Hollywood Black Film Festival
Now in its 9th year: June 3-8, 2008
Beverly Hills, California

HBFF 2008 INFOTAINMENT CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

The Hollywood Black Film Festival has announced its 2008 Infotainment Conference schedule.  Nearly 100 industry professionals are scheduled to speak at Infotainment '08. The conference features nearly a dozen panel discussions and workshops focused on a wide range of topics from film financing, production, distribution and marketing to pitching, writing for television and film, and new media, in addition to specific programs of interest to actors. It's a 'must-attend' for cutting edge learning and networking opportunities.

Infotainment '08 will be held in the Clarity Theater, 100 N. Crescent Drive (corner of Crescent Dr. and Wilshire Blvd.), Beverly Hills, CA.

Some of the highlights of Infotainment '08 include:

• On Wednesday June 4th at 4:30pm, filmmakers Kevin Bray ("All About the Benjamins"), Christopher Erskin ("Johnson Family Vacation") and Preston Whitmore ("This Christmas") will talk about their films, their careers, and the way in which they have been able to balance their artistic integrity with the tangible pressures of getting a film during the Filmmaker's Roundtable.

• Charlotte Koh, Business Development Executive, Future Films; Danae Ringlemann, co-founder, IndieGoGo; Fred Greene; and Corky Kessler will discuss The Film Financing on Thursday, June 5th at 10am.
  


• Super attorneys Stephen Barnes, Nina Shaw and Michal Johnson will talk about Negotiating & Leveraging Tactics on Thursday, June 5th at 12 noon.

• Leading television executives will discuss Programming for Primetime on Friday, June 6th at 2:30pm.  Panelists include Channing Dungey, VP, Drama Development, ABC; Pearlena Igbowkwe, SVP, Original Programming, Showtime Networks; Robyn Lattiker-Johnson, Director of Development, BET; Jada Miranda, Co-head, HBO Independent Productions & HBO Comedy Series Development; Vice President, Comedy Development; and Jennifer Turner, VP, Drama Programming, NBC Universal Television Studio.
  

More panelist names will be announced shortly.  Following is the complete Infotainment '08 schedule:  

            

INFOTAINMENT CONFERENCE '08

 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2008

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM  / Positioning Your Film For Success
Get specific advice on creating a strategy to build a buzz and maximize your chances of selling your film.  Learn how to launch your film—from marketing materials, ad agencies, and guerilla tactics to getting press attention, and evaluating buyers .

12:00 PM – 1:15 PM / Power Networking – The Secret Hollywood Code
Let Heather Hale, a veteran Hollywood insider, teach you the secrets of networking that empower you to supercharge your career. Learn how to break the ice and build rapport, team network and work a room, mine organizations from the inside out through events and volunteering, mind map your web of relationships, diversify your sphere of influence, expand your constellations of connections and refine your hit lists.

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM / Shooting for the Editor
Learn how to shoot for the editor from the director and editor’s perspective. The audience will have the opportunity to view dailies then the final editing of a scene.
 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM / Developing Reality Television
There really is a format for developing a successful reality television show.  Listen and learn about how you can strengthen your reality TV concept and make it a success.

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM / Filmmaker’s Roundtable
In a lively discussion, a panel of today’s most successful filmmakers talk about their films, their careers, and the way in which they have been able to balance their artistic integrity with the tangible pressures of getting a film made. They share their solutions for overcoming some of the special challenges that independent filmmakers face.

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM  / Comedy in Film
This panel offers tips on producing, directing and writing that will reflect on their wisdom and experience in making comedy movies.

 

THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2008

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM / Film Financing Strategies
Learn strategies for financing film productions, the latest trends and developments in the use of private equity, pre-sales, production credits, utilizing commercial bankers to secure findings and what elements are essential to successfully finding the money you need for your film project.

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM / Film Music
This panel focuses on licensing issues filmmakers encounter when placing music in their films. Panelists will share tips on how to acquire and license music for films.

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM / Film Distribution
Panelists will discuss the current state of urban film distribution and will share their insight on strategies for getting theatrical, direct-to-video, VOD, cable and online distribution.

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM / Actors Boot Camp
This boot camp will provide you with the cornerstone of a strong foundation in acting technique as well as its APPLICATION. Actors will sharpen their acting skills as well as learn the nuts and bolts of being a professional, the business of show business, and how to market themselves.

 

FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2008

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM / Script Secrets: How To Get Representation and Get Produced
You’ve developed your project, you’ve perfected your pitch, but how do you get in the door to get it sold? Getting in the doors to agents, production companies and studios isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible! Find out the different 'insider' tracks from the pros who know the ropes.

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM / Negotiating Tactics:  How to Structure the Most Favorable Deal
Seasoned entertainment attorneys discuss the major points of negotiation in film financing, sales and distribution contacts.  What are the most important negotiating points?  What terms should you know?  Learn how to leverage your bargaining power relative to the distributor, as well as the overall desirability, demand and marketability of your project.

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM / Programming for Primetime
How can you take your film idea and make it suitable for primetime television? What are the networks looking to produce?  What is the process for getting your show on the air?  This panel will answer these questions and more.

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM / Filming Overseas
Learn from the expertise and experience of individuals who have facilitated film production and expedition logistics in international locations. No need to for you to spend hours finding contacts we already have.  Let us, in the most efficient way possible, sweeten the details of what it takes for filming oversees.

SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 2008

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM / Theatrical Acquisitions
What does a theatrical distribution deal really mean, and how does it work? Find out from leading studio acquisitions executives what it takes to get your film acquired for theatrical release.

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM / Taking Your Film to the Next Level
Studio, cable and independent production and distribution company executives explain the scope of their companies, how to approach them, what they are looking to produce, the types of projects they acquire, and the different stages at which they get involved in film projects.  This panel will cut-to-the-chase and provide advice on how to take your film to the next level.

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM / Producer’s Roundtable
Top film producers discuss the business of producing films – from idea conception through completion.

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM / Pitchathon Roundtable
This is a MUST ATTEND event for filmmakers and storytellers hoping to sell their idea, story, book or screenplay to Hollywood buyers. Participants get to pitch their story ideas to entertainment industry executives such as film directors and producers, acquisitions, development, production and distribution executives, and talent agents.

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM / Attorney Meet and Greet
Sign up for a 15-minute conversation with an attorney.  This is your opportunity to get some in-face time with industry professionals you need to know. The HBFF One-on-One Meet-and-Greet will allow everyone a chance to network, make contacts, and gain practical advice about navigating the film business.

SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2008

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM  / Actors Boot Camp
This boot camp will provide you with the cornerstone of a strong foundation in acting technique as well as its APPLICATION. Actors will sharpen their acting skills as well as learn the nuts and bolts of being a professional, the business of show business, and how to market themselves.  

1:30 AM – 3:00 PM / Digital Hollywood: Maximizing New Media to Promote your Projects
New media and software innovator Donna Michelle Anderson will walk you through the ultimate FREE online solutions to help you manage, promote and make an impact with your projects.  She will also teach you how to leverage new media to further your career and projects.

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM / Faith-based Cinema
Learn firsthand from filmmakers who have successfully created and released faith-based films what it takes to get your faith-based film distributed.