From the Heart Productions Inc

From the Heart Productions has been a great supporter and mentor for independent filmmakers, especially those telling important stories and breaking into the industry.

Carole Joyce offered very valuable advice that helped me get my Directorial debut on PBS stations nationally, and I have found the bi-weekly classes to be transformative with my filmmaking practice.

Carole Joyce & the entire From The Heart Productions team in all honesty are the best at what they do & genuine good hearted people. I’ve known Carole for a while now & she is truly one of my favorite people. She is very professional & brings out the best in others. She’s one of the most sweet, genuine, hardworking, & special people I know. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I haven’t the words to express what From The Heart Productions has given to me as a filmmaker, but let me try , unyielding encouragement and support, kindness and generosity with their knowledge, expertise and wisdom. Carole Dean, Carole Joyce and their entire team that surrounds this Non - Profit loves film making and the filmaker, we feel it , Its tangible. This feeling of not being alone or lost helps move us forward with the courage it takes to tell and make our story’s come alive as storytelling filmmakers.
Bravissimo - From The Heart Productions !!!
I couldn’t be doing such a significant and challenging documentary without you and would not have wanted to, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have been a God send for me… I can never express my gratitude. Paula Randol- Smith

The Amazing Carole Dean and From The Heart Productions, a heartfelt review

When in need of funding and film making advice, the best go to person we know is Carole Dean and From The Heart Productions.

As a filmmaker, I want to know there is someone who believes in my work and supports that work. Because Carole believes in the individual filmmaker and understands the intensity of the work, both in the monetary costs of making a movie and the personal dedication it takes to bring a story to life through images and sound, she dedicates herself to helping every filmmaker achieve success, to bring their story to the screen (large or small), and above all she dedicates herself to the process of film making, and the individual's creativity.

Carole’s years of experience and dedication have proven to be invaluable. She cares for the creative filmmaker in so many ways. She gives her full attention to each filmmaker that shows initiative, has a well written story to tell, and is in need of professional help and guidance. Carole’s wealth of knowledge and information allowed us to tap into resources and funding we were not aware of. Her knowledge helped guide us around the many pitfalls that might have halted our production.

Thank you, Carole and From The Heart Productions for all you’ve done for us and so many other filmmakers.

Michael and Marian Hofstein, Producers
21 September. 2020

If you are a filmmaker (except for a documentary filmmaker) and have or are considering applying for a Roy Dean Grant (From The Heart Productions) you should know the facts regarding this organization BEFORE you apply.

98% of the films awarded a Roy Dean Grant in the past 5+ years have all been ‘documentaries’ despite thousands of short, narrative, Web/TV applicants that have applied from around the globe. Despite the fact that this organization boasts about the great things it has does to support filmmakers of all kinds, and aims to support outstanding films, it has misled earnest filmmakers into believing they actually have an equitable fighting chance of being considered for a grant.

The fact is applications are accepted worldwide - including from countries that offer truly generous subsidies to artists of all kinds that the U.S does not offer. The reason? The more applicants, the more application fees they collect.

Soon after applying, you’ll receive emails from Carole D., the President, who, despite your film not being selected, announces that she has GREAT news — she has a solution to your funding problem — BUY HER BOOK and better yet, sign-up for HER CLASS and she’ll teach you how to get your film funded!!

In addition, if you wish her organization will be your fiscal sponsor (naturally so they can collect more fees from those who will donate to your film). You’ll be invited to speak with Carole for 15 minutes (ultimately a sales pitch) where she’ll discuss what the judge determined was wrong with either your project, or application, but don’t fret good filmmaker, bravely carry-on and apply again (AND AGAIN) because that is what most filmmakers do!

Filmmakers we know who have applied for a RDG, and received their 15 min. film/application ‘review’ also received some of the most ridiculous (laughable) reasons their film/application was eliminated (probably because it was NOT a documentary) — often over easily clarified, minute oversights made by their (novice) judge. We’re talking applicants who are professional filmmakers who have spent years on the front lines doing the heavy lifting it takes to make films (not novice students). Adding insult to injury while listening to the remarks, it becomes clear that the judge has never written or made a film in their his/her life.

Despite this organization’s altruistic boasting, earnest, hard working filmmakers are being misled due to the lack of transparency. And the sad truth is this is not a unique situation. The industry is chock full of bottom dwellers disguised as friends of filmmakers and writers who ultimately take advantage of them only to have books and/or expensive classes shoved under their noses.

Another troubling issue with this organization, ALL film categories / applications whether shorts, documentary, feature or Web/TV series are lumped into one big pile. This, in no way, is fair to filmmakers. A documentary should not compete against a short or Web/TV series.

If you bring these issues to the attention of the President, Carole D., you will most certainly NOT get a straight answer even when it is justifiable to question the reason(s) your application/film was eliminated. She will artfully turn it around in such a way that, you, the applicant are the cause of your project being eliminated despite evidence that clearly states otherwise. Even when it is a truly outstanding socially meaningful, timely project. Yup, folks, what a web the Roy Dean Grant organization weaves. Careful that you don’t fall into it. It is as one reviewer wrote, RDG is a facade.

Having undergone this process several times, and knowing others who have as well, we told Ms. Dean that she can judge but that it is no longer her prerogative alone. Consequently, after thoroughly reviewing the Roy Dean Grant / From The Heart Productions that claims to be a non-profit (although that is questionable) is deemed worthy of a grade “F”.

All they really want is for you to pay your "processing fee" so they can then take your email to try and sell you Carole Dean's books, classes etc. Such BS. Having dealt with Carole, she hides behind 'grants' when what it turns out to be is a total SCAM. And for your 'fee' you get a useless conversation about what was wrong with your 'story' or ' application'. More BS. Having submitted and won several grants over the years, and award winning scripts, I knew when it was 'disqualified' in just a few days from the time it was submitted that there was something fishy. A TOTAL waste of your time and money. Don't fall for it. She sounds sweet but it's all a showy sales pitch that some obscure film/documentary about bugs or flowers gets selected. No doubt friends of theirs.

