Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Everybody's Working for the Weekend Badge!
FRIDAY, 10/22
Yes! You get in to both of the below with your Weekend Badge!
3:15pm-4:30pm
Script Reading of Matthew Cook’s 2009 Top Black List Script, BY WAY OF HELENA
Introduction by Black List Creator, Franklin Leonard
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Film Critics and the Industry
Alamo Ritz
Print film critics have recently been in the spotlight, criticized for being out of touch with the majority of filmgoers. What purpose are film reviews serving now? Who's reading them and how are they using them? And with more movie critics driven to the internet, what does this change for the audience? More importantly, what is the impact on the film and the filmmakers? Film critics from print and blogs address these questions and others.
David Denby, The New Yorker; Neil Miller, filmschoolrejects.com; Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times; Scott Weinberg, Cinematical/Moviefone and FEARnet; Chase Whale, gordonandthewhale.com
Moderated by Charles Ealy, Austin American-Statesman
SATURDAY, 10/23
9:00am-10:15am
Austin Pitch #6
The Hideout
It’s the eighth annual Austin Film Festival Pitch Competition! Give your best pitch in 90 seconds and secure your spot in the finals at the Pitch Finale Party on Saturday evening.
Adrienne Biddle, Grant Nieporte
Pixar Story Development Process
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Pixar Animation Studio's development process is unique in the industry. Michael Arndt will talk about the rewards of this approach from a writer's perspective, and Development Execs Mary Coleman and Emily Zulauf will show examples of how support for original ideas, inspiring field trips, and the intense "brain trust" feedback process combine to create memorable stories.
How to Take a Meeting
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
Don’t wait until after you’ve booked a meeting to panic. From honing your pitch to following up, learn now what to expect and how you – and your script – can best be prepared.
William Akers, Matthew Cook, Maggie Malone
Moderated by Aadip Desai
Creating a TV Bible & Pilot to Get You in the Room
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Top show creators and producers discuss what goes into creating a TV bible that will get you in the door. How much information should you include? Writing the pilot, character breakdowns, establishing worlds and how many episodes, if any, to include.
Sterling Anderson, Kyle Killen, Jorge Zamacona
Moderated by Monte Williams
Agents
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
This is the panel to get the answers to all of your questions about finding and working with an agent. At one point do you need one? What if your co-writer has a different agent? If agents don’t accept unsolicited material, how can you get them to solicit your script?
Rebecca Ewing, Jeff Gorin
Moderated by Barry Josephson
A Conversation with David Peoples
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Join a conversation with Distinguished Screenwriter Awardee David Peoples, whose screenwriting credits include the visionary “Blade Runner,” Academy Award© winner “Unforgiven,” “Twelve Monkeys,” “Hero,” “Soldier,” “The Blood of Heroes,” and the Academy Award©-nominated documentary “The Day After Trinity,” among others.
Moderated by Kenneth Turan
Independent Productions: The Proposal
Stephen F. Austin, Assembly Room
Talk with the pros about how to put together a proposal that will secure backing for your film.
Curtis Burch, Michael Katchman, Brent Lilley, Meta Valentic
Moderated by Dawn Wiercinksi
10:45am-12:00pm
Austin Pitch #7
The Hideout
It’s the eighth annual Austin Film Festival Pitch Competition! Give your best pitch in 90 seconds and secure your spot in the finals at the Pitch Finale Party on Saturday evening.
Warren Etheredge, Rebecca Ewing
Roundtable: Comedy Writers
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Sumners Hall
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the craft and business of screenwriting and film making. This session offers registrants exclusive access to comedy writers in an informal setting.
William Akers, Kat Candler, Greg DePaul, Larry Doyle, Jay Wade Edwards, Owen Egerton, Dan French, Mike Fry, Pat Hazell, Jeff Lowell, Jon Lucas, Chris Mass, Craig Mazin, Scott Moore, Nancy Pimental, Chuck Sklar, Malcolm Spellman, Tim Talbott
“Toy Story 3”: How 4 Years of Creative Agony Became 93 Minutes of Movie Fun
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Screenwriter Michael Arndt traces the evolution of “Toy Story 3”'s script, from the first treatment in 2006 to the final film of 2010. Using clips from the film's early reels, he details all the blunders, missteps, blind alleys, and mistakes he and his fellow writers made in the course of the script's development, and presents clips from the finished film to show how those missteps were eventually overcome and corrected.
The Business of Writing for Television
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
A conversation on the changing landscape of television. How do spec pilots become successful primetime TV shows? Discuss with an agent, manager, producer and the writers the business of television. And how to get your foot in the door.
Bryan Brucks, Noah Hawley, Pamela Ribon, Tiffany Ward
Moderated by Stuart Kelban
LUNA Panel: Telling Women’s Stories through Film
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Women filmmakers who choose to tell women’s stories through film. This panel is sponsored by LUNA.
Maggie Biggar, Diane Drake, Jennifer Salt
Moderated by Alison Macor
Independent Productions: The Team
Stephen F. Austin, Assembly Room
Assembling and working with your crew on a limited budget. How to face the challenges of putting together a team that you can afford without compromising your project or ending up in a screaming match.
Marjorie Eber, Travis Fine, PJ Raval, Ezra Venetos
Moderated by Dawn Wiercinksi
2:15pm-3:30pm
Austin Pitch #8
The Hideout
It’s the eighth annual Austin Film Festival Pitch Competition! Give your best pitch in 90 seconds and secure your spot in the finals at the Pitch Finale Party on Saturday evening.
Nancy Pimental, Pamela Ribon
Writing for Documentaries
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Nonfiction requires as compelling a narrative as fiction. Join a conversation on how to craft strong, character-driven stories documenting the real world.
Barry Blaustein, Henry Corra, PJ Raval, Paul Stekler
Moderated by Robert Draper
Managers
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
This is the panel to get the answers to all of your questions about finding and working with a manager. At one point do you need one? What is their role as opposed to an agent?
Melissa Breaux, Brent Lilley
Moderated by Steven Arvanites
A Conversation with Allan Loeb
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with Allan Loeb, whose screenwriting credits include “Things We Lost in the Fire,” “21,” “The Switch,” “Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps,” the upcoming Adam Sandler comedy Just Go With It and the Ron Howard-directed “The Dilemma.” He is also in pre-preproduction on the remake of “Escape from New York,” the Adam Shankman directed musical “Rock of Ages,” and the Ryan Reynolds comedy “Boy Named Sue.”
Moderated by Warren Etheredge
The Craft of Screenwriting: Popcorn Movies
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
For all the entertainment, adrenaline and box office receipts they deliver, popcorn movies rarely get the respect they deserve. A discussion with the pros on how to craft a solid story that delivers both explosions and laughs.
Michael Brandt, Derek Haas, Jeff Lowell, Alvaro Rodriguez, John Turman
The $2 or the $200,000 Film: What You Need to Know
Stephen F. Austin, Assembly Room
Anyone can get their hands on a video camera these days, but that doesn’t mean you won’t still need a budget, story boards, a schedule, and an overall plan. Not to mention a great script. Regardless of your budget, there are basics you want to make sure you have covered to insure that your film is not only a success, but that it gets completed at all.
Greg Carter, Tom Copeland, Victor Moyers, Mark Potts
Moderated by Dawn Wiercinksi
3:45pm-5:00pm
Austin Pitch #9
The Hideout
It’s the seventh annual Austin Film Festival Pitch Competition! Give your best pitch in 90 seconds and secure your spot in the finals at the Pitch Finale Party on Saturday.
Angela Lee, Chuck Sklar
Roundtable: Screenwriters
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Sumners Hall
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the craft and business of screenwriting and filmmaking. This session offers registrants exclusive access to professional writers in an informal setting.
Sterling Anderson, Barry Blaustein, Michael Brandt, Kat Candler, Greg DePaul, Jason Eaton, Travis Fine, Derek Haas, Rita Hsiao, Simon Kinberg, Allan Loeb, Grant Nieporte, Daniel Petrie, Jr., Herschel Weingrod
The Craft of Screenwriting: Comedy
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Getting one person to laugh is tough. Getting a whole theater of people of different ages and from different backgrounds to laugh is near impossible. A conversation on writing comedy, from the pratfalls, to the one-liners, to the more subtle, character-driven laughs.
Maggie Carey, Larry Doyle, Jon Lucas, Scott Moore, Nancy Pimental
Moderated by John Merriman
The Showrunners
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
A discussion on the role of the showrunner, their effect on the direction of a show, and how they put together and work with their writing team.
Noah Hawley, Peter Murrieta
Moderated by Andy Langer
Short Films, Webisodes and Other Outlets to Launch Your Career
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
The popularity of short films has exploded thanks to dwindling attention spans, YouTube, and the omnipresence of mobile, small screen broadcast outlets, like cell phones. How do shorts and features differ in concept and execution? Will the cinema of the future be a hybrid of both? How can you use your short film or web series as a calling card and use it to launch your filmmaking career?
Tom Copeland, Mike Fry, Mark Potts
Moderated by Dano Johnson
A Conversation with David Simon
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Join a conversation with Outstanding Television Writer Awardee David Simon, creator of HBO’s “The Wire” and “Treme”, whose credits also include “Homicide: Life on the Street”, the mini-series “The Corner” and “Generation Kill”.
Moderated by Robert Draper
SUNDAY, 10/24
11:30am-12:45pm
Roundtable: The Film Team
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the business of screenwriting and filmmaking. This session offers registrants exclusive access to filmmakers and crew in an informal setting.
Greg Carter, Marjorie Eber, Travis Fine, Andrew Halbreich, Michael Katchman, Victor Moyers, Mark Potts, Dominique Preyer, PJ Raval, Bob Schultz, Alma Kuttruff, Frank Reynolds, Ezra Venetos
Writing for Kids
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
Whether writing for young children, teens, or the whole family, conceiving a quality script is a challenge. It has to be (somewhat) innocent, topical, entertaining and interesting. Writing for teens or the whole family can also be a great and lucrative way to start – or re-start – your career.
Todd Berger, Rita Hsiao, Pamela Ribon
Moderated by Alison Macor
Making the Deal: “The Matarese Circle”
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Making the deal, the development process and how all the elements work together. A case study of the relationship between the writers, the agent, and the producer.
Michael Brandt, Derek Haas, Jeff Gorin, Mark Vahradian
Moderated by Steven Arvanites
The Art of Storytelling with the 2010 Awardees
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
A conversation with the 2010 AFF Award recipients Robert Rodriguez, David Peoples, and David Simon about their experiences in bringing rich characters and great stories to the screen.
Moderated by Jake Silverstein
1:15pm-2:30pm
Roundtable: Executives & Producers
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the craft and business of screenwriting and film making. This session offers registrants exclusive access to executives and producers in an informal setting.
Joyce San Pedro, Matt Summers, Richard Bever, Rick Dugdale, Lisa Fragner, Angela Lee, Maggie Biggar, Franklin Leonard
Music and Sound in Film
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
A conversation on how to direct story and guide emotion in film through the use of music and sound. The panel will include examples and discuss how music has been effectively used in film and talk about its potential in the future, with new digital technology becoming more easily accessible and affordable.
Tom Hammond, Graham Reynolds, Neil Truglio
A Conversation with Jon Lucas and Scott Moore
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Join a conversation with writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, screenwriters of “The Hangover,” “Four Christmases,” and “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.”
Moderated by Daniel Petrie, Jr.
A Conversation with Jennifer Salt
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with actress/screenwriter Jennifer Salt, co-creator of “Eat Pray Love” and currently developing a script based on Rachel DeWoskin’s book, “Foreign Babes in Beijing,” as well as adapting Laura Moriarty’s novel “While I’m Falling” as a motion picture.
Moderated by Warren Etheredge
Acquisitions & Distribution
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Join a conversation on film acquisitions and distribution with Kelly Sanders, Executive Director of Truly Indie; Sarah Harris, Senior Programmer for the Dallas Film Society; journalist Anthony Kaufman, a regular contributor to Variety, the Wall Street Journal Online, indieWIRE.com, the Village Voice, and a contributing editor to Filmmaker Magazine;distributor Michael Katchman, president of Rivercoast Film Distribution; and Tim League, founder of Drafthouse Films.
Heroes and Villains
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
A discussion on crafting sympathetic, engaging, and memorable heroes and villains.
Shane Black, Simon Kinberg, John Turman
Moderated by Fred Strype
ENDINGS: The Good, the Bad, and the Insanely Great with Michael Arndt Extended length panel: 1:15pm-2:45pm
Stephen F. Austin Hotel, Assembly Room
Some movies leave you indifferent, some leave you satisfied, and some leave you feeling euphoric -- walking on air and seeing the world through new eyes. What, then, is the difference between a bad ending, a good ending, and an insanely great ending? Screenwriter Michael Arndt attempts to answer that question with a close analysis of the climaxes of “Star Wars,” “The Graduate,” and his own screenplay, “Little Miss Sunshine.”
*Also included: A preview screening of "What I Learned at Pixar: How to Write a Good Beginning", a nine-minute featurette from the “Toy Story 3” Blu-ray and DVD, releasing on November 2, 2010. Screenwriter Michael Arndt examines the first acts of “Toy Story,” “Finding Nemo,” and “The Incredibles,” focusing on the common elements these Pixar films use to set their stories in motion.
1:30pm
“Lone Star”
Alamo Ritz
Screening of the short-lived 20th Century Fox Television pilot followed by a discussion with Kyle Killen, show creator/writer/executive producer, about the TV industry, how it works, and how a show with so much promise - great press coverage (the cover of the NYT, no less!), great reviews, great writing, great cast - got cancelled after only 2 episodes.
3:00pm-4:15pm
Independent Productions: Editing and Post-Production
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
Get tips, tricks of the trade, insight into new technology and what do the pros wish someone had told them before their first film? Learn about keeping an eye on the budget, staying on schedule, and what blind-sided our panelists when they were starting out.
Marcus van Bavel, Parke Gregg, Ron Pippin, Frank Reynolds
Inside the Writers Room
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
What goes on inside a television shows’ writers room? What’s the schedule, the writing process as a team, and most important, how do you get break in?
Jen Grisanti, Jennifer Salt, Jorge Zamacona
Moderated by Monte Williams
A Conversation with Simon Kinberg
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with writer/director Simon Kinberg, creator of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Jumper” and “Sherlock Holmes.” Currently, Kinberg is writing/producing “This Means War,” writing “Spy vs Spy,” co-writing a script for J.J. Abrams and producing “X-Men: First Class.”
Moderated by Fred Strype
Music Licensing for Film
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Since copyright terms keep getting extended, now is a good time to figure out what is legal and what is not. A discussion on licensing music for your film, including how to keep costs down - cost of the song against its value for your film, and checking out what’s in public domain - and figuring out who to contact for that perfect song.
