How to do the AFF Conference by the Austin Cats!

Every fall the Austin Film Festival and Conference transforms the Texas capital into the equivalent of a screenwriter’s One Hundred Acre Wood. The elegant ballrooms of the historic downtown venues add ambiance to the learning experience like ivy adds to an eastern university’s mystique.

Enjoy your visit to the lair of local writing group, the Austin Cats! Established June 2008 from a Beat Sheet Workshop, their late mentor, Blake Snyder, believed, “A well written screenplay will sell itself!” The Austin Cats! believe what is learned during this conference may help writers improve their chance at such a success.

Fortunate to have this conference held in their backyard, the Austin Cats! welcome you to share in their experience by considering the following tips when attending.

ON ATTENDING PANELS


Billy Malamon says: If you aren’t sure who the speakers are, make friends at the conference and ask whom they recommend. Pick someone who inspires you. Pick to see someone who has written a film you haven’t seen. You may find it interesting to hear the process of how a film is written, and then see it for the first time.

Alan Barber adds: Ask specific questions so everyone listening can learn from the answer. Do not preface your question with who you are and whatever brilliant project you are working on, a sure-fire audience turn off, and time suck. The panels are not about you. Stay focused, listen, take notes, and thank the panelists for being there.

ON BEING A PANELIST


Alvaro Rodriguez affirms: Say yes. Get ready for some great conversation but don't forget to bring it back to the writing. Doors you didn't even know were there will open for you. Take advantage of the opportunity.

ON ATTENDING ROUNDTABLES


Wendy Wheeler forewarns: The Producers' roundtables get filled up fast. Find the roundtable sign up early in the a.m. and get on the list. It is set up so that you + your table get 20 minutes with each pro, then a bell rings, and you get a new person to chat up and network with!

If waiting outside the roundtable room to do stand-by, do NOT loudly complain about what presentation you're missing elsewhere -- you gambles and you takes what you gets.

Alan Barber joins: The roundtables are fantastic. Even if the person who lands at your table is not your area of focus, listen carefully and BELIEVE the answer. They are very busy professionals in the business and will shoot straight. The information you gain will be invaluable. And you will have a chance to ask a (brief and focused) question about YOUR project.

ON ATTENDING FILMS


Tamara Field cautions: People starting lining up pretty early for the movies at each theatre, especially for the popular ones, be ready to stand in line!

Alan Barber opines: The big Paramount Premieres are fun and you should go at least once. But they have distribution and you can watch them later. While you are in line, ask about the audience buzz, what films are everyone talking about? Ask people of all ages. In those little films you will find a gem and make the festival experience much more memorable.


ON MEETING FAMOUS PEOPLE


Stephanie Harrison shares: Be gracious when you meet famous attendees. Photo ops and autographs are possible. Be sincere with your intention. For example, Ron Howard signed a fan’s photo of a cast of “Happy Days.” His signature nearly completed the set. Assured that the fan would keep the picture, Mr. Howard offered to help him get the one missing signature.


ON PREPARING FOR THE PITCH CONTEST

Melody Lopez suggests: To help alleviate nerves, practice your pitch with anyone who’ll listen. Incorporate their suggestions to improve how and what you pitch. When at the conference, practice some more with fellow writers. You might be given some clever enhancements or a more snappy title. Add to your Karma by sharing your talents too. Good Luck!

Badge Discounts for Screenwriting/Filmmaking Groups and Students!

WRITERS/FILMMAKING GROUP DISCOUNTS
Our discount prices for Writers Group members are as follows. Members will need to call the office (512-478-4795) and speak with Marcie Mayhorn, Maya Perez, or Matt Dy in order to register with the discounts. Group organizer must call and register the group with the Austin Film Festival first!

*Writers Group discounts for 2011
*Writers Group discounts are not valid with any other discount or promotional price offered by the Austin Film Festival

Film Pass- $42 before Sept. 30/ $50 after (no discount)
Lonestar Badge- $95 before Sept. 30/ $110 after (no discount)
Weekend Badge- $225 (regularly $250)

Conference Badge-
Through September 30th: $300 (regularly $375)
After September 30th: $350 (regularly $375)

Producers Badge-
Through September 30th: $525 (regularly $650)
After September 30th: $585 (regularly $650)

If there are 10 or more registrants from one Writers Group, the group organizer will receive a complimentary Conference Badge which may be upgraded to a Producers Badge for $225 (by September 30th) or $235 (after September 30th).

STUDENT/SCHOOL DISCOUNTS FOR CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
For 10 students or more – the cost of a Conference Badge is $150 each.

For 15 students or more – the cost of a Conference Badge is $125 each.

Please be aware that ALL of AFF parties are 21 and up. Any students that are of age may upgrade to a Producers Badge for $235 (by September 30th) or $275 (after September 30th). The organizing faculty member will receive a complimentary Producers Badge.

