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

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

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”

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.