Tales from the Con: Day 1
July 31, 2009
The first day at Comic Con after not having attended for over 10 years was a bit eye opening. After arriving at the convention center promptly at 8:50am I realized that the line to get badges began at the road which was right next to the trolley stop and snaked all the way past the marina before heading down the length of the building and upstairs to the registration area. So I basically stepped right off the trolley and into the badge line. I really didn’t know at that point where the line went, but I suspected it wasn’t going to be pretty. Luckily I had my handy dandy iPod and promptly put in the ear buds which provided me with hours of entertainment, which I needed. I think it was exactly two hours later when I arrived at the computer that spit out my sparkling Silver Pass…. aahhhh… it was a thing of beauty. My faithful friend Travis had been waiting in line since 6:30 that morning, first for his badge and then for a place in line for the Disney panel. Unfortunately for Travis, that was the same line that the Twilight fans were waiting in so it was very looooooong.
Tales from the Con: Lost Part Two
July 29, 2009
(continued) The lights dimmed and the famed image of the Lost horizon came up on the projector screen. Slowly all the Season 6 Lost characters faded onto the screen leaving a hole in the middle for a rear facing… John Locke! Woo hoo! Pure awesome. The lights came up and Damon and Carlton strode onto stage like the rock stars they are. They told us that since this is the last year for Lost at Comic Con that they wanted the day to be about fan appreciation. That’s something that’s always been so cool about being apart of the Lost fan base. The guys really care about the fans and go over and above expectations to give us as much cool content as they possibly can. Everything from video games to Oceanic airlines websites to a multitude of mobisodes with extra content for those viewers who will search for it. It’s always special and it’s always spectacular.
Tales from the Con: Lost Part One
July 28, 2009
This past weekend I attended the Comic Con convention for the first time in many years. I’ve decided to devote blog space on the Film Method site to this incredible Con as a special tribute this week in place of a regularly scheduled podcast recording. I’ll be blogging my Comic Con memoirs for the rest of the week so get ready for 5 awe-inspiring installments of the Tales from the Con.
I think the last time I was at Comic Con was in 1998. I was with my brother Brian, who happens to be a tremendous comic book artist, and he had a blast. I have never really been much of a comic book or sci-fi fan. That being said, I must admit that one of the most influential movie trilogies for me as a budding filmmaker and storyteller was the first Stars Wars movies and now I am a huge Lost fan, go figure.
Comic Con Part One
July 25, 2009
Comic Con 2009 Part 1
As I sit in line at 7:00am waiting for the Lost panel, I realize that I have ample time to reflect on the past 2 days at Comic Con. Lost is why I’m here, but I’ve found many more fabulously cool reasons to enjoy my 4 day stay here. Day 1 (Thursday) was full of excitement… and plenty of long lines. With so many blockbuster movies on the horizon and all the craziness surrounding the Twilight and Lost events, this just may be the most hyped Comic Con to date. After waiting in line for my badge for 2 hours I was lucky enough to score a place in line for the Disney panel thanks to my friend Travis. He had waited for 4 hours in that line. God bless you, Trav. The first panel was all about Disney’s upcoming 3-D releases including Robert Zemeckis’ A Christmas Carol (yay Daryl Sabara!), Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, and the eagerly awaited remake of Tron. Next up
Episode Six: Begin with the End in Mind
The business side of making a movie doesn’t come easy to most filmmakers, but it’s important to remember that it is in fact a business. This week we’ll talk about some aspects of filmmaking such as forming an LLC and when you should hire a lawyer. These things in addition to good marketing are crucial to your film’s success and these are all steps that need to be taken at the beginning and not the end of the process.
Episode Five: May I be Direct?
The role of the director on a film is to cast a vision, direct the actors, and make sure the cast and crew cultivate that vision from the seeds that have been planted. Without the right producer to partner with you in your endeavor, that task will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to attain. In Episode 5 we’ll discuss the different hats that directors and producers wear and we’ll also hear from both sides about how to nurture the important director-producer partnership.