Andrew Halbreich, Dominique Preyer
Moderated by Aadip Desai
4:30pm
Script Reading of Maggie Carey’s 2009 Black List Script, THE HAND JOB
Starring Bill Hader, Colin Hanks and Aubrey Plaza
Introduction by Black List Creator, Franklin Leonard
Rollins Theatre, The Long Center for the Performing Arts
Yes! You get in to both of the below with your Weekend Badge!
3:15pm-4:30pm
Script Reading of Matthew Cook’s 2009 Top Black List Script, BY WAY OF HELENA
Introduction by Black List Creator, Franklin Leonard
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Film Critics and the Industry
Alamo Ritz
Print film critics have recently been in the spotlight, criticized for being out of touch with the majority of filmgoers. What purpose are film reviews serving now? Who's reading them and how are they using them? And with more movie critics driven to the internet, what does this change for the audience? More importantly, what is the impact on the film and the filmmakers? Film critics from print and blogs address these questions and others.
David Denby, The New Yorker; Neil Miller, filmschoolrejects.com; Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times; Scott Weinberg, Cinematical/Moviefone and FEARnet; Chase Whale, gordonandthewhale.com
Moderated by Charles Ealy, Austin American-Statesman
SATURDAY, 10/23
9:00am-10:15am
Austin Pitch #6
The Hideout
It’s the eighth annual Austin Film Festival Pitch Competition! Give your best pitch in 90 seconds and secure your spot in the finals at the Pitch Finale Party on Saturday evening.
Adrienne Biddle, Grant Nieporte
Pixar Story Development Process
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Pixar Animation Studio's development process is unique in the industry. Michael Arndt will talk about the rewards of this approach from a writer's perspective, and Development Execs Mary Coleman and Emily Zulauf will show examples of how support for original ideas, inspiring field trips, and the intense "brain trust" feedback process combine to create memorable stories.
How to Take a Meeting
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
Don’t wait until after you’ve booked a meeting to panic. From honing your pitch to following up, learn now what to expect and how you – and your script – can best be prepared.
William Akers, Matthew Cook, Maggie Malone
Moderated by Aadip Desai
Creating a TV Bible & Pilot to Get You in the Room
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Top show creators and producers discuss what goes into creating a TV bible that will get you in the door. How much information should you include? Writing the pilot, character breakdowns, establishing worlds and how many episodes, if any, to include.
Sterling Anderson, Kyle Killen, Jorge Zamacona
Moderated by Monte Williams
Agents
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
This is the panel to get the answers to all of your questions about finding and working with an agent. At one point do you need one? What if your co-writer has a different agent? If agents don’t accept unsolicited material, how can you get them to solicit your script?
Rebecca Ewing, Jeff Gorin
Moderated by Barry Josephson
A Conversation with David Peoples
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Join a conversation with Distinguished Screenwriter Awardee David Peoples, whose screenwriting credits include the visionary “Blade Runner,” Academy Award© winner “Unforgiven,” “Twelve Monkeys,” “Hero,” “Soldier,” “The Blood of Heroes,” and the Academy Award©-nominated documentary “The Day After Trinity,” among others.
Moderated by Kenneth Turan
Independent Productions: The Proposal
Stephen F. Austin, Assembly Room
Talk with the pros about how to put together a proposal that will secure backing for your film.
Curtis Burch, Michael Katchman, Brent Lilley, Meta Valentic
Moderated by Dawn Wiercinksi
10:45am-12:00pm
Austin Pitch #7
The Hideout
It’s the eighth annual Austin Film Festival Pitch Competition! Give your best pitch in 90 seconds and secure your spot in the finals at the Pitch Finale Party on Saturday evening.
Warren Etheredge, Rebecca Ewing
Roundtable: Comedy Writers
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Sumners Hall
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the craft and business of screenwriting and film making. This session offers registrants exclusive access to comedy writers in an informal setting.
William Akers, Kat Candler, Greg DePaul, Larry Doyle, Jay Wade Edwards, Owen Egerton, Dan French, Mike Fry, Pat Hazell, Jeff Lowell, Jon Lucas, Chris Mass, Craig Mazin, Scott Moore, Nancy Pimental, Chuck Sklar, Malcolm Spellman, Tim Talbott
“Toy Story 3”: How 4 Years of Creative Agony Became 93 Minutes of Movie Fun
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Screenwriter Michael Arndt traces the evolution of “Toy Story 3”'s script, from the first treatment in 2006 to the final film of 2010. Using clips from the film's early reels, he details all the blunders, missteps, blind alleys, and mistakes he and his fellow writers made in the course of the script's development, and presents clips from the finished film to show how those missteps were eventually overcome and corrected.
The Business of Writing for Television
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
A conversation on the changing landscape of television. How do spec pilots become successful primetime TV shows? Discuss with an agent, manager, producer and the writers the business of television. And how to get your foot in the door.
Bryan Brucks, Noah Hawley, Pamela Ribon, Tiffany Ward
Moderated by Stuart Kelban
LUNA Panel: Telling Women’s Stories through Film
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Women filmmakers who choose to tell women’s stories through film. This panel is sponsored by LUNA.
Maggie Biggar, Diane Drake, Jennifer Salt
Moderated by Alison Macor
Independent Productions: The Team
Stephen F. Austin, Assembly Room
Assembling and working with your crew on a limited budget. How to face the challenges of putting together a team that you can afford without compromising your project or ending up in a screaming match.
Marjorie Eber, Travis Fine, PJ Raval, Ezra Venetos
Moderated by Dawn Wiercinksi
2:15pm-3:30pm
Austin Pitch #8
The Hideout
It’s the eighth annual Austin Film Festival Pitch Competition! Give your best pitch in 90 seconds and secure your spot in the finals at the Pitch Finale Party on Saturday evening.
Nancy Pimental, Pamela Ribon
Writing for Documentaries
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Nonfiction requires as compelling a narrative as fiction. Join a conversation on how to craft strong, character-driven stories documenting the real world.
Barry Blaustein, Henry Corra, PJ Raval, Paul Stekler
Moderated by Robert Draper
Managers
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
This is the panel to get the answers to all of your questions about finding and working with a manager. At one point do you need one? What is their role as opposed to an agent?
Melissa Breaux, Brent Lilley
Moderated by Steven Arvanites
A Conversation with Allan Loeb
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with Allan Loeb, whose screenwriting credits include “Things We Lost in the Fire,” “21,” “The Switch,” “Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps,” the upcoming Adam Sandler comedy Just Go With It and the Ron Howard-directed “The Dilemma.” He is also in pre-preproduction on the remake of “Escape from New York,” the Adam Shankman directed musical “Rock of Ages,” and the Ryan Reynolds comedy “Boy Named Sue.”
Moderated by Warren Etheredge
The Craft of Screenwriting: Popcorn Movies
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
For all the entertainment, adrenaline and box office receipts they deliver, popcorn movies rarely get the respect they deserve. A discussion with the pros on how to craft a solid story that delivers both explosions and laughs.
Michael Brandt, Derek Haas, Jeff Lowell, Alvaro Rodriguez, John Turman
The $2 or the $200,000 Film: What You Need to Know
Stephen F. Austin, Assembly Room
Anyone can get their hands on a video camera these days, but that doesn’t mean you won’t still need a budget, story boards, a schedule, and an overall plan. Not to mention a great script. Regardless of your budget, there are basics you want to make sure you have covered to insure that your film is not only a success, but that it gets completed at all.
Greg Carter, Tom Copeland, Victor Moyers, Mark Potts
Moderated by Dawn Wiercinksi
3:45pm-5:00pm
Austin Pitch #9
The Hideout
It’s the seventh annual Austin Film Festival Pitch Competition! Give your best pitch in 90 seconds and secure your spot in the finals at the Pitch Finale Party on Saturday.
Angela Lee, Chuck Sklar
Roundtable: Screenwriters
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Sumners Hall
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the craft and business of screenwriting and filmmaking. This session offers registrants exclusive access to professional writers in an informal setting.
Sterling Anderson, Barry Blaustein, Michael Brandt, Kat Candler, Greg DePaul, Jason Eaton, Travis Fine, Derek Haas, Rita Hsiao, Simon Kinberg, Allan Loeb, Grant Nieporte, Daniel Petrie, Jr., Herschel Weingrod
The Craft of Screenwriting: Comedy
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Getting one person to laugh is tough. Getting a whole theater of people of different ages and from different backgrounds to laugh is near impossible. A conversation on writing comedy, from the pratfalls, to the one-liners, to the more subtle, character-driven laughs.
Maggie Carey, Larry Doyle, Jon Lucas, Scott Moore, Nancy Pimental
Moderated by John Merriman
The Showrunners
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
A discussion on the role of the showrunner, their effect on the direction of a show, and how they put together and work with their writing team.
Noah Hawley, Peter Murrieta
Moderated by Andy Langer
Short Films, Webisodes and Other Outlets to Launch Your Career
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
The popularity of short films has exploded thanks to dwindling attention spans, YouTube, and the omnipresence of mobile, small screen broadcast outlets, like cell phones. How do shorts and features differ in concept and execution? Will the cinema of the future be a hybrid of both? How can you use your short film or web series as a calling card and use it to launch your filmmaking career?
Tom Copeland, Mike Fry, Mark Potts
Moderated by Dano Johnson
A Conversation with David Simon
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Join a conversation with Outstanding Television Writer Awardee David Simon, creator of HBO’s “The Wire” and “Treme”, whose credits also include “Homicide: Life on the Street”, the mini-series “The Corner” and “Generation Kill”.
Moderated by Robert Draper
SUNDAY, 10/24
11:30am-12:45pm
Roundtable: The Film Team
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the business of screenwriting and filmmaking. This session offers registrants exclusive access to filmmakers and crew in an informal setting.
Greg Carter, Marjorie Eber, Travis Fine, Andrew Halbreich, Michael Katchman, Victor Moyers, Mark Potts, Dominique Preyer, PJ Raval, Bob Schultz, Alma Kuttruff, Frank Reynolds, Ezra Venetos
Writing for Kids
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
Whether writing for young children, teens, or the whole family, conceiving a quality script is a challenge. It has to be (somewhat) innocent, topical, entertaining and interesting. Writing for teens or the whole family can also be a great and lucrative way to start – or re-start – your career.
Todd Berger, Rita Hsiao, Pamela Ribon
Moderated by Alison Macor
Making the Deal: “The Matarese Circle”
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Making the deal, the development process and how all the elements work together. A case study of the relationship between the writers, the agent, and the producer.
Michael Brandt, Derek Haas, Jeff Gorin, Mark Vahradian
Moderated by Steven Arvanites
The Art of Storytelling with the 2010 Awardees
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
A conversation with the 2010 AFF Award recipients Robert Rodriguez, David Peoples, and David Simon about their experiences in bringing rich characters and great stories to the screen.
Moderated by Jake Silverstein
1:15pm-2:30pm
Roundtable: Executives & Producers
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the craft and business of screenwriting and film making. This session offers registrants exclusive access to executives and producers in an informal setting.
Joyce San Pedro, Matt Summers, Richard Bever, Rick Dugdale, Lisa Fragner, Angela Lee, Maggie Biggar, Franklin Leonard
Music and Sound in Film
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
A conversation on how to direct story and guide emotion in film through the use of music and sound. The panel will include examples and discuss how music has been effectively used in film and talk about its potential in the future, with new digital technology becoming more easily accessible and affordable.
Tom Hammond, Graham Reynolds, Neil Truglio
A Conversation with Jon Lucas and Scott Moore
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Join a conversation with writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, screenwriters of “The Hangover,” “Four Christmases,” and “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.”
Moderated by Daniel Petrie, Jr.
A Conversation with Jennifer Salt
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with actress/screenwriter Jennifer Salt, co-creator of “Eat Pray Love” and currently developing a script based on Rachel DeWoskin’s book, “Foreign Babes in Beijing,” as well as adapting Laura Moriarty’s novel “While I’m Falling” as a motion picture.
Moderated by Warren Etheredge
Acquisitions & Distribution
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Join a conversation on film acquisitions and distribution with Kelly Sanders, Executive Director of Truly Indie; Sarah Harris, Senior Programmer for the Dallas Film Society; journalist Anthony Kaufman, a regular contributor to Variety, the Wall Street Journal Online, indieWIRE.com, the Village Voice, and a contributing editor to Filmmaker Magazine;distributor Michael Katchman, president of Rivercoast Film Distribution; and Tim League, founder of Drafthouse Films.
Heroes and Villains
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
A discussion on crafting sympathetic, engaging, and memorable heroes and villains.
Shane Black, Simon Kinberg, John Turman
Moderated by Fred Strype
ENDINGS: The Good, the Bad, and the Insanely Great with Michael Arndt Extended length panel: 1:15pm-2:45pm
Stephen F. Austin Hotel, Assembly Room
Some movies leave you indifferent, some leave you satisfied, and some leave you feeling euphoric -- walking on air and seeing the world through new eyes. What, then, is the difference between a bad ending, a good ending, and an insanely great ending? Screenwriter Michael Arndt attempts to answer that question with a close analysis of the climaxes of “Star Wars,” “The Graduate,” and his own screenplay, “Little Miss Sunshine.”
*Also included: A preview screening of "What I Learned at Pixar: How to Write a Good Beginning", a nine-minute featurette from the “Toy Story 3” Blu-ray and DVD, releasing on November 2, 2010. Screenwriter Michael Arndt examines the first acts of “Toy Story,” “Finding Nemo,” and “The Incredibles,” focusing on the common elements these Pixar films use to set their stories in motion.
1:30pm
“Lone Star”
Alamo Ritz
Screening of the short-lived 20th Century Fox Television pilot followed by a discussion with Kyle Killen, show creator/writer/executive producer, about the TV industry, how it works, and how a show with so much promise - great press coverage (the cover of the NYT, no less!), great reviews, great writing, great cast - got cancelled after only 2 episodes.
3:00pm-4:15pm
Independent Productions: Editing and Post-Production
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
Get tips, tricks of the trade, insight into new technology and what do the pros wish someone had told them before their first film? Learn about keeping an eye on the budget, staying on schedule, and what blind-sided our panelists when they were starting out.
Marcus van Bavel, Parke Gregg, Ron Pippin, Frank Reynolds
Inside the Writers Room
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
What goes on inside a television shows’ writers room? What’s the schedule, the writing process as a team, and most important, how do you get break in?
