EXPO 5 PANEL DISCUSSIONS

Friday 10 a.m.

Women in the Entertainment Industry

Four decades after Gloria Steinem led the women’s rights movement we still have a long way to go, baby. Find out what the successful women in all aspects of the entertainment industry have learned about how to get to the top without losing sight of your femininity. This is not a bitch-session – its day one of the new girls’ network. Preferential seating for women, men admitted if room capacity permits.

Coleman Hough – Screenwriter, Guest of Honor
(Bubble, Full Frontal)
Coleman Hough wrote the screenplays for Full Frontal and Bubble – both directed by Steven Soderbergh. She wrote a script for HBO on the life of Katharine Graham, former publisher of the Washington Post. Her most recent screen credit is an adaptation of the novel, Into the Great Wide Open by Kevin Canty. She has recently returned to Los Angeles, after living 10 years in Brooklyn. In New York she is best known for performing her monologues, The Ugly Sister, Natural Disaster and She’s No Expert.

Maiya Williams Verrone – Screenwriter/Producer
(Mad TV)
Maiya Williams is a veteran television writer and producer having worked in the entertainment industry for over twenty years. She has written and produced many different types of shows from sitcoms, to variety and animation, including Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the Wayans Brothers, Rugrats and Mad TV and has sold a screenplay entitled Buffalo Soldiers. Maiya is also an author of children's novels. Her award winning book, THE GOLDEN HOUR, was published by Amulet Books in 2004, and the second book in the series, HOUR OF THE COBRA was published in 2005. The third book, HOUR OF THE OUTLAW will be out in the Spring of 2007.

Valerie Weiss – Screenwriter/Director
(AFI Directing Workshop for Women)
Valerie Weiss is a critically-acclaimed, award-winning writer and director who recently earned the prestigious American Film Institute (AFI) Directing Workshop for Women Fellowship. Valerie is a founding partner of the independent film company, PhD Productions. PhD Productions is currently developing its first feature production, Losing Control. In 1999, she founded Harvard University’s renowned Dudley Film Program and served as its Filmmaker-in-Residence and Film Festival Director through 2003. Valerie received her PhD in biophysics from Harvard University Medical School. She began her directing career while an undergraduate student at Princeton University.

Chris Abbot – Executive Producer
(Dr. Quinn – Medicine Woman, Diagnosis Murder);Author of “10 Minutes to the Pitch”
In her twenty-five years of writing and producing network television series, Chris Abbott has worked with such iconic stars as Carol Burnett, Frank Sinatra, Burt Reynolds, and Tony Curtis. Her prime time credits include Cagney and Lacey, Magnum, P.I., and Diagnosis Murder. This spring Chris was nominated for an Emmy for her work on the daytime serial Bold and the Beautiful and she has recently been commissioned to write the libretto and lyrics for a musical play, Second to the Right.

Beverly Gray – Moderator

Friday 10 a.m.

The Craft of Hour Episodic Television

In the past few seasons, hour episodic has proven to be the life blood of the television networks. What makes a series successful, and what is it that distinguishes a series that has the capacity to last long enough to make it to syndication? It’s a whole lot more than just a short screenplay – it’s a ticket to the most lucrative employment in the industry.

Krista Vernoff – Screenwriter/Executive Producer
(Grey’s Anatomy)
Krista Vernoff: Krista is an Executive Producer and Head Writer on ABC's hit drama Grey's Anatomy. Previously, she wrote for Fox's short-lived but well-loved Wonderfalls and spent three years writing about sister witches fighting evil demons in a San Francisco mysteriously bereft on homosexuals on the WB's Charmed. Other credits include Fox's Time of your Life and NBC's Law and Order. Her first play, Me, My Guitar and Don Henley, was nominated for a 2005 Ovation award for Best World Premiere Play, and along with the entire writing staff of Grey’s Anatomy, she recently took home a Writer’s Guild Award for Best New Show. In 2006, she was nominated for a Dramatic Writing Emmy Award for her episode of Grey’s Anatomy, “Into you Like a Train.”

Terri Lubaroff – Senior Vice President, Humble Journey Productions
Terri Lubaroff started her career in the motion picture literary department at ICM. She went on from there to run independent film production company Magellan Films, co- founded multi-media genre company Dark Coast Studios with actor Chris O’Donnell and worked at The Kaplan-Stahler- Gumer Agency. Terri is the Senior Vice President of Eriq La Salle's ("ER") TV and Film development and production company Humble Journey Films, where she is producing the TV dramas ICE and 25 TO LIFE for CBS, sitcoms THE FOUR NEXT DOOR for NBC and DAMAGE CONTROL for Paramount, as well as producing the company’s feature projects, including MAMA'S BOYS starring Whoopi Goldberg, Blair Underwood and Olivier Martinez, an adaptation of the book BENEATH A MARBLE SKY, several comic book projects and HOW HIGH THE MOON: THE ELLA FITZGERALD STORY. She grew up in Ohio and attended The University of Florida, where she majored in theatre performance and directing, and went on to receive her law degree.

Alex Woo – Co-Producer
(Sleeper Cell)
Alexander Woo is a Co-Producer on the Emmy-nominated Showtime series SLEEPER CELL. Previous television credits include LAX (NBC) and WONDERFALLS (FOX). His stage plays include FORBIDDEN CITY BLUES (The Public Theater, Pan- Asian Rep), DEBUNKED (Triad Stage), and IN THE SHERMAN FAMILY WAX MUSEUM (Circle X). He has earned an MFA, Yale School of Drama; AB, Princeton University.

Kerry Ehrin – Screenwriter/Executive Producer
(Alpha Mom)
Kerry Ehrin has written for a wide variety of television shows since she graduated college; among them MOONLIGHTING, THE WONDER YEARS, COLD FEET, BOSTON PUBLIC, BOSTON LEGAL and currently FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. She is also doing pilot development for NBC/Universal.

Robert Primes – Cinematographer
Robert Primes, ASC, director, cinematographer is a pioneer of digital cinematography. He won cinematography Emmys in 1995 (My Antonia) and 2000 (Felicity), the American Society of Cinematographers award in 2003 (MDs) and has had 6 other major nominations including an Emmy nomination in 2006 for Sleeper Cell. His feature film credits include Baadasssss, Murder of Crows, Money talks, Aspen Extreme, The Hard Way and Bird on a Wire. His television credits include thirtysomething, Quantum Leap, My Antonia, Felicity, MDs and Night Stalker. He has taught at many major American Film Schools and is currently on the American Film Institute (AFI) faculty. He has served on the boards of the American Society of Cinematographers, International Cinematographers Guild, National Film Preservation Board, Wide Screen Film Festival and the Los Angeles Art Institute.