Carol Joyce was an amazing Executive Producer and like me was SO detailed oriented! I have to thank you for helping me making the BEST memories. She has the most awesome team as well!

I just love this organization. They have so much useful information. They are so informative and they always help me find a new perspective to work from.

Sometimes people get it right. FTH Productions and their Roy W. Dean Film Grants are a great example of this phenomenon. The growth and progress of this nonprofit is beyond inspiring. Led by innovator Carole Dean, this organization has embraced and championed what diversity is all about. I have witnessed their mission in action, their dedication to helping filmmakers complete projects and get them in front of audiences. For over 25 years, the Roy W. Dean Grant-winning films have garnered awards and truly made a positive impact on our world. Congratulations to the passionate independent filmmakers and kudos to Carole Dean, Carole Joyce, and From the Heart Productions!

I have been working closely with Ms. Carole Joyce on a project & I can truly state the truth: she is an incredibly giving & nurturing individual. I approached From The Heart Productions with a project & not only did they see the value in it but have picked it up & are in the process of bringing it to fruition. I give them the highest recommendation humanly possible!!! They are truly a rare entity. Bottom line: they care about the filmmaker & their project!!! How many entities these days can honestly say that?

Looking earnestly forward to a long lasting relationship with From The Heart Productions. They are very, very special people. If you have the great fortune to work with them, that will become obvious rather quickly ;

For my first documentary I was concerned about funding and where I would get guidance on how to finalize the project. With a topic like autism and such an important precedence I was hoping to find some mentors or guidance of some kind, but at first I didn't know where to find the right fit. After researching From the Heart Productions I realized they had so much helpful information and guidance available for filmmakers. I immediately applied for their grant and stated on the plethora of web content and shows they had posted online. Carol Dean was extremely helpful in guiding me through the grant process and even though we didn't get the first one applied for it eventually came through. This grant also launched us into many other creative relationships that have been very educational and productive toward the documentary. Carol takes careful time to help guide each filmmaker in the direction you need to find the answers that matter. Highly recommend checking out all of the online resources and applying for the grant. Take the pitch classes and refine all the skills needed to get the film into the hands of those who matter most!

Things didn't start happening for our modest production company until we were awarded a Fiscal Sponsorship from From the Heart Productions. Then everything fell into place. From the Heart is an amazing organization and I highly recommend any aspiring filmmaker check them out. They offer quarterly grants that offer thousands of dollars in cash and production services. Carole's "The Art of Film Funding" is a must read for raising money for film productions. And their Fiscal Sponsorship allows filmmakers to raise funds and possibly acquire other corporate sponsorships, such as product donations for independent, low budget productions. The entire staff is absolutely amazing to work with--super nice, total professionals--who really want you to succeed. From the Heart has been absolutely essential to my success and I could not have done it without them!!

From the Heart Productions, Inc., under the leadership of Carole Dean, has been a key supporter of independent filmmakers like myself for decades. Their grants are frequently the first money and support given a project--which is always the hardest to get and which then can make getting support later from other organizations easier. They continue to offer support services throughout the life of the project--from fiscal sponsorship, pitching, funding and other training classes, to plain old moral support and encouragement along the long road of indie filmmaking. There isn't a better partner for filmmaker than From the Heart Productions, Inc. and Carole Dean, who truly gives "From the Heart" it's heart.

From The Heart Productions offers Film Grants, Fiscal Sponsorship, Film Funding Courses, Private Consulting, and a Fundraising Platform to filmmakers who want to get their films made. Their team is helpful and friendly and their aim really is for your film to succeed. From The Heart awards three Roy W. Dean grants per year, which include a ton of film services for pre, production, and post, so the grant winner's project has the resources to get completed. This non-profit is truly focused on helping indie filmmakers obtain funding for their unique films.

I have been working with From The Heart Productions for several years - first as a member of the Carole Dean's group the "Intentional Filmmaking class". Following my second round in the class, From The Heart Productions became my Fiscal Sponsor on two of my projects.. I choose this non-profit as a Fiscal Sponsor among several others, for the intimate attention and hands-on designed advices each film and filmmaker are offered on their journey. Tools are tools but Its President Carole Dean, not only closely follows each filmmaker through their process but continually offers advice and alternative approaches to fundraising and distribution. The access to discounts on film services are also a huge plus! What I love the most about Carole Dean is her unorthodox, intuitive guidance about following the unbeaten paths facing all of us in this process.

I first interacted with FTH when I submitted for their film production grant last year. Although, my proposal didn't end up working out Carole and her team were more than accommodating. They are seasoned, professional and generous.

I have done countless hours of researching From The Heart Productions and aside from their own website tooting their own horn, or a directory that lists non-profits without doing any real background investigating on them, I can't find not one lick of credible information on this company. I am however coming up with red flag after red flag. I am writing this to advise other filmmakers seeking fiscal support that this company can not be verified as legit, not with the Better Business Bureau, not with any filmmakers that I've asked, and I've asked hundreds, including communities of filmmakers. Not one lick of credible evidence. I am calling into question any website directory that lists them as a "great nonprofit" - how much research have you done on this outfit? I bet fist over dollar it's a scam. Who is Carole Dean? Why do none of the credible and established producers and directors I know have a clue who she is? All this company can do for you is giving you tips on how to crowd fund. And anyone who tells you to crowd fund for your film is telling to you act like a bum and beg your friends & family for their pennies. Scam! RED FLAG SCAM!