Download this pdf for information about Pitching the Commissioners.
Monday, September 28
SEMINAR: 3D: The Fundamentals
1:30-2:30 PM, Seminar Room Phil Streather has been working in 3D for ten years. Before you head out on one of the in-field camera sessions, join him for an overview of "the basics" of 3D. During the session Phil will hand out and explain a full 3D glossary; demonstrate how to take 3D stills and turn them into simple anaglyph 3D images in Photoshop; and outline the basics of good and bad 3D imaging.
Phil Streather, CEO, Principal Large Format SEMINAR: Schmooze or Lose 3:00-4:30 PM, Seminar Room
Networking 101 with acknowledged master, Chris Palmer: Get the most out of this year’s Festival with this early-on session designed solely to give you the tools and confidence to network effectively.
Chris Palmer, Director, Center for Environmental Filmmaking, American University
PLENARY SESSION:
Survival of the Fittest: The Unnatural History of Nature Films
4:30-6:00 PM, Forum Room Join some of NatHistory film’s most respected veterans in a provocative retrospective examining the last three decades of nature films and the filmmakers who have brought the world into our homes during this opening plenary session.
Keenan Smart, (Moderator Head of NHU), National Geographic Television
Dereck Joubert and Beverly Joubert (GT 1993—Eternal Enemies: Lions & Hyenas)
Patrick Morris (GT 1997—People of the Sea, and 2007—Galapagos: Born of Fire)
Brian Leith (GT 2003—The Cultured Ape)
Tuesday, September 29
SEMINAR: Economic Crisis or Stunning Opportunity?
9:00-10:00 AM, Seminar Room
In business as in nature, it is those who adapt to new conditions who survive and thrive. Hear how forward thinkers are going beyond simply “weathering the storm,” with strategies for survival and growth during these challenging times.
Barry Clark (Moderator) Executive Producer, Evergreen Films
John Ford, President & General Manager, Discovery Communications
Ellen Windemuth, CEO, Off the Fence
Andrew Jackson, Head of NHU, BBC
Jason Winkler, President, Arete Media Group WORKSHOP: Editing on Final Cut Studio Pro 9:00-11:00 AM, Workshop 1 (also Wednesday, Workshop
1, 9:00-11:00 AM)
Final Cut Pro has become an industry standard in the last decade due to its ease of use and relative affordability. In these two-hour introductory sessions, editor Alan Miller will take you through the all important set up and introduction, teach basic operational skills for using this very powerful program and send you away itching to get started on your latest project.
Alan Miller, Editor
ANATOMY OF A PRODUCTION: Hummingbirds, Magic
in the Air Nature/Thirteen (Premiere Screening) 10:30 AM-12:00 PM, Forum Room
Hummingbirds represent one of nature's most interesting paradoxes: they are the tiniest of birds, yet they qualify as some of the toughest and most energetic creatures on the planet. New knowledge gained from scientists currently making great breakthroughs in hummingbird biology makes this a perfect time to focus on these shimmering, flashing jewels of the natural world. Stunningly beautiful high-definition, high speed footage of hummingbirds in the wild combined with high-tech presentations of their remarkable abilities help us to understand the world of hummingbirds as we never have before.
Fred Kaufmann, Executive Producer, Nature/WNET.ORG
Ann Prum, Producer, Coneflower Productions
David McMurry, Director of Photography, Concerned Citizen
Mark Carroll, Director of Photography, Outerside
SEMINAR: Hitting the Big Screen 10:30-11:30 AM, Seminar Room
Natural history programming has migrated out of the living room and onto the big screen. The power of this move extends well beyond the marketplace with huge potential to influence public opinion and inspire action. How do you reach the studios and what are they looking to fund?
Mike deGruy (Moderator), Founder, The Film Crew
Alix Tidmarsh, Producer, B8 Media
Hal Weiner, Executive Producer, Screenscope
Mark Shelley, Founder, Sea Studios Foundation
Beverly Joubert, Producer, Wildlife Films Botswana
WORKSHOP: Writers Critique and Workshop 10:30-11:30 AM, Workshop 2 (also Thursday, Workshop 2, 12:00-1:00 PM)
Get critiqued by some of the industry’s finest—a rare opportunity to get incisive input from veterans looking to share their experience. Tuesday’s session will present story structure and narrative essentials, with Thursday’s session slated for narrative sharing and critique.
Cathy McConnell, Producer/Writer, Artemis Productions
Susan Winslow, Executive Producer, Discovery Channel
Carol Fleisher, Producer/Writer, Evergreen Films
The Changing Face of Distribution in a Trans-platform World
12:00-1:00 PM, Seminar Room D-Cinema, Broadcast, Cable, HD DVD, Special Venue and the Internet:
We live in volatile times that have made old business models obsolete. For independent
filmmakers, as well as major broadcast companies, new distribution and market
strategies make sense in the face of changing technology and consumer patterns.
Mike deGruy (Moderator), CEO, The Film Group
Louis Schwartzberg, President, Black Light Films
Sean Campbell, Principal, Arete Media Group
Katya Shirokow, Managing Director, Wild Logic
Andrea Daniels, Head of Genre Development, Factual, BBC Worldwide
WORKSHOP: New Media: Basic Social Networking 12:00-1:00 PM, Workshop 1 (also Wednesday, Workshop 1, 3:00-4:00 PM)
When you leave this one-hour workshop, you will have established a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Linked in and YouTube. But more importantly, you’ll understand the ecosystem in which these work together—this is an essential, hands-on primer to social networking.
Hannah Smith-Walker, Smithwalker Productions
Russell Sparkman, President, Fusionspark Media
SEMINAR: Granting Wishes: Show Me the Money!
1:30-2:30 PM, Seminar Room
Finding program funding can be a brutal and painstaking process. This session is an overview for independents on how to find the grant sources that are most likely to fund your projects, with insight from those with proven track records for success.
Mark Shelley (Moderator), Founder, Sea Studios Foundation
Maryanne Culpepper, Executive VP, Editorial & New Business Development,
National Geographic
Valentine Kass, Program Director, National Science Foundation
Sandra Welch, Program Director, National Science Foundation
Hal Weiner, Executive Producer, Screenscope WORKSHOP: New Media: Starting your Blog 1:30-2:30 PM, Workshop 1 (also Wednesday, Workshop 1, 12:00-1:00 PM)
A virtual and ever-changing newsletter, the blog or vlog is an incredible outreach activity that can be used as a pre-broadcast tool to develop a community of interest for your project and raise viewer numbers while your project is still in production.
Hannah Smith-Walker, Smithwalker Productions
Kori Price, Webmaster
WORKSHOP: Stock Options 1:30 – 2:30 PM, Workshop 2
The new HD stock footage market is exploding and increasingly lucrative for nature filmmakers, and the market for original music and digital soundscapes is equally exciting! Get the information you need to compete—from format conversion and digital asset management to online showcase and delivery.