Jackie deCrinis – Senior Vice President, Original Scripted Series
Programming – USA Networks
Jackie de Crinis (formally Lyons) de Crinis has a total of 20 years experience in the entertainment industry, and 12 as a network TV executive overseeing a wide array of Emmy- nominated series including “The X-Files,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Mad About You,” “Once & Again,” “The Practice,” “Party of Five” and “The Wonder Years.” She currently oversees development and production of all original scripted series programming, reporting in to Jeff Wachtel, executive vice president, original programming. When she joined USA in 2000, de Crinis brought MONK over with her from ABC, where she had supervised the project’s original development. Today, the Emmy-winning series remains one of the highest- rated original scripted series in basic cable history. de Crinis also has overseen the development, production and launches of THE DEAD ZONE, THE 4400, PEACEMAKERS and KOJAK, which are five of the six top original series premieres in basic cable history, as well as the Emmy-nominated miniseries TRAFFIC. Most recently, de Crinis has overseen the development and launch of the newest in USA’s successful roster of original series, PSYCH, which premieres in July 2006. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three daughters.

Catherine Clinch - Moderator

Friday 2 p.m.

Writing for the Latino Market

As the Hispanic population in the United States grows, so does the buying power of this community. Learn what you need to know about the various demographic sub-groups within this market, along with the kind of storytelling that has crossover potential.

Luisa Leschin – Executive Producer
(The George Lopez Show)
Luisa Leschin has participated in almost every aspect of the entertainment industry. As a young actress, she was in over 150 English and Spanish language commercials. She has appeared in numerous films and guest starred in such series as E.R. and Beverly Hills 90210, and was a regular cast member for seven seasons on the Emmy Award winning PBS series Square One TV. Luisa is also one of the busiest voice- over artists in Hollywood, providing voices for such shows as King of the Hill. As a writer, Luisa has co-written the highly successful play Latins Anonymous, which has received over thirty-five national productions. As a feature writer, she wrote Tropico, for Universal and co-wrote The National Guard – which deals with Latino’s in the National Guard – for Showtime. She was Co-Executive Producer on the acclaimed Nickelodeon show, Brothers Garcia, and currently is on her fifth season as a Co-Executive Producer on the George Lopez Show.

Angie Ruiz – Actress
(Surf School)
Angie was recently featured in Latino Leaders Magazine as well as People En Espanol and the ALMA Awards. She is an amazing role model for the Latin community is also the founder of The Center for Good Destiny, an educational program aiming to alleviate illiteracy in the rural village of Tengeru in Tanzania. Ruiz just returned from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts this summer where she starred in "Richard II." She also starred in this summer's teen comedy film "Surf School." She truly considers her acting career as a means to give back and be a positive influence, especially for the Latin community. You can also visit her website: www.angieruiz.com.

Jonathon Gwyn – Producer, Viva! Vision
Jonathan Gwyn is an award winning writer director producer of music videos and short films and now making his way into the mobile entertainment world. Jonathan Gwyn is brand manager of the fastest growing Latino youth channels in the wireless world, Viva Vision. Viva Vision currently has a reach of over 100 million consumers in Latin and US markets. Warner Music Latina has called him: “one of the freshest talents that shines with his ability to create and interpret images of Latino art and culture into the sounds of hip-hop.”

Monica Y. Castagnasso – Producer/Director, Voz Latina
Monica Y. Castagnasso leads the creative team of professionals responsible for the creation, production and distribution of all Family Theater Productions’ nationally broadcast radio series and public service announcements as Producer and Director of Voz Latina and the Radio Department. Monica worked as Associate Producer and Talent Coordinator from 2000-2004. Since 2000, Monica has received approximately 20 prestigious awards including: The Golden Eagle from Nosotros, numerous Gabriel Awards, Certificate of Merits, AFTRA Awards, Communicator Awards and the New York Festivals Bronze World Medal. Prior to Voz Latina, Monica worked in the legal field for a number of years. Having graduated law school, Monica is a licensed attorney with a civil litigation background. Her undergraduate work earned her a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Business Administration and a Minor in Dance. Monica is thrilled to be able to use her diverse background, which allows her to utilize her creative side as well as her business and legal side to produce quality productions. A proud California native, Monica is fluent in Spanish and English and is equally proud of her Argentinean roots.

Danielle Wolff – Screenwriter
(Art of Betrayal, The Heiress)
Danielle Wolff is a writer on “The Heiress,” a new prime-time drama for Fox’s MyNetwork TV. She previously wrote for “Art of Betrayal,” which stars Tatum O’Neal and will premiere on MyNetwork in December. Danielle received an MFA from the screenwriting program at the UCLA Film School, where her feature script Gordon was honored at the UCLA Showcase competition. She was the winner of the Women in Film Eleanor Perry Writing Award and the Jack K. Sauter Award for television writing as well as a finalist at the Great Plains Film Festival. Danielle is a native of Lincoln, Nebraska and has a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University. She previously worked with Uncommon Repertory Theater and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.

Emilio Baldioli – Advertising Executive
Emilio Baldioli is the Principal at Tango Advertising an ad agency targeting the U.S. Hispanic market. Emilio has a degree in sociology and since his early days in Argentina to his work in the US, his clients have included The WB Television Network, Fox Broadcasting Co, Comerica Bank, Safeway/Vons Supermarkets, and political campaigns, among others.

Eduardo Penna - Moderator

Friday 2 p.m.

Development Executives

They’re the gatekeepers and you have to get past them to reach the producers, directors and A-list actors that can bring your creative vision to the screen. Find out what they do and why they do it so you can learn how to give them what they need. This panel will explore the current realities (and limitations) of screenwriting from a different point of view.

Kiel Murray – Screenwriter/Development Executive, Pixar

Orin Woinsky – Senior Vice President, Landscape Films

Maggie Malone – Development Executive, Walt Disney Feature Animation

Laurette Hayden – Senior Vice President, Longform Programming - USA
Hayden is responsible for original movies, mini-series and limited series, having supervised such projects as "The Rudy Giuliani Story," "Murder in Greenwich," "The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story," "The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss," "Helen of Troy" and "Spartacus." Prior to Lifetime, Hayden was HBO's creative consultant on the Emmy-winning mini-series "From the Earth to the Moon." She was executive vice president of motion pictures for the Fred Silverman Company and served as vice president of original movies for HBO for four years. In addition, Hayden was NBC's director of mini-series and novels for television as well as director of development at the Samuel Goldwyn Company, where she originally served as director of publicity and promotion. Hayden resides in Los Angeles with her husband and teenage son.

