DOCUMENTARY FILM CONSULTING
Automat Pictures Founder, Jeffrey Schwarz, lends his experience and expertise to other filmmakers.
Automat Pictures Founder, Jeffrey Schwarz, lends his experience and expertise to other filmmakers.
I‘ve learned a tremendous amount over the past 20+ years of producing and directing non-fiction entertainment and would like to share my experience with filmmakers. I’m offering private documentary consulting services for any stage of production. If you are looking for advice, perspective, guidance, real-world solutions, or a shoulder to cry on I can help. I’ve often said to myself, “I wish somebody had told me about this before I started!” Hopefully I can be that guy for you. Whether you are a first time filmmaker with a great idea for a doc, or have a gold statuette sitting on your mantle, it can help to have an outside perspective.
Consulting services include but are not limited to the following areas:
- Proposals & Treatments
- Budgeting
- Archival & Stock Footage
- Pre-Production
- Production Staff & Crew Referrals
- Releases and Deal Memos
- Story Development
- Fair Use Practices and Clearance
- Fiscal Sponsorship
- Fundraising Strategy
- Social Media & Marketing
- Editing & Post Production / Delivery
- Rough Cut Review & Feedback
- Sales & Distribution
- Film Festival Strategy
Consultations can take place in-person for Los Angeles residents, or over the phone or Skype. Although I can provide details based on my experience regarding legal and Fair Use issues, I’m not a lawyer and do not give legal advice. All fees are non-refundable.
If you’re interested in starting a conversation and discussing rates, please contact me.
Cheers!
— Jeffrey Schwarz, Founder, Automat Pictures
TESTIMONIALS
“I was ready to give up on my first feature documentary, She’s the Best Thing In It, before I showed a rough cut to Jeffrey. He saw something in the film that I’d lost sight of and came onboard as an editor and producer. And from that moment the film came to life. Jeffrey organized the footage so I could see the emotional story at the center of what I’d shot and continued to inspire and support me throughout post-production.”
— Ron Nyswaner, Director, She’s the Best Thing In It
“When I launched the project, Jeffrey was one of the first people I called and I couldn’t have made a better decision. From fundraising and research to edits and distribution deals, his support, advice, experience and connections were invaluable to me as a director, and his work as a producer vital to the overall success of the film. Jeffrey is a smart, passionate and dedicated producer, and his knowledge of the business and medium helped transform the roughly shaped lead into a complex, fully realized story that could reach audiences across the globe.”
— Mike Stabile, Director, Seed Money
“Jeffrey is an invaluable resource to any filmmaker— independent or otherwise — who wants to work in the smartest, most efficient, and most creative way. He knows the pitfalls to avoid and the tips that make a piece stand out — and has the track record to prove it. He also has a tremendous knowledge about film — documentary and otherwise. I would wholeheartedly recommend working with Jeffrey to any filmmaker who’s lucky enough to get on his schedule.”
— David Kittredge, Director, Heretics: The Making of The Exorcist II
“As a first-time documentarian, I found Jeffrey Schwarz to be absolutely invaluable. He is a reputable entertainment veteran who brings his vast experience and intrinsic understanding of filmmaking to any situation and creates solutions. He saves time, money, headaches and heartbreak. My advice to filmmakers — get Jeffrey’s advice.”
— James Michael Hughes, Director, Paging Geraldine
“Upon starting work on my first documentary, I knew my subject matter inside and out, but literally nothing about the filmmaking process. Jeffrey was great to to work with on an initial consultation and he’s been great to check in with periodically as film milestones progress. Time well spent!”
— Robert Carpenter, Director, Lacrosse
“It was great to be able consult with Jeffrey on Love, Gilda. Not only did he have an expertise in the biography genre, he was a great listener. He was able to listen to my concerns about what my next steps would be and how to guide me to get there.”
— Lisa D’Apolito, Director, Love, Gilda
“I was ready to give up on my first feature documentary, She’s the Best Thing In It, before I showed a rough cut to Jeffrey. He saw something in the film that I’d lost sight of and came onboard as an editor and producer. And from that moment the film came to life. Jeffrey organized the footage so I could see the emotional story at the center of what I’d shot and continued to inspire and support me throughout post-production.”
— Ron Nyswaner, Director, She’s the Best Thing In It
“When I launched the project, Jeffrey was one of the first people I called and I couldn’t have made a better decision. From fundraising and research to edits and distribution deals, his support, advice, experience and connections were invaluable to me as a director, and his work as a producer vital to the overall success of the film. Jeffrey is a smart, passionate and dedicated producer, and his knowledge of the business and medium helped transform the roughly shaped lead into a complex, fully realized story that could reach audiences across the globe.”
— Mike Stabile, Director, Seed Money
“Jeffrey is an invaluable resource to any filmmaker— independent or otherwise — who wants to work in the smartest, most efficient, and most creative way. He knows the pitfalls to avoid and the tips that make a piece stand out — and has the track record to prove it. He also has a tremendous knowledge about film — documentary and otherwise. I would wholeheartedly recommend working with Jeffrey to any filmmaker who’s lucky enough to get on his schedule.”
— David Kittredge, Director, Heretics: The Making of The Exorcist II
“As a first-time documentarian, I found Jeffrey Schwarz to be absolutely invaluable. He is a reputable entertainment veteran who brings his vast experience and intrinsic understanding of filmmaking to any situation and creates solutions. He saves time, money, headaches and heartbreak. My advice to filmmakers — get Jeffrey’s advice.”
— James Michael Hughes, Director, Paging Geraldine
“Upon starting work on my first documentary, I knew my subject matter inside and out, but literally nothing about the filmmaking process. Jeffrey was great to to work with on an initial consultation and he’s been great to check in with periodically as film milestones progress. Time well spent!”
— Robert Carpenter, Director, Lacrosse
“It was great to be able consult with Jeffrey on Love, Gilda. Not only did he have an expertise in the biography genre, he was a great listener. He was able to listen to my concerns about what my next steps would be and how to guide me to get there.”
— Lisa D’Apolito, Director, Love, Gilda