All group school registrations must go through the Screenplay Competition Director, Matt Dy or the Conference Director, Maya Perez. Call 800-310-3378 to register now.

FILM COMPETITION GROUP DISCOUNT (For students and/or filmmaking groups)
4 film competition entries for $100.

Each group of 4 films must be submitted in the same package and addressed to Stephen Belyeu. This discount is valid for mail in submissions only (Cannot submit through Withoutabox). A separate entry form needs to accompany each film submitted. Students are asked to send in a copy of their school ID as well.

Call us at 1-800-310-FEST(3378) to find out about discounted hotels and airfare. For information about the events included in each registration level please visit our website at: www.austinfilmfestival.com

Refund requests for the Festival & Conference must be in writing, postmarked by July 5, 2011. All refunds will incur a $75 processing fee. After July 5, 2011, all payments are non-refundable for any reason, including, but not limited to illness, acts of God, or travel related problems. Badges are non-transferable and are the property of the Austin Film Festival, Inc. Unused registrations cannot be credited for future year’s attendance.

Confirmed 2011 Speakers! (And it's only June!)

It's only June 20th and we've already got an incredible list of screenwriters, producers, television writers, agents, development executives, directors, managers, and more on board for the 18th Annual Austin Film Festival & Conference, October 20-27.

CONFIRMED PANELISTS FOR 2011 AFF & CONFERENCE*

Award Recipients:

JOHN LASSETER – Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking
Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios; Academy Award®-winning director and executive-producer of MONSTERS, INC., FINDING NEMO, THE INCREDIBLES, RATATOUILLE, WALL-E, BOLT, UP, THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, TANGLED, and TOY STORY 3

CAROLINE THOMPSON - Distinguished Screenwriter
Screenwriter of EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, CORPSE BRIDE, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, THE SECRET GARDEN, BLACK BEAUTY, and more

HART HANSON - Outstanding Television Writer
Creator “BONES”, writer/producer on the television shows “Joan of Arcadia,” “Judging Amy,” “Snoops,” “Cupid,” “Stargate SG-1,” and “The Outer Limits”


Panelists:

Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger, writer KUNG FU PANDA 1 & 2, ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS 2 & 3, MONSTERS VS. ALIENS, “King of the Hill”
Sterling Anderson, writer “Medium,” “The Unit”
Alec Berg, “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” EUROTRIP, “Seinfeld”
Richard Bever, Chill Entertainment
Shane Black, KISS KISS, BANG BANG, LETHAL WEAPON, THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT
Katherine Brown, Blue Dog Pictures
Joseph Chianese, Senior Vice President of Taxes, Business Development, and Production Planning at Entertainment Partners
Mark Coffey, Editor
Lindsay Doran, producer STRANGER THAN FICTION, NANNY MCPHEE, NANNY MCPHEE RETURNS, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
Allison Doyle, manager, Oasis Media Group
Jason Eaton, ICE AGE 3, SPARTACUS LOBSTER, THE FACTTRACKER
Rebecca Ewing, United Talent Agency
Edward Fee, Director of Development, di Bonaventura Pictures
Lisa Fragner, Head of Feature Film Development, 20th Century Fox Animation/Blue Sky Studios, Inc.
Rodrigo Garcia, “In Treatment,” MOTHER AND CHILD
Chet Garner, “The Daytripper”
Greg Garrett, Professor of English, Baylor University
Josh Gloer, “Lockup: Extended Stay,” “Yo Momma”
Pamela Gray, writer CONVICTION, A WALK ON THE MOON, “Once and Again”
Ted Griffin, OCEAN’S ELEVEN, RUMOR HAS IT…, KILLERS, MATCHSTICK MEN
Noah Hawley, creator/writer/executive producer “My Generation,” writer/executive producer “The Unusuals,” writer/co-producer “BONES”
Buck Henry, writer THE GRADUATE, TO DIE FOR, CATCH-22
Jim Herzfeld, writer MEET THE FOCKERS, MEET THE PARENTS, TAPEHEADS, writer/producer “Married… With Children”
Rita Hsiao, TOY STORY 2, MULAN
Chris Holland, author of Film Festival Secrets: A Handbook for Independent Filmmakers, Director of Festival Relations for Slated, Inc.
Elizabeth Hunter, BEAUTY SHOP, THE FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS, “ER”
Barry Josephson, Josephson Entertainment
Laeta Kalogridis, executive producer AVATAR, writer SHUTTER ISLAND, ALEXANDER, NIGHT WATCH
Lawrence Kasdan, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, RETURN OF THE JEDI, WYATT EARP, SILVERADO, BODY HEAT, THE BIG CHILL, GRAND CANYON, THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST
Winnie Kemp, CBS Films
Kyle Killen, THE BEAVER, creator/producer “Lonestar”
Franklin Leonard, Overbrook Entertainment
Jeff Lowell, HOTEL FOR DOGS, OVER HER DEAD BODY, JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE,"Just Shoot Me," "Spin City," "The Drew Carey Show"
Maggie Malone, Director of Creative Development, Disney Animation Studios
Reeva Hunter Mandelbaum, Inspired By Productions
Craig Mazin, THE HANGOVER PART II, SCARY MOVIE 3 & 4
Tim McCanlies, director ALABAMA MOON, writer SECONDHAND LIONS, THE IRON GIANT
Brian McGreevy & Lee Shipman, screenwriter HARKER, PENDRAGON (both in development)
Mike Mitchell, director ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIP-WRECKED ’11, SHREK FOREVER AFTER, SURVIVING CHRISTMAS
Peter Murrieta, showrunner and Emmy Award-winning creator of "Wizards of Waverly Place,” "Hope and Faith," "Greetings from Tucson"
Linda O. Olszewski, Co-Head Global Acquisitions, Shorts International
Noreen O’Toole, associate producer “Castle,” “Lost”
Daniel Petrie, Jr., BEVERLY HILLS COP, THE BIG EASY, SHOOT TO KILL, writer/director “Framed”, former WGAw President
Nancy Pimental, writer “Shameless,” “South Park”, THE SWEETEST THING
Anne Rapp, writer DR. T & THE WOMEN, COOKIE’S FORTUNE
Rhett Reese, writer ZOMBIELAND, GI JOE2, DEADPOOL
Pamela Ribon, writer “Samantha Who,” “Romantically Challenged,” “Mind of Mencia”, 2001 AFF Finalist for the Sitcom Category
Scott Robbe, producer/director Feed Your Head TV
Howard A. Rodman, writer AUGUST, SAVAGE GRACE, JOE GOULD’S SECRET, Chair of the Independent Film Writers Committee and a WGAW Board Member
Alvaro Rodriguez, writer MACHETE, SHORTS, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN 3: THE HANGMAN’S DAUGHTER, ALLIED FORCES
Terry Rossio, co-writer SHREK, DÉJÀ VU, THE MASK OF ZORRO, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN franchise
Joyce San Pedro, Creative Executive for Alex Siskin and with Escape Artists at Sony
Alex Smith, producer DANCE WITH THE ONE, co-writer/director THE SLAUGHTER RULER, SON OF THE GUN
Malcolm Spellman, writer FAMILY WEDDING, SOUL TRAIN, JOHNSON FAMILY VACATION 2, BALLS OUT (as The Robotard 8000 with Tim Talbott - 2009 Black List)
Dana Stevens, writer “What About Brian,” LIFE OR SOMETHING LIKE IT, FOR LOVE OF THE GAME, CITY OF ANGELS, BLINK
Fred Strype, producer/co-director web series "Socially Active", Professor / Chair, Screenwriting, Filmmaking/New Media Arts Program, Sarah Lawrence College
Matt Summers, Vice President of Film Development & Production, 821 Entertainment
Amy Talkington, VALLEY GIRL ‘12, PRIVATE BENJAMIN ‘12, NIGHT OF THE WHITE PANTS
Tim Talbott, writer “South Park”, BALLS OUT (as The Robotard 8000 with Malcolm Spellman - 2009 Black List)
Beau Thorne, writer MAX PAYNE
Donald Todd, writer/producer “Samantha Who?,” “Brother’s Keeper,” “Caroline in the City,” “Dave’s World,” “ALF”
John Turman, writer/producer HULK, FANTASTIC FOUR II: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER, BEN 10: ALIEN SWARM
Jim Uhls, writer FIGHT CLUB, SEMPER FI, JUMPER
Oren Uziel, writer SHIMMER LAKE, THE KITCHEN SINK
Mark Vahradian, President of Production, di Bonaventura Pictures
Marcus van Bavel, DVFilm
Ric Roman Waugh, writer FELON
Herschel Weingrod, writer TRADING PLACES, BREWSTER’S MILLIONS, producer FALLING DOWN
Dawn Wiercinski, independent producer
Kay Schaber Wolf, WGAW Independent Film Executive
Bill Zotti, CAA


*Schedules permitting.

Interview with MISS CONGENIALITY Director Donald Petrie

Just in time for our 9th Annual Summer Film Camp, Donald Petrie (MISS CONGENIALITY, HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS, MYSTIC PIZZA, GRUMPY OLD MEN) discusses his childhood and what motivated him to become a filmmaker. Donald will be speaking to AFF’s summer film camp registrants this Wednesday, June 8th, before our screening of MISS CONGENIALITY. Register for a Camp today to hear him speak!


AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL: What inspired you to become a filmmaker? Specifically, was there something in your childhood that motivated you?
DONALD PETRIE: Actually, I wanted to be an actor... we moved a lot when we were kids and I could make friends fast by being in drama... that progressed on to acting and I studied with all the great teachers, Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, Harry Mastrogeorge and Uta Hagen among them... I worked as an actor but then started teaching acting... and then started directing plays... until after seeing one of those plays, my father encouraged me to check out the American Film Institute... I started directing film there, called my agent and told her that I wasn't an actor anymore.

AFF: Was there anything like our summer film camp that you could attend when you were around the age of 9-18 (the age group of our film camp registrants)? If not, do you wish there had been?
DP: I went EVERY summer to WMAC - Westchester Music and Arts Camp in New York... but that was for acting and I loved it!!! Remember, in those days we did not have the technology you have today. If you made a short film it had to be on FILM! And that was SILENT and VERY EXPENSIVE! We didn't even have video tape then! Now you can shoot a feature on your cell phone!!! You are SO LUCKY!

AFF: As an aspiring young filmmaker and coming from a talented filmmaking family, how did you creatively set yourself apart from your father and older brother?
DP: Again.. I was an Actor first... I really didn't even understand what my dad did... Eventually at the AFI, I realized how much I knew from just growing up around it. My brother (the WRITER) and I had very different personalities. He was the more introverted intellectual. I was the more extroverted goof ball... Dan was off reading ALL the great novels. I was off jumping in leaf piles and playing cowboys and Indians...

AFF: With all of the technology out there, what methods (if any) would you suggest to young filmmakers to utilize rather than the ones that are currently available?
DP: Remember that technology is just one part of it. Yes you want to understand and know technology... but you also have to know how to tell a story... in the language (yes it is a language) of cinema. And most important... you have to have stories you want to tell. Hopefully that are original and new and fresh - and not just a re-hash of what we have already seen. Once you decide to become a filmmaker you become a student for the rest of your life. Because the world and people and stories are ever changing and evolving. Look at the difference from movies made even 20 years ago to today... very different.. As to answering the question... learn SOUND... It is the SOUND that is usually the difference between a professional film and amateur.

AFF: Who are some of the filmmakers that inspired you when you were young?
DP: Growing up I loved everything Frank Capra did.. and Billy Wilder... those formed my tastes in movies... Then I learned a lot from my Dad and wanted to be like Spielberg.

AFF: What are some of the experiences you have had in the business which made you realize you made the right career choice?
DP: Did I make the right choice? Who knows? I could have been a star! Actually, on a film set, the actors have to sit around and wait a lot... it's part of the challenge of being an actor... "energy management"... saving your energy for when the camera is rolling. The "magic time" as Jack Lemon would say. For a director there is very little "down" time. You are always busy, and for very long hours. That to me means I'm never bored... It means that every shot is my close up! How many Directors does it take to screw in a light bulb? One... But He / She merely holds the bulb, and the world turns around him...

Newsletter Archives

Do you know you can access all of our old newsletters? Okay, not ALL, but at least back through January 21st, of this year. So, if you're new to our mailing list or think you may have missed some announcements, or you want to look busy on your iPhone while you wait for your friend at the coffee shop, you can find them all here.

2011 AFF Speakers are HOT!

We knew we had an awesome group of screenwriters and filmmakers coming in, but damn. Just about every industry site I go to has an article or interview with one of our incoming panelists. Check 'em out and start thinking about your own questions to ask them at the Conference in October. You'll have plenty of opportunities to chat them up when you're right next to them standing in line at the movies, piling up your plate at the Friday night BBQ, or closing down the Driskill Bar.


Kung Fu Panda 2 Writers on Future Sequels, and Their Pixar Rivals
Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger talk with Movieline here.

And, here, Jon and Glenn talk about their plans for CANDYLAND. Sweet! ;)

Evel Knievel Biopic Revs Up With Director Ric Roman Waugh
Check out the exclusive report from Jay Fernandez with THR here.

Craig Mazin Back On Board to Write 'Hangover 3'
Here's the report from The Wrap. One of our favorite panelists from last year and a new AFF staple is gonna be riding this high for a long time!

Caroline Thompson Adapted Bestselling Teen Fantasy WICKED LOVELY
Thompson wrote the script and THR now reports that Mary Harron (AMERICAN PSYCHO) is in negotiations to direct Universal’s teen fantasy project being produced by Vince Vaughn's Wild West Picture Show Productions.

Ted Griffin adapting PANIC ATTACK for David Fincher
Ted Griffin's signed up to write the script for David Fincher's new film! Here's the story in New York Magazine.

Dana Stevens has written the script for the adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks novel Safe Haven. Fingers crossed that Lasse Halstrom signs on to direct! Read about it here.

And, be sure to check out Elizabeth Hunter's new movie JUMPING THE BROOM. It's getting great reviews and I can't wait to see it!