Jen Grisanti, Jennifer Salt, Jorge Zamacona
Moderated by Monte Williams
A Conversation with Simon Kinberg
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with writer/director Simon Kinberg, creator of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Jumper” and “Sherlock Holmes.” Currently, Kinberg is writing/producing “This Means War,” writing “Spy vs Spy,” co-writing a script for J.J. Abrams and producing “X-Men: First Class.”
Moderated by Fred Strype
Music Licensing for Film
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Since copyright terms keep getting extended, now is a good time to figure out what is legal and what is not. A discussion on licensing music for your film, including how to keep costs down - cost of the song against its value for your film, and checking out what’s in public domain - and figuring out who to contact for that perfect song.
Andrew Halbreich, Dominique Preyer
Moderated by Aadip Desai
4:30pm
Script Reading of Maggie Carey’s 2009 Black List Script, THE HAND JOB
Starring Bill Hader, Colin Hanks and Aubrey Plaza
Introduction by Black List Creator, Franklin Leonard
Rollins Theatre, The Long Center for the Performing Arts
Damnit, I Need Work!
Have you already got a drawer full of scripts? Are you ready to just get out there and sell something, option something, develop something... ANYTHING. You're ready to work and get paid now. Ready to finally become a professional screenwriter or filmmaker.
Well, then, here's the schedule for you.
THURSDAY, 10/21
12:00pm-12:30pm
Opening Remarks
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
The Austin Film Festival welcomes you to its 17th year of panels, films, parties and conversation. Find out about this year’s special events, last-minute additions and special guests.
1:00pm-2:15pm
AFF Conference: How to Work it
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Join these writers who have attended the AFF Conference over the years and made the most of their time here – from networking to the competitions. They have made countless industry contacts, optioned and sold their scripts, and launched their film careers. Find out how to maximize your Badge and your time here at the AFF.
Martina Broner, Jimmy Miller, Pamela Ribon
Moderated by Fred Strype
The Business of Screenwriting
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
The ins and outs (and ups and downs) of sustaining a screenwriting career.
John August, Edward Burns, Franklin Leonard, Craig Mazin
2:45pm-4:00pm
How to Take a Meeting
(Semi-Finalists and Above)
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Club
Don’t wait until after you’ve booked a meeting to panic. From honing your pitch to following up, learn now what to expect and how you – and your script – can best be prepared.
Richard Bever, Mary Coleman, Craig Mazin
Breaking In and Staying In
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Live outside LA/NY with no plans to move anytime soon? Don’t yet have close friends at the studios? How to get a foothold in the industry – and stay there.
Gayla Nethercott, Dan Petrie, Jr., PJ Raval, Alex Smith
Moderated by Fred Strype
FRIDAY, 10/22
9:00am-10:15am
Writing RX
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Have you lost momentum with your story? Are you spending more time re-writing and thinking of character names and titles than writing? Is the structure dictating your story to the extent that it’s lost its heart? Struggling to remember that you're a writer while holding down your day job? How to get your story and script back on track.
Jeff Lowell, Malcolm Spellman, Tim Talbott, John Turman
How to Take a Meeting
(2nd Rounders and Above Only)
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Don’t wait until after you’ve booked a meeting to panic. From honing your pitch to following up, learn now what to expect and how you – and your script – can best be prepared.
Melissa Breaux, Larry Doyle, Lisa Fragner
Moderated by Steven Arvanites
Using Improv to Improve Your Script
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Improv and table reads can be incredibly useful for hearing your dialogue spoken aloud and punching up the comedy quotient. How to invigorate your script through improvisation.
Amanda Austin, Owen Egerton, Dan French, Peter Murrieta, Chuck Sklar
10:45am-12:00pm
Roundtable: Agents & Managers
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Sumners Hall
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the craft and business of screenwriting and film making. This session offers registrants exclusive access to agents and managers in an informal setting.
Melissa Breaux, Bryan Brucks, Rebecca Ewing, Jeff Gorin, Brent Lilley, Gayla Nethercott, Tiffany Ward
The Film Festival: How to Work it
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
The camera stopped rolling and the editor finished cutting but your job as a filmmaker is far from over. Get insider secrets on how to work the festival circuit, develop a marketing strategy and corresponding press kit, and what to consider when determining your best distribution options.
Todd Berger, Matt Dentler, Sarah Harris, Kelly Williams
Moderated by John Merriman
Demystifying the Development Process
Stephen F. Austin, Assembly Room
We frequently read about scripts being ‘in development’, but what does that mean for the writer? What goes on in the development process? And how can you maintain the integrity of your story and characters while meeting the demands of the producer?
Diane Drake, Joyce San Pedro, Matt Summers, Herschel Weingrod
Moderated by Aadip Desai
1:45pm-3:00pm
Roundtable: Screenwriters
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Sumners Hall
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the craft and business of screenwriting and film making. This session offers registrants exclusive access to professional writers in an informal setting.
Todd Berger, Greg Carter, Diane Drake, Jason Eaton, Dan French, Phil Hay, Jimmy Miller, Chris Mass, Craig Mazin, Pamela Ribon, Alex Smith, Herschel Weingrod, Jorge Zamacona
Make it Legal: What You Need to Know about Entertainment Rights
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
A discussion on issues dealing with libel, privacy, right of publicity, copyright and trademark, and how to become more aware when writing and creating films. Can you say disparaging things about real products or people? Can you use paintings, posters and photographs to decorate the sets? If you're making a documentary, what news clips can you use without paying for them? Questions like these and more will be answered. In a nutshell, what can you get sued for and how to avoid it.
Kathleen Conkey, Esq., Deena Kalai, Esq.
The Black List
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
The Black List: what is it, how to get on it, and what it can mean for your career.
Matthew Cook, Kyle Killen, Franklin Leonard, Malcolm Spellman, Tim Talbott
Moderated by Andy Langer
Writing for Animation
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Where do the ideas for animated features come from? How do animation studios find writers? How do they work with them? Take a look inside the process with Development Execs from Blue Sky Studios, Disney Animation, and Pixar Animation Studios. They will step through the elements of their creative process (pitching, research, treatment, outline, script, and reels) using examples from great animated movies.
Mary Coleman, Lisa Fragner, Maggie Malone
Breaking into the Business
(2nd Rounders and Above)
Stephen F. Austin, Assembly Room
While seeing your work produced is the ultimate goal, optioning or selling the script is a great first step. Many scripts are bought and never produced. But your script can serve as a sample to secure other work. Much of a professional screenwriters’ income lies in script doctoring and assignments, not movies produced from their spec scripts. A discussion on how to break into the business.
Bryan Brucks, Jen Grisanti, Nancy Pimental, Dawn Wolfrom
Moderated by Drew Yanno
3:15pm-4:30pm
Roundtable: Executives & Producers
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Sumners Hall
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the craft and business of screenwriting and film making. This session offers registrants exclusive access to executives and producers in an informal setting.
Adrienne Biddle, Martina Broner, Curtis Burch, Mary Coleman, Rick Dugdale, Lisa Fragner, Barry Josephson, Signe Olynyk, Joyce San Pedro, Matt Summers, Dawn Wolfrom
The Teleplay
(2nd Rounders and Above)
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Club
Get in-depth answers to all of your questions about writing a teleplay - from writing specs of existing shows, to writing original pilots, and what to do with it once you have it.
Sterling Anderson, Jen Grisanti
Moderated by Stuart Kelban
The Creative Career: What You Need to Know
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
A panel of successful professional writers will discuss what you need to know when setting out on your career as a writer; common pitfalls to avoid and what the Writers Guilds East and West can do for you.
Shane Black, Michael Elliot, Rita Hsiao, Jennifer Salt
Moderated by James V. Hart
SATURDAY, 10/23
9:00am-10:15am
How to Take a Meeting
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
Don’t wait until after you’ve booked a meeting to panic. From honing your pitch to following up, learn now what to expect and how you – and your script – can best be prepared.
William Akers, Matthew Cook, Maggie Malone
Moderated by Aadip Desai
Creating a TV Bible & Pilot to Get You in the Room
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Top show creators and producers discuss what goes into creating a TV bible that will get you in the door. How much information should you include? Writing the pilot, character breakdowns, establishing worlds and how many episodes, if any, to include.
Sterling Anderson, Kyle Killen, Jorge Zamacona
Moderated by Monte Williams
Agents
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
This is the panel to get the answers to all of your questions about finding and working with an agent. At one point do you need one? What if your co-writer has a different agent? If agents don’t accept unsolicited material, how can you get them to solicit your script?
Rebecca Ewing, Jeff Gorin
Moderated by Barry Josephson
10:45am-12:00pm
Outlines, Treatments and Log Lines
(Semi-Finalists and Above Only)
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
How do you write a succinct and effective outline? How much information do potential buyers want in the treatment? A discussion on writing strong and engaging pitches for your story that will guarantee producers asking to read your script.
Martina Broner, Michael Elliot, Chris Huntley
Moderated by Drew Yanno
The Business of Writing for Television
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
A conversation on the changing landscape of television. How do spec pilots become successful primetime TV shows? Discuss with an agent, manager, producer and the writers the business of television. And how to get your foot in the door.
Bryan Brucks, Noah Hawley, Pamela Ribon, Tiffany Ward
Moderated by Stuart Kelban
2:15pm-3:30pm
Managers
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
This is the panel to get the answers to all of your questions about finding and working with a manager. At one point do you need one? What is their role as opposed to an agent?
Melissa Breaux, Brent Lilley
Moderated by Steven Arvanites
3:45pm-5:00pm
Short Films, Webisodes and Other Outlets to Launch Your Career
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
The popularity of short films has exploded thanks to dwindling attention spans, YouTube, and the omnipresence of mobile, small screen broadcast outlets, like cell phones. How do shorts and features differ in concept and execution? Will the cinema of the future be a hybrid of both? How can you use your short film or web series as a calling card and use it to launch your filmmaking career?
Tom Copeland, Mike Fry, Mark Potts
Moderated by Dano Johnson
SUNDAY, 10/24
11:30am-12:45pm
Making the Deal: “Slugger”
(Semi-Finalists and Above Only)
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Club
Making the deal, the development process and how all the elements work together. A case study of the relationship between the writer, the agent and the producer on “Slugger,” winner of the Adult/Family Screenplay Competition category of the 2007 AFF.
Richard Bever, Jimmy Miller, Gayla Nethercott
Moderated by Warren Etheredge
Writing for Kids
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
Whether writing for young children, teens, or the whole family, conceiving a quality script is a challenge. It has to be (somewhat) innocent, topical, entertaining and interesting. Writing for teens or the whole family can also be a great and lucrative way to start – or re-start – your career.
Todd Berger, Rita Hsiao, Pamela Ribon
Moderated by Alison Macor
Making the Deal: “The Matarese Circle”
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Making the deal, the development process and how all the elements work together. A case study of the relationship between the writers, the agent, and the producer.
Michael Brandt, Derek Haas, Jeff Gorin, Mark Vahradian
Moderated by Steven Arvanites
Writers Agreements: What to Keep In, What to Take Out
(Second Rounders and Above Only)
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Attorneys working in entertainment provide an overview of screenwriters’ agreements - advice on securing the best deal, avoiding common mistakes, and what a Writers Guild agreement has to offer.
Lise Anderson, Esq., Deena Kalai, Esq.
1:15pm-2:30pm
Roundtable: Executives & Producers
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the craft and business of screenwriting and film making. This session offers registrants exclusive access to executives and producers in an informal setting.
Joyce San Pedro, Matt Summers, Richard Bever, Rick Dugdale, Lisa Fragner, Angela Lee, Maggie Biggar, Franklin Leonard
3:00pm-4:15pm
Inside the Writers Room
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
What goes on inside a television shows’ writers room? What’s the schedule, the writing process as a team, and most important, how do you get break in?
Jen Grisanti, Jennifer Salt, Jorge Zamacona
Moderated by Monte Williams
Well, then, here's the schedule for you.
THURSDAY, 10/21
12:00pm-12:30pm
Opening Remarks
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
The Austin Film Festival welcomes you to its 17th year of panels, films, parties and conversation. Find out about this year’s special events, last-minute additions and special guests.
1:00pm-2:15pm
AFF Conference: How to Work it
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Join these writers who have attended the AFF Conference over the years and made the most of their time here – from networking to the competitions. They have made countless industry contacts, optioned and sold their scripts, and launched their film careers. Find out how to maximize your Badge and your time here at the AFF.
Martina Broner, Jimmy Miller, Pamela Ribon
Moderated by Fred Strype
The Business of Screenwriting
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
The ins and outs (and ups and downs) of sustaining a screenwriting career.
John August, Edward Burns, Franklin Leonard, Craig Mazin
2:45pm-4:00pm
How to Take a Meeting
(Semi-Finalists and Above)
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Club
Don’t wait until after you’ve booked a meeting to panic. From honing your pitch to following up, learn now what to expect and how you – and your script – can best be prepared.
Richard Bever, Mary Coleman, Craig Mazin
Breaking In and Staying In
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Live outside LA/NY with no plans to move anytime soon? Don’t yet have close friends at the studios? How to get a foothold in the industry – and stay there.
Gayla Nethercott, Dan Petrie, Jr., PJ Raval, Alex Smith
Moderated by Fred Strype
FRIDAY, 10/22
9:00am-10:15am
Writing RX
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Have you lost momentum with your story? Are you spending more time re-writing and thinking of character names and titles than writing? Is the structure dictating your story to the extent that it’s lost its heart? Struggling to remember that you're a writer while holding down your day job? How to get your story and script back on track.
Jeff Lowell, Malcolm Spellman, Tim Talbott, John Turman
How to Take a Meeting
(2nd Rounders and Above Only)
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Don’t wait until after you’ve booked a meeting to panic. From honing your pitch to following up, learn now what to expect and how you – and your script – can best be prepared.
Melissa Breaux, Larry Doyle, Lisa Fragner
Moderated by Steven Arvanites
Using Improv to Improve Your Script
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Improv and table reads can be incredibly useful for hearing your dialogue spoken aloud and punching up the comedy quotient. How to invigorate your script through improvisation.
Amanda Austin, Owen Egerton, Dan French, Peter Murrieta, Chuck Sklar
10:45am-12:00pm
Roundtable: Agents & Managers
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Sumners Hall
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the craft and business of screenwriting and film making. This session offers registrants exclusive access to agents and managers in an informal setting.
Melissa Breaux, Bryan Brucks, Rebecca Ewing, Jeff Gorin, Brent Lilley, Gayla Nethercott, Tiffany Ward
The Film Festival: How to Work it
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
The camera stopped rolling and the editor finished cutting but your job as a filmmaker is far from over. Get insider secrets on how to work the festival circuit, develop a marketing strategy and corresponding press kit, and what to consider when determining your best distribution options.