Daniel Manus – Creative Executive, Clifford Werber Productions
Daniel Manus is the Creative Executive for Clifford Werber Productions ("A Cinderella Story"). He previously was the Director of Development for Sandstorm Films ("The Covenant"). He graduated from Ithaca College Park School of Communications with a degree in Film and Television and a concentration in screenwriting.

Jay Burns – President, Jaywalk Films
After years working as a script consultant and lit manager, Jay jumped into the development world at Platinum Studios, where he developed hundreds of projects over 2 years. He recently started his own company, Jaywalk Films, where he is developing features and both scripted and reality television.

Kathryn Tyus-Adair – Senior Vice President of Production – Trillion Entertainment
Kathryn Tyus-Adair begin her feature film development career in New York, where she worked with the late producer-director Alan Pakula (All the President's Men, Sophie's Choice, To Kill A Mockingbird) and producer- directors Amy Robinson and Griffin Dunne (After Hours, Once Around). A move to Los Angeles led to feature film development work for film legend Robert Redford. Kathryn is currently Sr. VP, Production, for the independent production company Trillion Entertainment, where she has overseen the development of projects ranging from the digitally-shot comedy NEW SUIT to the A&E documentary THE NAZI OFFICER'S WIFE, which she has also developed with the company as a feature film.

Catherine Clinch – moderator

Friday 4 p.m.

Independent Financing & Distribution

You’ve wanted to expand from being a screenwriter to a filmmaker for a long time but you’re still not sure you have what it takes to make an independent film. Learn the basics you need to know to finance a low budget independent production and find a distributor that will help your investors make their money back.

Jeff “The Dude” Dowd – Producer/Consultant
Jeff Dowd is a writer/producer, producer’s representative and a nationally recognized authority on marketing, distribution and exhibition. In recent years, he has helped raise $28 million of financing for independent pictures. He has consulted on the marketing or been producer’s representative on such diverse films as Blood Simple, The Black Stallion, Chariots of File, Gandhi, War Games, Hoosiers, The Stunt Man, Desperately Seeking Susan and Metallica: Some Kind of Monster. He has been on the board of the independent Feature Project, the International Documentary Association, the Sundance Film Festival and the Advisory Board of The Sundance Institute. He is currently writing his autobiography: Classic Tales and Rebel Rants from The Dude.

Louise Levison – President, Business Strategies (www.moviemoney.com)
Business Strategies is a consulting firm in Sherman Oaks that specializes in business plan packaging and venture capital financing. She is a visiting lecturer in the Department of Entertainment Studies of the Extension Program at UCLA and is a publisher and editor of The Film Entrepreneur: A Newsletter for the Independent Film Investor. She regularly conducts workshops on financing for organizations and at film festivals. Levison holds an MA in economics and an MBA in finance.

Fred Kramer - General Manager, Without a Box
With a diverse background in film and television spanning more than ten years, Fred Kramer has been working with Withoutabox since the company’s launch in 2000. In his current role as General Manager, Kramer oversees the operations of the Company and is largely responsible for building relationships with film festivals all over the world. He has been instrumental in the significant expansion of the company’s festival partners, as well as the worldwide growth of filmmaker members utilizing the service. Withoutabox has worked with more than 600 festival partners and 100,000 filmmaker members to date. Kramer is also responsible for overseeing business development outreach and management of industry partners. Prior to Withoutabox, Kramer held positions at Lifetime Television, reporting directly to CEO Carole Black, DiNovi Pictures, and Rogers & Cowan as the assistant to the Executive Vice President of Television. He also co-produced the feature film “Wednesday’s Child.” Kramer grew up in Wilkes-Barre, PA and Orlando, FL and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.

Sebastian Twardosz – Vice President, Allumination FilmWorks/ContentFilm and Craftsman Films
Sebastian is an acquisitions and development executive for producer Kerry McCluggage who runs Craftsman Films which is producing several major studio motion pictures and Allumination FilmWorks / ContentFilm which finance and distribute indie films both theatrically and on video. Previously, Sebastian worked in series development at Touchstone Television which is a division of the Walt Disney Company and ABC. He also spent several years as an assistant and later an executive for Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner’s Paramount-based production company, participating in the making of Mission Impossible 1-2 and Without Limits. Sebastian started out as an agent's assistant in the motion picture department at ICM. He graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Patrick Stack – President, Out of Pocket Films
Robyn Morrison – Creative Executive, International Arts Entertainment
Robyn Morrison is producer Alan Greenspan’s Creative Executive at International Arts Entertainment (FEVER PITCH, A GOOD WOMAN, HIGH FIDELITY, and DONNIE BRASCO) where they produce both studio and independently financed feature films. Originally from Toronto, Robyn started her film career in the Czech Republic at Prague’s Barrandov Studios. She then moved to London to pursue a career in development, spending time at companies including Intermedia Film Equities, Box TV, Wildgaze Films and Finola Dwyer Productions as well as reading scripts and books for Intermedia, Working Title and Film Four. She joined International Arts in Entertainment in 2005.

Seth Willenson – Distribution Consultant

Catherine Clinch - Moderator

Friday 4 p.m.

The Craft of Comedy

So you think you’re funny. You think that just because you were the class clown in high school it makes you qualified to make audiences around the world laugh so hard they’ll cry? Maybe so – but you still need to know how to blend the craft of storytelling with the art of joke writing and make it read funny on the page. Listen to the experts of funny tell you how they do what they do.

Christine Peters – Producer
(How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, The Out of Towners)

Phil Beauman – Screenwriter/Producer
(Scary Movie, Not Another Teen Movie, Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, In Living Color)

David Wyatt – Screenwriter/Producer
(Eve, Whoopi, Sister Sister, Cosby, In the House)
David Wyatt started his writing career on the Fox sitcom, Martin where he took his first sitcom spec script, a Seinfeld, and adapted it into his first professional sitcom episode for the comedian, Martin Lawrence. Wyatt later went on to write on sitcoms staring other star comedians, such as Bill Cosby and Whoopi Goldberg. Wyatt has written for many animation series including the upcoming Class of 3000 staring hip-hop star Andre 3000 of Outkast. Wyatt also takes time out to help other new writers. He is currently the television writing instructor for Bill Cosby's Guy Hanks/Marvin Miller Screenwriting Fellowship at the University of Southern California.