Sean Campbell (Moderator), Principal, Arete Media Group
Dan Baron, President, Footage Search
Ron Riddle, Composer, Riddle Music
Stefani Misztal, Producer/Editor, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Special Venue & Public Media 3:00-4:00 PM, Seminar Room From exhibits and special venue theatres to streamed education and
outreach, aquariums, museums and zoos have unique and extensive programming
needs. Here is a market where the demand for media content is growing! Learn
what they are looking for and how you might forge long term collaborations
with institutional public media partners.
Laura Vagnone, Producer, Feodor Pitcairn Productions
Michael Starobin, President/Creative Director, 1AU Global Media,
LLC
Ryan Hawk, Director of Photography/Multimedia, Woodland Park Zoo
WORKSHOP: New Media: Uploading and Embedding 3:00-4:00 PM, Workshop 1 (also Wednesday, Workshop 1, 1:30-2:30 PM)
In this session you will learn how to upload video material to video hosts including YouTube, Blip and Vimeo, and embed video into your blog, website and emails. We’ll discuss application, codex, and everything you need to begin.
Eric Bendick, Producer, Frogpondia Films
WORKSHOP: Polish Your Pitch--Proposal Review 3:00-4:00 PM, Workshop 2 (also Wednesday, Workshop 2, 10:30-11:30 AM)
Seasoned pros will give candid advice in this early workshop about the projects you want to pitch. Bring a copy of the one-page proposal you will deliver to commissioners later in the week and receive incisive critical input that could give you the edge you need to compete. Advance signup is recommended for these sessions.
Sean Campbell, Principal, Arete Media Group
Chris Weber, Senior Vice President, Discovery Studios
PANEL: Special Venue & Public Media 3:00-4:00 PM, Seminar Room From exhibits and special venue theatres to streamed education and
outreach, aquariums, museums and zoos have unique and extensive programming
needs. Here is a market where the demand for media content is growing!
Learn what they are looking for and how you might forge long term collaborations
with institutional public media partners.
John Bredar (Moderator), Senior Producer, National Geographic
Television
Laura Vagnone, Producer, Feodor Pitcairn Productions
Michael Starobin, President/Creative Director, 1AU Global
Media, LLC
Ryan Hawk, Director of Photography/Multimedia, Woodland Park Zoo
SEMINAR: WEB.TV 4:30-5:30 PM, Seminar Room
The web offers more than a distribution method: a new genre has emerged. Adopting storytelling traditions to this global—always on—interactive network has huge power to influence attitudes and behavior. A look at streamed networks with case studies of collaborations that work. There are exciting opportunities for even the smallest institutions and independents, with practical advice on business models to back it up.
Randall Dark (Moderator), CEO, Dark Productions
Craig Rosa, Interactive Producer, QUEST, KQED Public Media
Richard Van Wyk, Managing Director, Earth-Touch
Leave Only Smaller Footprints? 4:30-5:30 PM, Workshop 1 A "cradle-to-grave" look at film production
in terms of the impact on our ecosystems. What you can do to
reduce your impact in a world of convenient solutions and instant
gratification? Best practices and practical advice on how you
can “walk the talk” while you make the movie.
Katie Carpenter, Producer/Partner Green Media Solutions
Larry Engel, Larry Engel Productions (via internet)
Andrew Buchanan (via internet)
Deirdre Brennan, Producer, Castletown Productions
Wednesday, September 30
Independent Thinking: Alternative Distribution Models 9:00-10:00 AM, Seminar Room Do you need the big guys, after all? Examining the
road less traveled to success in four-wall, independent and
streamed distribution, a nontraditional approach of self-distribution
might be in your best economic interest
Randall Dark (Moderator), CEO, Randall Dark Productions Suzanne Chisholm, Producer/Director, Mountainside Films
Suzanne Harle, Founder, Green Planet Films
Rob Whitehair, Producer/Director, Tree of Sky Media Arts
Janet Hess, Producer,Birdjail Productions WORKSHOP: Editing on Final Cut Studio Pro 9:00-11:00 AM, Workshop 1 (also Tuesday, Workshop 1, 9:00-11:00 AM)
Final Cut Pro has become an industry standard in the last decade due to its ease of use and relative affordability. In these two-hour introductory sessions, editor Alan Miller will take you through the all important set up and introduction, teach basic operational skills for using this very powerful program and send you away itching to get started on your latest project.
Alan Miller, Editor
SEMINAR: The New Landscape Web 2.0: An Overview 10:30-11:30 AM, Seminar Room
Users have become active co-creators of their media, commerce and entertainment, redistributing video streams on peer-to-peer networks around the world. New modes of pitching, promotion, and program delivery have spawned unexpected business strategies with internet blogs, vlogs, and viral marketing turning a garage production into a global hit.
Russell Sparkman (Moderator), CEO, Fusionspark Media Stefani Misztal, Producer/Editor, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Hannah Smith-Walker, Smithwalker Productions Craig Rosa, Interactive Producer, QUEST, KQED Public Media
Jonathan Smith, Blue Legacy International WORKSHOP: Polish Your Pitch--Proposal Review 10:30-11:30 AM, Workshop 2 (also Tuesday Workshop 2, 3:00-4:00 PM)
Seasoned pros will give candid advice in this early workshop about the projects you want to pitch. Bring a copy of the one-page proposal you will deliver to commissioners later in the week and receive incisive critical input that could give you the edge you need to compete. Advance signup is recommended for these sessions.
Carol Fleisher, Evergreen Films
Craig Meade, NHNZ
SEMINAR: Crossing Boundaries: Crafting the International Co-production
12:00-1:00 PM, Seminar Room From style and substance to contracts and deliverables, co-productions have inherent challenges. Tighter budgets have made international partnership an economic necessity despite often divergent tastes of the partners. Key commissioners discuss their programming priorities and what they are looking for from indy partners.
Bill Grant (Moderator) Director of Science, Natural History & Feature
Programs, Nature/WNET.ORG
Ellen Windemuth, CEO, Off the Fence
Doug Bailey, Director, Program Development, Discovery
Janet Han Vissering, Senior Vice President, Strategic Development & Co-Finance,
National Geographic Channels International
Walter Koehler, Head of NHU/Universum, ORF-Austrian Broadcasting
Tim Martin, Executive Producer, BBC Natural History Unit
WORKSHOP: New Media: Starting your Blog 12:00-1:00 PM, Workshop 1, (also Tuesday, Workshop 1, 1:30-2:30 PM)
A virtual and ever-changing newsletter, the blog or vlog is an incredible outreach activity that can be used as a pre-broadcast tool to develop a community of interest for your project and raise viewer numbers while your project is still in production.
Hannah Smith-Walker, Smithwalker Productions
Kori Price, Webmaster
What are We Thinking?
1:30-2:30 PM, Seminar Room Chris Palmer leads a frank conversation about the ethical issues
that are increasingly taking front stage, as media becomes more immediate and
personal. Is the cost provocative storytelling for high ratings simply getting
out of hand?
