Programming/Jurors/Guest Speakers
PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
Artistic & Programming Director
Monika Skerbelis is in her eleventh year as the artistic & programming director for the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival. She is a co-author of the book, I Liked It, Didn’t Love It: Screenplay Development from the Inside Out. Ms. Skerbelis is a former Vice President of Creative and Executive Story Editor for Universal Pictures’ story department where she spent ten years overseeing the story department and developing a number of screenplays including "Black Dog" starring Patrick Swayze. In addition to her duties at Universal, she scoured film festivals and screenwriting competitions in search of new filmmakers. Prior to Universal, she was Story Editor for 20th Century Fox. She began her career as an assistant in the Story Department for Paramount Pictures. With Rona Edwards, she teaches, "Introduction to Feature Film Development," at UCLA Extension on the campus and online, and “Story Development Process in the Entertainment Industry” online for Riverside Community College. She also taught “Basic Screenwriting Fundamentals” on campus at Chapman University Dodge College of Film & Media Arts. She serves on the jury for numerous screenwriting competitions and has guest lectured at film schools, film commissions, film festivals and film organizations across the country. With Rona Edwards, she has formed Edwards Skerbelis Entertainment (ESE) and ESE Film Workshops Online (www.ESEFilmWorkshopsOnline.com) an online Film School offering 4 to 6 week classes on "Creating a Production Company," "Maneuvering Film Festivals," "Finding & Developing New Ideas" and "Feature Film Development." ESE is also developing projects to produce. She was associate producer on two movies “Killer Hair” and “Hostile Makeover” based on the “Crimes of Fashion” novels by Ellen Byerrum for the Lifetime Movie Network that aired in June 2009. In addition, via consultations, ESE assists writers and filmmakers in developing their screenplays and pitches with development notes and general career advice. She co-produced the feature-length mocumentary, Quest for the Yeti, directed by Victoria Arch. Ms. Skerbelis directed the short film, "Reel Footage: The Secret Lives of Shoes" that screened at the 2008 Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival. She is a member of the Producers Guild of America.
Screenwriting Competition Director
Sandy Steers, a published author and screenwriter, has directed the Big Bear Lake Film Festival Screenwriting Competition for the past nine years. She has optioned two of her screenplays and placed as a finalist or semi-finalist in a numerous screenwriting competitions, including, the Nicholl Fellowships from Academy Foundation, the Austin Film Festival, the Maui Writers' Conference, America 's Best from the Writer 's Foundation and the Chesterfield Writer 's Film Project. Sandy has published children's stories and recently took fourth place in a national competition with one of her children's books. She has published over 100 magazine articles in regional and national publications and was a member of the writing staff for On the Mountain magazine, Coffee House Digest and Big Bear Magazine.
Programming Screeners: Karen Oliver, Nancy Meyer, Cynthia Crane, Molly Marchetti, Natalie Gordonsy, Shelly Golden, Gary Arundel, Christine Opperman
Technical Video Equipment Director
Jeffrey E. Underwood - During his early years, Underwood, developed his love for electronics. In high school, Jeff satisfied his thirst for technology by winning first place for designing and building electronics. One device provided his home computer with the ability to make sound. From this, Underwood then created music synthesizer and drum programs. During college, Jeff and a studio recording classmate started a band, Lingo, which played many Southern California venues. When Lingo decided to record a video, they couldn't find anyone to do it, and as the saying goes, the rest is history...Digital Madness was born. His clients include Evolution Entertainment, Montel, EPSN and MAVACO GEM. Underwood is a Producer/Effects Compositor/Musician . He's worked with several independent films as art director, sound designer, editor and score arranger, created movie trailers and radio spots. Currently Underwood is working with colleagues Shimshock and Sharp as producer & founder of KISMET PICTURES. http://www.BigBearLakeFilmFestival.com
FILM COMPETITON JURORS
Cari-Esta Albert is a producer and former Vice President of Comedy/Drama Series Development at USA Films. Currently, she is co producing "Jal", the story of Emmanuel Jal, a child soldier of the Sudan who has gone on to become an international hip hop artist. She is the producer of the hit feature film, “The Truth About Cats & Dogs, “ executive producer of “Hearts & Souls” and executive producer of the Lifetime Entertainment film, “Love is Strange.” She is a former executive vice president/producer for Alphaville at Universal Studios. Prior to that she was the vice president of Geffen Pictures and she is a former Director of Production for Universal Pictures. She is also the co-founder of Story Edge script consulting service.
