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Brand Yourself

How to market yourself and your project for maximum results

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Brand Yourself

WHEN 4 weeks, September 17 - October 8
Online chats Wednesdays, 9-10 pm ET

WHERE Online. Click here for more information.

LEVEL Intro

PRICE
$350 ($325 for )
more info

Course Details

In today's extremely competitive marketplace -- whether you are pitching an idea for a novel, short story, TV show, film, stand-up comedy act, or internet-based web show -- you need to make an impression and stand out. The clearest, quickest way to do that is to create your own brand.

What kind of impression do you give as you present yourself and your work in a cold calling situation, through email, or as you walk into a pitch meeting? What do people remember most about you after they've met you? What element of your personality will separate you from your competition? How do you want to be known? What is your energy? How will you and your art be perceived? What is your own personal brand?

Answer these questions and you'll be a success. This class will explore the success of popular personal brands (think Rachael Ray, Oprah, and JK Rowling.) Through lectures, exercises, and chats, you will develop a complete brand portfolio.

In this course you will learn:

  • The complete definition of branding
  • How to understand the marketplace you'll be pitching within
  • How to adjust your brand for a variety of media and cultural situations
  • How to find the right brand energy for you and your work
  • What you need for a complete brand package, from business cards to web presence

By the end of this class, you will have:
A complete portfolio displaying your own brilliant, unique brand


To Apply
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history).

The online classroom has several interactive components:
  • Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
  • Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
  • Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
  • Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.

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Instructor Bio

Laurie Scheer's Courses

Brand Yourself – (Class starts January 21)
TV Writing: Spec Script – (Class starts January 12)
Writing Scripts for Online Video – (Class starts January 13)

Laurie Scheer
Laurie Scheer is a former vice president of programming for WE: Women's Entertainment and is currently teaching at Yale University. She has worked as an assistant, d-girl, and producer for some of the most powerful media conglomerates in the world, including ABC, Viacom, Showtime, and AMC-Cablevision. She has been a professor at numerous universities across the US and considers herself a media goddess, helping creative professionals realize their goals of working and improving 21st century media. Her book Creative Careers In Hollywood: From Extra Girls to Errand Boys (Allworth Press, 2002) chronicles and celebrates all of the movies ever made that feature women working in Hollywood. She also has a DVD, How to Pitch and Sell Your Screenplay.

Testimonials


Laurie has boundless enthusiasm and offers the opportunity to succeed. -- Paul Hagen

"Laurie's seminar was by far the best I have ever taken in my entire life! She's the most knowledgeable instructor I've ever had, excellent on every level, and I can't say enough how much I got out of attending." -- Jamila Bey

"Laurie's seminar was the best money I've ever spent! I learned more about how television programming works in 3 hours than I picked up in a lifetime as a television news reporter." -- Brigette Polmar

"Laurie's class provided invaluable tips and she's one of the coolest instructors I've ever had. I would recommend her classes to anyone interested in learning more about writing for film and television." -- Imani Dawson

"Laurie's generous advice about television writing helped give me the confidence I needed to negotiate the contract process. I'll always remember that "if you are a professional, you're worth it," even when you're just starting out." -- Gina Laurie

"Laurie's classes are musts for anyone wanting to progress in the television industry.It is quite unusual to have someone offer to share their experiences, and even more unusual for them to truly want you to succeed." -- Tamara Federici, writer & former associate producer, Chappelle's Show

"Laurie is a professional who generously shares with her students her love and first-hand knowledge of the complex TV industry. She has a wonderful knack of encouraging writers, instilling confidence and showing them where they have taken a wrong turn." -- Nancy West

"Laurie was informative, funny, and extremely knowledgeable about the business. I found myself riveted and wanting to know more. If anyone is thinking of a career in television writing, this course is your starting point." -- Inger Slade

"Laurie's message of being well-researched, prepared and realistic -- while also having supreme confidence in yourself and your ideas -- is one that all producers should hear." -- Tony Monterastelli

"Laurie's engaging presentation, her wealth of knowledge, and her personal stories about the TV business, will give any aspiring TV writer/creator the necessary tools to succeed in this business. Laurie gives you a thorough step by step process that will push you to really hone in on your concepts, your brand, your writing, and your pitching skills." -- Denise Hendricks

AvantGuild* Discounts on mediabistro.com courses are just one of the wonderful benefits of being in AvantGuild, our premium membership program. For just $59 a year, you'll receive instant access to our How to Pitch articles and other premium articles, transcripts from selected seminars and panels, and discounts on virtually everything we do (including eClasses and the Freelance Marketplace)! Click here to join now.