout in Joshua Tree National Park – Leadership
Lunch/Private Time
Workshop: TBD
Group Dinner
Talking Stick Session at Faux Fire Pit: Your Voice
SUNDAY
Group Breakfast & Discussion: Action Steps
9am Check Out
Workshop: Tips, Tricks & Advanced Voodoo
Departure
POST-RETREAT
You and I do a 20 minute, 1:1 post-mortem call.
How much does it cost?
$2245 per filmmaker. This includes everything: meals (vegetarian/vegan available), lodging, beverages (plenty water, soda, coffee, protein, snacks, fruit and veggies, secret adult beverages at night), all workshops and mentoring calls. You just get there. We’re holding rooms for you.
$300 DISCOUNT Bootcamp alumni.
$100 DISCOUNT – Any online course alumni.
Mega Bundle Filmmakers – contact me.
Limit one discount per filmmaker. Couples, teams contact me if you’re going to share a room. I respect that this as a sizable investment in your career, so feel free to reach out to discuss if this retreat is appropriate for you and your goals. Contact me directly at jordan@commercialdirectingfilmschool.com
The Filmmaker Retreat will be held at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, located at 59700 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252. Rooms are private with bathroom, very modest and clean. Food is healthy and good. I’ll provide all kinds of fun, premium beverages.
It’s 3 hours from LAX and Palm Springs is less than one hour. Many ’22 Filmmakers fly in and out of Palm Springs.
Cancellation policy and legal stuff..
Cancellations accepted until July 15th, 2023 for full refund, minus $200 non-refundable cancellation fee. After that, I know last minute gigs come up that may force you to choose, in which case you can transfer your payment to 1:1 Mentor consultations, courses or the next Retreat, full value of your payment, less the $200 cancellation fee. Retreat is transferable.
There will be an Activity Waiver and Release form to sign. Safety is paramount so I’ll be reminding us to hydrate and be responsible humans. This is a fully insured event. Wear a sensible shoe.
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