All Panels/Workshops take place on:

Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 on the 6th Floor

(Theaters 23, 24 & 25)

Mobile Filmmaking with Cassius Rayner

9:30AM - 11:00AM - THEATER 23

Description:

Discover the possibilities of smartphone filmmaking and explore the technology that’s at your fingertips. Learn how it’s possible to shoot professional content using the device in your pocket and Filmic Pro, the most advanced cinema camera app. This interactive seminar will introduce you to a new level of filmmaking using your mobile phone.

Presented by:

Cassius Rayner

Cassius Rayner is a mobile cinematographer and filmmaker with a passion for using smartphones to create cinematic stories. With over 20 years of experience in the film industry, Cassius has honed his skills to become one of the best in his field. From award-winning documentaries to captivating music videos, Cassius has captured the essence of cultures across the world. His expertise in mobile phone film production allows him to create stunning visuals that might have been previously thought impossible.

His awards for films shot using a mobile include:

BEST DIRECTOR - Tokyo Film Festival

BEST DRAMA - Sweden Film Festival

BEST MUSIC VIDEO - Dublin Smartphone Film Festival

BEST FOREIGN DOCUMENTARY - Cinephone Film Festival Spain

BEST MOBILE FILM - Phoenix Film Festival USA

“Demystifying Auditions” Workshop

Presented by New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts

9:30AM - 11:00AM - THEATER 24

Description:

During this workshop we will explore the actor’s perspective on auditioning for Film & Television. Through your audition material we will develop a relationship with your reader.  This workshop is interactive, please come prepared to act!

Presented by:

Jason Liebman

Jason has worked on new plays with The Atlantic Theatre Co., Ensemble Studio Theatre, the O’Neill, Women’s Project, the Lark, New Dramatists and more. He spent the first few years of his career in NYC, appearing in productions of Hamlet (title role), The Second Part of Henry the Sixth, and As You Like It, among others. He works regularly in commercials and voice over, has appeared on TV in Shades of Blue, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU and Madam Secretary and in sketches on Letterman, Conan and Jimmy Kimmel. Films include Arranged, Motion Sickness and Tarab. Jason earned his Masters from NYU in Media, and did graduate work at Concordia University back home in Montreal.

"Life After Film School” Panel

Presented by Florida State University

9:30AM - 11:00AM - THEATER 25

Description:
Okay, so you've graduated from film school and moved to the Big Apple! Now what?! Graduates of the FSU College of Motion Picture Arts will share their experiences and offer advice for life in the NYC film industry.

Panelists:

Laura Conte, Editor

Laura Conte is an editor based in NYC. Born and raised in south FL, she now calls Brooklyn, NY home. Laura graduated from Florida State University's film school (2015) and has pursued a career in post-production, moving through the ranks as an assistant editor, animator, graphic designer, and lead editor. She has edited two Emmy-nominated series and one Emmy-winning series.

Andrew Bourne, Filmmaker

Andrew Bourne is a filmmaker based in NYC and recent graduate of Florida State's film school. His latest short film "Church Camp" has won awards including best comedy director at Sherman Oaks Film Festival as well as having its world premiere at Out on Film. When not making heartfelt comedy films, he enjoys doing sketch comedy and making silly music videos. 

Ryan Martin Brown, Filmmaker

Ryan Martin Brown is a filmmaker from North Florida residing in Brooklyn. His film work has screened at festivals around the world. His debut feature FREE TIME was recently picked up for global distribution by Cartilage Films. As an actor, Ryan appeared in the Slamdance hit YELLING FIRE IN AN EMPTY THEATER (Fandor, 2023) and appeared opposite Joaquin Pheonix in Lynne Ramsay's YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE. He is the co-founder of 5th Floor, a Brooklyn-based production collective. 

“How to Make the Most Out of Your Documentary Interview” Workshop

Presented by Elon University

11:15AM - 12:45PM - THEATER 23

Description:

Whether it is a sit-down interview with a grandparent or a person-on-the-street interview with a stranger, filmmakers have a limited amount of time with a participant.  No matter who is in front of the camera, you need to create an environment where they feel comfortable sharing their story with the you and with the world.  This workshop will cover ways to prepare and conduct ethical and engaging interviews that can be a solid foundation for your projects.

