Rhode Island Film Forum

August 8-9th 2007 • 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

University of Rhode Island, Feinstein Campus, 80 Washington Street, Providence

Special Filmmaker Rates: $25 a day or both days for $40

This is happening in New York City: Could it happen in your community?

With Deadine Looming, Proposed NYC Film Permit Rules Rile Indies

 

by Agnes Varnum (July 30, 2007)

With stenciled Bolex camera protest signs and no permit to assemble, some 400 people demonstrated at a downtown Manhattan rally on Friday to protest New York's moves to alter rules that govern filming and photography on the city's streets. On that same day, members of NYC's independent film community met with the Mayors Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting (MOFTB) to discuss the proposed changes. The announcement by the NYC MOFTB that it would institute formal and potentially restrictive rules for those engaged in filmmaking or photography in and around the city has stirred vocal criticism (and increasing media attention) in the final days of a public comment period.

Read the Full Story @ indieWIRE.com

THIS IS A CALL TO ALL

Rhode Island Cities & Towns
Filmmakers
Film Production Crews
Film Students
Artistic Directors, Film Vendors
Civic Organizations
Historic and Preservation Groups
Property Manager
Recreation Managers
Hotel Managers, Rental Agencies

Be a part of this multi-million dollar industry here in Rhode Island

Here’s a chance to become involved with Rhode Island’s “stars” of the film community. The two-day forum will bring together leaders of the film industry with the decision-making community leaders and historic, natural and commercial property managers of Rhode Island.

“How To” Sessions:

• How to work with the film industry
• How to get the film industry to work with you
• How to be prepared and pro-active
• What are the resources that filmmakers need?
• Understand how to create a partnership so that everyone involved benefits.
• What are the emerging technologies that will be impacting on future film productions?

• How do you promote and what is web 2.0?

Rhode Island in Film & Television

Here are some of the films made in the Ocean State. To learn more about Rhode Island's film history, click here.

• The Great Gatsby (1974)
• The Scarlet Letter (1975)
• The Betsy (1978)
• Mr. North (1987)
• Mermaids (1990)
• Reversal of Fortune (1990)
• Wind (1992)
• Federal Hill (1993)
• The Buccaneers (1993)
• True Lies (1994)
• Dumb and Dumber (1994)
• Killer ( 1994)
• American Buffalo (1995)
• Code of Ethics (1996)
• Ties to Rachel (1996)
• Strangers in Transit (1996)
• Outside Providence (1997)
• Tax Day (1997)
• Amistad (1997)
• There's Something About Mary (1998)
• Meet Joe Black (1998)
• Me, Myself & Irene (1999)
• NBC 's Providence (1999 -
• The Brotherhood (2005 - )
• Underdog (2007)
• Dan in Real Life (2007)
• 27 Dresses (2008)

Will you film be next? Will your community host the next film or photo shoot?

The Rhode Island Film Forum is designed to provide a networking platform, spur dialogue and get answers to your questions from those who make decisions.

First held in 1998 at the Aldrich Mansion in Warwick, the 2007 event promises to be bigger, cover more ground and will be capped by a keynote luncheon.

This Year's Program:

DAY ONE: August 8th

8:00AM          Registration

8:30AM          Welcome & Opening Remarks

SCENE ONE
8:45AM          Why Rhode Island Is Right For Your Film
A focus on the locations in Rhode Island; its surrounding beauty and the uniqueness of the Ocean State. Learn where and why previous Hollywood films have chosen to shoot on location in the state; see why location scouts select their locations; and discover the perks of filming in Rhode Island as opposed to other New England states. How are partnerships created that benefit everyone involved which reach out to each city and town? How to find the resources needed to get your production completed, on budget, while slicing through red tape.

Panel Discussion featuring: Bob Billington, President, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council; Karen Jedson, Director, Warwick Tourism; Kristin Adamo, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Providence Warwick Convention and Visitor's Bureau; Myrna George,  President, South County Tourism Council; and Toni-Ann Baker, Filmmaker.