Steve Aranguren - Independent Global Media Consultant - Until recently, Steve Aranguren served as Vice President, Global Original Programming for Disney Channels Worldwide where he was responsible for supervising the development and production of live action and animation programming outside of North America. Previous to this role, Aranguren was Executive Director, Creative Affairs for Walt Disney Television Animation where he supervised current production for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Lilo and Stitch: The Series and My Friends Tigger and Pooh, among others. Prior to that, Aranguren was a Production Executive at Disney Channel where he helped launch top-rated Disney Channel series including Even Stevens and Lizzie McGuire. Aranguren began his career as story editor for Creative Artists Agency. After leaving CAA, Aranguren inaugurated the story department at Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner’s Cruise/Wagner Production at Paramount Pictures where he served as Senior Executive in Charge of Development.
Marc Halperin has been a key figure in the film world for the last almost three decades. He has worked for several major studios and independent distributors, and managed the release of numerous landmark films. As National Sales Manager for Universal Classics, Marc was responsible for the re-release of the five missing Hitchcok films: "Rear Window", "Vertigo", "The Man Who Knew Too Much", "The Trouble with Harry", and "Rose". This remains one of the most successful reissues of a series of classic films to date. In 1989, Marc joined Miramax Films, where he served as Senior Vice President General Sales Manager. In 1994, he joined Fine Line Features, where, as Senior Vice President General Sales Manager, Marc was responsible for the distribution of numerous features, including "Shine", "Hoop Dreams", and Woody Allen's "Deconstructing Harry". In 2001, Marc left New Line to found Magic Lamp Releasing with his wife, Marla Lewin Halperin, and has released Rob Morrow’s "Maze", Doug Pray’s "Scratch", and Julio Medem’s "Sex & Lucia".
Marla Lewin Halperin is a successful publicist, producer, playwright, screenwriter and consultant who has represented a wide variety of individual clients, films and produced numerous award shows and special events. In 2003, Marla co-produced and promoted "Life After War", a documentary that follows former National Public Radio war correspondent Sarah Chayes’ efforts to rebuild a village in Afghanistan. Working with Chayes and Afghans for Civil Society, Marla helped the film generate phenomenal press coverage, including ABC NEW with PETER JENNINGS (where Chayes was named "Person of the Week"; Oprah (where Chayes received Oprah's "Chutzpah Award"; Frontline: World Now, numerous broadcasts of All Things Considered; and Fresh Air with Terry Gross, along with reviews and articles in numerous newspapers and magazines. Magic Lamp subsequently sold the film to the Sundance Channel. For Magic Lamp, Marla has supervised all publicity and promotions for "Scratch", "Amy's O", and "Sex & Lucia", and has organized several Academy Award campaigns for clients, as well as many special screenings, events and publicity campaigns at Cannes, Sundance, Palm Springs and other film festivals.
Nancy Meyer began her career as an artist manager representing many respected jazz and blues artists such as Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Billy Cobham and Charlie Haden. From coordinating all aspects of her clients’ careers including; recording, publishing, publicity, and touring, her current responsibilities have grown to encompass Music Supervision and Music Clearance services. Meyer was Music Supervisor on the independent film “Killer Diller,” starring Fred Willard, Mary Kay Place and Taj Mahal. She produced the documentary film “Ted Hawkins: Amazing Grace” (for Geffen Records) which received a Special Jury Award at the Rose D’Or Festival in Switzerland. Meyer handled estate and music clearances for the PBS documentary series “American Roots Music” directed by Emmy winner Jim Brown (Pete Seeger, Harry Belafont). She was a music consultant and clearance specialist for the Independent Lens civil rights documentary “Negroes with Guns: Rob Williams and Black Power.” Soundtrack work includes the position of Executive Soundtrack Producer on the film “Ginger Ale Afternoon,” featuring Yeardley Smith (The Simpsons) and the music of Willie Dixon. She provided clearance services for the documentary “The Howlin’ Wolf Story” released by BMG home Video. As an instructor, Meyer taught for 5 years in the Music Business Program at Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. Professional memberships include the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences and the International Documentary Association. Meyer’s current project is a PBS documentary on musician virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, being produced by the Center for Asian American Media.
