2009 Workshops & Panels

ONE ON ONE MENTORING SESSION WITH JASON BRAWNER
Friday, Sept. 11, 3PM- 4PM, Tower Plaza, Workshop Room

Sit down and have a private meeting with Jason. Pitch your music, play live, or pick his brain. This is your opportunity make an impression and expose yourself to the industry. There are only five 15 minute slots available per session. Registration starts at the Workshop Room, 10AM, Friday, Sept. 11.

PITCH IT, PITCH IT GOOD!
Friday, Sept. 11, 4:15PM-5:30PM, Tower Plaza, Workshop Room

Pitch to record producer, Jason Brawner. This is your chance to pitch your music to a Hollywood Producer with the power to get you signed! Your song will be played over the PA as Jason Brawner considers and evaluates your music. Jason only has time to listen to 15 songs. So sign up early in the Workshop Room  to be sure you are heard by this industry professional.

Jason Brawner is an independent record producer who has helped over 500 artists and songwriters record and market original music since 1998. His songwriting, production and consulting skills have scored his clients contracts with most major labels and dozens of publishers, management companies, booking agents and television networks. He has written for and had holds with David Foster, Josh Groban, Hilary Duff, and Carrie Underwood.

His film and TV credits include FOX, CBS, NBC, BBC Television, Bravo Network, five tv (UK) and Dogstar Media among others. Jason served a three year stint writing and producing for select contestants from American Idol. He has toured with Tom Petty, Steely Dan, and The Eagles.

Currently, Jason carries 10 to 12 artists on his roster at a time in rock, pop, country and R&B. He is a former graduate student of Oxford University and now devotes time lecturing at the TAXI Road Rally, Westcoast Songwriters Association, NSAI, and California Music Studios.

MUSIC, FILM & MONEY ~ HOW YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN
- For filmmakers, songwriters, and composers - 
Saturday, Sept. 12, 11AM – Noon, Tower Plaza, Workshop Room

The marriage of music and visuals is as old as entertainment itself, and has given us some of our most lasting memories. Indeed, when the right music is used, it can create a magical moment. In fact, it can add impact to a scene, or even set the tone for the whole project. Today, this area is not only a critical consideration, it’s also a lucrative opportunity.  This one-of-a-kind panel will address issues concerning music in film, trailers, and commercials, and give you the information you need to be a real player.

For Filmmakers:
Choosing Music for a scene / film - Soundtrack Considerations
Creating a Working Budget - Avoiding Problems
Work for Hire Issues - Typical Deal Points

For Artists:
How to get the gig - How much it pays - Income streams: the gift keeps on giving 
Collaborating: the good, the bad and the hideous
Publishing and Ownership - What you should know before inking the deal

This panel is composed of industry professionals who are intimately familiar with artist and filmmaker relationships. All are veterans in their field, and have worked on both indie and major projects. Their insights will help you understand what to expect and how to deal with common problems. Moderated by Bernard Baur (Music Connection, The Composers Corner), the panel will include discussion and questions from the audience.

Panelists:
Bernard Baur, Moderator / Sr. Journalist-Music Connection / Instructor-Musicians Institute
Michael Lloyd, Curb Records - Producer / Hit Song Writer / Music Supervisor
Art Ford, Ford Music Services - Music Supervisor / Licenser / Executive Producer
Jeanie Cunningham, The Composer's Corner - Producer / Song Writer
Rhonda Bedikian, The Machine Records - Senior Vice President/Publishing & Licensing 

A CONVERSATION WITH JIM ISAAC
Saturday, Sept. 12, 1:00PM - 2:00PM, Tower Plaza, Workshop Room

Join in on a forum where special effects master Jim Isaac will present his expertise in creating movie magic and his experiences as a SFX technician and supervisor, producer, and director. If you are a make-up artist, SFX specialist, director, producer, or just a fan of horror movies, this is an opportunity to learn about what it takes to put together films with realistic representations of fantastic scenarios. Don’t miss out on this chance to interact with one of the most talented, gore-specialized icons in the film industry.

Jim Isaac’s film career began when he was hired as a production assistant with LucasFilm , working in the creature shop on Return of the Jedi.  He next went to work with Chris Walas at CWI, where his first project was Gremlins. He was also brought on by CWI as an animatronics technician and key puppeteer on several productions including Romancing the Stone and Enemy Mine. 

Jim then began his long association with acclaimed writer/director David Cronenberg, supervising the special make-up and creature effects on Cronenberg's hit remake of The Fly.  Here, Jim was a part of the team which was awarded an Academy Award® that year for its accomplishments on The Fly (for Special Make -Up Effects).

After that, Jim worked on many films as a film supervisor, including House II, DeepStar Six, The Horror Show, Arachnophobia, Naked Lunch, Virtuosity, Jade, Copycat, Ace Ventura and eXistenZ. Along with being the Visual effects supervisor he was also Second Unit Director on Look Who’s Talking Too and Children of the Corn V.

Jim’s next project found him in the director’s chair for Jason X, which he developed for New Line Cinema, and on which he also served as Executive Producer.  Following his success with Jason X, Jim continued to work on developing several additional projects. 

Jim directed a project he optioned, developed and produced through his new company, Red Moon Films, called Skinwalkers. His latest directorial work, Pig Hunt, will be screened at the Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival.

“A GOOD STORY WELL TOLD”
A Screenwriting Seminar by David Cole
Learn the ins and outs of the screenwriting process.
Sunday, Sept. 13,  1:00PM – 2:00PM, Tower Plaza, Workshop Room

This seminar will help you understand the joy of creative screenwriting.  Whether you are an experienced writer or just want an introduction to the craft of visual storytelling, David will inspire you to new levels of creativity.  Come explore scriptwriting from the twinkle of an idea to the flash of the big screen.

David A. Cole is an attorney, writer and producer who served as Executive Consultant to the American Film Institute (AFI) for several years.  He’s been on film juries and presented seminars at festivals worldwide.  In addition to his Juris Doctor Degree, David holds a Masters Degree in Producing for Film and Television and a Bachelors Degree in Theater Arts.

Get the nitty-gritty realities of filmmaking from first time independent feature filmmakers’ perspective.  From the idea to development of the idea to writing the script, to finding the funds to make the script into reality, the casting process, gathering the crew, the actual shoot, the post-production process and the ever daunting task of marketing and selling the finished product. In short, learn from independent filmmakers how to make the most of what you have with very limited resources.

Panelists:
Peter Baxter, Founder and Executive Director, Slamdance
Jim Rothman, Writer/Directpr/Producer/Actor, I’m Not Matt Damon  
Christina Mauro, Director, Stellina Blue
Kalee St. Clair, Writer/Director/Producer, Australians Hit Hollywood
Timothy and Jennifer Friend, Director & Producer, Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula
Lorette Bayle, Production Executive, Entertainment Imaging, KODAK