ATLFF '15: Hone Your Crafts at the 2015 Creative Conference
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Last year's Creative Conference saw a variety of panels, workshops, demos and seminars take place during the day on Monday-Friday at The Plaza Theatre. Now, we are pleased to be offering an even more diverse slate of educational opportunities for those wanting to hone their skills and develop their interests at the 2015 Creative Conference, Monday, March 23 - Friday, March 27. This year, we are moving the Creative Conference to 7 Stages Theatre in Little Five Points!
Several of our panels and demos are completely FREE! Whether you want to learn about Screenwriting, Lighting, Audio, On-set safety or Specialty cameras, check out one—or all—of our free events!
Ticketed Creative Conference events cover topics like Puppetry, Animation, an "Archer" meet-and-greet, an acting Casting Call, a Music Video panel, Film Scoring, Funding and discussions on making Short Films, on finding balance between art and story in Documentaries, and on Female Stereotypes in the Film Industry. BBC World News will also present a documentary screening from BBC Pop Up.
If you would like to sign up to pitch your screenplay on Monday March 23 at 1:00 PM, Click here!
Check out the full listing below and check out the Creative Conference page to get tickets!
MONDAY - 3/23
FREE “Invading Hollywood: Breaking into the Industry for Screenwriting”
7 Stages, Main Stage
10:00am-11:00am
This panel discussion will cover topics such as finding an agent, shopping your script around, and what to do with your script once it's written and polished.
Panelists: Chris Kelly, Robin Henry, Dan Bush
Moderator: Denise Hendricks
FREE “What’s the Plan, Stan: The Logistics of Screenwriting”
7 Stages, Main Stage
11:30am-12:30pm
Want to write a screenplay but don’t know where to start? This panel discussion will offer insight on developing a practical timeline for your future screenplay.
Panelists: Brian Egeston, Todd Brock, Lanre Olabisi (Somewhere in the Middle)
Moderator: Denise Hendricks
FREE “Screenplay Pitch-O-Rama”
7 Stages, Main Stage
1:00pm-2:30pm
Screenwriters will have 90 seconds to pitch their screenplays to an audience and a panel of professionals who will then vote for the three films they'd like to see—the three screenplays that are most effectively “pitched." Winners will receive complimentary passes to Michael Lucker’s next Screenwriters’ School.
Judges: Michael Lucker, Ken Lemm, Corey Prince and Frank Hall Green (Wildlike)
Moderator: Denise Hendricks
SIGN UP HERE
“Student to Professional: Navigating Your Way into the Creative Industry ”
7 Stages, Main Stage
3:00pm-4:00pm
When career path options seem infinite, applying for jobs can be intimidating. Whether interested in production, post-production, freelance, full-time, or something in between, the Student to Professional panel can help with these important decisions. Curated by Tube (Tubecreative.com), this panel consists of three industry veterans who can offer insight and tips for resumes, portfolios and best practices for applying for work in the creative industry. Featuring Chris Downs from Tube and David Goldstein
TUESDAY - 3/24
“A Fist Inside the Glove: Puppetry in Independent Film”
7 Stages, Main Stage
10:30am-11:30am
Tired of those pesky human actors? Puppets are the answer! Join Atlanta's very own New Puppet Order to learn their methods for incorporating puppetry into independent film. Sam Carter (Good Grief Suicide Hotline), Darrell C. Hazelrig (Good Grief Suicide Hotline) and Beau Brown will share insights from the 8 puppetry short films they have produced in the last 5 years.
Presented by New Puppet Order
“Puppeteering for the Camera”
7 Stages, Main Stage
12:00pm-1:00pm
Learn the hand-and-rod puppetry style developed for television by Jim Henson by puppeteers as “monitor work”; the puppeteer references a live feed of their performance in a monitor rather than watching the puppet directly. Participants will learn the basics of gravity, focus, and breath as well as get a chance to see themselves on screen.
“Archer: Behind the Scenes”
7 Stages, Main Stage
1:30pm-2:30pm
The 3D and 2D animators/illustrators from Floyd County Productions will present clips from the Emmy-nominated animated series “Archer” and discuss how they broke into the industry. There will be a Q&A and a meet-and-greet with the panelists following the program.
Presented by Jay Li, Chris Malone, Josh Grubbs, Duncan Burris and Allyssa Lewis from Floyd County Productions
“Silhouette Animation: 3D Printing and Laser Cutting”
7 Stages, Main Stage
3:00pm-4:00pm
With help from innovative technologies like the 3D printer and laser cutter, the animation industry has opened to a world of possibilities. Join us where papercraft meets stop motion animation as we present an up close demo of how Pepakura and Pop Up Pro paper craft software can create amazing effects as seen in our ATLFF film bumper.
Presented by Ginger Tontaveetong (Starlight), Ai Zhang and Yu Ueda (Starlight)
WEDNESDAY - 3/25
FREE “Field Audio 101”
7 Stages, Main Stage
10:30am-11:30am
Learn the basics of production sound! This seminar is designed to provide an introduction for students, producers, and anyone who wants to learn more about field audio. Even if you’re not an aspiring mixer, understanding the workflow of the sound department can help your set run smoothly! Topics will include wireless microphone fundamentals, booming techniques, wiring talent with lavaliers, and basic recorders.
Presented by Dan Joseph and Marty Simpson from Gotham Sounds
FREE “DIY Lighting Workshop”
7 Stages, Main Stage
12:00pm-1:00pm
Discover economical tricks to building your own lighting without compromising the professional look of your film. Cinematographer/writer/director Ly Bolia discusses lighting on a limited budget in this hands-on workshop.