Chris Palmer,Director, Center for Environmental Filmmaking,
American University
Mike Gunton, Creative Director, BBCNatural History Unit
Katie Carpenter, Producer/Partner, Green Media Solutions
Dereck Joubert, Producer, Wildlife Films Botswana
ANATOMY OF A PRODUCTION: WILD OCEAN 3D Giant Screen Films, Yes/No Productions 1:00-2:00 PM, Forum Room
(Finalist: Special Venue, Editing, Sound) Luke Cresswell,
Steve McNicholas, Editors; Mike Roberts, Location Sound Supervisor & Re-recording
Mixer; Brian Eimer, Supervising Sound Editor & Re-recording
Mixer Wild Ocean highlights one
of nature’s greatest migration spectacles, plunging viewers
into an underwater feeding frenzy, an epic struggle for survival,
where whales, sharks, dolphins, seals, gannets and billions
of fish collide with the most voracious sea predator, mankind. The
sardine run has become a popular subject with photographers
and filmmakers in recent years: all have to overcome treacherous
geographical and marine challenges. What makes Wild Ocean unique
is the use of a complex 3D underwater camera rig, requiring
cinematographer and camera assistant to swim in tandem, each
assigned their own safety diver. This quartet had to negotiate
the chaotic underwater ballet of sharks, dolphins, gannets
and sardines, to bring the audience truly into the centre of
the action for the very first time. The result is an immersive
3D giant screen adventure exploring the interplay between man
and our endangered ocean ecosystem.
DJ Roller, Producer/Cinematographer, Liquid Pictures 3D
Luke Cresswell, Director, Yes/No Productions
Steve McNicholas, Director, Yes/No Productions WORKSHOPS: New Media: Uploading and Embedding 1:30-2:30 PM Workshop 1, (also Tuesday, Workshop 1, 3:00-4:00 PM)
In this session you will learn how to upload video material to video hosts including YouTube, Blip and Vimeo, and embed video into your blog, website and emails. We’ll discuss application, codex, and everything you need to begin.
Eric Bendick, Producer Frogpondia Films
ANATOMY OF A PRODUCTION: BUGS! 3D Principal Large Format, SK Films (Finalist: Special Venue) 2:00-2:45 PM, Forum Room BUGS! is the story of a butterfly and a preying mantis, born in the same part of the Borneo rainforest whose lives intertwine as they develop and grow. This version was commissioned by the prestigious California Academy of Sciences to be the inaugural 3D film in their new state of the art complex in Golden Gate Park San Francisco. Extreme close ups and macro photography in 3D requires special consideration. In particular, for the macro photography, a special set of snorkel optics was designed and built in 3D, allowing us to get very close to small things whilst retaining a large depth of field. In this way we actually share the lives of the insects rather than feel we are looking through a magnifying glass.
Phil Streather, CEO, Principal Large Format
SEMINAR: 3D: The Market 3:00-4:00 PM, Forum Room
3D Digital cinema may invigorate the declining traditional commercial theatre business model, and with museums and other public institutions installing 3D theaters and the rollout of consumer HD3D television, the need for new programming has never been greater.
Barry Clark (Moderator) Executive Producer, Evergreen Films
Janine Baker, VP, Distribution & Development, nWave Pictures
Michael Rosenfeld, President, National Geographic Television
Peter Fannon, VP, Technology Policy, Government & Regulation, Panasonic
Mike Lutz, Senior VP for Business Development, MacGillivray Freeman Films
SEMINAR: Declaration of Independents
3:00-4:00 PM, Seminar Room
With dramatic industry cutbacks and office downsizing the norm, more filmmakers are leaving the corporate fold, to strike out on their own. A frank conversation about what it is like in the world of independent production, today.
Jason Winkler (Moderator), President, Arete Media Group
Kathryn Pasternak, Producer, Pasternak Media
Kevin Bachar, President, Pangolin Pictures
Mike Birkhead, Producer, Mike Birkhead Associates
David Curl, Filmmaker, Australasian Natural History Unit
WORKSHOP: New Media: Basic Social Networking 3:00-4:00 PM, Workshop 1 (also Tuesday, Workshop 1, 12:00-1:00 PM)
When you leave this one-hour workshop, you will have established a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Linked in and YouTube. But more importantly, you’ll understand the ecosystem in which these work together—this is an essential, hands-on primer to social networking.
Hannah Smith-Walker, Smithwalker Productions
Russell Sparkman, President, Fusionspark Media
SEMINAR: 3D: Latest Technology 4:00-5:30 PM, Forum Room New technology and programming have infused incredible life into this wonderful genre. From live delivery and image acquisition systems to easy editing solutions and work flow, the tools have been refined to make 3D achievable for anyone wanting to jump into immersive storytelling.
Phil Streather (Moderator), CEO, Principal Large Format
Bill Lange, Advanced Imaging and Visualization Laboratory, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Steve Schklair, Managing Member, 3ality Digital LLC
Rick Gordon, President, RPG Productions, Inc.
Pierre des Lespinois, President & CEO, Evergreen Films SEMINAR: Keeping Score
4:30-5:30 PM, Seminar Room
It has been said that "Talking about music is like dancing about architecture.” Perhaps, but more than ever before, producers recognize the emotional richness that music adds to the cinematic experience. Discussion with some of nathistory’s most successful composers about what works, what doesn’t, and how producers can achieve the greatest success from the process of creating in a medium that is often poorly understood.
Tom Veltre, (Moderator) Producer, The Really Interesting Picture Company, Ltd
Leander Ward, Director, Crimson Wing Films, Ltd.
Cody Westheimer, Composer, New West Studios
Ron Riddle, Composer, Ron Riddle Music
Lenny Williams, Composer
Robert Neufeld, Composer, Realscore Music
Thursday, October 1
ANATOMY OF A PRODUCTION: Whale Wars Animal Planet (Outstanding Achievement Award-winner) 9:00-11:00 AM, Forum Room How does a small, relatively-unknown band of environmentalists become the subjects of one of the biggest hits and most-talked about series in Animal Planet's history, redefining the network’s brand and trailblazing a new kind of documentary television? Join Whale Wars creators Charlie Foley and Jason Carey from Animal Planet, and Captain Paul Watson and Kim McCoy from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society as they talk about the intricacies of creating the series; striking the correct tone in presenting genuine stories each week; building and maintaining authentic characters and crew motivations; how to tell each side of the debate; the dangers of filming in icy and “war”-like conditions; and share what it's like to be filmed after years of battling against whaling efforts at the far end of the globe.
Charlie Foley, Vice President of Development, Animal Planet
Jason Carey, Vice President, Production, Animal Planet
Paul Watson, Founder & President, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Kim McCoy, Legal Director, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
SEMINAR: Web Presence
9:00 – 10:00 AM, Seminar Room Get an inside look at the finalists in this year’s competition, as well as other examples of how websites are being used most effectively to accomplish more than ever before, with discussion about the tools used to create them.
Russell Sparkman (Moderator), Fusionspark
Nigel Pope, Series Producer, BBC Natural History Unit
Merove Heifitz, Chief Operating Officer, ARKive
Alexandra Cousteau, Founder & President, Blue Legacy International
WORKSHOP: 3D Editing on Final Cut Studio Pro 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, Workshop 1 (45 min sessions starting on the hour)
David Newman, CTO of CineForm, will demonstrate, in a series of hands on workshops, the revolutionary plug-in Neo3D. Neo3D delivers a comprehensive 3D editorial workflow in Final Cut Pro to reduce end-to-end costs for creating 3D content. While editing in FCP, Neo3D allows for 3D monitoring to an external display, plus real-time adjustment of convergence and color controls implemented as Active Metadata.