Jeff Schimmel – Screenwriter/Producer
(Mind of Mencia, In Living Color)
Jeff Schimmel moved from New York to Los Angeles to attend law school. After graduation, while studying for the bar, he met, moved in with and began writing for comedy legend Rodney Dangerfield. Since the mid 1980's, Jeff has worked extensively in film, TV and radio as a Supervising Producer of Mind of Mencia for Comedy Central, and a Writer on In Living Color, The Wayans Brothers and Full House. He is currently the Executive Producer on an HBO pilot – but nobody is ready to talk about that yet.

Buddy Johnson – Screenwriter/Producer
(Scary Movie, Not Another Teen Movie, My Wife and Kids, All of Us)

Lawrence S. Dickerson – Moderator

Friday 6 p.m.

Writing for the Teen Market

Every summer a new batch of teen-based movies sweeps the box office charts and establishes a new generation of teen idols. No matter how much anybody denies it, these movies only work when there’s an informed adult at the helm. Find out how to tell stories that touch this generation and make the empty their pockets at the box office.

Michael Goldenberg – Screenwriter
(Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix)
Michael Goldenberg’s screenwriting credits include the film Contact, adapted from the Carl Sagan novel and directed by Robert Zemeckis, as well as Peter Pan, directed by P.J. Hogan. Recently, he adapted Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are for Universal Pictures and Tom Hanks, to be directed by Spike Jonze. Goldenberg also wrote and directed the romantic drama Bed of Roses, starring Christian Slater and Mary Stuart Masterson. He has just written the screenplay for the fifth Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, to be released in July 2007.

Shane Stanley – Executive Producer
(The Gridiron Gang)
At the age of 16, Shane Stanley was the youngest person to ever win a production Emmy Award – and it was followed by three more nominations and a record second win when he was 19. Shane has worked in just about every capacity on and off the set. He has produced music videos, television specials and feature-length motion pictures. In 1996, his film Street Pirates was the recipient of the CINE Golden Eagle Award for best feature-documentary as well as the Silver Star in The 29th Annual World-Fest Houston International Film Festival. This year, Shane Executive Produced the #1 box office hit, Gridiron Gang starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for SONY Pictures, based on the Stanley’s Emmy Award winner of the same title. Gridiron marked an industry milestone, making it the first time a studio was #1 at the box office, ten times in a single year. Before the films release, Shane and his father Lee were honored by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for their commitment to the restoration of today’s troubled youth.

Leigh Dunlap – Screenwriter
(A Cinderella Story)
Leigh Dunlap is a graduate of the USC School of Cinema Television and the screenwriter for the 2004 hit movie "A Cinderella Story". "Camp Rockaway", a teen movie about a rock n' roll camp for girls, is currently in development at Sony Pictures for producers Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher and Lawrence Bender Productions is developing her script "Spy Girls", based on the popular teen novels of the same name. Leigh recently moved back to the United States from London where she was working on her first novel for young adults.

Joe Nussbaum – Director
(American Pie 5 – “The Naked Mile”)

Erik Lindsay – Screenwriter
(American Pie 5 – “The Naked Mile”)

Coach Kelly Loftus
(Baseball/Sociology/Sex Education)

Catherine Clinch - Moderator

Friday 6 p.m.

The Craft of Sitcom

The masters of the genre make it look so easy. Truth is, it’s one of the hardest things in the world to write – and that’s before you even get to the writers table! Learn to understand the specific requirements of the format and discover the ways that this writing process differs from all others.

Luisa Leschin – Executive Producer
(The George Lopez Show)
Luisa Leschin has participated in almost every aspect of the entertainment industry. As a young actress, she was in over 150 English and Spanish language commercials. She has appeared in numerous films and guest starred in such series as E.R. and Beverly Hills 90210, and was a regular cast member for seven seasons on the Emmy Award winning PBS series Square One TV. Luisa is also one of the busiest voice- over artists in Hollywood, providing voices for such shows as King of the Hill. As a writer, Luisa has co-written the highly successful play Latins Anonymous, which has received over thirty-five national productions. As a feature writer, she wrote Tropico, for Universal and co-wrote The National Guard – which deals with Latino’s in the National Guard – for Showtime. She was Co-Executive Producer on the acclaimed Nickelodeon show, Brothers Garcia, and currently is on her fifth season as a Co-Executive Producer on the George Lopez Show.

Phil Rosenthal – Creator/Executive Producer
(Everybody Loves Raymond)
Phil Rosenthal is the creator and executive producer of CBS's Emmy Award-winning Everybody Loves Raymond. Phil has appeared in Spanglish, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and currently has a reoccurring role in Help Me Help You. He also directed a video with President Bill Clinton, co-wrote the Writers Guild Award-winning telethon America: A Tribute to Heroes. President Clinton's White House Correspondent's Dinner video was directed and co-written by Phil Rosenthal. It received rave reviews: "This hilarious video, which was screened at the 2000 White House Correspondents Dinner, depicts a melancholy Clinton playing battleship with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, washing his limousine, and trading stocks online, among other amusing antics. It easily ranks as one of the best bits of presidential comedy in recent memory."

Steve Skrovan – Executive Producer
(Everybody Loves Raymond)
Steve Skrovan has worked as a stand-up comedian and TV comedy writer for twenty-five years. He has written for many shows, most notably, "Everybody Loves Raymond," where for nine years he managed not to get fired. Steve received a BA in English from Yale University.

David Wyatt – Screenwriter/Producer
(Eve, Whoopi, Sister Sister, Cosby, In the House)

Maisha Closson – Screenwriter/Producer
(Rodney, Becker, That’s So Raven)

Richie Schwartz – Manager of Creative Affairs, Conaco Productions

Valerie Horowitz - moderator

Saturday 10 a.m.

Writing & Producing for the Unscripted/Reality Market

Yes, we’ve heard all about the myth that reality just happens – but we know better. Somebody is writing something or nothing meaningful would ever make its way to the screen. Learn what you need to know to write the kind of proposals and scenarios that enable reality to happen.