9:45AM          Coffee Break

SCENE TWO
10:00AM        Rhode Island Film & Television Tax Credit
Tax incentives currently for film production in about 39 states in the United States. Just what are the benefits from the tax incentive law offered in Rhode Island? Learn how selling tax credits to other Rhode Island taxpaying companies and individuals can be a source of revenue for your film. An up close and in-depth forensic of a critical issue involving film/television/ video game production in the state.
Break Out Room: Featuring Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of RI Film & Television Office; Carol Patton, Publisher, Imagine Magazine; Heidi Hamilton, Division Director of the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism Film Division.

                       Film & Entertainment Law 101
Learn the fundamentals of media law and explore legal relationships within broadcasting and film industries. How to avoid legal problems prior to production, learn about copyright laws, insurance issues and unions. Hear about issues on new and changing laws regarding obtaining rights to music, scripts, etc. Hear from attorneys and their experience as well as from producers and directors and what they have experienced.
     Break Out Room: Featuring David Spatt, Ocean State Lawyers for the Arts; Director/Producer, Eric Latek of Phantazma Pictures.
                       
11:00AM        Coffee Break

SCENE THREE
11:15AM        Recently In Rhode Island
Join us for a panel of industry leaders who have filmed or are currently in production in Rhode Island. Listen first hand about the experiences they have had and why these productions decided to film in the state, and what they believe are the benefits of filming in Rhode Island. Some of the work shot in Rhode Island includes: The Brotherhood, The Waterfront, Evening, 27 Dresses, Underdog, and Trouble Man.
Panel Discussion featuring: Toni-Ann Baker, Filmmaker;  Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of RI Film & Television Office; Eric Latek, Director/Producer of the feature documentary “Sweet Dreams”; Director/Producer of the feature film “By the Sea,” Dean Huh; Writer/Producer of “The Strange Case of Marie France,” Vin Fraioli.

DAY TWO: August 9th

8:00AM          Registration

8:30AM          Welcome & Opening Remarks

SCENE ONE
8:45AM          A Guide To Post-Production
A helpful session to learn about the new softwares and technologies that are being used in the industry for visual effects. Hear from top regional companies in post production such as Tango Pix.Featuring: Theresa Corrao, visual Effects producer for the Harry Potter films and Jurassic Park 3; Michael Dawson, Director of Post-Production at TangoPix;
                       
                        Film Financing & Distribution
How do you find sources who can assist in getting your work funded and out to the public?  We’ll start with how to budget a film by demonstrating how you can plan production, publicity, marketing, delivery, and legal costs.  Learn how not to overlook areas that can come back to haunt you.  Also, find out how to prospect and pitch your project to potential investors, softwares available for film budgeting, as well as ways of budgeting for working with S.A.G. actors.
Featuring: Page Ostrow, President of Ostrow & Company; Alexis Fish, of SAGIndie Development and Sponsorship; Entertainment Partners Vice President of Marketing & Sales, Myfa Cirinna.

                        Niche Films

This detailed Q & A session uncovers the many different niches of films, from documentary, animation, gay & lesbian, and feature films.  A panel of filmmakers will discuss the benefits and pitfalls to making a niche film.  Find out what technology is available to help you to discover and to connect with your niche audience.
Featuring:  Michelle Le Brun, Director/ Producer “Death: A Love Story”; Michael Attardi, Director/Producer “Once Upon A Christmas Village; Executive Director of NewFest Film Festival, Basil Tsiokos; Director/Editor of “Happy Monday,” Andrew Filippone Jr.

                        Casting For Your Film

Learn to see acting talent when it presents itself- and the knack for conducting a casting call, making the right decisions, and having faith in your actors.  Hear from actors on what it is like to be on the other side of the casting table, from casting calls to screen tests.  Find out how the internet can help you streamline the casting process

Featuring:  Carson Grant, Actor/Director;  SAG Representative and Co-Chair of the Independent Film Committee of the Boston Organizing Committee, Mick Hoegen;  Director/Producer of “By the Sea,” Dean Huh;  Casting Director of LDI Casting, Anne Mulhall.