David Newman, Co-founder & CEO, CineForm
SEMINAR: Acquisition Tools & Technology 10:30-11:30 AM, Seminar Room
From tapeless cameras to the latest flavors of HD, technology has become
a critical component of the creative process. Users examine the latest tools
available, with a mind toward what is looming on the horizon.
Barry Clark (Moderator), Executive Producer, Evergreen Films
Rob Willox, Director of Marketing, Sony Electronics
Steve Mahrer, Director of Engineering, Business Development, Panasonic Broadcast
Craig Yanagi, National Marketing Manager, JVC Professional Products
Jung-Jin Ahn, Canon USA
WORKSHOP: Grant Writing 10:30-11:30 AM, Workshop 2
A craft of its own, but one you can master, successful grant writing skills are honed with experience. In this workshop you will see what has worked, and hear from program managers what pitfalls to avoid.
Maryanne Culpepper (Moderator), Executive VP, Editorial & New
Business Development, National Geographic
Valentine Kass, Program Director, National Science Foundation
Sandra Welch, Program Director, National Science Foundation
Marilyn Weiner, Executive Producer, Screenscope
Jared Lipworth, Director, Science Programs, Thirteen/WNET.OEG
Sue Ellen McCann, Executive Producer, KQED/QUEST
KEYNOTE EVENT: UNITED NATIONS FORUM
Climate Change, Sustainability & Public Policy 11:00 AM-12:30 PM, Forum Room
Billions of dollars are being negotiated and allocated toward mitigating the impact of climate change, and governments around the world are negotiating terms and conditions. A discussion of how new developments in climate change multilaterally might effect sustainable development and ecology.
Jan McAlpine (Moderator), Director, United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat, Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Tariq Banuri, Director, United Nations Division for Sustainable Development/Department of Economic and Social Affairs
M. Sanjayan, Lead Scientist, The Nature Conservancy
Darron Collins, Managing Director, World Wildlife Fund
WORKSHOP: Music 12:00-1:00 PM, Workshop 1
A hands-on music workshop utilizing Final Cut Studio Pro, as well as tools available on the web!
Cody Westheimer, Composer, New West Studios
Ron Riddle, Composer, Ron Riddle Music
WORKSHOP: Writers Critique and Workshop 12:00-1:00 PM, Workshop 2, (also Tuesday, Workshop 2, 10:30-11:30 AM)
Get critiqued by some of the industry’s finest—a rare opportunity to get incisive input from veterans looking to share their experience. Tuesday’s session will present story structure and narrative essentials, with Thursday’s session slated for narrative sharing and critique.
Cathy McConnell, Producer/Writer, Artemis Productions
Mark Fletcher, Producer/Editor/Writer
Susan Winslow, Executive Producer, Discovery Channel
Carol Fleisher, Producer/Writer, Evergreen Films
Fallen Giants 1:00-2:00 PM, Forum Room
Alan Root may have said it best, “I feel I am on Easter Island - wandering among fallen giants of the past.” This session remembers our friends and mentors, Des Bartlett, Sir Aubrey Buxton and David Hughes, through clips and conversation.
SEMINAR: Morphing the Genre
1:30-2:30 PM, Seminar Room Innovative programs are redefining the nature genre in an attempt
to attract and engage new audiences. This session examines a few of the
compelling, and sometimes controversial, new approaches.
Charlie Foley (Moderator), Vice President of Development, Animal
Planet
Craig Meade, Vice President Program Development, Natural History New Zealand
David Dugan, Principal, Windfall Films
Caroline Hawkins, Executive Producer, Oxford Scientific Films
Harry Marshall, CEO, Icon Films ANATOMY OF A PRODUCTION: KQED-QUEST 1:30-2:30 PM, Workshop 1
Now in its fourth Season, QUEST is San Francisco PBS/NPR affiliate KQED’s largest trans-media project. Going beyond its weekly radio and television broadcasts, QUEST delivers all of its content on-line: TV and radio stories that are available free by stream, download or embedding, free educator resources, exclusive web extras and web only content, Flickr photos, geo-tagged science-based expeditions, and a daily media rich science blog written by regional scientists. QUEST also works with 16 community partners to bring audiences closer to the Bay Area’s world-class science
centers, museums and parks. Breaking new ground in distributing video on the web, QUEST has become a model for PBS stations around the country with the success of its online audience growth.
SueEllen McCann, Executive Producer, QUEST/KQED
Craig Rosa, Interactive Producer, QUEST/KQED
Chris Bauer, TV Segment Producer, QUEST/KQED
SEMINAR: NextGen Filmmakers 1:30-2:30 PM, Workshop 2 The voice of emerging filmmakers is stronger than ever. A look at this year’s finalists with a few previous Newcomer Award-winners who’ve become leaders in the genre and some advice for those just starting down the path.
Kathryn Pasternak (Moderator), Producer, Pasternak Media
Alison Argo, Argofilms
Louise Astbury (Finalist: Newcomer)
Eric Bendick, (Finalist: Conservation, Newcomer)
Jennifer Grace (Finalist: Children’s, Non-Broadcast)
SEMINAR: The 360 Approach
3:00-4:00 PM, Seminar Room The broad but coordinated application
of media across a variety distribution platforms including
print, broadcast, theatrical, live-event, internet, venue
specific display, gaming, mobicast or whatever anyone happens
to conceive, has made it media an integral part of life
rather than a reflection of it. Provocative conversation
about some of the most successful recent campaigns.
Nigel Pope (Moderator), Series ProducerBBC
Natural History Unit
Chris Clarke, Managing Director, Save our Seas Foundation
Maryanne Culpepper, Executive Vice President, Editorial & New Business Development,
National
Geographic Television
Yann Arthus-Bertrand, President, GoodPlanet
SEMINAR: Pitching the Commissioners
3:00-4:00 PM, Session 1: Workshops 1 & 2
4:30-5:30 PM, Session 2: Workshops 1 & 2 Here is your chance to sell your ideas to some of the most sought after production executives from around the globe. They come looking for projects—you come looking for partners! The rules are simple—you have ten minutes to make your pitch with a one-pager in hand—then you must move on. Who knows, maybe you will strike gold! Advance signup is required for these one-on-one sessions, and time is strictly enforced. You must be a registered delegate to participate in these sessions
.Signups will be accepted on a “first-come” basis. Please put your requests (by
session) in order of preference, as you may not receive all slots--maximum will
be five per session. Send requests to Info@jhfestival.org with
PITCHING in the subject line.