Steve Dyer – Vice President, Nielsen Media Research
Steve joined Nielsen Media Research in 1974 as a Field Representative, which involved recruiting and installing meters in Nielsen sample households. In 1977 he transferred to the New York Nielsen Television Index Marketing Staff and in 1978 was named Client Service Executive. In 1979 Steve transferred to Nielsen's Northern California office in the San Francisco Bay Area, and in 1982 was appointed Account Executive, where his responsibilities included the servicing of clients in the Western region. In 1986 Steve was elected Vice President of Nielsen Media Research and currently works in the Hollywood, California office servicing broadcast networks, advertising and talent agencies.

Joachim Blunck – Senior Vice President Digital Content, Bunim/Murray Productions
A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Joachim’s credits reflect over 25 years experience in publishing, television, and information technology. His eclectic career spans Emmy- winning television producing and directing, computer systems design and programming, award-winning newspaper design, and numerous project and product launches. As an executive for the News Corporation, Mr. Blunck was part of the startup team for several national publications, oversaw the implementation of computerized production systems for Murdoch Magazines, and investigated emerging delivery technologies. As a producer and executive for Fox, Inc., he launched groundbreaking programming for network, syndication, and cable distribution. Mr. Blunck co-created the syndicated television show “A Current Affair,” which began the tabloid television genre and redefined television news. His Emmy-winning work on Fox’s “The Reporters” represented that network’s first foray into national news. Mr. Blunck also perfected the model for local morning television with “Good Day New York.” In 1994, he oversaw the creation and launch of the cornerstone live programming on Fox’s first cable network, FX.

Tracey Green – Vice President, Lion TV
As Executive Vice President of Lion Television, one of the most prolific independent production companies in the United Kingdom, Tracy Green oversees the company's West Coast- based development and production activities. She is responsible for the development of original programming and the sale of Lion Television's stable of hit UK formats to the key broadcast and cable networks. In addition, Ms. Green pursues strategic alliances with recognized television talent and prominent show runners. In the U.S., Lion Television has two new network projects in development with FOX, and nearly 100 hours in production with shows such as History Detectives for PBS, Cash Cab and It Takes a Thief for Discovery, Sheer Dallas for TLC, SWAT for Court TV and recent projects for FOX, CBS, HBO, A&E and many others. Prior to her position with Lion Television, Ms. Green was executive vice president of Entertainment for Original Productions where she oversaw all development and production for and co-executive produced Discovery Channel's popular series' Monster Garage and Deadliest Catch. Before that, she was the head of development and co-executive producer for Eric Schotz's highly successful LMNO Productions where she was in charge of all development efforts for network and major cable programming. She was the co-executive producer for the pilot Fire Me...Please, CBS' highly anticipated new comedy reality series which debuted on June 7, adapted for the U.S. from a popular BBC format. She was also co-executive producer of The Littlest Groom for FOX, Extreme Reunion for NBC and worked on FOX's Looking for Love: Bachelorettes in Alaska. In 2001, Ms. Green was part of the team that revamped and supervised CBS' Big Brother 2, re-adapting it for American audiences. She also served as senior producer for The Roseanne Show and was a supervising producer for Extra. Ms. Green is the author of two nationally published motivational books. She resides in Malibu, California.

Vernetta Jenkins – Producer
(Big Brother, The Surreal Life)

Elizabeth Jarosz – Marketing Consultant/On-Air Talent
(The Apprentice: Season 2)
Perhaps best known for surviving 8 rounds in Season 2 of The Apprentice, Elizabeth graduated from The University of Michigan Business School with a BBA in Finance & Marketing. Along with a with a 4.0 GPA, she received the Branstorm Prize, was recognized as an Angell Scholar, and was ranked in the top 1% of the nation for academic excellence and leadership. By the age of 25 she was brand manager at Procter & Gamble. By the age of 26 she created and developed one of the largest initiatives ever qualified by P&G. A true entrepreneur, Elizabeth now owns and runs Pulse40, Inc., a consulting / market research firm where she pioneered a unique interviewing process for strategic development. She has worked on everything from startups to Fortune 500 companies and she’s consistently known for leading teams to develop ideas that are both highly creative and profitable. To date, more than 30 Fortune 500 companies and over 40 multi-million dollar brands have relied on Elizabeth for consulting & market research. With projects ranging from beauty products to movies, you see much of her work on TV today. On a personal level, Elizabeth is an insightful public speaker, a published poet, a talented salsa dancer, and an award-winning short film director.

Catherine Clinch - Moderator

Saturday 10 a.m.

The Craft of Horror

Ever since Nosferatu emerged from the shadows, horror has proven to be the most reliable genre in the history of cinema. Whether you aspire to write the next Exorcist or the next Blair Witch Project, learn the creative conventions you need to tell the kind of stories that will make the hair on the back of the audience’s neck stand on end.

Peter Block – President of Film Acquisitions, Lionsgate
Peter Block is the President of Acquisitions and Co- Productions for Lionsgate Entertainment and its related entities. Over the years, he has held an executive level position in nearly every aspect of the Company’s business. He currently serves as the primary acquisitions executive and a production executive, drawing upon his knowledge of genre films and past experience creating marketing plans, key art and trailers for many of the company’s DVD and television releases.

Ian Sanders – Executive Producer
(The Ghost Whisperer)

Kim Moses – Executive Producer
(The Ghost Whisperer)

Scott Glosserman – Screenwriter/Producer/Director
(Behind The Mask)
Glosserman began his career in film production as an associate producer on “No Escape: Prison Rape” (Director: Gabriel London), a documentary short funded and distributed on DVD by Human Rights Watch International. The project was so powerful, it was shown to Congress to educate the members on the issues of prisoner rape and abuse in America. Prior to that, he worked at a high-profile entertainment company, CAA, serving as assistant to the head of the Motion Picture Talent Department. Born and raised in Bethesda, Maryland, Glosserman received his bachelor’s degree in English from The University of Pennsylvania. A huge fan of the horror genre, Glosserman wrote his senior writing requirement on a deconstruction of Kubrick’s “The Shining” in his Conventions of Horror film class, and applied much of his research and findings to “Behind the Mask.” “Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon” marks Scott Glosserman’s first feature film and directorial debut. In addition to directing, he also served as producer and co-wrote the film along with David Stieve. He is currently working on his next features, “Tal,” based on Paul Fennimore Cooper’s novel of the same title, and “Mudville,” a fusion of baseball fact and folklore. He currently resides in Hollywood with his dog, Bailey.