Presented by:

Nicole Triche

Associate Professor, Cinema & Television Arts

Nicole Triche, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cinema & Television Arts at Elon University where she teaches production and directs the elondocs production program.  Prior to earning her MFA, Triche was an associate producer at PBS North Carolina, where she produced the independent film series North Carolina Visions.  Her film festival leadership experience includes co-directing the Carolina Film and Video Festival and directing the Chapel Hill Flicker screening series. She also serves as board member for the Southern Documentary Fund.  Her documentary work has screened nationally and internationally at various film festivals including Full Frame, Atlanta Film Festival, Milwaukee Film Festival, and Dublin DocFest.

"Lights, Camera, Career: Unveiling the Magic of Independent Movie Producing"  Workshop

Presented by Huntington University

11:15AM - 12:45PM - THEATER 24

Description:

Making movies is about taking your ideas and turning them into a film production. Come here about the exciting journey from producing college award winning short films to SAG Aftra independent cinema with Dr. Lance who has produced over 150 short films and two Indy features. This session is for aspiring young filmmakers who want to learn more about world of movie production. In this illuminating event, participants will embark on a cinematic journey that takes you behind the producing curtain and delves into the behind-the-scenes magic that brings story ideas to life. Through engaging discussions and real-world insights attendees will gain a working knowledge of script development, budgeting, casting, and the intricate art of making a movie from concept to completion. Whether you dream of producing your own films or simply want to discover the enchanting intricacies of the film industry, this workshop promises to ignite your passion and help you dream about your future in the industry.

Presented by:

Lance Clark

Dean of the Arts & Professor of Film 
Huntington University

"From High School to Hollywood: Crafting Your Filmmaking Journey" Panel

Presented by Indiana University, Temple University

11:15AM - 12:45PM - THEATER 25

Description:

Explore the wide variety of potential pathways to industry success: From high school to college to a professional career.

Panelists:

Elisabeth Subrin

Chair, BFA Directing Program, Department of Film & Media Arts at Temple University

Elisabeth Subrin is an award-winning screenwriter, director and media artist. Her critically acclaimed feature narrative, A Woman, A Part starred Maggie Siff, John Ortiz and Cara Seymour and was theatrically released in 2017. It was also acquired by Netflix and The Showtime. Her new film, "Maria Schneider, 1983," premiered at Cannes and was awarded a 2023 César, France's Academy Awards. Subrin's new immersive video and sculptural installation, "The Listening Takes," opened at the David Winton Bell Gallery in 2023. She was a fellow at The Sundance Screenwriters and Directors Labs, and has received fellowships from The Guggenheim, Rockefeller, Fulbright and Creative Capital Foundations. The Criterion Channel is currently streaming a series of her short films. She's a Professor of Film and Media Arts at Temple University. 

“Cinematography: Framing and Composition” Workshop

Presented by Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University

1:00PM - 2:30PM - THEATER 24

Description:

How the elements on screen are arranged and where your eyes go when you encounter an image - moving or otherwise - and how these visual elements convey an intended message.

Presented by:

George P. Nicholas

Associate Professor of Radio, Television, Film

Bio:

George Nicholas is an award-winning New York - based filmmaker and director of photography. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to first-generation Greek immigrants, picked up his father's love for photography at age 7, and wrote and directed his first play at 11. He studied drama at the University of Texas, Arlington and was a founding cast member of the Dallas chapter of ComedySportz. 

He moved to NYC in 1998, worked as a sound technician for Off-Broadway Theater and as a roadie, working with bands like the Rolling Stones, before moving a bit north to attend the Conservatory of Film at the State University of New York at Purchase, where he graduated with a BFA in Film Production. He has worked as a cinematographer professionally since 1992, and his work has been shown worldwide in festivals and on the air. 

