Session Descriptions
Making Media Now 2009 Panel Descriptions
9:15 – 9:45 am
Keynote Speaker
Robert Greenwald, Brave New Films (”Wal-Mart: The High cost of Low Price,” “Iraq for Sale,” “Outfoxed,” and “Rethink Afghanistan”). He will be interviewed by Lisa Mullins, Harvard University’s Nieman Foundation for Journalism 2009-2010 Fellow and Chief Anchor for PRI’s The World.
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10:00 – 11:30 am
Choose from 2 panels:
A. Affinity Marketing: Turning Audiences into Advocates
Robert Greenwald, Brave New Films (Wal-Mart: The High cost of Low Price, Iraq for Sale, Outfoxed, and Rethink Afghanistan)
Sandi DuBowski, Award-winning independent filmmaker (Trembling Before G_d, A Jihad for Love)
Karen Laverty, NOVA/WGBH (The Bible’s Buried Secrets)
Anne Zeiser, Azure Media, Moderator
Affinity and niche marketing creates deep emotional engagement among audiences and leverages your audience as credible third-party ambassadors and advocates of your film and its topic. In this session you’ll hear about doable, proven case studies on how to use social media 2.0 tools (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more) to interact with and grow your audience. You’ll learn how to build an active, ongoing community around your film and its subject matter – from raising money and publicizing the film to hosting house parties and lobbying Congress. Finally, understand the value of strategic partnerships and the power of sometimes untapped affiinity groups — from soccer moms to faith-based communities.
B. Tell your Story with Maximum Impact Using Adobe
Steve Whatley, Adobe
In this session, learn how you can use Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator and Adobe Premiere Pro in open, collaborative workflows with Final Cut Pro and Avid to create an easy and efficient end-to-end filmmaking workflow. Adobe® CS4 Production Premium software is a must-have solution for filmmakers who want to reach the largest audience possible by delivering to film, DVD, Blu-ray Discs, mobile devices, and the web including social media outlets.
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1:00 – 2:30 pm
Choose from 3 panels:
A. Web 2.0: Engage Your Audience Using the Web
Andy Carvin, National Public Radio’s Senior Product Manager for Online Communities
One of the most important trends to come out of the Internet in recent years is the notion of crowdsourcing – getting large numbers of people to tackle small tasks and complete a major project in a decentralized way. At National Public Radio, senior strategist Andy Carvin has been mobilizing online communities to capture stories from hurricane season to the presidential election. In this talk, Andy will talk about how a network known for its radio broadcasting is now finding success in mobcasting – crowdsourced journalism – and explore how some of these techniques can potentially benefit filmmakers.
Sponsored by Halcyon Hill Foundation
B. Creative Funding Case Studies – Models that Work
Ruby Lerner, Creative Capital
Sheila Leddy, Fledgling Fund
Alyce Myatt, Grantmakers in Film and Electronic Media
Carol Atwood, Moderator
Even before our deep recession began, traditional sources for independent film funding had begun to consolidate and shrink. At the same time, new avenues were arising from the expanding possibilities from the burgeoning social networking sites the Web 2.0 platform affords us. Now we see these two trends being accelerated, making the need for creative funding strategies even more critical to our future.
Drawing upon the expertise of some of the most respected and experienced funders and facilitators of funding in the independent film space, this panel will focus on opportunities for both established and emerging filmmakers who are seeking to fund films under $500k.
We will hear real case studies of filmmakers successfully using creative approaches to finding funding and then discuss how those successes can become models that are adapted to work for you.
C. Red Camera Shooting & Post Production Audio & Video Clinic
Courtney Babin, National Boston
Stephen Baldwin, Colorist for National Boston
Dave Kudrowitz, Rule Broadcast Boston Camera
Dan Cronin, Managing Director, National Boston, Moderator
Sponsored by Rule Broadcast/Boston Camera Rental Company
You’ve all heard of the Red Camera. Now you can hear from the folks who have worked with it on features and commercials. John Rule will begin the panel by giving an expert technical overview of how this camera works and why it’s a great solution for the independent filmmaker. Then, Courtney Babin will walk you through the work flow process of editing the award winning, locally produced independent film, Tricks of a Woman. Finally, Billy Stewart and Steve Baldwin will discuss some of the differences between software and hardware based color correction options. Join this expert panel to gather valuable knowledge on working with the Red.
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3:00 – 4:30 pm
Choose from 2 panels:
A. Going Global: international co-productions & marketing
Sandi Dubowski, Award-Winning Filmmaker (Trembling Before G_d, A Jihad for Love)
Tom Koch, Vice President of PBS Distribution
Doug Block, Director/Producer/Cameraman (51 Birch St., Home Page, The Heck With Hollywood!)
Bestor Cram, Northern Light Productions, Moderator
Why do some projects work in the international marketplace and others don’t? How does one find a co-producer overseas? Who controls the content when there are different broadcasters with different needs, different programming time slots, and different running times? What are the legal exposures in co-productions? How does one create a marketing strategy to attract international interest? What is the deal; can you show me the money? And why would you want to do this in the first place? We all have questions. We all think we have answers. This panel brings together a wealth of experience, filled with heartache and success and a keen eye focused on the growing importance of international co-productions for independent filmmakers. This is about making business decisions that will make creative decisions possible.
B. Paths of Successful Media Makers – Thriving During Difficult Times
Jim Jermanok, Producer & Writer (Passionada, Em, Agganis)
Kate Raisz, Independent Filmmaker, 42° North
Joel Olicker, Powderhouse Productions
Nancy Porter, Nancy Porter Productions, Moderator
Sponsored by Refocusing the Lens partners & the Mass. Cultural Council Adams Arts Program
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4:45 – 5:55 pm
Tell your Story with Maximum Impact Using Adobe
Steve Whatley, Adobe
In this session, learn how you can use Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator and Adobe Premiere Pro in open, collaborative workflows with Final Cut Pro and Avid to create an easy and efficient end-to-end filmmaking workflow. Adobe® CS4 Production Premium software is a must-have solution for filmmakers who want to reach the largest audience possible by delivering to film, DVD, Blu-ray Discs, mobile devices, and the web including social media outlets.
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5:00 – 6:30 pm
Pitch and Trailer Feedback
Five conference participants will show a 5-minute trailer or do a 5-minute pitch and get feedback from panelists and conference attendees – Please visit Overview page for submission rules