Todd Berger, Matt Dentler, Sarah Harris, Kelly Williams
Moderated by John Merriman
Demystifying the Development Process
Stephen F. Austin, Assembly Room
We frequently read about scripts being ‘in development’, but what does that mean for the writer? What goes on in the development process? And how can you maintain the integrity of your story and characters while meeting the demands of the producer?
Diane Drake, Joyce San Pedro, Matt Summers, Herschel Weingrod
Moderated by Aadip Desai
1:45pm-3:00pm
Roundtable: Screenwriters
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Sumners Hall
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the craft and business of screenwriting and film making. This session offers registrants exclusive access to professional writers in an informal setting.
Todd Berger, Greg Carter, Diane Drake, Jason Eaton, Dan French, Phil Hay, Jimmy Miller, Chris Mass, Craig Mazin, Pamela Ribon, Alex Smith, Herschel Weingrod, Jorge Zamacona
Make it Legal: What You Need to Know about Entertainment Rights
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
A discussion on issues dealing with libel, privacy, right of publicity, copyright and trademark, and how to become more aware when writing and creating films. Can you say disparaging things about real products or people? Can you use paintings, posters and photographs to decorate the sets? If you're making a documentary, what news clips can you use without paying for them? Questions like these and more will be answered. In a nutshell, what can you get sued for and how to avoid it.
Kathleen Conkey, Esq., Deena Kalai, Esq.
The Black List
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
The Black List: what is it, how to get on it, and what it can mean for your career.
Matthew Cook, Kyle Killen, Franklin Leonard, Malcolm Spellman, Tim Talbott
Moderated by Andy Langer
Writing for Animation
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Where do the ideas for animated features come from? How do animation studios find writers? How do they work with them? Take a look inside the process with Development Execs from Blue Sky Studios, Disney Animation, and Pixar Animation Studios. They will step through the elements of their creative process (pitching, research, treatment, outline, script, and reels) using examples from great animated movies.
Mary Coleman, Lisa Fragner, Maggie Malone
Breaking into the Business
(2nd Rounders and Above)
Stephen F. Austin, Assembly Room
While seeing your work produced is the ultimate goal, optioning or selling the script is a great first step. Many scripts are bought and never produced. But your script can serve as a sample to secure other work. Much of a professional screenwriters’ income lies in script doctoring and assignments, not movies produced from their spec scripts. A discussion on how to break into the business.
Bryan Brucks, Jen Grisanti, Nancy Pimental, Dawn Wolfrom
Moderated by Drew Yanno
3:15pm-4:30pm
Roundtable: Executives & Producers
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Sumners Hall
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the craft and business of screenwriting and film making. This session offers registrants exclusive access to executives and producers in an informal setting.
Adrienne Biddle, Martina Broner, Curtis Burch, Mary Coleman, Rick Dugdale, Lisa Fragner, Barry Josephson, Signe Olynyk, Joyce San Pedro, Matt Summers, Dawn Wolfrom
The Teleplay
(2nd Rounders and Above)
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Club
Get in-depth answers to all of your questions about writing a teleplay - from writing specs of existing shows, to writing original pilots, and what to do with it once you have it.
Sterling Anderson, Jen Grisanti
Moderated by Stuart Kelban
The Creative Career: What You Need to Know
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
A panel of successful professional writers will discuss what you need to know when setting out on your career as a writer; common pitfalls to avoid and what the Writers Guilds East and West can do for you.
Shane Black, Michael Elliot, Rita Hsiao, Jennifer Salt
Moderated by James V. Hart
SATURDAY, 10/23
9:00am-10:15am
How to Take a Meeting
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
Don’t wait until after you’ve booked a meeting to panic. From honing your pitch to following up, learn now what to expect and how you – and your script – can best be prepared.
William Akers, Matthew Cook, Maggie Malone
Moderated by Aadip Desai
Creating a TV Bible & Pilot to Get You in the Room
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Top show creators and producers discuss what goes into creating a TV bible that will get you in the door. How much information should you include? Writing the pilot, character breakdowns, establishing worlds and how many episodes, if any, to include.
Sterling Anderson, Kyle Killen, Jorge Zamacona
Moderated by Monte Williams
Agents
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
This is the panel to get the answers to all of your questions about finding and working with an agent. At one point do you need one? What if your co-writer has a different agent? If agents don’t accept unsolicited material, how can you get them to solicit your script?
Rebecca Ewing, Jeff Gorin
Moderated by Barry Josephson
10:45am-12:00pm
Outlines, Treatments and Log Lines
(Semi-Finalists and Above Only)
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
How do you write a succinct and effective outline? How much information do potential buyers want in the treatment? A discussion on writing strong and engaging pitches for your story that will guarantee producers asking to read your script.
Martina Broner, Michael Elliot, Chris Huntley
Moderated by Drew Yanno
The Business of Writing for Television
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
A conversation on the changing landscape of television. How do spec pilots become successful primetime TV shows? Discuss with an agent, manager, producer and the writers the business of television. And how to get your foot in the door.
Bryan Brucks, Noah Hawley, Pamela Ribon, Tiffany Ward
Moderated by Stuart Kelban
2:15pm-3:30pm
Managers
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
This is the panel to get the answers to all of your questions about finding and working with a manager. At one point do you need one? What is their role as opposed to an agent?
Melissa Breaux, Brent Lilley
Moderated by Steven Arvanites
3:45pm-5:00pm
Short Films, Webisodes and Other Outlets to Launch Your Career
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
The popularity of short films has exploded thanks to dwindling attention spans, YouTube, and the omnipresence of mobile, small screen broadcast outlets, like cell phones. How do shorts and features differ in concept and execution? Will the cinema of the future be a hybrid of both? How can you use your short film or web series as a calling card and use it to launch your filmmaking career?
Tom Copeland, Mike Fry, Mark Potts
Moderated by Dano Johnson
SUNDAY, 10/24
11:30am-12:45pm
Making the Deal: “Slugger”
(Semi-Finalists and Above Only)
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Club
Making the deal, the development process and how all the elements work together. A case study of the relationship between the writer, the agent and the producer on “Slugger,” winner of the Adult/Family Screenplay Competition category of the 2007 AFF.
Richard Bever, Jimmy Miller, Gayla Nethercott
Moderated by Warren Etheredge
Writing for Kids
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
Whether writing for young children, teens, or the whole family, conceiving a quality script is a challenge. It has to be (somewhat) innocent, topical, entertaining and interesting. Writing for teens or the whole family can also be a great and lucrative way to start – or re-start – your career.
Todd Berger, Rita Hsiao, Pamela Ribon
Moderated by Alison Macor
Making the Deal: “The Matarese Circle”
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Making the deal, the development process and how all the elements work together. A case study of the relationship between the writers, the agent, and the producer.
Michael Brandt, Derek Haas, Jeff Gorin, Mark Vahradian
Moderated by Steven Arvanites
Writers Agreements: What to Keep In, What to Take Out
(Second Rounders and Above Only)
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Attorneys working in entertainment provide an overview of screenwriters’ agreements - advice on securing the best deal, avoiding common mistakes, and what a Writers Guild agreement has to offer.
Lise Anderson, Esq., Deena Kalai, Esq.
1:15pm-2:30pm
Roundtable: Executives & Producers
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the craft and business of screenwriting and film making. This session offers registrants exclusive access to executives and producers in an informal setting.
Joyce San Pedro, Matt Summers, Richard Bever, Rick Dugdale, Lisa Fragner, Angela Lee, Maggie Biggar, Franklin Leonard
3:00pm-4:15pm
Inside the Writers Room
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
What goes on inside a television shows’ writers room? What’s the schedule, the writing process as a team, and most important, how do you get break in?
Jen Grisanti, Jennifer Salt, Jorge Zamacona
Moderated by Monte Williams
Seeking Inspiration and Conversations on the Creative Process?
Okay, so maybe you don't have aspirations of one day writing or directing your film. Perhaps you aren't trying to navigate the relationship between agent, manager and attorney. Aren't feeling hobbled by your second act or trying to find a distributor for your film.
Just love the creative process? Love to be inspired by people - artists, in particular - talking about how they do what they do?
Well, we've got the perfect Conference schedule for you. Bring a note pad and pen or just listen to the passionate conversations that unfold.
THURSDAY, 10/21
12:00pm-12:30pm
Opening Remarks
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
The Austin Film Festival welcomes you to its 17th year of panels, films, parties and conversation. Find out about this year’s special events, last-minute additions and special guests.
1:00pm-2:15pm
A Conversation with Randall Wallace
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with Academy Award©-nominated writer/director Randall Wallace, whose credits include “Pearl Harbor,” “We Were Soldiers,” “The Man in the Iron Mask,” and the Academy Award©-winner “Braveheart.”
2:45pm-4:00pm
Visual Storytelling
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
A discussion on conveying character, conflict and tension in your script without dialogue or voice over.
John August, John Lee Hancock, Randall Wallace
Moderated by H.W. Brands
A Conversation with Edward Burns
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Join a conversation with actor/writer/director Edward Burns. Burns’ filmmaking credits include “The Brothers McMullen,” “She’s the One,” “Sidewalks of New York,” “The Lynch Pin,” and his most recent project, “Nice Guy Johnny.”
Moderated by James Faust
FRIDAY, 10/22
8:30am-10:15am
Script-to-Screen: “Big Fish” with John August
Extended length panel: 8:30am-10:15am
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
With script in hand and film clips on the wall, prolific screenwriter John August will dissect his critically acclaimed screenplay “Big Fish,” discussing what worked, what didn't, what needed to be changed for film production and why. This case study of the script-to-screen process for a celebrated film will contain information that screenwriters and filmmakers can apply to their own works.
9:00am-10:15am
Writing RX
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Have you lost momentum with your story? Are you spending more time re-writing and thinking of character names and titles than writing? Is the structure dictating your story to the extent that it’s lost its heart? Struggling to remember that you're a writer while holding down your day job? How to get your story and script back on track.
Jeff Lowell, Malcolm Spellman, Tim Talbott, John Turman
A Conversation with John Lee Hancock
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with writer/director John Lee Hancock, who scripted the Clint Eastwood-directed “A Perfect World,” and re-teamed with Eastwood for the screen version of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” adapting the best-selling book by John Berendt. Hancock wrote and directed “The Alamo” and directed “The Rookie,” produced the film “My Dog Skip” with Mark Johnson and, most recently, wrote and directed “The Blindside.”
10:45am-12:00pm
A Conversation with James V. Hart
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with writer James V. Hart, creator of “Hook,” “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” “Contact,” “Tuck Everlasting,” “Muppets Treasure Island,” and “Sahara.” Most recently, Hart has received screenwriting credit for “The Last Mimzy” and “August Rush.”
Writers/Directors
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
The professionally hyphened play a challenging game: one has twice as much responsibility and twice as much at stake. A discussion on the pros and cons of doing it all: how to make your dream film without losing your perspective.
Shane Black, John Lee Hancock, Alex Smith, Randall Wallace
Moderated by Drew Yanno
1:45pm-3:00pm
Script-to-Screen: “The Big Easy” with Daniel Petrie, Jr.
Extended length panel: 1:45pm-3:45pm
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
With script in hand and film clips on the wall, screenwriter Daniel Petrie, Jr., will dissect his lauded crime noir thriller about police corruption and New Orleans violence. And how many of us wish we had the chance for do-overs? Dan was granted that once in a lifetime opportunity to write the script for the upcoming remake of “The Big Easy” and he’ll also talk about changes he made and the remaking/updating process.
A Conversation with Phil Rosenthal
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
A handful of writers have created an enduring cultural experience through story telling. We are all the lucky recipients of their work. How does one manage the path once a little success is achieved. What is it like to develop and maintain a popular show for 9 years? Was it a smooth ride? Join a conversation with writer/producer Phil Rosenthal, creator of the hit TV series “Everybody Loves Raymond." Phil is a published author ("You're Lucky You're Funny: How Life Becomes a Sitcom"), a film writer/director, an actor, an acknowledged "foodie" and a lover of stories. We are hosting the World Premier of his feature film directorial debut, “Exporting Raymond,” which is the incredibly funny true story of the attempt to convert “Everybody Loves Raymond” into a Russian sitcom.
Moderated by James Faust
3:15pm-4:30pm
Film Critics and the Industry
Alamo Ritz
Print film critics have recently been in the spotlight, criticized for being out of touch with the majority of filmgoers. What purpose are film reviews serving now? Who's reading them and how are they using them? And with more movie critics driven to the internet, what does this change for the audience? More importantly, what is the impact on the film and the filmmakers? Film critics from print and blogs address these questions and others.
David Denby, The New Yorker; Neil Miller, filmschoolrejects.com; Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times; Scott Weinberg, Cinematical/Moviefone and FEARnet; Chase Whale, gordonandthewhale.com
Moderated by Charles Ealy, Austin American-Statesman
SATURDAY, 10/23
9:00am-10:15am
Pixar Story Development Process
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Pixar Animation Studio's development process is unique in the industry. Michael Arndt will talk about the rewards of this approach from a writer's perspective, and Development Execs Mary Coleman and Emily Zulauf will show examples of how support for original ideas, inspiring field trips, and the intense "brain trust" feedback process combine to create memorable stories.
A Conversation with David Peoples
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Join a conversation with Distinguished Screenwriter Awardee David Peoples, whose screenwriting credits include the visionary “Blade Runner,” Academy Award© winner “Unforgiven,” “Twelve Monkeys,” “Hero,” “Soldier,” “The Blood of Heroes,” and the Academy Award©-nominated documentary “The Day After Trinity,” among others.
Moderated by Kenneth Turan
10:45am-12:00pm
“Toy Story 3”: How 4 Years of Creative Agony Became 93 Minutes of Movie Fun
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Screenwriter Michael Arndt traces the evolution of “Toy Story 3”'s script, from the first treatment in 2006 to the final film of 2010. Using clips from the film's early reels, he details all the blunders, missteps, blind alleys, and mistakes he and his fellow writers made in the course of the script's development, and presents clips from the finished film to show how those missteps were eventually overcome and corrected.
LUNA Panel: Telling Women’s Stories through Film
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Women filmmakers who choose to tell women’s stories through film. This panel is sponsored by LUNA.
Maggie Biggar, Diane Drake, Jennifer Salt
Moderated by Alison Macor
2:15pm-3:30pm
A Conversation with Allan Loeb
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with Allan Loeb, whose screenwriting credits include “Things We Lost in the Fire,” “21,” “The Switch,” “Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps,” the upcoming Adam Sandler comedy Just Go With It and the Ron Howard-directed “The Dilemma.” He is also in pre-preproduction on the remake of “Escape from New York,” the Adam Shankman directed musical “Rock of Ages,” and the Ryan Reynolds comedy “Boy Named Sue.”