9:45AM          Coffee Break

SCENE TWO
10:00AM       Finding Your Audience & Building a Portfolio

There is an important question that every filmmaker needs to ask themselves:   How do I find a target audience for my film?  Internet, self-distribution, festivals, television, etc.- we will explore new tactics for reaching the public.  Learn how the web can help you in marketing your film by utilizing new online communication channels like blogging, podcasting, and social networking.  Discover the best niche for your film, and how to be practical and market your piece in order to to get your name and your film into the public eye.
Featuring: David Tamés, Filmmaker, and Media Technologist; Jamie Benti, Image Icon Entertainment; and Kevin Anderton, Award-winning Producer, Founder of Midnight Chimes Entertainment.

10:45AM        Coffee Break

SCENE THREE
11:00PM        MOVING IMAGES: FILM TECHNOLOGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY
As we step into the 21st Century, the technology of filmmaking and distribution is evolving at a rapid pace.  This panel discussion explores the new technologies at the modern filmmaker's disposal.  See and hear about the latest breakthroughs in high-Definition, satellite distribution, as well as the latest in visual effects and sound recording.  We will explore how the film industry is moving further into the future.
Featuring:  Sony Sales Representative, Steve Dirksmeier;  John Rule, President, Rule Broadcast Systems; Chris Dodge, Arts Alliance Labs.

12:00PM      Closing Remarks

Costs: $25 per day

$40 for both morning sessions

Please print out the application form and fax directly to our office at 401.490.6735

Please call 401-861-4445 and speak with Jordan Burbank or email adams@film-festival.org if you have any questions.

Who-is-Who at the Rhode Island Film Forum:

Kevin Anderton, Writer / Director. Kevin Anderton is a Boston University graduate (MFA 2000) who founded Midnight Chimes Productions in 1999. Since then he has assembled a group of similar-minded talent to make over 60 shorts. In an effort to support and grow the local film community, he runs networking events, promotes local events, and has worked on several short films in the Boston area. His professional credits also include the IMAX film Kilimanjaro: To The Roof of Africa and The Good Son.

Kevin's short films have played worldwide through the internet, video phones, and film festivals. His work has been included on broadcast television in the US such as Playboy Television, Comcast Video-on-Demand, and NBC (shortly). His short film "Mask of the Ninja" was awarded best comedy on Undergroundfilm.org and was one of twenty films selected by Panasonic (out of 2000) for their online contest on YouTube. "Latex" was awarded best of 2004 by the Attention Deficit Film Festival. His short films have been downloaded Online over 10 million times.

Aside from three feature scripts, Kevin also has over sixty short films and skits compiled in his ever-growing notebook. He now also works closely with the team of IIE. His comedic talents are audience tested, viewer approved, and he has the production and organizational abilities to make low-budget productions with high-budget quality.

Award winning screenwriter and lyricist, Michael D. Attardi, Sr. was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, where he excelled on the athletic field as well as in the classroom. Always having a passion for the arts and sports, the New Jersey All-State and All-Shore choir’s were his first musical accomplishments. This experience, led him to full length musical composing. In his junior year of high school, Michael was accepted as a gifted student to the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey where he won the Philip Turner creative award in music. Composing Big Band/ Swing music at the age of 17, he completed 18 Big Band arrangements, which were orchestrated at Monmouth University in 1985.

All of his life, Michael was fascinated with the animated works of Walt Disney. Since 1997, he has worked with former Disney animators while taking courses at the Disney Institute in Orlando, Florida.  Michael wrote his first musical animation in 1999. This inspiration guided him to write several musical screenplays and soundtracks.

Michael has won three Perri Awards, The Anncey Film Festival and the Slamdance film Festival for best original soundtrack in 2005. He is a member of the Writers Guild of America, East and the Society of composers and lyricist. Michael also has 198 musical U.S. copyrights.

Recently, Michael finished his short animated musical comedy film called Once Upon a Christmas Village, which won 1st runner-up at the Festival De Cannes and Grand Jury awards at the Hollywood, Boston, Houston, Swansea, Wales, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Delray Beach, Garden State and Montclair. At the 28th Telly Awards, the short took home 11 awards. Recently, Michael has won four Accolade Awards.      

