The Stages of Production and how

OTV can support

Pre- Production

Production

Projects are in production when they are capturing the footage they need to complete the story. 

  • OTV can offer support in production through referrals for crew, discounts on equipment/locations and other services, consultation on budgets and scheduling, and other assistance depending on the request. 

  • Productions can last anywhere from one day (Let Go and Let God was shot in one day, Nupita Obama in two) to two weeks (for You’re So Talented season two and The Right Swipe) to several months (Futurewomen, which shot through all of 2015). 

  • OTV does provide funding for a limited number of projects on rare occasions. No licensing fee for production has exceeded $10,000 and most are $200-$3,000. 

  • Micro grant / Production opportunities coming in 2025.

Post-Production

Post-production involves the editing of a project, adding any elements that cannot be or need not be captured in production. This sometimes includes the creation of a score or licensing of music, transcribing (for documentary), assembling the story, and finishing the final edit (color correction, sound mixing, etc.). 

  • Editing can be costly, and we recommend artists set aside at least one-third to one-half of the total budget for post-production. Many people underestimate the cost of post-production and not planning for post can delay a project for years. This is why it is very important to have a doable plan for a project in pre-production!

  • OTV has relationships with some post-production studios in the city who are willing to offer discounts to our artists in development. Please reach out for recommendations.

  • Micro grant /finishing funds opportunities coming in 2025.

Exhibition + Marketing

Projects in pre-production have secured funding. This is the planning stage. Producers hire the crew, find the locations, cast actors, schedule the shoot, and troubleshoot the whole process.

  • Artists should give themselves at least 4 weeks, if not a few months, for pre-production, as scheduling crew and locations can be time-consuming, and securing permits, insurance, workers comp, contracts, and other legal and safety elements can bring delays. 

  • OTV can provide pre-production consultations and databases to grant resources and fellowships. We can also connect you to databases for crew and referrals. We also provide StudyHall courses to support you in your own time throughout the process.  

  • Micro grant / Development opportunities coming in 2025.

After we reach a final cut, it’s time to plan a release. Research shows consistently that artists are the best marketers of their work. This is because communities online connect with the voice of the show. Our houses of development and marketing are available to talk through how you might market your show. 

  • Premiere/Screening events range in size. Premiere for pilots and video art can attract as few as 20 people for intimate screenings, whereas our annual premieres at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago regularly draw 250-300 people. 

  • The key to marketing an indie project is understanding who your audience is and where to find them online/in cities. Securing press relationships/write-ups, endorsements from influential people in your community, creating a well-edited trailer at least 1-4 months before your premiere, live-tweeting or live-streaming your premiere, organizing your own screenings in Chicago or around the country, and submitting your project to festivals are all tried-and-true ways to market and exhibit your project for maximum impact. 

  • #OTVDISTRO: Open Television pays licensing fees for content to be distributed through a number of different programs and initiatives, with and without perpetuity. OTV believes distribution opportunities should be open and interdisciplinary art should be celebrated. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Open Television uses its platform to cultivate a sustainable pipeline to the arts and entertainment industries — to enhance the indie filmmaking ecosystem with opportunities for exhibition, education and community. Not every artist's journey is the same but there is space for all of it to be exhibited and celebrated through equitable distribution and global community engagement.  

  • VOD Opportunities: OTV has options for videos on demand (VOD) including but not limited to, a one-time public livestream via OTV app (free) or PAY-PER-VIEW (paid) via the OTV APP.

  • Micro grant /finishing funds opportunities coming in 2025.