Moderated by Warren Etheredge
3:45pm-5:00pm
A Conversation with David Simon
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Join a conversation with Outstanding Television Writer Awardee David Simon, creator of HBO’s “The Wire” and “Treme”, whose credits also include “Homicide: Life on the Street”, the mini-series “The Corner” and “Generation Kill”.
Moderated by Robert Draper
SUNDAY, 10/24
11:30am-12:45pm
The Art of Storytelling with the 2010 Awardees
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
A conversation with the 2010 AFF Award recipients Robert Rodriguez, David Peoples, and David Simon about their experiences in bringing rich characters and great stories to the screen.
Moderated by Jake Silverstein
1:15pm-2:30pm
Music and Sound in Film
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
A conversation on how to direct story and guide emotion in film through the use of music and sound. The panel will include examples and discuss how music has been effectively used in film and talk about its potential in the future, with new digital technology becoming more easily accessible and affordable.
Tom Hammond, Graham Reynolds, Neil Truglio
A Conversation with Jon Lucas and Scott Moore
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Join a conversation with writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, screenwriters of “The Hangover,” “Four Christmases,” and “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.”
Moderated by Daniel Petrie, Jr.
A Conversation with Jennifer Salt
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with actress/screenwriter Jennifer Salt, co-creator of “Eat Pray Love” and currently developing a script based on Rachel DeWoskin’s book, “Foreign Babes in Beijing,” as well as adapting Laura Moriarty’s novel “While I’m Falling” as a motion picture.
Moderated by Warren Etheredge
3:00pm-4:15pm
A Conversation with Simon Kinberg
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with writer/director Simon Kinberg, creator of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Jumper” and “Sherlock Holmes.” Currently, Kinberg is writing/producing “This Means War,” writing “Spy vs Spy,” co-writing a script for J.J. Abrams and producing “X-Men: First Class.”
Moderated by Fred Strype
Just love the creative process? Love to be inspired by people - artists, in particular - talking about how they do what they do?
Well, we've got the perfect Conference schedule for you. Bring a note pad and pen or just listen to the passionate conversations that unfold.
THURSDAY, 10/21
12:00pm-12:30pm
Opening Remarks
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
The Austin Film Festival welcomes you to its 17th year of panels, films, parties and conversation. Find out about this year’s special events, last-minute additions and special guests.
1:00pm-2:15pm
A Conversation with Randall Wallace
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with Academy Award©-nominated writer/director Randall Wallace, whose credits include “Pearl Harbor,” “We Were Soldiers,” “The Man in the Iron Mask,” and the Academy Award©-winner “Braveheart.”
2:45pm-4:00pm
Visual Storytelling
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
A discussion on conveying character, conflict and tension in your script without dialogue or voice over.
John August, John Lee Hancock, Randall Wallace
Moderated by H.W. Brands
A Conversation with Edward Burns
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Join a conversation with actor/writer/director Edward Burns. Burns’ filmmaking credits include “The Brothers McMullen,” “She’s the One,” “Sidewalks of New York,” “The Lynch Pin,” and his most recent project, “Nice Guy Johnny.”
Moderated by James Faust
FRIDAY, 10/22
8:30am-10:15am
Script-to-Screen: “Big Fish” with John August
Extended length panel: 8:30am-10:15am
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
With script in hand and film clips on the wall, prolific screenwriter John August will dissect his critically acclaimed screenplay “Big Fish,” discussing what worked, what didn't, what needed to be changed for film production and why. This case study of the script-to-screen process for a celebrated film will contain information that screenwriters and filmmakers can apply to their own works.
9:00am-10:15am
Writing RX
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Have you lost momentum with your story? Are you spending more time re-writing and thinking of character names and titles than writing? Is the structure dictating your story to the extent that it’s lost its heart? Struggling to remember that you're a writer while holding down your day job? How to get your story and script back on track.
Jeff Lowell, Malcolm Spellman, Tim Talbott, John Turman
A Conversation with John Lee Hancock
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with writer/director John Lee Hancock, who scripted the Clint Eastwood-directed “A Perfect World,” and re-teamed with Eastwood for the screen version of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” adapting the best-selling book by John Berendt. Hancock wrote and directed “The Alamo” and directed “The Rookie,” produced the film “My Dog Skip” with Mark Johnson and, most recently, wrote and directed “The Blindside.”
10:45am-12:00pm
A Conversation with James V. Hart
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with writer James V. Hart, creator of “Hook,” “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” “Contact,” “Tuck Everlasting,” “Muppets Treasure Island,” and “Sahara.” Most recently, Hart has received screenwriting credit for “The Last Mimzy” and “August Rush.”
Writers/Directors
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
The professionally hyphened play a challenging game: one has twice as much responsibility and twice as much at stake. A discussion on the pros and cons of doing it all: how to make your dream film without losing your perspective.
Shane Black, John Lee Hancock, Alex Smith, Randall Wallace
Moderated by Drew Yanno
1:45pm-3:00pm
Script-to-Screen: “The Big Easy” with Daniel Petrie, Jr.
Extended length panel: 1:45pm-3:45pm
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
With script in hand and film clips on the wall, screenwriter Daniel Petrie, Jr., will dissect his lauded crime noir thriller about police corruption and New Orleans violence. And how many of us wish we had the chance for do-overs? Dan was granted that once in a lifetime opportunity to write the script for the upcoming remake of “The Big Easy” and he’ll also talk about changes he made and the remaking/updating process.
A Conversation with Phil Rosenthal
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
A handful of writers have created an enduring cultural experience through story telling. We are all the lucky recipients of their work. How does one manage the path once a little success is achieved. What is it like to develop and maintain a popular show for 9 years? Was it a smooth ride? Join a conversation with writer/producer Phil Rosenthal, creator of the hit TV series “Everybody Loves Raymond." Phil is a published author ("You're Lucky You're Funny: How Life Becomes a Sitcom"), a film writer/director, an actor, an acknowledged "foodie" and a lover of stories. We are hosting the World Premier of his feature film directorial debut, “Exporting Raymond,” which is the incredibly funny true story of the attempt to convert “Everybody Loves Raymond” into a Russian sitcom.
Moderated by James Faust
3:15pm-4:30pm
Film Critics and the Industry
Alamo Ritz
Print film critics have recently been in the spotlight, criticized for being out of touch with the majority of filmgoers. What purpose are film reviews serving now? Who's reading them and how are they using them? And with more movie critics driven to the internet, what does this change for the audience? More importantly, what is the impact on the film and the filmmakers? Film critics from print and blogs address these questions and others.
David Denby, The New Yorker; Neil Miller, filmschoolrejects.com; Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times; Scott Weinberg, Cinematical/Moviefone and FEARnet; Chase Whale, gordonandthewhale.com
Moderated by Charles Ealy, Austin American-Statesman
SATURDAY, 10/23
9:00am-10:15am
Pixar Story Development Process
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Pixar Animation Studio's development process is unique in the industry. Michael Arndt will talk about the rewards of this approach from a writer's perspective, and Development Execs Mary Coleman and Emily Zulauf will show examples of how support for original ideas, inspiring field trips, and the intense "brain trust" feedback process combine to create memorable stories.
A Conversation with David Peoples
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Join a conversation with Distinguished Screenwriter Awardee David Peoples, whose screenwriting credits include the visionary “Blade Runner,” Academy Award© winner “Unforgiven,” “Twelve Monkeys,” “Hero,” “Soldier,” “The Blood of Heroes,” and the Academy Award©-nominated documentary “The Day After Trinity,” among others.
Moderated by Kenneth Turan
10:45am-12:00pm
“Toy Story 3”: How 4 Years of Creative Agony Became 93 Minutes of Movie Fun
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Screenwriter Michael Arndt traces the evolution of “Toy Story 3”'s script, from the first treatment in 2006 to the final film of 2010. Using clips from the film's early reels, he details all the blunders, missteps, blind alleys, and mistakes he and his fellow writers made in the course of the script's development, and presents clips from the finished film to show how those missteps were eventually overcome and corrected.
LUNA Panel: Telling Women’s Stories through Film
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Women filmmakers who choose to tell women’s stories through film. This panel is sponsored by LUNA.
Maggie Biggar, Diane Drake, Jennifer Salt
Moderated by Alison Macor
2:15pm-3:30pm
A Conversation with Allan Loeb
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with Allan Loeb, whose screenwriting credits include “Things We Lost in the Fire,” “21,” “The Switch,” “Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps,” the upcoming Adam Sandler comedy Just Go With It and the Ron Howard-directed “The Dilemma.” He is also in pre-preproduction on the remake of “Escape from New York,” the Adam Shankman directed musical “Rock of Ages,” and the Ryan Reynolds comedy “Boy Named Sue.”
Moderated by Warren Etheredge
3:45pm-5:00pm
A Conversation with David Simon
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Join a conversation with Outstanding Television Writer Awardee David Simon, creator of HBO’s “The Wire” and “Treme”, whose credits also include “Homicide: Life on the Street”, the mini-series “The Corner” and “Generation Kill”.
Moderated by Robert Draper
SUNDAY, 10/24
11:30am-12:45pm
The Art of Storytelling with the 2010 Awardees
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
A conversation with the 2010 AFF Award recipients Robert Rodriguez, David Peoples, and David Simon about their experiences in bringing rich characters and great stories to the screen.
Moderated by Jake Silverstein
1:15pm-2:30pm
Music and Sound in Film
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
A conversation on how to direct story and guide emotion in film through the use of music and sound. The panel will include examples and discuss how music has been effectively used in film and talk about its potential in the future, with new digital technology becoming more easily accessible and affordable.
Tom Hammond, Graham Reynolds, Neil Truglio
A Conversation with Jon Lucas and Scott Moore
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Join a conversation with writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, screenwriters of “The Hangover,” “Four Christmases,” and “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.”
Moderated by Daniel Petrie, Jr.
A Conversation with Jennifer Salt
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with actress/screenwriter Jennifer Salt, co-creator of “Eat Pray Love” and currently developing a script based on Rachel DeWoskin’s book, “Foreign Babes in Beijing,” as well as adapting Laura Moriarty’s novel “While I’m Falling” as a motion picture.
Moderated by Warren Etheredge
3:00pm-4:15pm
A Conversation with Simon Kinberg
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with writer/director Simon Kinberg, creator of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Jumper” and “Sherlock Holmes.” Currently, Kinberg is writing/producing “This Means War,” writing “Spy vs Spy,” co-writing a script for J.J. Abrams and producing “X-Men: First Class.”
Moderated by Fred Strype
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Don't Just Look Like a Filmmaker, Be One!
Talk with the pros about how to put together a proposal that will secure backing for your film. Learn how to face the challenges of putting together a crew that you can afford without compromising your project or ending up in a screaming match. Regardless of your budget, there are basics you want to make sure you have covered to insure that your film is not only a success, but that it gets completed at all.
No matter how far along you are in your filmmaking career, we've got a wealth of filmmaking-related panels in store for you. (Not to mention networking opportunities galore to meet distributors, agents, editors, writer/directors, music supervisors, and more.)
We've made your schedule for you. Now, all you have to do is buy your Badge and show up! Check it out:
THURSDAY, 10/21
12:00pm-12:30pm
Opening Remarks
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
The Austin Film Festival welcomes you to its 17th year of panels, films, parties and conversation. Find out about this year’s special events, last-minute additions and special guests.
1:00pm-2:15pm
A Conversation with Randall Wallace
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with Academy Award©-nominated writer/director Randall Wallace, whose credits include “Pearl Harbor,” “We Were Soldiers,” “The Man in the Iron Mask,” and the Academy Award©-winner “Braveheart.”
2:45pm-4:00pm
A Conversation with Edward Burns
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Join a conversation with actor/writer/director Edward Burns. Burns’ filmmaking credits include “The Brothers McMullen,” “She’s the One,” “Sidewalks of New York,” “The Lynch Pin,” and his most recent project, “Nice Guy Johnny.”
Moderated by James Faust
Breaking In and Staying In
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Live outside LA/NY with no plans to move anytime soon? Don’t yet have close friends at the studios? How to get a foothold in the industry – and stay there.
Gayla Nethercott, Dan Petrie, Jr., PJ Raval, Alex Smith
Moderated by Fred Strype
FRIDAY, 10/22
8:30am-10:15am
Script-to-Screen: “Big Fish” with John August
Extended length panel: 8:30am-10:15am
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
With script in hand and film clips on the wall, prolific screenwriter John August will dissect his critically acclaimed screenplay “Big Fish,” discussing what worked, what didn't, what needed to be changed for film production and why. This case study of the script-to-screen process for a celebrated film will contain information that screenwriters and filmmakers can apply to their own works.
9:00am-10:15am
A Conversation with John Lee Hancock
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
Join a conversation with writer/director John Lee Hancock, who scripted the Clint Eastwood-directed “A Perfect World,” and re-teamed with Eastwood for the screen version of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” adapting the best-selling book by John Berendt. Hancock wrote and directed “The Alamo” and directed “The Rookie,” produced the film “My Dog Skip” with Mark Johnson and, most recently, wrote and directed “The Blindside.”
10:45am-12:00pm
The Film Festival: How to Work it
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
The camera stopped rolling and the editor finished cutting but your job as a filmmaker is far from over. Get insider secrets on how to work the festival circuit, develop a marketing strategy and corresponding press kit, and what to consider when determining your best distribution options.
Todd Berger, Matt Dentler, Sarah Harris, Kelly Williams
Moderated by John Merriman
Writers/Directors
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
The professionally hyphened play a challenging game: one has twice as much responsibility and twice as much at stake. A discussion on the pros and cons of doing it all: how to make your dream film without losing your perspective.
Shane Black, John Lee Hancock, Alex Smith, Randall Wallace
Moderated by Drew Yanno
1:45pm-3:00pm
Make it Legal: What You Need to Know about Entertainment Rights
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
A discussion on issues dealing with libel, privacy, right of publicity, copyright and trademark, and how to become more aware when writing and creating films. Can you say disparaging things about real products or people? Can you use paintings, posters and photographs to decorate the sets? If you're making a documentary, what news clips can you use without paying for them? Questions like these and more will be answered. In a nutshell, what can you get sued for and how to avoid it.
Kathleen Conkey, Esq., Deena Kalai, Esq.
3:15pm-4:30pm
Film Critics and the Industry
Alamo Ritz
Print film critics have recently been in the spotlight, criticized for being out of touch with the majority of filmgoers. What purpose are film reviews serving now? Who's reading them and how are they using them? And with more movie critics driven to the internet, what does this change for the audience? More importantly, what is the impact on the film and the filmmakers? Film critics from print and blogs address these questions and others.