Michael married Colleen in 1999 and they share two beautiful sons, Michael, Jr. and Nathaniel.

Toni-Ann Baker, Filmmaker, Producer, Director, and Co-owner of Two Sisters’ Productions, Inc. located in Rhode Island (www.twosistersproduction.com). Toni-Ann has written, produced and directed several movie projects, television broadcast commercials, radio spots, website trailers, and promotional videos. An advertising agent for Cox Communications. Most notably, co-produced, A Lively Experiment: Dr. John Clarke, Co-Founder of RI (1609-1676), which received Honorary Mention in the Roving Eye Documentary Festival in RI and also was an Official Selection in the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF). Which is scheduled to air on PBS summer 2007. Toni-Ann also co-wrote and produced the video series The Deadly Consequences of Drunk Driving for the Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation, which was included in the State of Rhode Island driver’s training curriculum. One of the volumes in the series, Left Behind, was the recipient of a Telly Award.

Independently Toni-Ann works on projects with art collaborative groups, production companies and film festivals. In 2006 she was Programming Manager for the ScriptBiz - A day long screenwriting conference for the RIIFF (www.film.ri.gov/Scriptbiz.html); and in 2007 she programmed

the Artists’ Exchange First Annual Short Film Festival (www.film.ri.gov/artistsexchange.html); and at present she has committed to the 2008 Ruff Cutz Indie Conference (RCIFC), as the new Conference Director.

Toni-Ann is also heavily involved with community service and local education programs. An active member of the Rhode Island Film Collaborative (RIFC) - an independent collaborative striving to assist in independent filmmaking; and she is the founder of a non-profit organization Ocean Sky - primarily geared to assist and educate the “Aging Out” population of RI foster care children, as well as other charitable programs.

Jamie Benti Founder / CEO, Image Icon Entertainment; Actor, Writer, Director. Jamie Benti, exemplifies what tireless dedication can accomplish. Jamie appeared with notable theatre companies such as “Trinity Arts”, commercials & feature films (The Newcomers) with celebrities like Kate Bosworth, Jeff Fahey, and Matt McCoy. Also appearing on TVshows such as Discovery Channel Media Literacy Project.

While forming new alliances and further growing IIE's film industry network . Jamie started several successful online companies such as www.autoxcite.com, and since has gained a reputation for his ability to creatively finance and jumpstart companies such as Image Icon Entertainment. Using this success to help bankroll production of short film projects, such as Last Call, Pee Pee Dance, Fog Off, and Sex Together.

Being a visionary, Jamie decided to apply his experience in film, setting out to make Image Icon Entertainment one of New England 's leaders and eventual top film producers. Growing the network within the local indie film-making community. In less than three years the company has developed a reputation for successfully taking risks on projects, creating a “buzz,” and putting independent filmmakers on the map. Jamie is supported by a creative team with a shared vision to deliver film projects to the marketplace that are thought-provoking, compelling and entertaining films that inspire audiences to take action in life because of the experience. In addition, the team functions as the independent filmmaker's bridge from concept to production. Presently, Jamie and IIE are in the midst of further establishing a pipeline to several key distribution companies, television networks, pay cable and video distributors, theatrical distributors and foreign distributors. Successfully launching their annual event Ruff Cutz Indie Film Conference. All this, in addition to connecting with private equity groups on behalf of filmmaking clients to get projects in development financed, and/or completed films placed with top international and domestic distributors, mini-majors and studios.

Few men know Rhode Island, and especially the Blackstone River Valley of Rhode Island, as well as Robert Billington, Ed.D. But unlike most people who simply love the place where they were born and raised, Robert has made promoting his home his life’s work.

As the founder and president of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Robert has transformed the mill towns of the Valley, once the center of the Industrial Revolution, into vibrant centers of commerce, tourism and the arts. He worked with the National Parks Service to develop the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, oversaw the building of a 12,000-square-foot visitor center, and encouraged the rehabilitation of main streets throughout the Blackstone River Valley. His efforts have had a direct impact on tourism and job growth throughout the area, and he is a recognized expert in community development. Robert has spoken in countries the world over about tourism development, and hosted leaders such as the president of Taiwan and former President Clinton and Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) at the Tourism Council’s home in Pawtucket.