Roxanne McCarthy is a two time Emmy Award nominated Sound Editor for "Wiseguys" and "The A-Team". She has worked as a supervising sound editor for such films as "Can't Hardly Wait", "Bottle Rocket", "Lost in Yonkers", "Ghost Dad", "Kindergarten Cop" and assistant sound editor on "Star Wars".
Tom C. McCarthy, EVP Post Production Facilities Sony Pictures Studio. Tom has 35 years of Post production experience. During his career he has held the positions of an assistant picture editor, sound editor, supervising sound editor / sound designer as well as various corporate management positions. He currently holds an executive position at Sony Pictures Studios which produces films under the Columbia, Tri Star, Screen Gems, Sony Classic banners. Tom’s current position as EVP Post Production Facilities include the following responsibilities; the budgeting of Feature Films and Television product for post service offerings. Tom is in charge of Sony’s post facility which includes Picture Editing facilities, Sound Editorial, Sound Design, Foley / ADR / Mix and Scoring stages, On-Line Editorial, Sound and Video Transfer services. Tom was awarded an Academy Award for his sound editing / design work on Francis Ford Coppola’s “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” in 1992 and a British Academy Award for his sound work on “Out Of Africa” in 1986.
Barbara Multer-Wellin has produced two films for the acclaimed PBS documentary series “Independent Lens.” “TAKING THE HEAT: The First Women Firefighters of New York City,” a documentary narrated by SUSAN SARANDON, is about the 20-year struggle to bring women into the New York Fire Department, an institution traditionally hostile to change rocked by the overwhelming trauma and loss of September 11th. The second film, “PAUL CONRAD: Drawing Fire” narrated by TOM BROKAW, tracks the career of the three-time Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist in the context of a pop history of the eleven presidents Conrad has lampooned. This film was also selected for the first digital release of Independent Lens films. She was nominated for two News and Documentary Emmy Awards (in writing and research) for HBO's "VIOLENCE: An American Tragedy," an examination of the root causes of violence in American society. She also produced "FUNNY IS MONEY: Comedy in the 20th Century," directed by Norman Jewison for Showtime; a look at American comedy from humble beginnings on the vaudeville stage to today’s multi-million dollar sitcoms. Multer-Wellin’s work as a writer/producer in reality and long-form documentary has been seen on HBO, Showtime, PBS, Lifetime, The Discovery Channel, UPN, Lifetime, Fit-TV, TBS, HGTV, and TLC. Other credits include writing and producing two seasons of “THE JUSTICE FILES,” for the Discovery Channel, sixteen hours of global wildlife adventure for “WORLD GONE WILD,” thirteen hours of a fitness adventure series called 'ULTIMATE GOALS" for FitTV, “WAR GAMES,” a two-hour special for TBS, and 139 half-hours of HGTV’s “OVER YOUR HEAD.” Currently, she is a partner in THREE TRIBES ENTERTAINMENT, a company developing non-fiction programming. Ms. Multer-Wellin is a graduate of the California Institute of the Arts and lives in North Hollywood, CA with her husband. She is the former Chair of the Docu/Reality Committee of the Producer’s Guild of America and an active member of the International Documentary Association.
Robin Schreer is a below-the-line talent agent with the Mirisch Agency where she represents Academy Award winning Directors of Photography, Production Designers, Editors, Producers and Costume Designers. Prior to joining the Mirisch Agency, Robin worked for Interscope Communications as a Production Associate on such films as THE FIRST POWER and THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE. She produced the feature film A PART OF THE FAMILY for Interscope and produced the award winning short film FIRST BORN. She is also a screenwriter with several scripts in development.