FREE “Demo: Grip Truck”
7 Stages, Parking Lot
1:30pm-2:30pm
Step inside the Grip Truck for a show-and-tell with Day 1 Production Services.
FREE “On-Set Safety”
7 Stages, Main Stage
1:30pm-2:30pm
This panel represents different aspects of the film industry and can speak to the importance of on-set safety. Join us for a meaningful conversation about the long-term impact it has on crew-members, talent and local communities.
Moderated by ATLFF Business Manager Amy Tippit
Panelists: Dick Hillman from Operation Lifesaver, Tara Ansley, and Linda Burns
FREE “Demo: A Drone’s Eye View”
7 Stages, Main Stage
3:00pm-4:00pm
Nolan Lunsford and Brent Bouthiller from Unmanned Imaging will present a live hexacopter demonstration and showcase footage from previous projects.
FREE: “DJI Ronin Camera Stabilizer Workshop”
7 Stages, Black Box
4:30pm-6:00pm
ATLFF filmmaker in residence and installation artist Micah Stansell presents a hands-on workshop on the DJI Ronin 3-axis stabilized handheld gimbal. Learn the powerful capabilities (and flexibility) of this new gimbal camera platform and how it can transform your next production. The workshop will give attendees a chance to set-up and operate the Ronin in a real world scenario as well as tips and strategies for capturing high production-value footage. Limited to the first 30 people.
THURSDAY - 3/26
“Fever Pitch: An Open Casting Call”
7 Stages, Main Stage
11:00am-12:30pm
Actors will have one minute to pitch themselves to an audience of filmmakers and casting agents. Carrie Anne Hunt, actress and Co-Chair of the Atlanta SAG-AFTRA Indie Outreach Committee will host and moderate the event.
SIGN UP HERE
“I Want My MTV”
7 Stages, Main Stage
1:30pm-2:30pm
Visiting filmmakers will show a one-and-a-half to two minute clip reel showcasing excerpts from three music videos they’ve created. Each panelist sets up what will screen, hits play, and attendees momentarily rock out before said panelist waxes poetically on the pleasures and/or challenges of each project.
Moderated by ATLFF alumnus and editor Tom Roche.
Panelists: Brandon Obey (Lordencih - Propaganda), Joshua Yates (J.K. The Reaper - Exodia), Video Rahim/Ashley Simpson (Gunpowder Gray-Saints) and David Kim from Tre Native
“Scoring on a Budget”
7 Stages, Main Stage
3:00pm-4:00pm
Film Composer Paul Mercer and Sound Designer Bruce Bennett discuss how to score a film on a budget. Learn how to create a cohesive sound for your film, choose a composer, license songs, and the best practice for film scoring when you don't have money to burn.
FRIDAY - 3/27
“Breaking In Short-Style: Q&A and Interactive Discussion On Short Filmmaking”
7 Stages, Main Stage
10:30am-11:30am
In this interactive panel discussion, ATLFF instructor and writer-producer Kathy Berardi will moderate an insightful conversation between three festival-placing filmmakers and attendees looking to learn the ins-and-outs of making a short. Featured filmmakers will open up about lessons they’ve learned and their favorite filmmaking moments.
Panelists: Raymond Carr (Hitori), Aly Migliori (Knightsville), Gabrielle Fulton (Ir/Reconcilable), Alexander Yan (Chandelier), and Brian Lonano (CROW HAND!!!)
“Subject vs. Presentation: Finding the Balance in Documentary Filmmaking”
7 Stages, Main Stage
12:00pm-1:00pm
As documentary filmmaking evolves, where does the emphasis belong—with the story or the artform? ATLFF documentary filmmakers will participate in a panel discussion and Q&A moderated by Film School Rejects’ and Nonfics’ Christopher Campbell.
Panelists: Jared Callahan (Janey Makes a Play), Jef Bredemeier (Dante’s Down the Hatch), Gayla Jamison (In Our Son’s Eyes), Michael Lessac (A Snake Gives Birth to a Snake), Erin Bernhardt / Danielle Bernstein (Imba Means Sing)
“Funding Your Film”
7 Stages, Main Stage
1:30pm-2:30pm
Get the tools you need to bring your film project to life! This panel of industry professionals will provide independent filmmakers with practical advice for creating a business plan to secure film funding. Through this step-by-step lecture, prospective filmmakers will learn how to budget their production, pitch to investors, and raise the capital to finance their project.
Moderated by ATLFF Executive Director Christopher Escobar
“Filminism: An Examination of Female Stereotypes in the Film Industry”
7 Stages, Main Stage
3:00pm-4:00pm
Should women suppress what makes them feminine in order to be successful, or should they challenge industry standards to embrace the female voice? Any approach to these issues presents merits and drawbacks. ATLFF Filmmaker in Residence Brantly Watts will moderate a panel of selected female filmmakers as they discuss what it might look like to facilitate industry change to better support gender equality.
Panelists: Meryem Benmbarek (Jennah), Sorrell Sanders (Pepper’s Place, Good Grief Suicide Hotline), Jen West (Little Cabbage), Caryn Waechter (The Sisterhood of Night)
“BBC News Worldwide presents: BBC Pop Up (@bbcpopup)”
7 Stages Main Stage
4:30pm-6:00pm
BBC World News presents a documentary screening from BBC Pop Up (www.bbc.com/bbcpopup), an experimental mobile news bureau that has been on the road in the U.S for the past 6 months. The team of video journalists relocates each month to a new town, where they crowdsource suggestions for stories about American communities for the BBC’s global audience on BBC World News TV and bbc.com. BBC Pop Up creator Matthew Danzico will host a Q&A and documentary filmmaking workshop in conjunction with the screening to give insights into the project.