A great grab bag of information for new filmmakers from industry professionals including: Where to spend your money (money?!), planning for post-production, a distribution and broadcast primer, publicity, film festival strategies, legal issues and anecdotes from filmmakers. It’s kind of the WCFF version of ‘speed dating’ – you’ll leave knowing a little bit about many of the things you should take into consideration when making your film and give you a basis for your own exploration.

Moderator: David Miller, Director of Communication/New Business, Channel Zero

Panelists:

Shane Smith, Programmer for Movieola-the short film channel and Silver Screen Classics, former Director of the CFC World Wide Short Film Festival. Shane will be talking about Film festival strategies and approaching broadcasters for sales.

Scott Cole: Senior Manager, eyes Post. Scott will talk about planning for post-production before you shoot and how to choose and develop a relationship with a post house.

Alan Hollingsworth: Account Manager, Hunter Keilty Muntz & Beatty, Insurance Brokers. Alan knows all about what type of insurance should be considered for all types of films.

Heather Mitchell: Entertainment Lawyer, will discuss Errors and Omissions insurance, libel, clearances and other legal considerations.

Jeremy Katz: Publicist will have info on what filmmakers should have in order to publicize their film, choose a publicist, costs involved, etc.

Meet the Decision Makers! Leading professionals from the film and television industry help de-mystify the process getting your film seen on television, in video stores, in theatres and on new media. Get the scoop on what they’re looking for in comedy programming, how to get in to pitch to them, what they want in a pitch, financing, license fees and tax credits, trends in programming and all that other business stuff. Great for filmmakers with some experience who want to take the next step in their careers.

Moderator: Carla Nolan, WCFF Festival Director, Film/TV Producer

Panelists include:

Del Mehes - Del M Productions: Del brings with her over 20 years of experience with companies such as Alliance/Atlantis. She is an independent contractor who knows how to make the complicated issue of tax credits and, funding research and application filings understandable.

Jenn Chen - OUAT Media Distribution: (and film producer extraordinaire). Formerly the driving force behind the CFC’s Flow Distribution, now the director of OUAT Media, the largest distributor of short films in Canada. Jenn has extensive knowledge of distribution, how to find a distributor, multi-platform distribution, international markets and negotiation.

Marina Di Pancrazio - The Movie Network: Back by popular demand...will talk about what TMN is looking for, how to approach/pitch a broadcaster, necessary elements in putting together a deal, different types of deals from outright acquisitions to pre-sales for development. Marina has also worked for Just for Laughs and, as a filmmaker, can see the concerns on both the business and creative sides.

This is a rare chance for an in-depth exploration of taking comedy to the small screen – television! These two personalities bring with them experience of bring live comedy talents from the stage to developing television series. What are the writing challenges? How and whom do you approach – which broadcasters are most interested in pitches and how do you pitch them? Co-productions – what is the US market like? How do you find a good production company to team with? All this and a multitude of anecdotes from two who’ve been there!

Patrick McKenna: Popular North American and Gemini Award winning actor (and really nice guy!), The Red Green Show, Traders, Getting Along Famously and Robson Arms. He is now involved in developing his own projects.

Deborah Day: Veteran Director of film Expecting and television Getting Along Famously, Women Fully Clothed: All dressed Up and Places to Go, What Is Art? Deb is a pro at pitching successfully and getting her projects ‘green lit’. She brings with her extensive experience in working with comedians/improv actors with strong stage skills to develop and direct their television projects. She has directed veteran Second City celebs and Gemini Award winners Colin Mochrie, Debra McGrath, Patrick McKenna, Robin Duke, Jane Eastwood and Theresa Pavlinek