SCREENWRITNG COMPETITION JURORS
Cari-Esta Albert is a producer and former Vice President of Comedy/Drama Series Development at USA Films. Currently, she is co producing Jal, the story of Emmanuel Jal, a child soldier of the Sudan who has gone on to become an international hip hop artist. She is the Producer of the hit feature film, “The Truth About Cats & Dogs, “ Executive Producer of “Hearts & Souls” and Executive Producer of the Lifetime Entertainment film, “Love is Strange.” She is a former Executive Vice President/Producer for Alphaville at Universal Studios. Prior to that she was the Vice President of Geffen Pictures and she is a former Director of Production for Universal Pictures. She is also the co-founder of Story Edge script consulting service.
Ashley Berns is a manager representing writers, directors and comic book writers at Circle of Confusion. www.circleofconfusion.com. A graduate of London University, Ashley was a freelance researcher in the UK, working for the BBC and Channel 4, and as a newsroom story editor for Bloomberg Television. Ashley moved to L.A. in 2001 where he started as an intern at The Radmin Company, working his way up to manager. He has been at Circle of Confusion since 2005.
Leslie Conliffe began her career developing independent feature films for Michael Douglas and Walter Matthau. She subsequently joined the boutique agency Becsey-Wisdom-Kalajian as a literary agent. She is currently a literary manager at Intellectual Property Group which represents hundreds of acclaimed authors such as James Ellroy, Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, and Richard Russo, as well as Award winning screenwriters and directors, including Paul Haggis ("Crash") and Geoffrey Fletcher ("Precious"). A native of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Leslie graduated from Concordia University with Majors from the Department of Communication Studies and the John Molson School of Business.
D. C. Fontana has credits as a writer on such diverse television series as "Star Trek", "Bonanza", "The Waltons", and "Dallas". She has served as story editor on the original "Star Trek" series, "Star Trek Animated", and "Logan's Run". She has experience in writing children's shows, science fiction, westerns, action adventure, mysteries, daytime specials, animation and interactive games. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. Dorothy was nominated for a Writers Guild Award in 1969 for her "Then Came Bronson" script, "Two Percent of Nothing;" and she won a Filmcon (Science Fiction Movie Convention) Award for her "Strar Trek Animated" script, "Yesteryear." Universal Studios selected both her "Six Million Dollar Man" scripts for novelization by Warner Books. In 1987, she wrote the two-hour premiere episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation", which was nominated for science fiction's Hugo Award in 1988. In 1997 and again in 2002, Dorothy was honored with a Writers Guild Morgan Cox Award for service to the Guild. She was twice elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the Guild and has served on many committees.
Jennifer Good, Agent, The Alpern Group. She began her career as an assistant to a feature literary agent at Susan Smith & Associates. She then moved to the boutique lit agency, The Bruce Brown Agency, where she was given the opportunity to pursue her goals of becoming an agent and explore both the television and feature worlds. During her six years there she represented mostly television writers who were both on staff and selling original pilots. Four and a half years ago she took the leap into management/production and moved over to Anonymous Content where she especially focused on crossing feature writers and directors into TV. In January 2005, she was recruited back to the agency world and joined Metropolitan Talent Agency. Jennifer is currently at the The Alpern Group.
Cary Kozlov, Literary Agent, is an 18-year owner of a franchised literary agency specializing in the representation of screenwriters. He has successfully negotiated and procured employment for clients in network television staff writing positions, feature film projects and has also represented actors and comedians. He is a signatory in good standing to the Writers Guild of America, West basic agreement. His most memorable pitch...to Fred Silverman. Prior to establishing his own agency, Mr. Kozlov was a junior associate to literary agent, Robert Littman, The Robert Littman Agency, and represented and pitched agency’s literary projects to the Hollywood film community and accompanied Mr. Littman to key meetings with major heads of studios. He is a graduate of Roosevelt University with a BSBA, Marketing/Advertising. He enjoys traditional Shaolin Kung Fu, Chi Gong, and tai Chi and is a huge Chicago Cub Fan.