David Denby, The New Yorker; Neil Miller, filmschoolrejects.com; Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times; Scott Weinberg, Cinematical/Moviefone and FEARnet; Chase Whale, gordonandthewhale.com; Moderated by Charles Ealy, Austin American-Statesman
**Film Pass grants entry!!**
SATURDAY, 10/23
9:00am-10:15am
Independent Productions: The Proposal
Stephen F. Austin, Assembly Room
Talk with the pros about how to put together a proposal that will secure backing for your film.
Curtis Burch, Michael Katchman, Brent Lilley, Meta Valentic
Moderated by Dawn Wiercinksi
10:45am-12:00pm
Independent Productions: The Team
Stephen F. Austin, Assembly Room
Assembling and working with your crew on a limited budget. How to face the challenges of putting together a team that you can afford without compromising your project or ending up in a screaming match.
Marjorie Eber, Travis Fine, PJ Raval, Ezra Venetos
Moderated by Dawn Wiercinksi
2:15pm-3:30pm
The $2 or the $200,000 Film: What You Need to Know
Stephen F. Austin, Assembly Room
Anyone can get their hands on a video camera these days, but that doesn’t mean you won’t still need a budget, story boards, a schedule, and an overall plan. Not to mention a great script. Regardless of your budget, there are basics you want to make sure you have covered to insure that your film is not only a success, but that it gets completed at all.
Greg Carter, Tom Copeland, Victor Moyers, Mark Potts
Moderated by Dawn Wiercinksi
3:45pm-5:00pm
Short Films, Webisodes and Other Outlets to Launch Your Career
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
The popularity of short films has exploded thanks to dwindling attention spans, YouTube, and the omnipresence of mobile, small screen broadcast outlets, like cell phones. How do shorts and features differ in concept and execution? Will the cinema of the future be a hybrid of both? How can you use your short film or web series as a calling card and use it to launch your filmmaking career?
Tom Copeland, Mike Fry, Mark Potts
Moderated by Dano Johnson
SUNDAY, 10/24
11:30am-12:45pm
Roundtable: The Film Team
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the business of screenwriting and filmmaking. This session offers registrants exclusive access to filmmakers and crew in an informal setting.
Greg Carter, Marjorie Eber, Travis Fine, Andrew Halbreich, Michael Katchman, Victor Moyers, Mark Potts, Dominique Preyer, PJ Raval, Bob Schultz, Alma Kuttruff, Frank Reynolds, Ezra Venetos
The Art of Storytelling with the 2010 Awardees
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
A conversation with the 2010 AFF Award recipients Robert Rodriguez, David Peoples, and David Simon about their experiences in bringing rich characters and great stories to the screen.
Moderated by Jake Silverstein
1:15pm-2:30pm
Music and Sound in Film
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
A conversation on how to direct story and guide emotion in film through the use of music and sound. The panel will include examples and discuss how music has been effectively used in film and talk about its potential in the future, with new digital technology becoming more easily accessible and affordable.
Tom Hammond, Graham Reynolds, Neil Truglio
Acquisitions & Distribution
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Join a conversation on film acquisitions and distribution with Kelly Sanders, Executive Director of Truly Indie; Sarah Harris, Senior Programmer for the Dallas Film Society; journalist Anthony Kaufman, a regular contributor to Variety, the Wall Street Journal Online, indieWIRE.com, the Village Voice, and a contributing editor to Filmmaker Magazine;distributor Michael Katchman, president of Rivercoast Film Distribution; and Tim League, founder of Drafthouse Films.
3:00pm-4:15pm
Independent Productions: Editing and Post-Production
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
Get tips, tricks of the trade, insight into new technology and what do the pros wish someone had told them before their first film? Learn about keeping an eye on the budget, staying on schedule, and what blind-sided our panelists when they were starting out.
Marcus van Bavel, Parke Gregg, Ron Pippin, Frank Reynolds
Music Licensing for Film
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Since copyright terms keep getting extended, now is a good time to figure out what is legal and what is not. A discussion on licensing music for your film, including how to keep costs down - cost of the song against its value for your film, and checking out what’s in public domain - and figuring out who to contact for that perfect song.
Andrew Halbreich, Dominique Preyer
Moderated by Aadip Desai
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Want to Write for TV?
The 2010 Austin Film Festival & Conference offers an impressive program of TV-centric films and TV-focused panels, featuring a full list of television writers, directors, producers and showrunners.
Check them out!
THE FILMS!
Thursday, 10/21
EXPORTING RAYMOND - Opening Night World Premiere!
Writers often form a strange relationship with their own work and sometimes it can be hard to let it go. Follow Phil Rosenthal, creator of the hit TV series “Everybody Loves Raymond," in this incredibly funny true story of the attempt to translate “Raymond” into a Russian sitcom. A hilarious, warm and intimate journey of one man, considered an expert in his country, who travels to a land to help people that don’t seem to want his help. Lost in Moscow, lost in his mission, lost in translation, Phil tries to connect with his Russian colleagues but runs into unique characters and situations that conspire to drive him insane. The movie is a true international adventure, a genuine, “fish out of water” comedy that could only exist in real life. Director Phil Rosenthal in attendance.
Paramount Theatre, 7:00pm
Saturday, 10/23
DAVID SIMON PRESENTS… “TREME”
Outstanding Television Writer award recipient David Simon (“The Wire”) presents the uncut pilot episode of his phenomenal HBO series. Catch this one of a kind screening of Simon’s Emmy©-nominated show that follows an eclectic group of New Orleans residents as they try to rebuild their lives and city in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In the episode, titled “Do You Know What it Means?,” the neighborhood celebrates its first second-line "parade" since Katrina, reuniting many of its musicians and residents, though many more have yet to return. Simon with discuss the creation and development of the show following the screening. Creator/writer David Simon in attendance.
Alamo Ritz, 6:00pm
(Requires Film Pass or above)
EVERY DAY
Written/directed by Richard Levine
Writer Richard Levine takes inspiration from his life a television writer (Levine was a writer and producer on Nip/Tuck, among other shows) for his feature directing debut. The story of a family’s struggle to survive life’s curve-balls that ultimately bring out the best and the worst in us. Ned (played by Schreiber) is a television writer on a seedy drama created by an overbearing show runner (played perfectly by Izzard). Already struggling at work, his life is turned upside down when his wife’s sick and estranged father moves in with their family. Taking from his own life, Levine has created a very honest look at a modern American family making it through life’s everyday and sometimes unwanted challenges.
Texas Spirit Theater, 7:00pm
Sunday, 10/24
KYLE KILLEN PRESENTS… “LONE STAR”
Screening of the short-lived 20th Century Fox Television pilot followed by a discussion with Kyle Killen, show creator/writer/executive producer, about the TV industry, how it works, and how a show with so much promise - great press coverage (the cover of the NYT, no less!), great reviews, great writing, great cast - got cancelled after only 2 episodes. Creator/writer Kyle Killen in attendance.
Alamo Ritz, 1:30pm
THE PANELS!
THURSDAY, 10/21
12:00pm-12:30pm
Opening Remarks
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
The Austin Film Festival welcomes you to its 17th year of panels, films, parties and conversation. Find out about this year’s special events, last-minute additions and special guests.
1:00pm-2:15pm
2010 Nickelodeon Writer’s Symposium
(Participants have been pre-selected for this event)
Extended length panel: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Stephen F. Austin Hotel, Assembly Room
A 2-hour invitational designed to prepare applicants for submission to the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship. Participants will hear from Writing Fellowship Executive Director, Karen Kirkland on “How to Tell a Story” and will subsequently be invited to participate in an exclusive one-on-one Script Review with Nickelodeon executives.
FRIDAY, 10/22
9:00am-10:15am
Using Improv to Improve Your Script
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Improv and table reads can be incredibly useful for hearing your dialogue spoken aloud and punching up the comedy quotient. How to invigorate your script through improvisation.
Amanda Austin, Owen Egerton, Dan French, Peter Murrieta, Chuck Sklar
1:45pm-3:00pm
A Conversation with Phil Rosenthal
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
A handful of writers have created an enduring cultural experience through story telling. We are all the lucky recipients of their work. How does one manage the path once a little success is achieved. What is it like to develop and maintain a popular show for 9 years? Was it a smooth ride? Join a conversation with writer/producer Phil Rosenthal, creator of the hit TV series “Everybody Loves Raymond." Phil is a published author ("You're Lucky You're Funny: How Life Becomes a Sitcom"), a film writer/director, an actor, an acknowledged "foodie" and a lover of stories. We are hosting the World Premier of his feature film directorial debut, “Exporting Raymond,” which is the incredibly funny true story of the attempt to convert “Everybody Loves Raymond” into a Russian sitcom.
Moderated by James Faust
3:15pm-4:30pm
The Teleplay
(2nd Rounders and Above)
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Club
Get in-depth answers to all of your questions about writing a teleplay - from writing specs of existing shows, to writing original pilots, and what to do with it once you have it.
Sterling Anderson, Jen Grisanti
Moderated by Stuart Kelban
SATURDAY, 10/23
9:00am-10:15am
Creating a TV Bible & Pilot to Get You in the Room
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
Top show creators and producers discuss what goes into creating a TV bible that will get you in the door. How much information should you include? Writing the pilot, character breakdowns, establishing worlds and how many episodes, if any, to include.
Sterling Anderson, Kyle Killen, Jorge Zamacona
Moderated by Monte Williams
10:45am-12:00pm
The Business of Writing for Television
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
A conversation on the changing landscape of television. How do spec pilots become successful primetime TV shows? Discuss with an agent, manager, producer and the writers the business of television. And how to get your foot in the door.
Bryan Brucks, Noah Hawley, Pamela Ribon, Tiffany Ward
Moderated by Stuart Kelban
3:45pm-5:00pm
The Showrunners
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
A discussion on the role of the showrunner, their effect on the direction of a show, and how they put together and work with their writing team.
David Boxerbaum, Noah Hawley, Peter Murrieta
Moderated by Andy Langer
A Conversation with David Simon
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Join a conversation with Outstanding Television Writer Awardee David Simon, creator of HBO’s “The Wire” and “Treme”, whose credits also include “Homicide: Life on the Street”, the mini-series “The Corner” and “Generation Kill”.
Moderated by Robert Draper
SUNDAY, 10/24
3:00pm-4:15pm
Inside the Writers Room
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
What goes on inside a television shows’ writers room? What’s the schedule, the writing process as a team, and most important, how do you get break in?
Jen Grisanti, Jennifer Salt, Jorge Zamacona
Moderated by Monte Williams
Television Writers, Directors, Producers and Showrunners at AFF 2010
Sterling Anderson – writer “Medium,” “The Unit”
Barry Blaustein – director Peep World, writer “Saturday Night Live”
Larry Doyle – screenwriter “The Simpsons,” “Beavis and Butt-Head,” author Go, Mutants
Jay Wade Edwards – television producer and editor “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”
Dan French – screenwriter “The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” “Dennis Miller,” “The Best Damn Sports Show Period,” “Wanda Sykes”
Jen Grisanti – writing instructor for NBC’s Writers on the Verge, author, Story Line: Finding Gold In Your Life Story
Noah Hawley – creator/writer/executive producer “My Generation,” writer/executive producer “The Unusuals,” writer/co-producer “Bones”
Pat Hazell – writer “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “My Life In 3D,” “Showtime’s Aspen Comedy Special,” “Seinfeld”
Barry Josephson – Josephson Entertainment, AFF board member, producer of "Bones"
Jeff Lowell – screenwriter "Just Shoot Me," "Spin City," "The Drew Carey Show"
Peter Murrieta – showrunner and Emmy Award-winning creator of "Wizards of Waverly Place,” "Hope and Faith," "Greetings from Tucson"
Nancy Pimental – writer “South Park”
Pamela Ribon – writer “Samantha Who,” “Romantically Challenged,” “Mind of Mencia,” 2001 AFF Finalist for the Sitcom Category
Philip Rosenthal – writer/director Exporting Raymond, creator/executive producer “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Coach,” “Down the Shore”
Jennifer Salt – “Nip/Tuck”
Chuck Sklar – screenwriter “The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “Politically Incorrect,” “The Chris Rock Show”
Tim Talbott – writer “South Park”
Tiffany Ward – TV Agent, Creative Artists Agency
Jorge Zamacona – creator/writer “Wanted,” “10-8: Officers on Duty,” writer “Homicide: Life on the Street,” consulting producer/writer on ABC’s “The Unusuals,” writing/ producing “Outlaw”
Monday, October 11, 2010
Conference Interns' Festival Picks!
We asked the Conference interns, Ben and Caitlin, to each put together a "how would you do the Festival (if you weren't going to be run ragged working the whole time) schedule." Here they are!
BEN
I’m a student at University of Texas, majoring in Radio-Television-Film. In my spare time I intern at Austin Film Festival and play bass in a band. In preparation for the upcoming Austin Film Festival, I have been mulling over which events would be the most fascinating to me. I’ve decided if I were to invest in anything, it would be a Conference Badge, which gets you into all panels and film screenings, and a handful of parties.
As far as panels go, on the top of my list would be Script-to-Screen: “Big Fish” with John August, where you get to analyze film clips from the movie with the screenwriter himself. The panel on Pixar Story Development Process should also be intriguing, considering their stellar reputation. The Craft of Screenwriting panels on both Comedy and Horror, which feature screenwriters who have written classics in their respective genres, seems interesting. Heroes and Villains, a panel on memorable characters from both sides of the moral spectrum, will be a great analysis of what makes characters stand the test of time.
Of course this is a film festival, and there are some films I am extremely interested in viewing. “Make Believe,” is a documentary following six junior magicians, which was produced by the same team as “King of Kong.” As a musician, I am intrigued by “Echotone,” a film that follows rising Austin musicians and how they make their living in the ‘Live Music Capital of the World.’ “Sons of Perdition” is a documentary on young people, who were raised within the walls of a cult, venturing out into the real world. I’ve heard good things about it and intend to investigate.
While the Conference badge does not get me into all the parties, the ones it does get me into are supposed to be well worth my time. The Pitch Finale Party, the Conference Wrap Party, and The Paramount Film Party are supposed to be great, and screenwriter Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) will host the Conference Wrap Party. It should be a busy week.
CAITLIN
I am currently a fifth year, senior majoring in public relations at The University of Texas. I transferred from Emerson College in Boston where I played basketball and started my college career with musical theatre. I am an avid football and sports fan, ride horses competitively and love all film and music related topics (except horror films!)
If I had disposable income for the Festival and were to buy a badge, I’d say I’d most likely buy the Conference or Weekend badges. If I had a need to network and socialize more, there’s no doubt I’d buy the Producers badge, but as a mere student, this time may come later.