While his work promoting his birthplace ahs taken him all over the globe, he is most happy to return home to witness the accomplishments of his neighbors and friends throughout northern Rhode Island.

Robert earned his bachelors degrees in management and marketing, M.B.A. and his doctorate in educational leadership at J&W, served as a professor in the graduate program, and worked to develop an experiential learning laboratory for tourism development.

Myfa Cirinna, Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Entertainment Partners

Myfa has more than 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry with various positions concentrating on labor management, payroll, and accounting for motion pictures, television and broadcast commercials.

In addition to his professional experience, Myfa has taught courses at New York University on Entertainment Unions, Guilds, and their related contracts.  He has also taught courses on scheduling and budgeting for motion picture and television.  Over the years, Myfa has been a regular guest speaker for the film programs of NYU, The School of Visual Arts, The New York Film Academy, and Columbia University, and has been a participating panelist for numerous entertainment industry related forums.

Myfa has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in economics from New York University. 

Theresa Corrao, Director, Writer, Production Designer, Producer, Visual Effects Producer.

A lifelong fan of film and the arts, Theresa Corrao attended film school, earning a degree with distinction from the University of Wisconsin. While there she honed her skills directing 16mm films and also by teaching use of editing and video production tools. Since then, she has worked her way up through the Visual Effects ranks; first at Industrial Light & Magic and more recently for Warner Brothers.

Theresa now runs her own production company, Door 44 Films, which in 2006 produced two short films (Life Lottery and Bean Bag ) and has plans for a feature film. She and her husband reside in London, where she continues to write, direct and produce films.

Filmography

Director / Writer / Editor:
- Life Lottery (2006)
- Couch (2001)
- French Horn (1994)

Producer / Production Designer:
- Bean Bag (2006)

Visual Effects Producer:
- Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix (2007)
- Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire (2005)
- Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
- Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets (2002)
- Jurassic Park 3 (2001)
- Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Visual Effects Coordinator:
- Imposter (2001)
- October Sky (1999)
- Mighty Joe Young (1998)
- Contact (1997)
- Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil (1997)
- Mars Attacks! (1996)

Visual Effects Technical Director:
- Twister (1996)
- Jumanji (1995)
- American President (1995)
- Congo (1995)

Steven Feinberg attended UCLA and the USC Film School. He has sold screenplays and pitches to 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, Miramax, Village Roadshow, Columbia-Tri Star, Universal, and more. He co-produced and co-wrote FORTRESS (1993) and co-wrote the sequel’s story, FORTRESS 2. Since April, 2004, when he became the Director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office, he has brought to the state $30 million worth of production, including the Showtime series BROTHERHOOD, creating 150 full-time jobs for local crew and hundreds more for actors and extras. www.rifilm.com

Andrew Filippone Jr. (Director/Editor) is a filmmaker living and working in New York City. In 2003 his ambient documentary "Commute" (2002) screened as part of d>art03 at the 50th Sydney Film Festival. Rosie O’Donnell then financed and was the executive producer of his documentary feature "Mina & the Family Treasure" (2004), which premiered at the 26th IFP Market & Conference in New York and was later broadcast nationwide on PBS. "Happy Monday" (2006), his documentary film object that is receiving its world premiere at RIIFF, will also be exhibited at the 2007 Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and the 2007 International Experimental Cinema Exposition.

Alexis Fish comes to SAGIndie with a strong background in production of both independent film and television projects. She was recently an Executive Producer of Shortbus, and as Senior VP at Q Television Network (QTN), she grew the new cable venture from a company of 6 people in Fort Worth, TX with 3 hours of live programming, to a network with production facilities and studios in Burbank, CA that employed a staff of over 150 people producing hours of programming every day.

In addition to Executive Producing and overseeing originally produced shows at QTN, she also oversaw all marketing, branding, sales, acquisitions as well as building strategic partnerships with various GLBT outlets and sponsors. While at QTN, she brought multiple projects to the network including Shortbus.

