What we’re about
Calling all independent filmmakers and film lovers! Raindance's Boozin' & Schmoozin' is a monthly meetup for those who make films and love films - whether it's your career or your hobby; whether you're thinking about making your first or you've made 20; whether you're a director, writer, producer, actor, cinematographer, production designer, composer, film blogger, gaffer, best boy, first AD, runner, editor, Netflix addict, camera person or student - you're welcome at Raindance! Come along to find your next collaborators, volunteer your services for some set time, get tips and advice, or just to chat film with other passionate film buffs.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Live!Ammunition! Pitching CompetitionRaindance Film Centre, London£15.00
Have you got a great idea for a movie?
The Live!Ammunition! pitching competition returns to Raindance.
Your chance to pitch your movie idea directly to a panel of film industry executives and the toughest critics of all, a Live Audience.
The people on our Panel are the people who matter. They decide what gets made.
Pitching skills are the one skill often overlooked by writers, directors and producers. Learn how it’s done by watching the rest. Hone your pitching skills by getting instant feedback. Your pitch could be taken up by one of our panel. Past Pitches that have gone into production include Meet The Parents (1994), 51st State (1995), Siamese Cop (1996) and White Bhaji (2001).
Registrations to pitch are taken on a first come, first served basis in reply to an email which will be sent at a predetermined time on the day of the event. There are twenty places guaranteed to pitch. Once the first 20 places have been filled we will keep a waiting list.
The demand to pitch is high and admission does not guarantee you a slot to pitch. However, we will accommodate as many pitches as possible and if you’re on the waiting list this does not necessarily mean you won’t get the opportunity.
Not ready to pitch? Then just come, watch, learn and network.
*Verbal pitches only, no visuals
*Panelists subject to change
## The Panelists on 20th January 2025 were:
Lucy Beresford is a broadcaster, writer, and psychotherapist. She is the author of 4 best-selling books. INVISIBLE THREADS was shortlisted for the Rubery International Prize and is currently in film development, and she is currently working on the screenplay for HUNGRY FOR LOVE.
Best known for hosting a weekly Sex & Relationships phone-in show on LBC Radio, where she was dubbed ‘the naughty Mary Poppins’, Lucy hosts On The Couch podcast for Reaction magazine, and reviews the papers every fortnight for The Jeremy Vine Show and Times Radio. Her TEDx talk “Infidelity: to stay or to go?” has been viewed on You Tube over 3.3 million times.
Twitter: @lucyberesford
Instagram: @thelucyberesford1## Dean Cross
Dean Cross is the Film Content Manager for Vue Entertainment with 20 years experience in the business. Dean has an appreciation for films across the whole spectrum, from the smallest art house and independent films to the biggest of Hollywood’s blockbusters, he can usually spot a hit.
Mark Christopher Lee was born – not so recently in a Northern mill town where he studied Classical music at the renowned Huddersfield School of Music – eventually escaped to the glorious south of England and found solace in indie pop and after a short stint with morose Scots band The Jesus And Mary Chain he formed his own band The Pocket Gods in 1998.
Some 25 years later, and 76 albums and 5,000 songs later, the band have gone from playing gigs to a couple of dogs and a piano tuner to obtaining 10 Guinness World Records, millions of streams and have brought real change to a broken music industry.
His campaign for fair royalties from Spotify led to them changing their playlist rules to allow 30 sec tracks on them and also led to them increasing their subscription rates which hopefully will be passed onto artists. He has also given evidence to the UK parliament in their investigation into the economics of music streaming.
He decided to start making films in 2019 to tell the story of his band and then to make TV so that he could explore his love of UFOs and the paranormal.Daniel Gordon is an entrepreneur and thought leader at the intersection of technology and creativity. A former Amazon brand specialist and AI startup CMO, Daniel is now the Founder and CEO of Moonmax, a pioneering organisation dedicated to AI and XR film events, education, and production, and recent hosts of the first AI Film Festival in Jamaica with Tech Beach, a high-end retreat sponsored by Google.
With a background as an independent film producer, Daniel has organised world-first initiatives like the first AI Filmmaking Foundation Course at Raindance Film School, and AI film events in Cannes, Venice, and Dubai. As a speaker, Daniel has presented at prestigious venues, including the House of Lords, AIAI New York, and World AI Congress, and has showcased innovation at global platforms like GAIN AI Summit, Web Summit, CogX, and LEAP Saudi Arabia. Ultimately, Daniel's mission is to unlock new possibilities for storytelling through innovation.Additional resources:
Pitching essentials for screenwriters and filmmakers
https://www.raindance.org/pitching-essentials-for-filmmakers-and-screenwriters/Did you know?
Raindance members attend this event for FREE? Join online here
https://www.raindance.org/membership/ - Raindance Film Training Open DayRaindance Film Centre, London£10.00
The Raindance Open Day is your opportunity to experience a real taste of our world-renowned evening & weekend film training courses, classes and workshops.
Attending our Open Day will allow you to learn more about the different filmmaking disciplines and crafts through sample lectures and workshops delivered by experienced film professionals over the day. Attendees will leave with an introductory knowledge of the many filmmaking disciplines taught by Raindance.
We have designed the day for you to explore what we have to offer and immerse yourself within our film training school for the day. Try out as many of the taster sessions as you like, and end the day at our networking drinks where you can talk to tutors and other attendees over a free drink.
The day will include a range of taster sessions including directing, screenwriting and producing, along with sessions on breaking into the film industry.
This event will take place at the Raindance Film Training Centre. Here you will find all the information you will need about stepping into the world of filmmaking, no matter your level and experience.
This event is free for Raindance Members. If you are an active Raindance Member and would like to attend the Taster Day, please email courses@raindance.co.uk.
What do I need to bring?
Just yourself and something to make notes on, if you wish.
And a drink and your business information for the networking afterwards.
### The schedule for Saturday 29th March 2025 was:
11:00: Smartphone Filmmaking
Creating your first film from scratch?
No money, but lots of ideas?
For all those with a passion to learn how to make a quality film with the limited resources they’ve got.
With Raindance tutor Ufuk Gokkaya
Ufuk is one of our HND course tutors and will be teaching Hands On Smartphone Filmmaking on Saturday 19th October and Hands On Film Editing on Saturday and Sunday 28th / 29th September
12:00: Fast Track your Project
Bring your filmmaking project and get solid practical advice, including one-to-one mentorship, on how to turn your dream into a reality.
With top filmmaking guru, Col Spector
For those with less time and not a lot of money Col also teaches Making a Successful Micro Budget Feature Film
Stop dreaming about making your first movie and get it done
### 13:00: Lunch
14:00: Practical Filmmaking for regular filmmakers in the real world
Get professional help with your interview technique, camera operation, lighting and editing skills.
With veteran documentary filmmaker, Tom Webb
Tom teaches the Documentary Filmmaking Foundation Certificate, Filming Interviews: Hands On Theory and Exercises and Unlock the Full Potential of Your Camera
15:00: Fund Your Film
Create the paperwork and marketing assets to get your film funded and sold.
With Raindance Founder, Elliot Grove
The Film Producers' Foundation Certificate starts on Tuesday 10th September.
Elliot also teaches Lo-to-No Budget Filmmaking and, for screenwriters, Write and Sell the Hot Script and the Screenwriters' Foundation Certificate
16:00: Networking Drinks
Raindance offers monthly Online and In-Person networking events.
Filmmaking is all about networking, come and have a drink on us.
17:00: Close
