Delivered by Stephanie Williams

1. REEL WORKS
PRODUCTIONS
Past & Future

2. History
Reel Works has been creating original media for hire since
2002. Our Vision of a youth-run production company has
been developing every since.
• First clients were the YMCA & WNET/Thirteen
• “Clicking With Caution” ($200K Budget) proved that we
could create professional level media while employing
and training our teens side by side with pros - and earn
income for our general fund.
• In 2009 we officially piloted RWP as a summer work
project for teens.
• Year-Round model is fall/spring/summer trimesters of 4-5
Youth Producers working 10-15 hours a week for RWP.

3. Successes & Challenges
• Last year, RWP earned $156K in 2012 and leveraged an additional
$130K in grants. That’s $286K for RWP in 2012.
• RWP has broadened our mission to include Workforce
Development – this positioned Reel Works ideally for changes in
funder priorities at Time Warner and Adobe.
• Combined with Reel Futures and Master Lab, these advanced level
programs will leverage $350K in grants & contracts in 2013.
• Roles & responsibilities of youth producers has changed. Early on
they were often given much more responsibility in client
productions. This sometimes lead to quality issues and missed
deadlines.
• Youth Producers worked best under close mentoring from staff and
freelance producers (Amex, CUNY are best examples).

4. Today
Reel Works Productions is lead by Stephanie Walter as
Executive Producer overseeing Caroline Golum as Associate
Producer. Youth Producers report to Caroline.
• Apprenticeship model for youth – receive training and
mentoring from staff and pros. Gain responsibility over time.
Closer to industry model.
• We have built a multi-tiered bench of professional freelancers
to staff our productions – from recent college (often Reel
Works) grads to pros for bigger clients.
• Teens are trained in the field and in the classroom.
• Our marketing stresses quality of work, low cost and training of
future filmmakers.
• Youth Producers document workshops, produce gala videos
and “Reel Works With Avan Jogia” on NYC-TV.

5. Plans for Growth
Growth potential for Reel Works Productions is strong if we
invest in marketing and capacity building. Only constraints are
availability of work-ready teens and space.
• In the past, we have been relying on word of mouth to attract
new clients. CUNY and AMEX, both substantial productions
were referred by Reel Works constituents.
• Now we are actively reaching out the community through
letters and phone calls - targeting clients who will respond to
the competitive prices that we offer, but too, to the social
mission.
• RWP experimented by hiring a consultant for two months to do
outreach.
• “Give Your Karma a Boost” campaign has produced promising
leads from Greenwood Cemetery, Columbia University, and
The United Nations, among others.

6. 2013-14 Plans
In the coming year, Reel Works Productions will:
• Strengthen curriculum for Youth Producers and create clearer
pathways for our most talented filmmakers to join RWP.
• Enter all RWP productions into IMDB so all youth build online,
professional reels and resumes.
• Train Youth Producers to lead client and sales meetings to teach them
marketing and public speaking skills (Amex partnership).
• Become a true training ground for youth who are college bound but
also for those who are not.
• Continue to build a roster of talented college grads and freelance
professionals to staff productions and mentor youth producers.
• Expand Marketing efforts and build a diverse client base that includes
nonprofits, government, universities, small and large corporate
partners.