Chris Soth sold his first screenplay, Firestorm, for $750,000, while still a graduate student in the USC screenwriting program. The movie was made, starring football star Howie Long, Scott Glenn, William Forsythe, Barry Pepper, and Suzie Amis, and was released in January of 1998. (“Firestorm rages with adventurous appeal.” - LA Times.) Chris was also paid $200,000 by Universal Studios to adapt the novel “A Fall of Moondust,” by Arthur C. Clarke of “2001” fame. In 2003 Chris sold his own original pitch, MEET JANE DOE to Signpost Pictures and Mosaic Media in a low-against-mid-six figure deal, with Hopscotch Pictures attached to produce. Chris guided the script through several stages of development and the film is expected to shoot in Australia this coming year. Chris's pitch THE CITIZEN was optioned by Escape Artists (Pursuit of Happyness) with Chris attached to produce. Chris also has written for independent investors, creating such screenplays as WASTELAND, HAUNTED HIGH and STAGE ONE, gathering knowledge used to craft DEAD MAN'S HAND as the perfect independent film project. His latest screenplay, OUTRAGE, starring Michael Madsen, Natasha Lyonne and Michael Berryman, was filmed in Georgia last spring and is being distributed by Phase Four Film, and Chris has just finished post-production on his latest film, "Don't Fall Asleep", which he produced, written under Chris's supervision by his students. In 2005, Chris founded the website MillionDollarScreenwriting.com to share his screenwriting expertise with aspiring screenwriters. His companion networking website, HollywoodByPhone.com, holds interviews with agents, studio executives, managers and filmmakers every week, and through YourScreenplayMentor.com, Chris mentors screenwriters around the world. He has taught at USC and UCLA and authored over 40 screenplays as well as the internet best-selling book "Million-Dollar Screenwriting: The Mini-Movie Method" and the best-selling pitch DVD: "SOLD! How I Set Up Three Pitches in Hollywood". Chris holds an MFA with distinction in screenwriting from the University of Southern California and a BA in Dramatic Literature from Vassar College, with highest honors.
Catherine Tarr - A 20-year veteran of Creative Artists Agency, in-house Story Editor Catherine Tarr supervises the story analysts who review all materials for CAA. Catherine also works closely with the agents to identify available material specific to a clients’ needs. Other responsibilities include training story analysts in how to write great coverage and how to identify potential movie ideas from magazines and other publications. Catherine enjoys discovering new writers, some of whom have gone on to great success, including Oscar-nominated Iris Yamashita (LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA) who was discovered at the Big Bear Lake Film Festival Screenwriting Competition. Other writers Catherine has supported include Ann Peacock, whose adapted screenplay THE FIRST GRADER will premiere at Toronto Film Festival, and John Orloff, who wrote the screenplay for Zack Snyder’s upcoming GUARDIANS OF GA’HOOLE, due out later this year. Catherine often reviews the work of screenplay competition finalists, looking for bright talent.
ADDITIONAL SEMINAR SPEAKERS & PANELISTS
Anne Beatts, is a TV writer-producer who won two Emmys as a writer for the original "Saturday Night Live." At SNL, she and her writing partner Rosie Shuster created memorable characters, such as Todd and Lisa Lupner, Uncle Roy, Laraine Newman’s Child Psychiatrist, Irwin Mainway, and Fred Garvin, Male Prostitute. She created and produced the critically-acclaimed CBS sitcom, "Square Pegs," and co-executive-produced the first year of NBC's long-running hit series "A Different World." She also executive-produced "The Stephanie Miller Show" for Disney/Buena Vista. She was the first woman Contributing Editor of the National Lampoon and both performed and wrote for the "National Lampoon Radio Hour." She has been published in numerous magazines, including Esquire, Playboy, Los Angeles Magazine, Vogue, Mirabella, Elle and Premiere. In 1997-98, her humor column "Beatts Me!" appeared weekly in the Sunday Los Angeles Times. Her work has appeared on Broadway in "Gilda: Live" and the Tony-nominated rock'n'roll musical "Leader of the Pack." As well as teaching sketch comedy writing and performing privately, she is an Adjunct Professor at both USC and Chapman University. She has received three WGA Awards for her work on SNL and was recently honored by the Museum of Television and Radio as one of the medium’s most influential women in their “She Made It” awards. She is currently working with her writing/producing partner Eve Brandstein on a documentary about women in comedy, "The Girl in the Room."