As a person with friends devoted to the film industry, I’ve grown to appreciate the process and work that goes into every detail. Based on that and my general love for film like any normal theatre-goer, I’d attend the following screenings: Brother’s Justice, New Low, Echotone, It’s Whatever, 127 Hours, Black Swan, Blue Valentine, I Love You, Phillip Morris, Peep World, and some compiled shorts.
And the following panels: “Script-to-Screen: Big Fish,” “The Black List,” “Film Critics and The Industry,” “Pixar Story Development Process,” and “Toy Story 3”: How 4 Years of Creative Agony Became 93 Minutes of Movie Fun.”
If you see Ben or Caitlin during the Conference, please be sure to thank them - they've done a tremendous amount of work to help put this together.
BEN
I’m a student at University of Texas, majoring in Radio-Television-Film. In my spare time I intern at Austin Film Festival and play bass in a band. In preparation for the upcoming Austin Film Festival, I have been mulling over which events would be the most fascinating to me. I’ve decided if I were to invest in anything, it would be a Conference Badge, which gets you into all panels and film screenings, and a handful of parties.
As far as panels go, on the top of my list would be Script-to-Screen: “Big Fish” with John August, where you get to analyze film clips from the movie with the screenwriter himself. The panel on Pixar Story Development Process should also be intriguing, considering their stellar reputation. The Craft of Screenwriting panels on both Comedy and Horror, which feature screenwriters who have written classics in their respective genres, seems interesting. Heroes and Villains, a panel on memorable characters from both sides of the moral spectrum, will be a great analysis of what makes characters stand the test of time.
Of course this is a film festival, and there are some films I am extremely interested in viewing. “Make Believe,” is a documentary following six junior magicians, which was produced by the same team as “King of Kong.” As a musician, I am intrigued by “Echotone,” a film that follows rising Austin musicians and how they make their living in the ‘Live Music Capital of the World.’ “Sons of Perdition” is a documentary on young people, who were raised within the walls of a cult, venturing out into the real world. I’ve heard good things about it and intend to investigate.
While the Conference badge does not get me into all the parties, the ones it does get me into are supposed to be well worth my time. The Pitch Finale Party, the Conference Wrap Party, and The Paramount Film Party are supposed to be great, and screenwriter Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) will host the Conference Wrap Party. It should be a busy week.
CAITLIN
I am currently a fifth year, senior majoring in public relations at The University of Texas. I transferred from Emerson College in Boston where I played basketball and started my college career with musical theatre. I am an avid football and sports fan, ride horses competitively and love all film and music related topics (except horror films!)
If I had disposable income for the Festival and were to buy a badge, I’d say I’d most likely buy the Conference or Weekend badges. If I had a need to network and socialize more, there’s no doubt I’d buy the Producers badge, but as a mere student, this time may come later.
As a person with friends devoted to the film industry, I’ve grown to appreciate the process and work that goes into every detail. Based on that and my general love for film like any normal theatre-goer, I’d attend the following screenings: Brother’s Justice, New Low, Echotone, It’s Whatever, 127 Hours, Black Swan, Blue Valentine, I Love You, Phillip Morris, Peep World, and some compiled shorts.
And the following panels: “Script-to-Screen: Big Fish,” “The Black List,” “Film Critics and The Industry,” “Pixar Story Development Process,” and “Toy Story 3”: How 4 Years of Creative Agony Became 93 Minutes of Movie Fun.”
If you see Ben or Caitlin during the Conference, please be sure to thank them - they've done a tremendous amount of work to help put this together.
Saturday, October 09, 2010
AFF Film Program Director Kelly Williams' Panel Picks
Here are my top five conference panel picks. These are the panels I would attend if I didn’t work here...
Using Improv to Improve Your Script
Stephen F. Austin, Ballroom
Friday, 10/22
Improv and table reads can be incredibly useful for hearing your dialogue spoken aloud and punching up the comedy quotient. How to invigorate your script through improvisation.
Amanda Austin, Owen Egerton, Dan French, Peter Murrieta, Chuck Sklar
Script-to-Screen: THE BIG EASY with Daniel Petrie, Jr.
Friday, 10/22
Extended length panel: 1:45pm-3:45pm
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
With script in hand and film clips on the wall, screenwriter Daniel Petrie, Jr., will dissect his lauded crime noir thriller about police corruption and New Orleans violence. And how many of us wish we had the chance for do-overs? Dan was granted that once in a lifetime opportunity to write the script for the upcoming remake of THE BIG EASY and he’ll also talk about changes he made and the remaking/updating process.
Film Critics and the Industry
Alamo Ritz - Friday, 10/22
Print film critics have recently been in the spotlight, criticized for being out of touch with the majority of filmgoers. What purpose are film reviews serving now? Who's reading them and how are they using them? And with more movie critics driven to the internet, what does this change for the audience? More importantly, what is the impact on the film and the filmmakers? Film critics from print and blogs address these questions and others.
David Denby, The New Yorker; Neil Miller, filmschoolrejects.com; Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times; Scott Weinberg, Cinematical/Moviefone and FEARnet; Chase Whale, gordonandthewhale.com
Moderated by Charles Ealy, Austin American-Statesman
The $2 or the $200,000 Film: What You Need to Know
Stephen F. Austin, Assembly Room – Saturday, 10/23
Anyone can get their hands on a video camera these days, but that doesn’t mean you won’t still need a budget, story boards, a schedule, and an overall plan. Not to mention a great script. Regardless of your budget, there are basics you want to make sure you have covered to insure that your film is not only a success, but that it gets completed at all.
Greg Carter, Tom Copeland, Victor Moyers, Mark Potts
Moderated by Dawn Wiercinksi
A Conversation with Jon Lucas and Scott Moore
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom – Sunday, 10/24
Join a conversation with writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, screenwriters of THE HANGOVER, FOUR CHRISTMASES, and GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST
Moderated by Daniel Petrie, Jr.
What's on your schedule? The full line-up is here.
Kelly Williams has been involved with the Austin Film Festival since 2001. In 2004, he became the Film Program Director at the Austin Film Festival where he programs features and shorts as well as oversees the full scope of the festival’s programming. He was awarded the International Film Festival Summit Excellence Award for his "significant contribution to the success of the festival" in 2007. He has produced numerous award-winning short films, including the Student Academy Award nominee Perils in Nude Modeling, and also wrote and directed the short film Richard and the doc short Sid Smith for Congress. He is an active member of the Austin Media Arts Council. Williams attended the writing program at the Second City in Chicago and is also a graduate of the film program at the University of Texas at Austin.
Friday, October 08, 2010
Music Related Films and Panels at AFF
THE FILMS
Echotone
Run time: 88 min. | USA
Directed by Nathan Christ (Austin filmmaker)
Featuring: The Apeshits, Belaire, The Black Angels, Dana Falconberry,
The Octopus Project, The Pity Party, Sound Team, Sunset,
Ghostland Observatory, Ume, The White White Lights, Black Joe Lewis
Internationally known as ‘The Live Music Capital of the World,’ Austin’s music culture has led it to become one of the world’s most sought-after destinations. As nearly two dozen high-rise buildings pop up throughout the city amidst economic downfall, how does the working musician get along? Following artists like rising star soul revivalist Black Joe Lewis (who is selling out concert halls by night and delivering fish by day), the film interweaves the tales of young artists to form a mosaic illustrating the universal struggle many contemporary fringe cultures are experiencing. Directed by AFF Alum Nathan Christ and beautifully photographed by Robert Garza, Echotone is a cultural portrait of the modern American city examined through the lyrics and lens of its creative class.
Screenings:
1:00 PM Sat, Oct 23 Alamo Ritz 2
10:00 PM Tue, Oct 26 Texas Spirit Theater
Rubble Kings
Run time: 75 min. | USA
Directed by Shan Nicholson
Institutional change comes in many forms. Rubble Kings, directed by AFF alum Nicholson, documents the courageous movements that combated the widespread gang scene in New York during the late sixties and early seventies and provided the inspiration for Walter Hill’s cult classic The Warriors. Outside of the civil rights movement, people fought for their rights in the street. From the eventual end of these violent times came the birth of a new cultural movement, hip-hop. Nicholson delicately documents a world-changing era that spread a beat from the streets of New York around the globe and brought the city out of an era of gang violence.
Screenings:
8:15 PM Sat, Oct 23 Rollins Theatre
10:00 PM Mon, Oct 25 Alamo Lake Creek
Rainbow’s End
Run time: 93 min. | USA
Directed by Eric Hueber (Austin filmmaker)
A documentary feature that feels like a narrative, Rainbows End is all adventure, albeit humorously so. In their bus, “Green Hell,” a gaggle of East Texan natives set out on a journey to California to achieve their dreams! Country Willie is a talented musician who is invited to record with the Legendary Stardust Cowboy in San Jose. This prompts the group’s ramshackle journey. The group includes “austintatious” Audrey Dean, Brian “Birdman” Birdwell, a cock-fighting entrepreneur who wants to expand his business, and Peter Guzzino, a high school valedictorian who is more character than musical talent. This somewhat chaotic journey has a bittersweet ending that brings out the voyager in all of us.
Screenings:
5:15 PM Sat, Oct 23 Convention Center
10:00 PM Wed, Oct 27 Texas Spirit Theater
Dig
Run time: 80 min. | USA
Written and Directed by Stephen Belyeu (Austin filmmaker)
Music by the Austin-based band Hotel, Hotel
Set against the backdrop of rural South Texas, Dig is the story of a young man’s search for answers following the untimely death of his father. Returning to his small hometown, Mike finds himself once again rooted in his surroundings. Numb to his father’s passing, Mike is left with only his grandparents and the desolate countryside of his youth for solace. Here, he hopes time will begin to heal the pain of his recent loss, however, something seems to linger in the back of Mike’s mind. Upon returning, Mike is inevitably forced to come face to face with a secret he ran away from three years ago; a secret he has carried with him all these years. Now, with his return, pieces of a new puzzle begin to rise to the surface, and Mike unknowingly embarks on a journey for answers. Pushed to his limit, Mike begins to uncover the truth, one that threatens to tear at the bond of his family. There’s only one question left for Mike; is he ready to face it?
Screenings:
9:30 PM Fri, Oct 22 Convention Center
7:00 PM Mon, Oct 25 Rollins Theatre
Pickin’ & Grinnin’
Directed by Jon Gries
Run time: 106 min. | USA
There aren’t too many hit songs written about corndogs. Unfortunately, that’s what music-loving brothers, Johnny and Milo Johnson, have to do to make a living. As they begin to grow tired of playing music in small towns, being ridiculed for being losers, and playing shows in small hick towns, they hear about a sing-a-long contest in Nashville. From that setting, the film Pickin’ & Grinnin’ is born. As their Winnebago makes its way across the country, the boys learn about music and brotherhood. Writers Johnny Dowers and Garrett Mathany accurately capture the quick quips of two men who have known each other their whole lives, but find out they still don’t know everything.
Screenings:
3:45 PM Sat, Oct 23 Alamo Ritz 2
7:00 PM Wed, Oct 27 Alamo Lake Creek
Bloodworth
Run time: 105 min. | USA
Directed by Shane Dax Taylor, Written by W. Earl Brown
Starring: Dwight Yoakam - in attendance, Val Kilmer, Kris Kristofferson, W. Earl Brown, Frances Conroy
The Bloodworth family is disjointed and disgruntled. The patriarch, E. F. Bloodworth, has wandered the world forty years, after leaving behind a wife and three sons. When he finally returns to Tennessee, he finds his wife aged and his sons full of rage. Despite his sons’ stagnating development due to anger and vengeance, E. F.’s grandson treats his grandfather with respect. Fleming sees what his family has become and is determined not to let the emotion that his driven his family to bitterness and distance define him. Bloodworth, adapted by W. Earl Brown (who plays one of the three sons along with Yoakam and Kilmer), shows that no one has to be defined by limitations set by a family name and a heritage of resentment.
The Secret to a Happy Ending
Featuring The Drive-By Truckers
Run time: 101 min. | USA
Filmmaker Barr Weissman compiled footage from three years in the career of the Drive By Truckers, an alternative southern rock group that channels the emotions of the deep south into their music. The band members are as close as family; vocalist Jason Isbell and bassist Shannon Trucker are married. Patterson Hood, lead singer and songwriter, comes from a musical family. His father is David Hood, a bass player. This closeness translates into emotional performances that draw audiences in. Their pasts, troubles, and experiences on the road become intertwined in their music and in this documentary. The Drive by Truckers work tirelessly for success and musical creativity, leading to a story of not just a band, but also a true family
Screenings:
8:30 PM Sun, Oct 24 Convention Center
7:00 PM Thu, Oct 28 Alamo Lake Creek
We Are the Sea
Run time: 112 min. | USA
Written and Directed by Neil Truglio
Featuring music by Iron & Wine
Recovering from the near fatal consequences of a life in conflict, Sean and his family, uniquely vulnerable, learn who they are for each other. Quietly drifting through a seemingly aimless life, Sean cannot seem to make sense of things. As an English teacher working at the same high school he attended, Sean’s distracted and as a father, he’s mostly absent. Sean tries to find a path to redemption while moving beyond a life full of mistakes. Truglio has scored the entire film with the music of artist Sam Beam, otherwise known as Iron & Wine.
Screenings:
5:45 PM Sun, Oct 24 Convention Center
7:00 PM Thu, Oct 28 Regal Arbor
THE CONFERENCE
Sunday, 10/24
1:15pm-2:30pm
Music and Sound in Film
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
A conversation on how to direct story and guide emotion in film through the use of music and sound. The panel will include examples, discuss how music has been effectively used in film, and talk about its potential in the future, with new digital technology becoming more easily accessible and affordable.
Tom Hammond, Graham Reynolds, Neil Truglio
3:00pm-4:15pm
Music Licensing for Film
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Since copyright terms keep getting extended, now is a good time to figure out what is legal and what is not. A discussion on licensing music for your film, including how to keep costs down - cost of the song against its value for your film, and checking out what’s in public domain - and figuring out who to contact for that perfect song.
Andrew Halbreich, Dominique Preyer
Moderated by Aadip Desai
Echotone
Run time: 88 min. | USA
Directed by Nathan Christ (Austin filmmaker)
Featuring: The Apeshits, Belaire, The Black Angels, Dana Falconberry,
The Octopus Project, The Pity Party, Sound Team, Sunset,
Ghostland Observatory, Ume, The White White Lights, Black Joe Lewis
Internationally known as ‘The Live Music Capital of the World,’ Austin’s music culture has led it to become one of the world’s most sought-after destinations. As nearly two dozen high-rise buildings pop up throughout the city amidst economic downfall, how does the working musician get along? Following artists like rising star soul revivalist Black Joe Lewis (who is selling out concert halls by night and delivering fish by day), the film interweaves the tales of young artists to form a mosaic illustrating the universal struggle many contemporary fringe cultures are experiencing. Directed by AFF Alum Nathan Christ and beautifully photographed by Robert Garza, Echotone is a cultural portrait of the modern American city examined through the lyrics and lens of its creative class.
