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Networking events can be great to connect to industry professionals in the LA area. Many people don't know where to find the best events. Here at Award Winning Reels we have all the latest event news to hook you up!

Our list of the best upcoming events for Industry Professionals:

1. WCA February Drinks. Tuesday, February 10, 2015 (West Hollywood, CA). Women of Cinematic Arts (WCA) was founded by SCA students and alumnae in 2005 to increase cooperation among female classmates, and to address the specific challenges women face in the film, television and cinematic arts industries. Join the WCA for our second drinks event of 2015!  This is a fantastic opportunity to meet and network with fellow women in the entertainment industry. It's is a night you won't want to miss!  (http://www.eventbrite.com/e/wca-february-drinks-tickets-15491530585?aff=es2&rank=29)
   
2. The Other Door. Sunday, February 15, 2015 (North Hollywood, CA). Come and see a variety of some of the world's best short films! A wide range of great documentaries, narrative, animation and experimental shorts that local communities would otherwise never get the opportunity to see Award – Winning independent short films from top film festivals around the world. (http://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-short-film-festival-in-north-hollywood-the-other-door-tickets-15500661897?aff=es2&rank=28)
   
3. Oscar Nominees Panel with Production Designers & Set Decorators. Saturday, February 21, 2015 (Los Angeles, CA). Join us for a panel discussion with this year’s Academy Award-nominated production designers and set decorators. A Q&A with the audience will follow a moderated panel discussion. (http://www.eventbrite.com/e/oscar-nominees-panel-with-production-designers-set-decorators-registration-15447965280?aff=es2&rank=6)
   
4. The 'Hollywood In Space' Red Carpet Sizzle Reel Debut. Thursday, February 26, 2015 (Los Angeles, CA). Director Robin Berg and Executive Producer Gregory Markel cordially invite you to attend the red carpet sizzle reel debut of the new Hollywood Sci-Fi meets Real-Life Aerospace Engineering show, 'Hollywood In Space!' (http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hollywood-in-space-red-carpet-sizzle-reel-debut-at-the-crest-tickets-15612701009?aff=es2&rank=7)
   
5. BroadbandTVcon LA 2015. Tuesday, March 3, 2015 (Los Angeles, CA). The 6th annual broadbandtvcon show is the industry's must attend conference and marketplace for media and technology executives from across the TV and Entertainment ecosystem.   This multi-track event features the industry's leading experts on the paradigm shifts which will define our industry.  The broadbandtvcon is where you want to be if you want to connect with content distributors, device manufacturers, technology providers, content creators, service providers and more. (http://www.eventbrite.com/e/broadbandtvcon-la-2015-tickets-14699786457?aff=es2&rank=4)
   
6. The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. April 23-30, 2015. The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival is Southern California's premier showcase for film and video works by Asian Pacific American and Asian Pacific international cinema artists. The festival encompasses screenings, panels, workshops, and artists’ awards. (http://www.asianfilmfestla.org/)
   
7. Sunset Film Festival. May 16-17, 2015 (Hollywood, CA). Lots of films are rejected at film festivals. One of the reasons is that there are too many submissions. Producing a film is one thing. The next step is submitting your film to film festivals. Then you realize that nothing is really happening. The Sunset Film Festival is different. Giving filmmakers and screenwriters the opportunity to be noticed is their priority. ( (http://www.sunsetfilmfestival.com/)
   
8. Social Media Week LA. June 8-12, 2015 (Santa Monica, CA). SMW hosts conferences on six continents, including Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Australia and Asia. With over 70,000 physical attendees joining us every year, 5,000 speakers and more than 1 million people connecting through social and mobile, we believe that SMW is the world's most important source of information in regards to the future of human connectivity. (http://socialmediaweek.org/)
   
9. LA Film Fest. June 10-18, 2015 (Los Angeles, CA). An annual film festival held in June in downtown Los Angeles, California. It showcases independent, international, feature, documentary and short films, as well as music videos. Since 2001 it is run by the organisation Film Independent, which also has been arranging the annual Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica since 1985. (http://www.lafilmfest.com/)
   
10. Burbank International Film Festival. September 9-13, 2015 (Burbank, CA). The Burbank Film Festival is a socially and environmentally conscious film festival. Human, animal, and environmental causes are core subjects the festival. The festival highlights filmmakers that shed light on important issues that impact our world and features a Socially Conscious category. (http://www.burbankfilmfest.org/)
    

For more networking events visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/

Sizzle reels are the backbone for a producer’s pitch packaging materials, and can be the best way to convey your vision. A visual pitch can effectively speak to potential investors and ultimately get them on board. 

Just what do sizzle reels do? 

1. Conveys your vision utilizing visual elements that might otherwise be misunderstood by words alone. 
   
2. Shows your project is one worth investing in, and demonstrates your ability to get results if they do invest.
   
3. Identifies to the investor that you have a clear plan and structure as to how to actualize your idea. 
   

Sizzle reels are the most effective tool when it comes to pitching your project. Sizzle reels are dynamic and provide as much information needed to get investors interested. It is important to have quality content, so if you choose to shoot something you shouldn’t skimp on the production. Poor quality production will result in a poor quality sizzle.

Just how much is this going to cost me?
If you’re one of those people thinking “just how much is this going to cost me,” worry not, there are plenty of ways to create a sizzle reel without breaking the bank. You can create a sizzle reel with stock photos, video clips from YouTube, music, and other materials that are readily available online. While choosing content keep in mind that a sizzle reel will never go commercial so you can use copyrighted material to convey your ideas. In the end all you have to pay for is the stock footage and music.

What do I need to make a great sizzle reel?
What you truly need to create a great sizzle reel comes is a professional editor. A good editor will be able to craft an amazing sizzle reel from practically nothing. An even better editor will be able to coach you on what’s needed to create a sizzle reel that speaks for your project. An editor will be able to craft a creative and dynamic pitch that entices an investor. It’s also important to hear an editor’s opinion, they know what works when it comes to catching an audience’s attention. 

Lastly remember to know your project. And we mean, really know it. Scripted television may require a fine-tuned script before first and foremost, while a reality television show will most definitely benefit from a great sizzle reel. Sizzle reels are good for conveying ideas that are visually driven, but you’ll need much more than a good idea if you plan on pitching a fully executed idea. It all depends on what you as a producer will need in order to sell your idea to potential investors.

Where do I start?
Start with clarifying your idea, get it down on paper before going further. You need to think your project out before you do anything else. Write down similar projects and have some close friends share their ideas about your project with you. Confusing ideas are never good ideas so make sure you think everything through before approaching an investor. Once you have a clear and concise idea for a project you’re on the right track.

Once you have a fully formed idea start working on the commercial value of your project. Research anything and everything that has to do with your idea, make sure you understand what you are talking about, investors know when you don’t. Think of how investors can get their money back from investing, this will be a huge selling point for you. Show them similar projects that have seen results, or tell them how your idea is different from those that didn’t. Share notable names that are involved or hoping to be involved with the project, investors will want to hear all of this by the end of your pitch. You’ll want to make sure your pitch sounds complete so include as much necessary information as possible.

Now you’re ready to put together your sizzle reel, approach an editor about your project. and get an estimate for the work. Prior to meeting with an editor put together some samples of images and clips you want to see included in your sizzle reel, this will help convey your ideas to the editor without causing miscommunication. If you do half the work for your editor, you’ll be able to set them up with some of the tools they need to make your dream sizzle reel.

In the end you should have a pitch package that will get investors interested. Remember to be optimistic and get excited about the potential of the project; chances are if you are the investor will be as well. Your sizzle reel will be what sets you apart!