George has produced and directed music videos, including Elizabeth Cook's "Sunday Morning," which aired on VH-1, GAC, and CMT. His 2004 short film, "Exact Fare," won the CINE Golden Eagle Award, and his experimental documentary film, "Antigone" won the Nostimon Imar Award (for films of the Greek/Cypriot diaspora) at its premiere at the 2017 Cyprus International Film Festival and was nominated for Best Documentary at the Kerry International Film Festival in Killarney, Ireland and Best Experimental at the West Chester Film Festival. His next film, an animated short, “Smoke n Suds”, recently completed a successful festival run, including two screenings at the Raindance International Film Festival, as well as winning a Bronze Remy at the Houston International Film Festival. His most recent film, NOSTOS, which he directed and produced, has just started its festival run, and will be premiering at the Tacoma Film Festival on October 11th.  George briefly returned to theater in 2021, designing the lighting and sound for “Onassis,” Anthony Skordi’s one-man show about Aristotle Onassis, which ran Off Broadway at New York’s historic American Theatre of Actors after previewing in Atlanta, Georgia. He then designed the lighting for Nicholas Kennedy’s “Jean Jackets and Red Pandas” at Trinity Theater.

He is currently an Associate Professor of Radio, Television, Film at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, and prior to that taught at and was the Technical Director of Film and New Media at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. He resides in Mamaroneck, New York with his wife, Marie, their son Peter, and three lovely cats. He is a bassist and vocalist for the The Quarter Moon and occasionally performs stand-up comedy.

"The Director's Cut: What Directors Do and How They Do It Well"

Presented by Syracuse University, Drexel University & Chapman University

1:00PM - 2:30PM - THEATER 25

Description:

Learn from experienced directors about their creative process, leadership skills, and how to bring your vision to life on screen.

Jill Condon

Assistant Professor, Artistic Faculty, Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University

A twenty year veteran of television comedy, Jill Condon started her career as an intern on the original Cosby Show while attending New York University. Her Writing and Producing credits include Ned & Stacey, Friends, Grounded For Life and Raising Hope.

Her Friends episode “The One With The Embryos” is ranked number 21 in TV Guide’s top 100 TV episodes of all time. Pilots include The Glamorous Life, the scripted spin off of America’s Next Top Model, for Tyra Banks. Feature Film credits include Malcolm In The Middle, The Movie.

Kareema Bee

Kareema Bee is a writer, producer, and director from NYC and is an alum of Syracuse University's Newhouse school. For the past 14 years, her work has spanned across numerous aspects of the industry from creative development to TV/Film production and editorial content. In 2023, a short doc she produced and directed called "Our Family Portrait" was Emmy-nominated in the long-form human interest category.  Kareema has also participated in film festivals as the Associate Director for the Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival, and an adjudicator for the NYC Public School Film Festival. Her passion is to highlight diverse stories and provide resources to underrepresented professionals in the Entertainment industry. 

Tom Quinn

Tom Quinn is a Gotham and Independent Spirit Award nominee for his debut film, THE NEW YEAR PARADE, which won the Grand Jury Prize at Slamdance and screened at festivals and venues including SXSW and MOMA. Tom was listed one of the 25 New Faces of Independent Film by FILMMAKER MAGAZINE and one of the Ten Young Writer-Directors to Watch by MOVIEMAKER. He was a VFX producer and coordinator on films including LAWLESS (John Hillcoat), SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED (Colin Trevorrow), and LET ME IN (Matt Reeves). His most recent film, COLEWELL, was developed with support from the Biennale College, IFP, the San Francisco Film Society, and The Sundance Institute before premiering at the San Francisco International Film Festival. The film received two Independent Spirit Award nominations, including Best Lead Actress for Karen Allen (RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK).  COLEWELL is currently on Paramount+.  Tom is an associate professor for the Film & Television program at Drexel University, where he teaches Narrative Film, Basic Directing, Scene Analysis, Microbudget Filmmaking, Career Prep and runs the Alumni Feature Film Club, which supports aspiring filmmakers after graduation.