Clay Epstein – VP Sales & Acquisitions, The Little Film Company
Clay’s responsibilities include the development, acquisition, and distribution of theatrical product, Clay is also involved in the marketing of all distributed titles. Prior to joining The Little Film Company, Clay spent over four years at First Look Studios (formerly, First Look Media) where he held the position of Sales Executive. He was solely responsible for all distribution of the company's 300+ title library to Asia, Ancillary and New Media markets. Before moving into sales, he was Director of Sales Operations, overseeing the marketing for the International Sales Division, organizing the company's presence at all major Film and TV markets and supervising the sales support staff. Clay started his career at the legendary Kushner-Locke as Assistant, International Sales after graduating with a Degree in Film Production from California Sate University, Northridge.

Jeffrey Reddick – Screenwriter/Producer
(Final Destination, Day of the Dead, Tamara)
An avid horror fan, Jeffrey Reddick got his education in the movie industry through by working for 11 years at New Line Cinema. The studio produced his first film, “Final Destination,” which became a highly successful franchise. In addition to co-writing the story for, and executive producing, the “Final Destination” sequel, Jeffrey’s other genre work includes, “Return To Cabin By The Lake,” “Tamara,” the “Day of The Dead” remake, as well as several upcoming horror projects, including one for Gold Circle Films.

Beverly Gray – moderator

Saturday 2 p.m.

Branded Entertainment

The new wave of funding in the entertainment industry isn’t coming fro overseas capital or state film commissions – it’s coming from corporations that need to reinvent the way they sell their products to an audience that has become turned off to the clutter of 30 second commercial pods. Discover what it takes to lure corporate money to your project. Learn the secrets of seamless integration and find out how to write your scripts with specific products in mind.

Jak Severson – President, Madison Road Entertainment
Jak Severson is an award-winning television producer with an extensive background in many aspects of the TV industry, including reality television and investigative journalism. Over the past two decades, Severson has also been responsible for many high profile solutions created for advertisers, looking to dramatically impact audiences. Severson co-founded Madison Road Entertainment in early 2003 to capitalize on the changes occurring in the TV advertising and entertainment sectors. He has since served as Executive Producer on NBC’s ‘Treasure Hunters’ series, and, among other projects for Madison Road, Severson is currently overseeing the launch of the Company’s new holiday stop- motion animation franchise, called ‘Holidaze’, for network TV and DVD release in Christmas 2006. 310.432.6619 – Neva Dominguez – asst

Michael Nyman – President, B.N.C. Public Relations
Last minute cancellation – he will be replaced by another BNCPR executive

Jim Mahoney – President, MediaMatchmaker.com
Jim Mahoney started in the mailroom of ICM and worked his way up to become an agent in the television department, representing talent and packaging such memorable specials as “The Mystery of Al Capone’s Vault” with Geraldo Rivera and the “National Aerobics Championships”. From there he left to go to law school. Why – he’s still trying to determine. He then ran development for independent Gaylord Productions, overseeing MOW’s and syndicated productions. Several years later he left to produce USA Network’s highest rated movie, “Are You Lonesome Tonight” starring Jane Seymour, and two years of “Make Me Laugh” for Comedy Central. He re-joined corporate America by running several independent production and distribution companies. Recently, he agreed to become president of Media Matchmaker, an on-line product placement and sponsorship business which matches the needs of producers and content providers with those of brands and their representatives. He lives in Los Angeles and has a daughter, Bridget, who’s 15.

Terrance Coles – Executive Vice President NEXT Medium

Ken Hertz – Attorney, President – Membrain

Legal Panel for Screenwriters
This panel, moderated by Jeffery A. Dobberpuhl, Esq., serves as a source of general information for writers. Agents, attorneys, contracts, copyright, writing partnerships and other common issues are discussed. The panel welcomes questions from the audience. Currently scheduled to attend are attorneys Paul S. Levine and Larry Zerner.

Catherine Clinch - moderator

Saturday 4 p.m.

From Urban to Up-Scale: Writing for the African American Market

The resurgence in urban storytelling has not gone unnoticed by the studios. The African American community has demonstrated that they will support movies that tell the story of their experience – and a new generation of African American screenwriters and filmmakers has redefined the genre in a way that crosses over to diverse demographics. Find out how you can succeed in this growing entertainment market.

Glendon Palmer – Director of Development, Our Stories Films
Our Stories Films is a venture between Robert L Johnson and The Weinstein Co. Headed by Robert Johnson and Tracey Edmonds, Our Stories goal is to develop and produce urban comedies up to 12 million dollars. The company is historic as it is the first time that an African American holds green light power over the movies getting made.

Terri Lubaroff – VP Humble Journey Productions
Terri Lubaroff started her career in the motion picture literary department at ICM. She went on from there to run independent film production company Magellan Films, co- founded multi-media genre company Dark Coast Studios with actor Chris O’Donnell and worked at The Kaplan-Stahler- Gumer Agency. Terri is the Senior Vice President of Eriq La Salle's ("ER") TV and Film development and production company Humble Journey Films, where she is producing the TV dramas ICE and 25 TO LIFE for CBS, sitcoms THE FOUR NEXT DOOR for NBC and DAMAGE CONTROL for Paramount, as well as producing the company’s feature projects, including MAMA'S BOYS starring Whoopi Goldberg, Blair Underwood and Olivier Martinez, an adaptation of the book BENEATH A MARBLE SKY, several comic book projects and HOW HIGH THE MOON: THE ELLA FITZGERALD STORY. She grew up in Ohio and attended The University of Florida, where she majored in theatre performance and directing, and went on to receive her law degree.

Alycia Cooper – Producer
(College Hill, Lil’ Kim)
For eight years, Alycia Cooper produced television in Washington, D.C. She was the creative force behind such shows as "Video Soul," "In Your Ear," "Rap City" and "Soundstage" (the restaurant and club). Since moving to Los Angeles, she has worked on "The Dr. Phil Show," "Wanda Does It," "Bands Reunited," "The Magic Hour," "The Love Connection," "Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus," "Oh Drama," "The Grown-Ups" and "The Parkers." She writes the "Top 10's" for the #1 radio show in Los Angeles, "The Steve Harvey Morning Show," and has written for the likes of Russell Simmons, of Def Jam fame. In May of 2004, Alycia was featured in "Essence Magazine" as one to watch! Alycia has been a featured comic on "BET's Comicview." She has also been on NBC's "Last Comic Standing", "BET Live" and "Oh Drama." She is currently touring the country performing comedy, while developing a reality show for Buena Vista/ Disney.

Dale Stelly – Screenwriter/Director
(Unemployed – The Film)

Ken Rance - Moderator Co-chair WGA Black Writers Committee

Saturday 4 p.m.