Anna Christopher
Anna Christopher is a director and writer. She grew up in Hinsdale, Illinois, writing stories and riding horses. She attended Northwestern University, where she made her first films. Later, she earned her MFA in Directing at the American Film Institute. Christopher’s shorts have screened at over fifty film festivals worldwide including the Cannes Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, and NBC Universal Comedy Short Cuts. Her work has won a student Emmy, numerous audience awards, and Best Family Pilot at The New York Television Festival. Her web-based projects include video e-card site LilyDidIt.com, Trojan condom web virals and an inaugural video for the launch of quarterlife.com. Anna is currently working on a feature screenplay and a documentary about four-time Olympic skier Casey Puckett. She lives in Los Angeles and her favorite vegetable is asparagus.
For more information about Anna Christopher or to contact her please visit her website:
Gabe Reiter
Gabe Reiter is fascinated by and drawn to the magic of movies. Gabe earned his M.F.A. in producing from The American Film Institute and his B.A. from the University of Miami. He has worked on a number of indie projects including features Hurt and Radio Free Albemuth, and series Sex Ed and Speeide Date. Gabe has also produced commercials for major European brands and music videos for Randy Travis and Armor For Sleep. Gabe got his start in the business by working for veteran film producer Robert Cort whose credits include Save The Last Dance, Jumanji, and Mr. Holland’s Opus. Presently, Gabriel is developing several comedy, thriller, and action adventure screenplays. Gabe’s strategy includes leveraging exceptional material in order to partner with established entities, secure financing, and produce commercially viable feature films.
Jenna Edwards
In the year 2000, Jenna, made the journey to L.A. to pursue acting. She appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Malcolm in the Middle as well as several independent films. Her natural charisma, inherent organizational skills and art for problem solving led her to producing student films and as of late, her feature film debut, April Showers. Producing has given her a rare gift, one that allows her to truly love her job and to be excited every day about what she can achieve and enable others to achieve. Edwards and Andrew Robinson have recently formed their own distribution company called Pure+Motive.
Andrew Robinson
Unlike most filmmakers, Andrew Robinson never set out to become one. At the age of 13, Andrew and his family relocated to Littleton, Colorado where he would eventually attend Columbine High School. During his time at Columbine, Robinson fell into the dramatic arts and became a staple in school as well as local and statewide productions. However, the morning of April 20th 1999 changed all of that. April Showers marks Robinson’s second feature length effort. Robinson and Edwards have recently begun work on their second feature film collaboration, an adaptation of Dancing Carl based on the novel by three-time Newbery Honor author Gary Paulsen.
For more information about Jenna Edwards or Andrew Robinson or to contact them please visit at www.aprilshowersmovie.com or www.dancingcarl.com
Episode Four: Networking
Networking in the film industry is not only essential, it’s a way of life. If you shudder when you hear the word “networking”, don’t worry, you’re not alone. The term has garnered negative responses from all of us in the entertainment industry. You may be glad to know that it might not be as daunting as you originally thought. In this episode we talk about many different ways you can meet people in the industry, not only in LA, but also in cities across the country.
Julie Inmon
Julie is a graduate of The Second City Training Center in Los Angeles with experience on both stage and screen. She recently appeared in the feature films Disfigured by Glenn Gers and Broken Windows with Michael Gross and Larisa Oleynik. Her comedy credits include the rambunctious Pool Party and the illustrious cable TV show Manswers. Julie can often be found performing musical improvisation in venues around Los Angeles.
For more information about Julie Inmon or to contact her please visit her at one of the following locations:
www.julieinmon.com
Julie’s Twitter
Julie’s Networking Suggestions
Actorsite -workshop place with classes and events
Women in Film
Hollywood Happy Hour
Meetup
Hollywood Networking Breakfast
Also, several actors try to start their own power groups, workout nights, etc- just meeting them in acting class and other opportunities sprout off of that.
Hollie Hummel
Numerous television/film/voiceover/commercial/psa/industrial and theatre performances have earned this award winning actor a Telly for 60 Seconds on a Steward’s Journey PSA, plus various other awards. She can also be seen in several What I Like About You episodes, currently rerunning on ABC Family or you may have heard her giggle in Walk The Line.