3:00-4:00 PM, Session 1: Workshops 1 & 2 Todd Weiser, Animal Planet Sean Campbell, Arete Media Group Alan Erson, Australia Broadcasting Corp Steve Greenwood, BBC Doug Bailey, Discovery Channel Chris Valentini, National Geographic Channel-US Ashley Hoppin, National Geographic ChanneI International Tetsunori Kikuchi, NHK/Japanese Broadcasting Janet Hess, WNET.ORG 4:30-5:30 PM, Session 2: Workshops 1 & 2 Todd Weiser, Animal Planet Jason Winkler, Arete Media Group Steve Greenwood, BBC Doug Bailey, Discovery Channel Chris Valentini, National Geographic Channel-US Janet Han Vissering, National Geographic Channels International Tetsunori Kikuchi, NHK/Japanese Broadcasting Ellen Windemuth, Off the Fence Productions 4:00 start Walter Koehler, ORF/Universum 4:00 start Caroline Brett, Save our Seas Foundation David Dugan, Windfall Media Janet Hess, WNET.ORG
SEMINAR: Defining “Good Editing” 4:30-5:30 PM, Seminar Room
Editing is at the very core of the creative film-making process and yet for something so vital, it's often vastly misunderstood. But what is good editing? In a lively discussion inviting questions from the audience, this year's Jackson Hole peer group editing judges will illuminate the process, argue their positions, and perhaps come to a consensus of sorts on what makes a well-edited film.
Alan Miller (Moderator), Editor
Mark Fletcher, Writer/Editor
Alison Argo, Argofilms
Barry Clark, Executive Producer, Evergreen Films, Inc.
Friday, October 2
ANATOMY OF A PRODUCTION: GORILLA MURDERS 9:00-11:00 AM, Forum Room
National Geographic (Outstanding Achievement Award-Winner, Finalist: People & Nature)
July 2007, war-ravaged eastern Congo: The bodies of six mountain
gorillas are discovered in Virunga National Park. The gorillas
had not been killed by poachers; they'd been murdered, their mutilated
bodies left in the forest as a chilling warning. This one-hour
special made in the aftermath of the killings, goes inside the
investigation to unmask those responsible, and profile those who
risk their lives to protect these endangered giants of the wild.
Michael Rosenfeld, President, National Geographic Television
Keenan Smart, Head of NHU, National Geographic Television
Jonathan Halperin, Executive Producer, National Geographic Television
Michael Davie, Producer, National Geographic Television
KEYNOTE EVENT: UNITED NATIONS FORUM
Forests and the Future 11:00 AM-12:30 PM, Forum Room
Focusing on the earth’s forests and desertification, scientists and conservationists discuss their take on sustainability issues deserving immediate attention, including insights from some who have taken global citizenship to heart, making a huge impact.
Jan McAlpine (Moderator), Director, United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat, Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Kris Tompkins, Founder and PresidentConservación Patagonica
Richard Leakey, WildlifeDirect
Darron Collins, Managing Director, World Wildlife Fund
Dereck Joubert, Producer, Wild Film Botswana
PLENARY SESSION: Now What?
4:30-5:30 PM, Forum Room
New ideas. No boundaries. In this closing plenary, Festival visionaries offer provocative observations on the week’s sessions: Where we we’ve come, where we seem to be heading, where we want to be going, and what is standing in the way.
CR Caillouet
Walter Koehler, ORF/Universum
Seminars & Panels 2007
This year’s Festival content has been organized into the following program strands--Market & Programming, New Media, Conservation & Inspiration and Production & Technology.
Market & Programing
Changing Face of Distribution in a Multiplatform World Tuesday, 9:00 - 10:00 AM , Seminar Room
D-Cinema, Broadcast, Cable, HD DVD, Special Venue and the Internet: We live in volatile times. For independent filmmakers, as well as major broadcast companies, new distribution and business models make sense in the face of changing technology and consumer patterns.
Ron Devillier, Devillier Donegan Enterprises (moderator)
Barry Clark, Mandalay Media
Jason Winkler, Arete
Ellen Windemuth, Off the Fence
Louis Schwartzberg, Blacklight Films
Behind Closed Doors: From the Judges Friday, 11 :00 AM - 12:00 PM, Workshop 1
What were they thinking? Anyone who has entered a film in competition wonders how judges determine which programs rise to the top when others seem to fall through the cracks. This year’s judges comment on what they saw and what they wished they’d seen.
Bill Grant, Nature/WNET (Moderator) Dyanna Taylor, Raven Rouge Carol Fleisher, fleisherfilm Michael Rosenberg, Peartree Films
Big Screen Dreams Wednesday, 10:30 - 11 :30 AM, Seminar Room
From Arctic Tale and Earth to Ham: Astrochip #65, nature programming has migrated out of the living room and onto the big screen. The power of this move extends well beyond the marketplace with huge potential to influence public opinion and inspire action. How can you get in the game?
Michael Rosenfeld, National Geographic (moderator) Dereck Joubert, Wildlife Films Botswana Fred Fougea, Ham: Astrochimp #65 Sarah Robertson, Arctic Tale Alix Tidmarsh, Earth
Crossing Boundaries: Crafting the Coproduction Tuesday, 4:30 - 5:30 PM, Seminar Room
From the multi-year multi-million mega series to one-hour indy projects like Queen of Trees, coproductions have inherent challenges. International partnership is an economic necessity despite often divergent tastes of the partners. From content reversions to deliverable requirements, co-pro partners discuss details that make--or break--deals.
Neil Harraway, NHNZ (moderator)
Janet Vissering, NatGeo Channel
Mark Wild, Animal Planet International
Walter Koehler, Universum/ORF
Bill Murphy, WNET
The Education Connection Wednesday, 4:00 - 5:00 PM, Workshop 2
Discovery Education’s “Unitedstreaming” goes directly to classrooms in over 70,000 schools. But, you don’t have to be a media giant to jump into the game. From the development of comprehensive lesson plans and internet teacher tools, learn how to position yourself for the education market.
Julie Elledge, Lunchbox Lessons (moderator) Suzanne Harle, Green Planet Films Rob Nelson, The Wild Classroom
New Landscape of Digital Marketing Thursday, 4 - 5 PM, Seminar Room
New modes of pitching, promotion and program delivery have spawned unexpected strategies for getting projects in front of development execs. Hear the unexpected surprises and lessons learned.
Barry Clark, Mandalay Media (moderator)
Katie Carpenter, Bahati Productions
Brian Leith, BBC
Mathew Tombers, Intermat.tv
NextGen Programming Wednesday, 3:00 - 4:00 PM, Seminar Room
How do we engage young viewers? What is it we are trying to tell them, anyway? Can content converge with entertainment–or does it have to? If we aim to inspire a new generation of scientific exploration and committed activism, how do we connect with kids?
Lisa Grossman, Bahati (moderator)
Kevin Mohs, Animal Planet
Masahiro Hayakawa, NHK
Rob Nelson, Wild Classroom Ashley Hoppin, National Geographic
Presenter-Led Programs Thursday, 4:00 - 5:00 PM, Seminar Room
A genre of its own based largely on personal charisma and credibility, presenter-led programming has evolved dramatically from the early days of Wild Kingdom. What works, what doesn’t and how can we make this the best it can possibly be?