Writing the Low Budget Independent Film

Tired of getting rejected by the major studios? Why not start writing for the smaller companies that make dozens of low budget films every year? Meet the producers and directors who work in this market and learn about the production companies your agent won’t tell you about – then find out how to bring them the kind of scripts they need.

Brent Huff – Screenwriter/Director
(Welcome to Paradise) 2006 has been a very busy year for writer/director Brent Huff. Huff is currently in post-production on two feature films and in pre-production on a third. Huff co-wrote and directed Welcome to Paradise an inspirational family film starring Crystal Bernard and Brian Dennehy. Huff is also putting the finishing touches on an action film, Treasure Raiders. This adrenaline pumping movie stars David Carradine, Steven Brand and Sherilyn Fenn. Treasure Raiders was shot entirely on location in Moscow, Russia. Treasure Raiders is one of the most expensive films ever shot in Russia and features outrageous car stunts with some of Russia's greatest stuntmen. The story follows an American journalist who delves into the Russian subculture of street racing. The film has been praised for its stunning production value and non-stop action. Huff leaves this fall for Moscow to direct the psychological thriller, Prophet. . Huff began his acting career at the age of 16 and has starred in over 50 films. Huff attended the University of Missouri as a theatre major. Huff considers his greatest strength as a director his ability to communicate with actors. Huff is married to actress Shawn Huff and is the proud father of his daughter Bailey.

Scott Vandiver – Producer
(The Head Hunter, Sabretooth) Scott Vandiver began his career with Saban Entertainment of "Power Rangers" fame. He then began his own production and distribution company in 1995. He produced his first film in 1998 starring Scarlett Johansson entitled "My Brother the Pig". He has since produced three SciFi Channel films including "Sabretooth" and "Alien Express". Recently he completed the true story of Elvis Presley’s step brother called "The Headhunter.”

Scott Glosserman – Screenwriter/Producer/Director
(Behind The Mask)
Glosserman began his career in film production as an associate producer on “No Escape: Prison Rape” (Director: Gabriel London), a documentary short funded and distributed on DVD by Human Rights Watch International. The project was so powerful, it was shown to Congress to educate the members on the issues of prisoner rape and abuse in America. Prior to that, he worked at a high-profile entertainment company, CAA, serving as assistant to the head of the Motion Picture Talent Department. Born and raised in Bethesda, Maryland, Glosserman received his bachelor’s degree in English from The University of Pennsylvania. A huge fan of the horror genre, Glosserman wrote his senior writing requirement on a deconstruction of Kubrick’s “The Shining” in his Conventions of Horror film class, and applied much of his research and findings to “Behind the Mask.” “Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon” marks Scott Glosserman’s first feature film and directorial debut. In addition to directing, he also served as producer and co-wrote the film along with David Stieve. He is currently working on his next features, “Tal,” based on Paul Fennimore Cooper’s novel of the same title, and “Mudville,” a fusion of baseball fact and folklore. He currently resides in Hollywood with his dog, Bailey.

John Putch – Screenwriter/Director
(Mojave Phone Booth)
John’s latest award winning film is called MOJAVE PHONE BOOTH, a digital dogma style movie which stars, Annabeth Gish, Steve Guttenberg, Christine Elise McCarthy, Robert Romanus, David DeLuise and Missi Pyle. He directed, co- wrote, produced and edited the ensemble drama. The movie is an experiment to see if a quality film can be made with a budget under 100K. It just recently won 3 Best Picture awards at the Stony Brook, Del Ray Beach and Wine Country Film Festivals as well as an audience award at the Kansas International Film Festival. Putch’s most notable feature film, VALERIE FLAKE, premiered at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival and was also nominated for an INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARD in the Best Female Lead category. The film is now airing on Showtime Network. John also directed PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, starring indie favorites Frank Whaley & Annabeth. And the multi-award winning BACHELORMAN shot on Hi-Def 24P, starring David Deluise and Missi Pyle has garnered 27 film festival honors including 12 audience awards for Best Feature. John Putch is the son of Jean Stapleton and the late Producer/Director William H. Putch.

Brendan King – Screenwriter
(Gallows Humor)
Brendan was featured in the “People Section” of the (March- April / 06) issue of Creative Screenwriting. The article discussed the development deal he forged with veteran producer Paul Kurta (co-producer of "Veronica Mars") to write a high-stakes thriller set in Las Vegas. When that deal stalled Victoria Wisdom recommended he write a genre film that could be done for a price. That lead to his writing Gallows Humor, which he packaged into a website, promotional trailer and a deal with a production company – all before the spec went out on the town.

Beverly Gray – moderator

Saturday 6 p.m.

The Niche Television Explosion

Viacom is the biggest conglomerate in the entertainment industry – and according to their stockholders report, 70% of their income emerges from niche programming channels. Meet the executives, the producers and the screenwriters that have created this expansive new field and learn what it takes to become a player on the new frontier of television.

Donna Michelle Anderson (aka “DMA”) – Screenwriter/Producer
(Queer Eye for the Straight Girl)
For the past ten years, DMA has worked as a writer, producer and show runner of dozens of high-rated non-fiction television programs for such networks as CBS, UPN, Fox, AMC, Travel Channel, Bravo, History Channel, A&E, Lifetime, Disney Channel, TLC and more. She is a member of both the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Producers Guild of America. Her production company, Tidal Wave TV, also offers a Show Starter service that sets up reality shows and trains show runners, and her second book, "Show Starter: The Reality Shows Made Simple System" will be published in November 2006.

Gordon Bellamy – Executive Consultant, Strategy & Business MTV
Gordon Bellamy is an executive consultant in Business Development and Strategy for MTV Networks. In his current role, Bellamy provides creative guidance on new media content and strategic partnerships. He earned a BA degree from Harvard College in engineering.

Eduardo Penna – Story Producer, Original Productions

Ray James – Screenwriter
(The Daily Show, SNL, The Showbiz Show w/David Spade, Comedy Central Roasts)
Ray James, the middle child of the seven that his parents kept, began writing stand up comedy in San Francisco in 1989. Poorly received, he eventually moved to New York where he embarked on a career writing and producing comedy for television at such shows as The Daily Show, Saturday Night Live, TV Funhouse, The Hollywood Show, The Man Show, The Showbiz Show and countless other shows with the word "show" in their title. Available for parties, he is a writer for Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog and is the published author of a book you will never read. He currently lives, writes and produces in Los Angeles, where he hopes to make enough money to get out of Los Angeles.