Her other projects include Pretty Things, a documentary she produced and sold to HBO, that aired on the cable network in 2005. She holds a BA from Smith College having majored in Political Science, is an alumni of the IFP Producer's Lab, and was also selected to attend the Producer's Network at the Cannes Film Festival and the Producers Conference at the Sundance Institute. Her work has been featured in Curve Magazine, The Lesbian News, and the Advocate.

Alexis is also passionate about documentary film and has been working on her own project chronicling the lives of transgendered youth. She has worked on various documentary projects including HBO's Vagina Monologues and the HBO documentary Naked World, the sequel to HBO's Naked States. She was also the outreach coordinator on Sugar Pictures feature documentary Our House: Kids of Gay and Lesbian Parents. Her duties as Manager of Development and Sponsorship encompass (among other things) travelingto film festivals, speaking on panels and at seminars, and interacting with independent producers worldwide in order to get the word out about the SAG Low Budget Agreements.

According to the profile on his web site, Vin Fraioli is proof that a dilettante, if he lives long enough, can become a Renaissance Man. Writer, musician, producer, and sometimes actor, he dreads the American cocktail party opener, “So, what do you do?”

Born in Providence, Rhode Island in sight of the State House, he grew up in an old neighborhood “where houses still had wallpaper of the previous century in their attics and immigrant neighbors had come from all over, displaced from the two wars.”

After receiving a classical education at Rhode Island's Classical High School, he went to went to Europe with his future and present wife, Deborah, to study the Renaissance lute with Rodrigo deZayas. Returning to New York City, he became a protégé of the Cuban guitarist, Rey de la Torre and made his Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1976. He was welcomed back to Rhode Island with his appointment as Composer In Residence for the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. He also began to teach at the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College.

Fraioli now writes screenplays, and has just finished his first film. THE STRANGE CASE OF MARIE FRANCE, which he wrote and produced. It was selected and presented at the Palm Beach International and Newport Beach International Film Festivals.

He lives in North Kingstown, with his wife and two children, Juliana and Alexander and four dogs, among which is the favorite, a chihuahua named Rocco.

Carson Grant studied acting during the 1970’s with Lee Strasberg and has created character roles in over 250 films. His recent films include “The House Is Burning” (Cannes Film Festival); “Liars and Lunatics”, ” Glengarry, Bob Ross”; “Dead Serious”; “An American Cyborg” and “Imago”.  Among his most fortunate moments is his romantic kiss with Christina Ricci in Woody Allen's “Anything Else” as Ron Keller, Acting teacher.

Heidi Hamilton, division director, film for the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. A native of Los Angeles, Heidi is currently the Film Division Director with the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. Prior to that she worked with the Commission as a Film Fellow. Heidi was the Executive Director of Film Fest New Haven (FFNH) and mounted the festival's 2005 program which marked its 10th year.

Connecticut General Assembly established a 30% tax credit for qualified in-state expenses above $50,000 this year. Incentive went into effect July 1 and applies to income years starting on or after Jan. 1, 2006. Connecticut also offers sales, property and hotel tax exemptions. Before the tax credit went into effect, the state averaged approximately $10 million a year in production dollars, but that number should rise significantly. New incentive and proximity to New York helped lure "In Bloom," starring Uma Thurman, to Connecticut. Also, Connecticut native Roger Ingraham's "Moonshine," which was shot entirely in in the state and used local crews, debuted in the Midnight category at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.

Mick Hoegen has been acting since 1997. He became a member of Screen Actors Guild in 2001. Noted independent credits include In The Tradition of Our Family - the multiple award winning short film by Todd Davis; The Container, by Andy Sneizek, - premiering in the 2007 Cannes Film Festival; and An Uzi At The Alamo the first feature film by Chris Sparling.

Mick is co-chair of an independent film committee set up to encourage film producers to work with professional actors in an effort to build New England into a significant filmmaking community.

Mick can be reached via phone 401.258.3192 or email Mick@MickHoegen.com.
Visit his website for credits, photos, and film clips www.MickHoegen.com.