Mike De Gruy, The Film Crew (moderator)
Tim Martin, BBC
Dave Hamlin, National Geographic
Kevin Mohs, Animal Planet
RAVE Monday, 4:30 - 5:30 PM, Forum Room
The International League of Conservation Photographers joined Conservation International to launch their first RAVE (Rapid Area Visual Assessment), to create compelling multi-disciplinary media to complement the scientific documentation of specific threatened wild areas. Their first project: El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in Chiapas, Mexico.
Cristina Mittermeier, Conservation International (moderator) Tom Mangelson, Images of Nature
Patricio Robles Gill
Florian Schulz
Show Me the Money Tuesday 12:00 - 1:00 PM, Seminar Room
Finding funding can be a brutal and painstaking process. Creative financing strategies and different business models for project underwriting across the spectrum.
Barry Clark, Mandalay Media (moderator)
Katya Shirakov, Wild Logic, LLC
Sean Campbell, Arête David Vassar, Backcountry Films
Special Venue Programming Tuesday, 10:30 - 11 :30 AM , Workshop 2
Aquariums, museums and zoos have unique and extensive programming needs. Find out from what they are looking for and how you might break into the special venue market.
Laura Varnone, Feodor Pitcairn Productions (moderator) David Vassar, Backcountry Films Chuck Saltsman, Monterey Bay Aquarium
Joe Verrengia, Denver Museum of Natural History
Still Photography Friday, 2:30 - 3:30 PM, Seminar Room
Former Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic, Bill Allen and TimeMagazine photo editor, Mary Ann Golon join James Balog to examine the state of contemporary photography and its role in the digital media environment.
Bill Allen, Photographer
Mary Ann Golon, Time Magazine
James Balog, Photographer
Survival of the Fittest? Monday, 11 :30 AM - 12:30 PM, Seminar Room
We stand at a crossroads in the evolution of natural history programming. Blue chip or hip, commercial or public service, local or international, information or entertainment. What do viewers really want? Key commissioners examine the issues broadcasters wrestle, audience stats, and what it means to the independent producer in project underwriting.
Fred Kaufman, WNET (moderator)
Charlie Foley, Animal Planet
Neil Nightingale, BBC
Michael Rosenfeld, National Geographic
Telling the Tale Wednesday, 12:00 - 1:00 PM, Seminar Room
Classic or contemporary, it always comes down to how well a story is told. Compelling discussion about the most effective examples of the craft of storytelling.
Janet Hess, Nature/WNET (moderator)
Mark Deeble, Deeble and Stone
Harry Marshall, Icon Films
Catherine McConnell, Artemis Productions
Bill Broyles, Writer
3D Cinema Friday, 11 :30 AM -12:30 PM, Seminar Room
New technology and new programming have infused incredible life into this wonderful genre. 3D Digital cinema may save the declining traditional commercial theatre business model, and the need for new programming has never been greater.
Barry Clark, Mandalay Media (moderator)
Phil Streather, Principal Large Forma
Steve Schklair, 3ality Digital Media
Masaru Ikeo, MICO
Tim Liversedge, Tim Liversedge Productions
Young Turks Speak Friday, 9:00 - 10:00 AM , Seminar Room
Emerging filmmakers and talented newcomers take the microphone. What they have in store for the future of nat-history filmmaking may surprise you.
Chris Palmer, American University, Center for Environmental Filmmaking (moderator)
Rick Smith (finalist, Fish & Cow)
Tristan Bayer, Earthnative Films
Melissa Salpietra (finalist, Longfin)
Lindsey Davidson (finalist, Longfin)
Oliver Goetzl (finalist, Wolverines)
New Media
Mainstreaming 101
Wednesday, 12:00 - 1:00 PM, Workshop 1
From podcasting to web marketing and distribution, a how-to for independent filmmakers wanting to join the Web 2.0 world.
Russell Sparkman, FusionSpark
Greg Henderson, Multimedia Director, Associated Press
Reality Bytes: Internet Law Thursday, 9:00 - 10:00 AM , Seminar Room
From rights management to legal risks and the price of doing business, you need to know where things stand now, and how it impacts you.
Shari Lewis, Rivkin Radker, LLC
Web 2.0—Social Networking and User Generated Content Tuesday, 1:30 - 2:30 PM, Seminar Room
Amateur video documenting the 8 minute battle between a herd of buffalo, a pride of lions and two crocs garnered over 16 million YouTube views and a major production deal in just a few months. Users are active co-creators of media, commerce and entertainment, redistributing video streams on peer-topeer networks around the world. From rights management to application “mash ups” and market models, what are the implications and opportunities?
Russell Sparkman, FusionSpark Gallery (moderator)
Alexis Gerard, Future Image, Inc.
Eric Bendick, TERRA
Bridget Whalen, National Geographic
Web Documentary Thursday, 2:30 - 3:30 PM, Seminar Room
The web offers more than a distribution method: a new genre has emerged. Adopting storytelling traditions to this global, always on, interactive network, has huge power to influence attitudes and behavior.
Russell Sparkman, FusionSpark Media (moderator)
Greg Henderson, Multimedia Director, Associated Press
Alexis Gerard, Future Image, Inc.
WEBTV Tuesday, 10:30 - 11 :30 AM , Seminar Room
Live, from a watering hole near you! Case studies of some new streamed networks–an inside view from some of an exciting market for natural history filmmakers, with practical advice on business models that are working.
Fred Grossberg, Mill Reef (moderator) George Potter, TERRA Kim Wolhuter, Wild Africa Michael Schoenfeld, Channel G
Conservation & Inspiration
BINGO Wednesday, 1:30 - 2:30 PM, Seminar Room
Media alliances with conservation NGOs hold huge potential for all stakeholders. How can you tap in to this resource for content and potential underwriting support?
David Vassar, Backcountry Films (moderator)
Jennifer Witherspoon, Environmental Defense Cristina Mittermeier, Conservation International
John Francis, National Geographic
Natalie Cash, Wildlife Conservation Society
Encyclopedia of Life Monday, 8:00 - 9:00 PM, Forum Room
Technology has finally caught up to make E.O. Wilson’s long-held dream a reality. The Encyclopedia of Life is an system of websites that makes all key information about life on Earth accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world, with a constantly evolving encyclopedia that lives on the Internet, with contributions from scientists and amateurs alike. Find out how you can be part of this paradigm shift.
David Dugan will interview E.O. Wilson
Green is Good—Mission: Planet Earth Friday, 1:00 - 2:00 PM, Seminar Room
Corporate responsibility or public relations opportunity? Insights from some who have taken global citizenship to heart, making a huge impact on a level that counts through public/private partnership.
John Francis, National Geographic Missions (moderator)
Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia/1% for the Planet
MarViva Foundation
Sylvia Earle, National Geographic
Making A Difference Wednesday, 4:30 - 5:30 PM, Seminar Room
In the face of so many great challenges, we need to remind ourselves that there are some victories of note. Here are some success stories that give hope to filmmakers wanting to inspire change while the window of opportunity still exists.