Screenings:
1:00 PM Sat, Oct 23 Alamo Ritz 2
10:00 PM Tue, Oct 26 Texas Spirit Theater
Rubble Kings
Run time: 75 min. | USA
Directed by Shan Nicholson
Institutional change comes in many forms. Rubble Kings, directed by AFF alum Nicholson, documents the courageous movements that combated the widespread gang scene in New York during the late sixties and early seventies and provided the inspiration for Walter Hill’s cult classic The Warriors. Outside of the civil rights movement, people fought for their rights in the street. From the eventual end of these violent times came the birth of a new cultural movement, hip-hop. Nicholson delicately documents a world-changing era that spread a beat from the streets of New York around the globe and brought the city out of an era of gang violence.
Screenings:
8:15 PM Sat, Oct 23 Rollins Theatre
10:00 PM Mon, Oct 25 Alamo Lake Creek
Rainbow’s End
Run time: 93 min. | USA
Directed by Eric Hueber (Austin filmmaker)
A documentary feature that feels like a narrative, Rainbows End is all adventure, albeit humorously so. In their bus, “Green Hell,” a gaggle of East Texan natives set out on a journey to California to achieve their dreams! Country Willie is a talented musician who is invited to record with the Legendary Stardust Cowboy in San Jose. This prompts the group’s ramshackle journey. The group includes “austintatious” Audrey Dean, Brian “Birdman” Birdwell, a cock-fighting entrepreneur who wants to expand his business, and Peter Guzzino, a high school valedictorian who is more character than musical talent. This somewhat chaotic journey has a bittersweet ending that brings out the voyager in all of us.
Screenings:
5:15 PM Sat, Oct 23 Convention Center
10:00 PM Wed, Oct 27 Texas Spirit Theater
Dig
Run time: 80 min. | USA
Written and Directed by Stephen Belyeu (Austin filmmaker)
Music by the Austin-based band Hotel, Hotel
Set against the backdrop of rural South Texas, Dig is the story of a young man’s search for answers following the untimely death of his father. Returning to his small hometown, Mike finds himself once again rooted in his surroundings. Numb to his father’s passing, Mike is left with only his grandparents and the desolate countryside of his youth for solace. Here, he hopes time will begin to heal the pain of his recent loss, however, something seems to linger in the back of Mike’s mind. Upon returning, Mike is inevitably forced to come face to face with a secret he ran away from three years ago; a secret he has carried with him all these years. Now, with his return, pieces of a new puzzle begin to rise to the surface, and Mike unknowingly embarks on a journey for answers. Pushed to his limit, Mike begins to uncover the truth, one that threatens to tear at the bond of his family. There’s only one question left for Mike; is he ready to face it?
Screenings:
9:30 PM Fri, Oct 22 Convention Center
7:00 PM Mon, Oct 25 Rollins Theatre
Pickin’ & Grinnin’
Directed by Jon Gries
Run time: 106 min. | USA
There aren’t too many hit songs written about corndogs. Unfortunately, that’s what music-loving brothers, Johnny and Milo Johnson, have to do to make a living. As they begin to grow tired of playing music in small towns, being ridiculed for being losers, and playing shows in small hick towns, they hear about a sing-a-long contest in Nashville. From that setting, the film Pickin’ & Grinnin’ is born. As their Winnebago makes its way across the country, the boys learn about music and brotherhood. Writers Johnny Dowers and Garrett Mathany accurately capture the quick quips of two men who have known each other their whole lives, but find out they still don’t know everything.
Screenings:
3:45 PM Sat, Oct 23 Alamo Ritz 2
7:00 PM Wed, Oct 27 Alamo Lake Creek
Bloodworth
Run time: 105 min. | USA
Directed by Shane Dax Taylor, Written by W. Earl Brown
Starring: Dwight Yoakam - in attendance, Val Kilmer, Kris Kristofferson, W. Earl Brown, Frances Conroy
The Bloodworth family is disjointed and disgruntled. The patriarch, E. F. Bloodworth, has wandered the world forty years, after leaving behind a wife and three sons. When he finally returns to Tennessee, he finds his wife aged and his sons full of rage. Despite his sons’ stagnating development due to anger and vengeance, E. F.’s grandson treats his grandfather with respect. Fleming sees what his family has become and is determined not to let the emotion that his driven his family to bitterness and distance define him. Bloodworth, adapted by W. Earl Brown (who plays one of the three sons along with Yoakam and Kilmer), shows that no one has to be defined by limitations set by a family name and a heritage of resentment.
The Secret to a Happy Ending
Featuring The Drive-By Truckers
Run time: 101 min. | USA
Filmmaker Barr Weissman compiled footage from three years in the career of the Drive By Truckers, an alternative southern rock group that channels the emotions of the deep south into their music. The band members are as close as family; vocalist Jason Isbell and bassist Shannon Trucker are married. Patterson Hood, lead singer and songwriter, comes from a musical family. His father is David Hood, a bass player. This closeness translates into emotional performances that draw audiences in. Their pasts, troubles, and experiences on the road become intertwined in their music and in this documentary. The Drive by Truckers work tirelessly for success and musical creativity, leading to a story of not just a band, but also a true family
Screenings:
8:30 PM Sun, Oct 24 Convention Center
7:00 PM Thu, Oct 28 Alamo Lake Creek
We Are the Sea
Run time: 112 min. | USA
Written and Directed by Neil Truglio
Featuring music by Iron & Wine
Recovering from the near fatal consequences of a life in conflict, Sean and his family, uniquely vulnerable, learn who they are for each other. Quietly drifting through a seemingly aimless life, Sean cannot seem to make sense of things. As an English teacher working at the same high school he attended, Sean’s distracted and as a father, he’s mostly absent. Sean tries to find a path to redemption while moving beyond a life full of mistakes. Truglio has scored the entire film with the music of artist Sam Beam, otherwise known as Iron & Wine.
Screenings:
5:45 PM Sun, Oct 24 Convention Center
7:00 PM Thu, Oct 28 Regal Arbor
THE CONFERENCE
Sunday, 10/24
1:15pm-2:30pm
Music and Sound in Film
Driskill Hotel, Hogg Room
A conversation on how to direct story and guide emotion in film through the use of music and sound. The panel will include examples, discuss how music has been effectively used in film, and talk about its potential in the future, with new digital technology becoming more easily accessible and affordable.
Tom Hammond, Graham Reynolds, Neil Truglio
3:00pm-4:15pm
Music Licensing for Film
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Since copyright terms keep getting extended, now is a good time to figure out what is legal and what is not. A discussion on licensing music for your film, including how to keep costs down - cost of the song against its value for your film, and checking out what’s in public domain - and figuring out who to contact for that perfect song.
Andrew Halbreich, Dominique Preyer
Moderated by Aadip Desai
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
A Letter from Shane Black
A LETTER FROM SHANE BLACK:
My lucky decision to check out the Austin Film Festival back in its inaugural year has rendered me a long-standing fan and (lately) an enthused board member. I've kept a date with this remarkable festival for 16-odd Octobers; and with each passing year, been ever more blissful as I packed my bags - I'd soon be in provocative, subversive and (without fail) thrilling company.
My credentials are adequate; you can see KISS KISS, BANG BANG (which I brought to AFF) or go back in time, to those first LETHAL WEAPON pictures; or skip to my first big-budget bomb, the THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT; or join the midnight-movie line for MONSTER SQUAD and THE LAST BOY SCOUT. There are a lot of stories behind these movies (and still others which languish unproduced) and AFF gives me the privilege of relating those stories, every October, to young, hungry filmmakers. I can speak to them of tricks and traps, wax poetic about structure and such, until that most wonderful of things happens: in lecturing others, I without warning blurt out something I didn't know I knew. I come to realize, through them, what I've truly learned.
My credits. Ha. I feel them dwindle as here come James L. Brooks, Lawrence Kasdan, and Jim Sheridan, brushing past me on the way to dinner at the Driskill Hotel. Simple fact is, Austin routinely features a lineup that qualifies as once-in-a-lifetime; it's a known fact in Hollywood that Austin is the festival to beat. Filmmakers go there because they WANT to. Because it's the only festival they like, or trust. Because they know they'll learn as much as the students.
I was with my buddy Terry Rossio (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, SHREK) at 3:00 a.m., coming back to our hotel. We stopped in the lobby for a snack, and a film argument broke out. Soon students gathered, and joined in. Huge writers, walking by, leaned in to briefly opine.
The audience grew. Soon the lobby was overwhelmed with students, AFF, and industry pros, all dissecting craft. This event was not scheduled. People walking by simply dropped what they were doing, and joined in.
We got to bed around 5:00.
This is the best show in town, folks. AFF walks the walk, knowledge-wise, and that's all there is to it. I have dropped what I'm currently doing to fire off this note and heartily endorse what to me is both a yearly passion and a home away from home. Barbara Morgan and the Austin staff are my extended family.
Godspeed -
Shane Black
++++++++++
Join Shane and other amazing panelists at the 17th Annual Austin Film Festival & Conference!
Register now for unparalleled access to screenwriters and filmmakers like Shane Black, David Peoples, Robert Rodriguez, David Simon, Michael Arndt, Jennifer Salt, Allan Loeb, Jon Lucas & Scott Moore, Nancy Pimental, Noah Hawley, John August, Simon Kinberg, Daniel Petrie, Jr., Michael Brandt & Derek Haas, Pamela Ribon and Diane Drake. Representatives from UTA, WME, Pixar Animation Studios, Fortis Films, Josephson Entertainment, Universal Pictures, 20th Century Fox Animation, Vox3 Films, di Bonaventura Pictures, Mosaic Media, and more.
October 21 - 28, 2010
4 days of panels.
8 nights of film.
Late night parties.
Countless networking opportunities.
And did somebody say tequila?
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Randall Wallace is Coming to Austin!
It has been too long since his last appearance and we are thrilled that Randall Wallace will be back at the Conference this year! A champion of storytelling based on the classic values of love, courage, and honor, Wallace wrote the Academy Award winner BRAVEHEART and the blockbuster PEARL HARBOR. He also wrote, directed, and produced the critically acclaimed WE WERE SOLDIERS and THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK. For his work on BRAVEHEART, he received the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay as well as Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. Wallace is also the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels and the lyricist of the acclaimed hymn Mansions of the Lord, performed as the closing music for President Ronald Reagan’s national funeral. And, in 1999, Wallace founded Wheelhouse Entertainment. The guy works non-stop.
His most recent project was directing SECRETARIAT, the life story of Penny Chenery, owner of the racehorse Secretariat, who won the Triple Crown in 1973. The film stars Diane Lane, John Malkovich and Scott Glen (who will always be URBAN COWBOY's Wes to me) and will be in theaters October 8th, so be sure to check it out!
Check out our interview with Wallace below. Buy your Badge to the Conference now and ask him your own questions in October!
AFF: What recent movies have you liked?
RW: I haven't had time to see many movies while I've been directing Secretariat, but I think that John Lee Hancock did a superb job in designing The Blind Side. The hardest I've laughed at any movie in a long time was at The Hangover. I saw Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World just the other day and thought it was fantastically creative.
AFF: How do you approach adapting a novel like Atlas Shrugged into a screenplay?
RW: It's a challenge. But I don't shrink from a challenge—and neither do the characters of Atlas Shrugged. The studio wasn't sure whether it was going to be two movies or three or maybe even a mini-series. When I signed on to write the screenplay, they already had a script of 169 pages, and it only dealt with the first half of the story! I told them "I don't want to see it or anything else anyone else has written. And it's either one movie or it's nothing." The essence of any great story is lost if it's not focused, and what was required here was my saying, "this is the narrative spine of this story."
AFF: What attracts you to tell specific stories?
RW: People ask me how I choose the stories I want to tell. The answer is simple: I look for something that will cause my heart to pound and my soul to soar. My latest movie, SECRETARIAT, which comes out October 8, has those qualities. And that makes me rejoice.
AFF: Would you please describe your writing schedule?
RW: For years I got up every weekday morning to write at the same time, usually at about 5:30am, sometimes earlier if I couldn't sleep. Now I sleep as long as I can — for 8 hours minimum — before I get up, but I still follow the same routine every morning. I get up, get dressed, and sit down at the computer. I always have a set goal for page count (no more than 5 a day for a screenplay, usually 3 or 4 if I'm not facing a deadline) that I have to hit in order to stop, and I never go over. If I feel like there's more to write once I get my 4 pages, I jot notes to myself on where I'm thinking the story might go, questions I have, etc. For me, after 4 pages I hit the point of diminishing returns, even if I'm full of thoughts. Once I'm done with my pages, then I eat breakfast and start the rest of my day. Early mornings work well for me because it's pretty much the time of day when no one is calling on the phone and there's nowhere else to be. Especially when I'm directing, the only time to write is before the day starts, because once things get rolling, it's non-stop all day long.
And questions from two registrants:
When you got your big break as a writer was it because of your agent or, did do all the foot work of marketing your writing yourself?
RW: Agents are an anomaly in this business in that the people who don't have them need them the most. I did a lot of foot work marketing myself early on — sending my manuscripts out to various publishers and facing the wall of rejection until one finally bit — and at the time I did not have an agent. But I wouldn't necessarily recommend that to someone today. At least in the film business, these days people are so afraid of getting sued that they usually won't read anything sent to them directly unless it's sent via an agency. My company is even more strict — we do not take any submissions, whether represented or not — because we develop everything in-house. My first really big break in writing for TV was because a mutual friend set me up with a meeting.
I am a college student studying the art of film through broadcasting. I have dreams of becoming a film producer/director. The directing and acting in Braveheart was amazing and very inspiring. I look forward to the release of Secretariat. I dream of becoming a film director/producer like yourself.
I do have a few questions for you from a student's standpoint. Where did you go to school? What did you major in? I went to Duke University, and majored in religion, with a minor in Russian How did you get connected into the community of filmmaking?
RW: I'd written several screenplays before I got paying work writing for TV, working for Stephen J. Cannell productions, but in all honesty, it took a long time before I felt connected to the community. I'd written and sold several screenplays before one of them was green-lit, shot, and released. Through all of that, I got to know a lot of the people in the community, and it was one of those people I met early on who ended up giving me a chance to direct.
Check out the full list of panelists here. See you in October!
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