Ben Benedetti has worked in the industry for the past eighteen years as both a freelance producer and corporate executive. He has extensive experience in management and administration of all phases of production including network, studio operations, and facilities management. Ben was associate producer of the hit TV series “Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman” and the head of post production for Disney Channel. Ben is currently employed by Sony Pictures Studios, as a marketing and client service specialist providing complete post production service packages including digital picture and sound editorial for both feature and television clientele. He is a honorary affiliate member of the American Cinema Editors, the Producer’s Guild of America, and sits on the Board of the Sales Resource Committee of the Hollywood Post Alliance.
Bill Boyle - Veteran screenwriter Bill Boyle has been involved in the film industry in both Canada and the U.S. for over 25 years as a writer, director, agent, producer, story editor, and mentor. He has lectured at the University of Victoria, University of Saskatchewan, The National Screen Institute, the Los Angeles Screenwriters Network, Riverside Community College, the Praxis Screenwriting Center, the Screenwriter’s Expo and the Vancouver Film School. He also served three years as SaskFilm’s “Screenwriter in Residence”. He is presently teaching screenwriting at UCLA Extensions. Bill’s films and screenplays have received the following recognition: • Palm Springs Film Festival Critics Choice • Atlantic City Film Festival Audience Choice • Toronto Reel World Festival Best Canadian Feature • ACTRA nomination for Best Dramatic Writer • Canadian Film Awards Finalist • Recipient of the Harold Greenberg Fund • Chicago Film Festival Special Jury Nomination. Mr. Boyle devotes a significant amount of his time mentoring younger screenwriter through his Screenwriting Workshops and Script Coaching.
Desmond Cannon (Sony)
Mike DesRoches, Sales Support Engineer, Sony Electronics. Not your typical Systems Engineer, Mike is as dynamic as he is follicly-challenged. Currently supporting HDCAM-SR, HDCAM and all XDCAM-related systems for Sony in the Western Region, Mike has worked closely with the broadcast & production community for over 10 years. Previously, he held the position of Product Manager for the XDCAM Optical Disc-based system, and now is back home in the low-humidity and relatively bug-free area of Orange County, CA. Ironically, promoting and supporting the ‘HD Revolution’ usually keeps Mike on the road and away from his sanctuary in The OC. Therefore, his home-away-from-home is speaking with people in the industry about HD technology and the benefits of working in the realm of HD, as well as incorporating file-based workflows.
John Halecky, Content Management for Fandango.com, has worked in the online content space for over ten years at MediaTrip.com, IFILM.com, and ReelzChannel.com. A member of the PGA (Producers Guild of America) in the New Media Division, John has produced and directed his own short films as well as numerous pieces of online video content. Prior to his online experience, John worked in various aspects of the film industry, at ICM talent agency, Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Studios. John has participated on numerous panels, workshops and juries including at the Hawaii International Film Festival, Aspen Shortsfest, the Toronto Worldwide Short Film Festival and the Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi. He loves movies, his family and his favorite Star Wars character is Chewbacca.
John Hart was hooked on 3-D the moment his mother gave him a handful of stereo cards and a stereoscope when he was six years old. This kept him quiet and occupied while she worked in her classroom. During the 1950s 3-D craze, John spent his lunch money buying every 3-D comic book he could find and begging his parents to take him to each of the approximately 50 3-D features screened in 1953-54. In 1982 John helped start the 3-D Movie/Video Division of the Stereo Club of Southern California (www.la3dclub.com) and has served as the Chairman of the Movie Division for the past 28 years.