Thanks to networking Hollie turned producer launching HHGIRL Productions in 2006 working with Oak Films on two Sprouse Twins movies and Academy Award Winning producer/director Bobby Moresco. The Prince and the Pauper is in stores everywhere being distributed by Sony and Kings of Appletown is in process to do the same with a possible theatrical release.
For more information about Hollie Hummel or to contact her please visit one of the following websites:
www.holliehummel.com
Hollie’s LinkedIn
Hollie’s MySpace
Hollie’s Twitter
Hollie’s Networking Suggestions
Actor’s Network -818-509-1010. Use Hollie’s name as a reference
APS Entertainment -323-462-2777
Jenna Edwards
In the year 2000, Jenna, made the journey to L.A. to pursue acting. She appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Malcolm in the Middle as well as several independent films. Her natural charisma, inherent organizational skills and art for problem solving led her to producing student films and as of late, her feature film debut, April Showers. Producing has given her a rare gift, one that allows her to truly love her job and to be excited every day about what she can achieve and enable others to achieve. Edwards and her directing partner Andrew Robinson have recently formed their own distribution company called Pure+Motive. Jenna and Andrew have recently begun work on their second feature film collaboration, an adaptation of Dancing Carl based on the novel by three-time Newbery Honor author Gary Paulsen.
For more information about Jenna Edwards or to contact her please visit one the following websites:
Jenna’s Twitter
www.aprilshowersmovie.com
www.dancingcarl.com
Episode Three: The Writer’s Perspective
It seems that every doctor, tailor, and coffee barista is writing a screenplay these days. If you’re one of the many who aspire to succeed at this fine art form you will definitely want to listen to this episode! Brian Herskowitz, Aydrea ten Bosch, and Andrew Robinson bring a variety of stories and experiences to the table as we talk about the business of being a screenwriter.
Brian Herskowitz
Like millions before him, Brian Herskowitz moved out to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. He soon learned that there was a dearth of roles for shorter leading men and began searching for other outlets for his creative passions. In 1980 he wrote his first screenplay, an action thriller about a young man who moves to Tokyo to train for the Olympics in Judo and gets caught up in intrigue with the Yakuza. As a writer, Brian has completed well over a dozen feature films. His TV credits include a staff writing position on the NBC sit-com BLOSSOM, multiple episodes of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, the HBO hit comedy Dream On, CBS’s Renegade, The Exile, Murder, She Wrote, the FOX Network’s Young Hercules, and CBS’s critically acclaimed series Tour of Duty. In addition to writing Brian is the Senior Vice President for Artists Media Co-Operative, and has several films in pre-production.
For more information about Brian or to contact him please visit one of his websites:
www.writeforfilm.com
www.co-opnyc.com
Aydrea ten Bosch
Aydrea, a former news reporter, has been a freelance writer for Nickelodeon and Hawaii Film Partners, a staff writer for Disney and currently has a feature film in post production with Highlander Films. Aydrea has been a finalist in the AAA Creative Screenwriting Contest and while at Disney, one of her scripts was chosen to represent the network before the Emmy Nominating Committee. She also runs the blog The Oreo Experience www.theoreoexperience.com
For more information about Aydrea or to contact her please visit her website:
Andrew Robinson
Unlike most filmmakers, Andrew Robinson never set out to become one. At the age of 13, Andrew and his family relocated to Littleton, Colorado where he would eventually attend Columbine High School. During his time at Columbine, Robinson fell into the dramatic arts and became a staple in school as well as local and statewide productions. However, the morning of April 20th 1999 changed all of that. April Showers marks Robinson’s second feature length effort. Robinson and Edwards have recently begun work on their second feature film collaboration, an adaptation of Dancing Carl based on the novel by three-time Newbery Honor author Gary Paulsen.
For more information about Andrew or to contact him please visit one of his websites:
www.aprilshowersmovie.com
www.dancingcarl.com