Karen Jedson has invested 15 years in the tourism and economic development industry in the City of Warwick in various capacities, and most recently as Director of the Department of Tourism Culture and Development. In 2003 she received her MBA from Johnson & Wales University in Global Marketing, where she currently serves on the Graduate School Advisory Board. Her duties in the City of Warwick include creating marketing campaigns to promote the city to potential visitors and businesses. She is currently the Marketing Chairperson for the bureau, as well as on the Board of Directors for the Central Rhode Island Development Corporation, the Rhode Island Sports Council and the Warwick Tourism Advisory Board.

Eric Latek, Director. Born in Providence, RI, Latek graduated from Emerson College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Film Concentration, Visual and Media Arts/Mass Communication from Emerson College in 1998. Latek produced short film “A Life In The Day of Ringo Vings”. After graduating, Latek expanded the short piece into a feature. In 2001, the underground film went on to win various awards such as “Best International Director”, AFMA International Film Festival, “People's Choice Award”, Adobe Digital Cinema, and “WOW” Award, Tampa International Education. & Time Warner Film Festival.

“Maintain No Control!” was Latek's theory while documenting reality. The Art of Directing, which controlled the structure of the epic story, would fall into place in the editing room. “Sweet Dreams”, like the subjects involved, began on one road and ended on completely different one. Recently appointed Director of Hoss Dream Machine and also in pre-productions of several new Docudrama's that are scheduled to be filmed world wide, IIE is honored to be working with such a talented and passionate filmmaker. Latek is also founder and President of Phantazma Pictures.

Michelle Le Brun founded Harken Productions in 1997. Its mission is to produce compelling films that challenge our assumptions about life and awaken our passion for truth. The award winning documentary Death: A Love Story, marked Ms. Le Brun’s debut as a filmmaker having directed, produced, written and photographed the film. It premiered in documentary competition at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival and won the Insight Award for Best Documentary at the Santa Barbara Film Festival as well as the Award for Best Documentary at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival, among others. The film continues to be used in colleges and universities internationally.

In 2002 Ms. Le Brun founded the HARKEN! Youth Media Program providing filmmaking opportunities and media literacy to youth. The purpose of the HARKEN! Youth Media Program is to nurture critical thinking, creativity, and leadership skills through documentary filmmaking.  We teach youth to master their environment by learning storytelling, media literacy, drama, and technical skills associated with camera work, interviewing, and editing. To date, programs have been offered throughout Los Angeles and in Providence, RI.

Michelle is also an adjunct professor in the Integrated Arts and Learning Graduate Degree Program at Lesley University delivering seminars nationwide in Drama and Critical Literacy.

Page B. Ostrow is a veteran entertainment industry executive who has arranged financing and or negotiated distribution for over 150 feature films and numerous documentaries working initially on behalf of numerous international distributors until 2000 when inspired by a vision to protect the interests of independent filmmakers, she shifted the company focus to representing films and projects on behalf of filmmakers and producers requiring distribution and financing. Some of the films represented are "Stolen Childhoods" Meryl Streep, "Juvies"- Mark Wahlberg on HBO, "The Bros" Lions Gate "Drugging of Our Children" Michael Moore, and "Make It Funky" Sony Pictures.

Carol Patton:  Producer, Publisher, Writer, and Director

President, CEO, and Publisher of IMAGINE Publishing, Inc.

Carol Patton’s first job was as the “weather girl” Carol Frost on K-GUN TV in Tucson, Arizona where she grew up and went to school. Her first taste of fame was the result of an on air “blooper.” If you ask her, she may tell you about it.

After moving to the anchor desk and spending several years in front of the camera, Patton began writing, directing and producing commercial, documentary and feature work. She spent five years in London with the BBC Documentary Division, where she also served on The Queen’s Speaker Panel, and the two years immediately following with NBC News & Entertainment. For three years she lived in Seoul, Korea where she worked with that country bringing its television capabilities up to world broadcast color standards and expanding television programming. She traveled throughout Southeast Asia, including Bangkok, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia seeking programming acquisitions and programming partners for Asian television.