Tom Koester is a Hollywood craftsman, filmmaker, and life-long lover of 3-D who jumped into the world of 3-D digital video in 2004. Since then, he's produced numerous 3-D video shorts and a feature length 3-D vérité style documentary using a variety of stereoscopic camera rigs that he built. http://www.BigBearLakeFilmFestival.com
Eric Kurland is an award winning independent filmmaker and President of the Los Angeles 3-D Club (SCSC). Operating out of a Secret Underground Lair in Los Angeles, he specializes in 3-DIY (do-it-yourself 3-D), using off-the-shelf hardware and software for stereoscopic production. He is currently developing several 3-D shorts and features and producing stereographic multimedia content. He sometimes wears a space helmet and gorilla suit. http://www.BigBearLakeFilmFestival.com
Paul Ottosson, two-time Academy Award recipient, has brought his creative talent to a substantial amount of films which include such titles as Spider-Man
2 & 3, The Grudge 1 & 2, Drag Me To Hell, 2012 and most recently The Hurt Locker for which he was the recipient of two Oscars and a BAFTA for Best Sound and Best Sound Editing. Paul has provided his creative talents on a wide range of media products including student movies, Indy pic, weekly TV to the biggest Hollywood productions. Always adapting the work and work flow to be able to meet the needs of the movie makers and their budgets. During Paul’s seminar on Post Production Sound he will share scenes from The Hurt Locker discussing key aspects of sound design and the effects it has on supporting the storytelling process. It will provide the filmmakers in attendance an opportunity to ask questions about sound, the process and in how to best put your money on the screen.
Casey Richards, Post Applications Specialist, Avid - Casey has over 10 years of post production experience with a proven success in creative marketing and on-air promotions. With a BA from California State University, Monterey Bay, his career began in advertising as an Avid editor for Deutsch. He was then selected by Turner Broadcasting to attend its prestigious T3 Program in Atlanta, GA, where he received invaluable broadcast training as an Associate Writer/Producer. Combining talents, he went to work for FOX as a Writer/Producer/Editor, and was instrumental in the launch of SportSouth — one of the nation’s largest cable sports networks. He has also held the position of Writer/Producer for E! Entertainment. Casey’s creative contributions have been recognized with an Emmy nomination, two Mark Awards, and one Beacon Award. He currently lives in Los Angeles, CA and proudly works for Avid demonstrating the company’s latest products, workflows, and innovations in post production.
Eric Rigney (Sony)
Dennis Skotak is an Academy Award winning Visual Effects Cinematographer. In addition to sharing three Oscars with his brother, Robert -- for ALIENS, THE ABYSS, and TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY -- they share a nomination for BATMAN RETURNS. The brothers have been making films together since they were teenagers in suburban Detroit, when they won two Kodak national student film awards. In 1978, they began making movies for Hollywood. Among their many films are: TITANIC, MOUSE HUNT, HARD RAIN, HEART AND SOULS, TREMORS, THE PAGEMASTER, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, EXPLORERS, BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS, NO ESCAPE, HONEY I BLEW UP THE KID, BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, and DARKMAN. They have also done two Miller Lite commercials for noted director, Ridley Scott, plus commercials for 7-Up, Taco Bell, Overstock.com, Atari and Mattel. Dennis's interest in photography also goes back to childhood days, when he got his first camera at the age of eight. Since then, he has traveled widely, capturing his unique view of the world on film. Dennis has won a number of blue ribbons in art show competition for his photography and digital art. Dennis has been married to television writer/novelist D. C. Fontana since 1981.
Michele Wallerstein is a Screenplay, Novel and Career Consultant, and the author of “MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A Hollywood Literary Agent’s Guide To Your Writing Career.” Prior to becoming a consultant and author, Michele was a Hollywood literary agent where she represented Writers, Directors and Producers in Motion Pictures, Movies for Television and Television Series.
Ray Zone is the writer/director of Slow Glass and an award-winning author, speaker and 3D artist. Zone is the author of Stereoscopic Cinema and the Origins of 3-D Film: 1838 - 1952 (University Press of Kentucky: 2007) and 3-D Filmmakers: Conversations with Creators of Stereoscopic Motion Pictures (Scarecrow Press: 2005). Zone's website is viewable in anaglyphic 3-D at: http://www.BigBearLakeFilmFestival.com