Tom Veltre (moderator)
Tim Martin, BBC
Michael Schoenfeld, Channel G. TV
Sheila Bowman, Monterey Bay Aquarium
Now What? Friday, 3:30 - 4:30 PM, Forum Room
New ideas. No boundaries. In final plenary session, Festival visionaries offer provocative observations on what emerged through the week. Where we stand, where we seem to be heading, where we want to be going, and what is standing in the way.
CR Caillouet, Vision Unlimited-LA (moderator) Barry Clark, Mandalay Media Alastair Fothergill, BBC Mark Shelley, Sea Studios Foundation
On the Ground Thursday, 1:00 - 2:00 PM, Seminar Room
Making an impact where it actually counts–on a personal level. Innovative use of media can transcend barriers and inspire change–from remote villages to corporate boardrooms.
Mark Shelley, Sea Studios Foundation David Smith, CAVU Michael Rothschild, MarViva Foundation Tim Martin, BBC
Reports from the Trenches:NATURE TALKS! Saturday, 11 :30 AM - 4 PM, Center for the Arts Theatre
Story ideas from the ground: From bushmeat trade and habitat depletion to the impact of war and the saving of a species, scientists and conservationists get 12 minutes to present the stories that need immediate attention.
Kevin Zippel, Amphibian Ark Rick Rosenthal, Super Fish! Brot Coburn, The Snow Leopard Peck Euwer, Saving the Elephant
James Balog, Glaciers through Time
Sprek Rosecrans, The New Water Wars
Celine Cousteau, Humpback Ballet
What’s Your Footprint? Tuesday, 3:00 - 4:00 PM, Seminar Room
A “cradle-to-grave” look at film production in terms of the impact on our ecosystems. What can we do to reduce our own impact in a world of convenient solutions and instant gratification? Best practices and practical advice on how you can “walk the talk” while you make the movie.
Andrew Buchanan, Parthenon Films (moderator)
Laura Marshall, Icon Films
Jennifer Shoemaker, Independent
Production & Technology
Acquisition Tools & Technology Monday, 1:00 - 2:00 PM, Seminar Room
From tapeless cameras to the latest flavors of HD with new lenses, lens adaptors and film stocks, technology has become a critical component of the creative process. Users examine the latest tools available, with a mind toward what is looming on the horizon.
James Mathers, Digital Cinema Society (moderator) Rob Wilcox, Sony Stuart English, RED Steve Mahrer, Panasonic
Toshihiro Muta, Chief Cameraperson, Broadcast Engineering, NHK
Big Films-Little Budgets Monday, 3:00 - 4:00 PM, Seminar Room
From 24p DVCam to portable nonlinear editing systems, and streamed distribution
through the internet, accessible tools make it possible to create high value programming on a budget. A user’s guide to content creation, including delivery formats commissioners will accept.
Jason Winkler, Arete Media James Mathers, Digital Cinema Society
Compression and Conversion Friday, 1:00 - 2:00 PM, Workshop 1
It is what you don’t see that bytes you. A look at compression and conversion issues through the eyes of someone who has seen--and fixed--most of the mistakes that can be made: how to maximize usabilty and minimize technical rejections.
C.R. Caillouet, Vision Unlimited-LA
Mapping your Production Pathway: Preproduction Decisions Wednesday, 9:00 - 10:00 AM , Seminar Room
From format origination and post pathway to delivery format requirements and sound mix decisions, if you don’t do it up front, you will pay at the end. A producer’s guide to project-driven production and post production pathways.
C.R. Caillouet, Vision Unlimited-LA (moderator) Rick Harding, Sony Electronics Sasha Motivala, Arete
Saving your Assets Thursday, 10:30 - 11 :30 AM , Seminar Room
Data and workflow management in a tapeless world. When to trust, and when to back it up–practical advice from filmmakers with practical field experience and tips to share.
Gain practical experience with cutting edge production and post production insight and equipment by attending hands-on workshops.
Apple: Asset Management Using Final Cut Server Monday, 1:00 - 2:00 PM, Workshop 1
Tuesday, 3:00 - 4:00 PM, Workshop 1
Wednesday, 10:30 - 11 :30 AM , Workshop 1
If you are shooting digitally, you need to have a plan to manage your data before you start production. Also, as the cost of acquiring digitally decreases, the amount of footage you can shoot grows beyond levels we’ve been able to manage before. Using the asset and workflow management tools in Final Cut Server this seminar will help you learn to manage all the digital media in your next production.
Jeffrey Morse and Estelle McGechie
Apple: Color Correction with Apple Color Monday, 3:00 - 4:00 PM, Workshop 1
Tuesday, 1:30 - 2:30 PM, Workshop 1
Wednesday, 9:00 - 10:00 AM , Workshop 1
Color correction used to be an expensive black art. With Apple’s Color, we’ve democratized powerful tools to allow you to take control of the color correction process. In this seminar, learn the Color workflow and get a hands-on demonstration of the color correction process.
Jeffrey Morse and Estelle McGechie
Apple: Final Cut Studio Overview Monday, 10:00 - 11 :00 AM , Workshop 1
Tuesday, 9:00 - 10 AM , Workshop 1
Wednesday, 3:00 - 4:00 PM, Workshop 1
In this one-hour hands-on overview, learn how to take a project from ingest to output using all the tools in Final Cut Studio 2. You will learn how all the applications in Final Cut Studio (Final Cut Pro 6, Motion 3, Soundtrack Pro 2, Compressor 3 and DVD Studio Pro 4) integrate and interoperate to smooth your workflow when producing media.
Jeffrey Morse and Estelle McGechie
APPLE: HD Workflow and Final Cut Studio Monday, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Workshop 1
Tuesday, 10:30 - 11 :30 AM , Workshop 1
Wednesday, 1:30 - 2:30 PM, Workshop 1
Working in HD is the next step to making your productions commercially attractive. Learn how Final Cut Studio makes it easy to make the jump from SD to HD. We’ll cover acquisition, workflow planning, storage considerations and delivery options to help make your next HD project a smooth production. We’ll cover how to incorporate cutting edge technology into the present-day workflow using Final Cut Studio.
Jeffrey Morse and Estelle McGechie
Cameras on the Hill Thursday, 8 - 9 AM , Hillside North of the View Terrace
You’ve seen them on the exhibit floor, now watch them in action. Follow the trail to inspiration point, just north of Jackson Lake Lodge, and get a chance to use the cameras outside. Images will be reviewed in the exhibit room throughout the day.
Extreme HD Friday, 9:00 - 10:30, Workshop 1
Filmmaking and survival under extreme conditions combines basic survival training with filmmaking tips to help attendees learn how to prepare for and survive harsh environmental filmmaking conditions. We will use small cameras from a variety of manufacturers including HD, HDV, and the new SDHD format, mixers, radio mics and flash hard drive audio recorders. Attendees who have their own equipment are encouraged to bring it. Clips from Engel’s thirty-plus years of field work and that of others will be shown and the behind-the-scenes action analyzed.
Larry Engel, Larry Engel Productions
Adam Ravetch, Arctic Tale
Bernie Mitchell, Silver Platter Productions
Insider Trading: Stock Options Tuesday, 3:00 - 4:00 PM, Workshop 2
The new HD stock footage market is exploding and increasingly lucrative for nature filmmakers! Get the information you need to competefrom format conversion and digital asset management to online showcase and delivery.
