About the Steeltown Film Factory

Overview

The Steeltown Film Factory (SFF) is a yearlong filmmaking competition, supported by a series of public workshops, panel discussions and staged readings, designed to engage aspiring filmmakers to create projects with Pittsburgh-inspired content. The competition will provide emerging talent with an opportunity to learn from internationally renowned film and television professionals about the entertainment industry. A successful SFF will lead to the training and employment of the local workforce, the incubation of talent and intellectual property, and the nurturing and development of future projects that can be spun off into commercially viable entities. These entities will create jobs, investment opportunities, and products that will be exported by our region. By bringing together local and expatriate resources in Southwestern Pennsylvania (SWPA), the SFF will help to transform this region's non-profit "Arts Sector" into a thriving "Entertainment Economy."

Participants

The SFF is expected to attract a range of people to the competition and related events:

• High school, college, and university students (ages 16-25 years).
• Amateur filmmakers (over 25 years).
• Professionals in the entertainment industry with ties to SWPA, as mentors and judges.
• Civic and economic development professionals, school administrators and arts educators with an interest in developing the arts sector in SWPA.
• General public keen to learn about "behind-the-scenes" in film, TV and web entertainment.

How Does It Work?

The Steeltown Film Factory invites students and amateur filmmakers to submit original film ideas for the competition. Submissions must include a maximum 12-page script along with a logline, a one-page synopsis and an optional sample of prior work. After receiving reviews from a selection committee comprised of distinguished industry professionals, the most promising screenplays will be developed into full-fledged productions through staged readings, panel discussions and public workshops, which will be open to the public.

All submissions will be required to be:

1. Relevant to the SWPA/Pittsburgh region.
2. Commercially viable.
3. Capable of being produced in SWPA/Pittsburgh during Summer 2012.

During the year, the SFF will facilitate:

1. Educating, mentoring, and connecting student and amateur participants.
2. Establishing relationships between participants and film industry professionals with ties to SWPA.
3. Educating the public about the creative development process in the entertainment industry.