She has lived and worked all over the world. She has also served as General Manager of Broadcast groups in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Las Vegas. Her film credits include THE SNOWFIELD, PRAY FOR POWER, FOLLOW THE BROCCOLI, SEASIDE SEDUCTION, CELTIC PRIDE, and THE CRUCIBLE, She co-produced THE ADVENTURES OF SPACE BABY & MENTAL MAN, and others. 

Ten years ago she founded IMAGINE Publishing, Inc., a company that publishes IMAGINE, a monthly news magazine in print and online that is totally devoted to the business of film, television and new media production in the Northeast. Through Imagine, she promotes the production industries in the region from concept to distribution, and supports and encourages the industry’s talents and technologies. IMAGINE also produces industry seminars and workshops in New England and supports industry related non-profits and its many film festivals. IMAGINE tells the stories of our industry and the people who work in it. IMAGINE attends 10 major industry events every year, distributing IMAGINE and telling New England’s great stories. Not everyone she puts on the cover of IMAGINE wins an Academy Award, but several have.

For the last six years her most important work has been encouraging the political process in all six New England States to support our industry and to pass film tax incentive legislation that will make our region more competitive. Her goal is to make New England the number three production center in the country. She believes this region has the talent, institutions, crew base, and natural resources to make this happen. She views it as job creation, clean, tax based industry effort that should be coveted by our elected officials.

John Rule founded Rule Broadcast Systems, Inc. He has been in the film and video industry for over 25 years. He knows production, and he knows equipment. His company is built on his expertise, as well as a passion for giving people the tools and advice they need.

John Rule brought a wealth of equipment know-how to the table when he founded Rule, having worked in the film industry for 8 years and having founded and operated Boston Camera Rental Company. Significantly, film technology experienced little change as far as John was concerned, whereas video technology was on the horizon and looked to be an important new trend in the industry. It was the late 1980s, and John decided to embark upon a new venture -- he founded Rule Broadcast Systems, Inc. as an equipment rental company specializing in video equipment rental.

"I wanted change. I wanted to be in an industry where you have to stay on top, and I haven’t been disappointed," John says. "You have to be on top of video technology, computers, and production technology to succeed. That’s what I love about the business."

His company provides a wide range of production and post-production equipment on a rental basis by the day, week, or month. Yet John Rule conceives of his business and its purpose in a much less literal sense. "We need to serve the producer in such a way that the producer never needs to go anywhere else. We don’t see ourselves just as a service -- we are a partner, a resource."

A wide variety of area producers have discovered what partnering with a video equipment rental company can make possible. As when it opened, Rule’s list of clients remains as diverse as the filmmaking community itself: Fortune 500 in-house video producers, independent filmmakers, commercial producers, motion picture companies, and documentary filmmakers all make use of Rule’s equipment.

David Tamés, Filmmaker and Media Technologist.

David is a producer, editor, director, cinematographer, and media technology consulant. He has worked in key creative roles on a wide range of independent film and new media projects including "Never Met Picasso," "The East Village," and "Remembering John Marshall," a short documentary about the late ethnographic filmmaker. David recently served as Project Manager launching MIT TechTV, a video sharing site for the MIT Community. He earned an MS in Media Arts and Sciences from the MIT Media Laboratory, studied filmmaking at City College of San Francisco, and holds a BA in Philosophy and a BS in Computer & Cognitive Sciences from the University of Florida. David has taught film production classes and often speaks at film festivals and industry events about new techniques, trends, and tools of interest to filmmakers. He blogs at kino-eye.com.

Basil Tsiokos has been associated with NewFest: The New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Film Festival since 1996, and currently serves as the organization’s Artistic Director, overseeing all programming, including the June film festival, the Filmmakers Forum panel series, the Best of NewFest@BAM festival, and the monthly NewFest at the IFC Center programming series. Since 2005, Basil has also been a Documentary Programming Consultant for the Sundance Film Festival. Basil is a graduate of Stanford University (BA) and NYU (MA), and was born and raised in upstate New York.

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