Jason Winkler, Arete (moderator)
Paula Lumbard, Footage Bank
Kristy Manning, BBC Motion Gallery
Dan Baron, Footage Search
JVC Tuesday, 4:30 - 5:30 PM, Workshop 2
Join Mike Pellegatti, avid field producer and videographer for the past 17 years to hear about his recent experience with the JVC’s GY-HD250U ProHD flagship camcorder, on a shoot in Alaska. Pellegatti has been using the GY-HD100 camcorder since it’s introduction in 2005.
Macrophotography Technique Monday, 11 :30 - 12:30 PM, Workshop 2
Thursday, 4:00 - 5:00 PM, Workshop 2 Close-up cinematography provides unique opportunities to produce creative and dramatic shots. This type of filmmaking, also referred to as macro or micro cinematography, directs the viewer to new types of subject matter and situations requiring special techniques and perspective. In storytelling, close-ups have great emotional impact.
Mark Centkowski
Music Thursday, 9:00 - 10:00 AM , Workshop 2
With more film entries in the Original Musical Score category than ever before, there is much to discuss, from aesthetics to economics.
Ron Riddle, Riddle Music
Lenny Williams, Composer
Panasonic Tuesday, 8 - 9:30 AM , Workshop 2
Get your hands on the latest gear and learn about P2 acquisition and workflow. Panasonic will have the full lineup of P2 products.
Pitching the Commissioners Thursday, 1:00 - 2:00 PM, Workshops 1 & 2
Thursday, 2:30 - 3:30 PM, Workshops 1 & 2
Here is your chance to sell your ideas to some of the most sought after production executives from around the globe. They come looking for projects–you come looking for partners! The rules are simple–you have ten minutes to make your pitch with a one-pager in hand–then you must move on. Who knows, maybe you will strike gold!
Advance signup is required for these sessions. Email luis@jhfestival.org, for sign up. Please specify the session(s) and commissioner(s) of your choice.
Polish Your Pitch—Proposal Review Monday, 10:00 - 11 :00 AM , Workshop 2
Seasoned pros will give candid advice in this early workshop about the projects you want to pitch. Bring a copy of the one page proposal you will deliver to commissioners later in the week and receive incisive critical input that could give you the edge you need to compete.
Carol Fleisher, fleisherfilm Mary Jo Kinser, ESPN Courtney Thompson, National Geographic International
Wednesday, 10:30 - 11 :30 AM , Workshop 2
Ashley Hoppin, National Geographic Channel US David Royle, Smithsonian Networks Carol Fleisher, fleisherfilm
Advance signup is required for these sessions. Email luis@jhfestival.org, for sign up.
Polish Your Pitch—Practice Rounds Monday, 2:30 - 3:30 PM, Workshop 2
Seasoned pros will give candid advice about your pitching style. Don’t miss this opportunity for incisive critical input that could give you the edge you need to compete. Project in hand, here is your chance to try your pitch out on a pro.
Ron Devillier, Devillier Donegan Enteprises Courtney Thompson, National Geographic Channels International Ashley Hoppin, National Geographic US
Wednesday, 2:30 - 3:30 PM, Workshop 2
Chris Palmer, American University, Center for Environmental Filmmaking MaryJo Kinser, ESPN Courtney Thompson, National Geographic
Advance signup is required for these sessions. Email luis@jhfestival.org, for sign up.
Save Our Seas—Pitch Session Tuesday, 12- 1 PM, Workshop 2
Have a project that focuses on marine environments or oceanic wildlife? Here is your chance to pitch your idea to the Save Our Seas Foundation - a non-profit very keen to fund worthy programming about the Oceans. You have ten minutes to pitch your project to the SOS members.
Tom Campbell, Save Our Seas Foundation
Schmooze or Lose Monday, 4:00 - 5:00 PM, Workshop 2
Networking 101–get the most out of this year’s Festival with the master! Chris Palmer leads this early-on session designed solely to give you the tools and confidence to network effectively.
Chris Palmer, American University, Center for Environmental Filmmaking
Sony: Format Overview Thursday, 10:30 - 11:30 AM , Workshop 2
Sony: F23 4:4:4 Camera Workshop Wednesday, 8 - 9 AM , Workshop 2
Writers Critique and Workshop Wednesday, 9:00 - 10:00 AM , Workshop 2
Thursday, 9:00 - 10:00 AM , Workshop 1
Submit your project in advance, and be critiqued by some of the industry’s finest–a rare opportunity to get incisive input from veterans looking to share their experience.
Writer/mentors include:
Cathy McConnell, Mark Deeble, Mary Jo Kinser, Harry Marshall, Janet Hess, Alex Gregory
Advance signup for these sessions is required. Email luis@jhfestival.org, for sign up.
Anatomy of a Production
20 Years NHU Monday, 1:00 - 2:30 PM, Forum Room
This September, ORF's Natural History Unit celebrates its 20th anniversary. Head of Unit Walter Koehler, who has commissioned productions and led Austria's continuously successful prime-time documentary strand UNIVERSUM for the past 13 years, will present highlights from the unit's history, with a special focus on one of its most recent series, Nature Tech.
Walter Koehler, ORF
Gabon, The Last Eden Wednesday, 9:00 - 10:30 AM, Forum Room
Filming the natural treasures of Gabon presented many challenges in diverse environments, each with their own set of problems. National Geographic's "Anatomy of Gabon: The Last Eden" will dissect the techniques used to film in each of Gabon's habitats: deep rainforest and intricate canopy, hidden bais that harbor gorillas and elephant gatherings and the coast, where the forest and its wild inhabitants spill out to the sea. Panelists wil discuss the vital collaboration of NGT field teams with Wildlife Conservation Society scientists, staff and the people of Gabon responsible for the visionary decision to create thirteen national parks.
Keenan Smart, National Geographic (moderator) Katie Bauer, National Geographic Natalie Cash, Wildlife Conservation Society Bob Poole, Bob Poole Films
Planet Earth and Beyond Thursday, 9:00 - 10:30 AM, Forum Room
How was such a ground break project as Planet Earth achieved? And how has that successful brand been used to launch content that changed government thinking on climate change, raised millions of dollars for wildlife conservation and exploited almost every media platform, from mobile phone to cinema?
Neil Nightingale, BBC Alastair Fothergrill, BBC Hiromishi Iwasaki, NHK
Christmas in Yellowstone Thursday, 11:00 - 12:30 PM, Forum Room
The session will explore thye difficulties of capturing Yellowstone at its harshest but most beautiful season. It's the story of otters, foxes, bears, and bison taking on the toughest time of the year. But, more than just a look at winter in Yellowstone, the film also takes on the thematic challenge of incorporating a spiritual and cultural tradition into a study of wilderness. Filmed in HD, this film was nominated this year for two Emmys--Cinematography and Music & Sound.
Janet Hess, Nature/WNET (moderator) Shane Moore, Moore and Moore Films Bob Poole, Bob Poole Films Lenny Williams, Composer
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