Seth Cohen – Manager of Development, Comedy Central

Patrick Jager – Executive Producer (A&E, Vh1, HGTV, History Channel, Nickelodeon) Unable to attend – after program went to the printer

Valerie Horowitz – moderator

Saturday 6 p.m.

Writing & Producing the Creative Documentary

There’s a new hybrid on the block and it’s proven to have box office viability. Learn the rules of this new genre and find out how to combine the techniques of fictional storytelling with a fact based story. Then learn how this new generation of programming can become the launching ground for screenwriters that aspire to become filmmakers.

Lee Stanley – Screenwriter/Producer/Director
(The Gridiron Gang)
Five time Emmy Award winning filmmaker Lee Stanley has produced, written and directed dozens of quality productions, but he is best known for The Desperate Passage Series where violent juvenile prisoners were released solely into Stanley’s custody for 10 day at-sea expeditions aboard the filmmaker’s 58’ sailboat. The Desperate Passage Series was nominated for 33 individual Emmys and won 13. Lee’s work has won him the respect and endorsement of The White House, the United States Department of Justice, and community leaders nationwide. Stanley was also honored with a Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Attorney General and has also been the guest speaker at the National Conference for Attorney Generals, hosted by Janet Reno. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and City Attorney made special presentations to Lee honoring his work with probated youth and the positive impact of his films. Partnered with his son, writer/producer/director Shane Stanley, “Team Stanley” is celebrating the success of their just released feature film Gridiron Gang for Sony – as well as the start of their next feature film On The Line.

Steve Skrovan – Screenwriter/Producer
(Ralph Nader: An Unreasonable Man)
Steve Skrovan is Co-Writer, Co-Director, and Co-Executive Producer along with Henriette Mantel of "An Unreasonable Man," a documentary on the life and times of Ralph Nader due to be released in January by IFC. Previously, Steve has worked as a stand-up comedian and TV comedy writer. He has written for a number of shows, most notably "Everybody Loves Raymond," where for nine years he managed not to get fired. He received a BA in English from Yale University. "An Unreasonable Man" is his first film. Go to anunreasonableman.com.

Leslie Iwerks – Screenwriter/Director
(Pixar’s 20th Anniversary Special, Recycled Life)
A third generation filmmaker from a two-time Oscar winning family, Leslie is continuing in the passion for visual storytelling as a director, writer, and executive producer. She wrote, directed and executive produced Disney’s 20th Anniversary Special for Pixar Animation Studios. She is also wrapping post-production on a feature length documentary about the history of Pixar Animation Studios and a behind- the-scenes look at the computer animation art form they pioneered. This film is scheduled for festival release in January 2008. Leslie has been in development with Walt Disney Pictures to co-produce, write and direct a large format 70mm film on big wave surfing in association with legendary big wave surfer, Laird Hamilton. Leslie has also recently wrapped post-production on a documentary she directed, photographed and edited entitled Recycled Life, chronicling the thousands of people who have been living and working in the largest and most toxic landfill in Central America over the last sixty years - the Guatemala City garbage dump. Narrated by Edward James Olmos, the film has won five best documentary short awards since April of 2006 and just made the short list for the Academy Awards short-form documentary. Leslie’s award-winning theatrical documentary for Walt Disney Pictures entitled The Hand Behind the Mouse-The Ub Iwerks Story chronicles the life of Leslie’s grandfather, Ub Iwerks, the original designer and co- creator of Mickey Mouse and Academy Award winning motion picture pioneer.

Sarah Feeley – Vice President/Producer, Brave New Films
(Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers, Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices)
Sarah Feeley is the Vice President of Production at Brave New Films. Currently, she is producing Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers, and overseeing production on all other BNF projects. Most recently, Sarah co-produced Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price. Prior to joining Robert -Greenwald and his mighty group of activist filmmakers, Sarah spent four years in animation development and production where she worked on the Academy Award nominated feature film: Tim Burton's Corpse Bride. During the 2004 Presidential Election, Sarah was a Field Staff Organizer for the Arizona Democratic Party where she led Get Out The Vote efforts that helped to add two new Democrats to the Arizona State Legislature. Previously, Sarah worked in marketing for Sony Pictures Consumer Products on merchandising programs for Sony's feature film and television properties. Sarah is a graduate of The Peter Stark Producing Program at USC where she earned her Master in Fine Arts in Motion Picture Producing.

Catherine Clinch - moderator

Sunday 10 a.m.

Attaching Talent to Your Screenplay

You think your script is perfect for a specific actor. The real question is – what will make that actor think the script is perfect for them? Get the real story from the actors that bring your characters to life. What do they look for when they read a script? What makes them put a script down and pass on the project? Learn what the talent needs so you can be the solution to their problems.

Paul Petersen– Actor/Activist, A Minor Consideration

Isaac C. Singleton, Jr. (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Anger Management, Charlie’s Angels, Wits End)
(VOICE – The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth II, The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer, Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonshard)

Giovanni Miranda

Additional Panelists to Be Announced

Catherine Clinch - Moderator

Sunday 10 a.m.

Christians in Hollywood

The Passion of the Christ demonstrated that there is a significant – and underserved – market for Christian-friendly entertainment. But can a Christian-friendly screenplay also appeal to the mainstream commercial market? Meet the players – and the prayers – in the Hollywood Christian Community. Let them show you how to find your audience.

Joel Smith – Producer
(Lost in Oz, Riding the Bullet)

John Dahl – Director
(Red Rock West, The Last Seduction, Unforgettable, Rounders, The Great Raid)

David Sams – President, God and Country Films

Phil Roman – Director/Producer – Film Roman
(The Simpsons, King of the Hill, Garfield)

Leo Severino – Producer/Partner, Business Affairs – Metanoia Films

Dr. Ted Baehr – President, Movieguide - Moderator

Sunday 2pm

Writing for the Family Film Market

According to a recent report in Fortune Magazine, family films are the most reliable source of income in the entertainment industry. But what does a family film look like in the 21st century? This panel will feature experts in the theatrical, television and home entertainment worlds of family films.

Penny Finkleman Cox – Executive Vice President, Sony Pictures Animation

Karey Kirkpatrick – Director
(Over the Hedge)

Denise Gurin – Senior Vice President of Film, Regal Theaters

Brigham Taylor – Senior Vice President of Production, the Walt Disney Company

Rob Hudnut – Vice President of Entertainment Development, Mattel Toys

Dr. Ted Baehr – President, Movieguide - Moderator