Artist Services Roundtable
Tuesday, May 29, 2018 | 6:30 pm | Southern Heights Brewery
FREE PARKING! WALK UPS ARE WELCOME, TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON SITE!
Join us at Southern Heights Brewery for a casual and informative roundtable workshop covering all things filmmaking. In the spirit of AFF’s popular roundtable sessions during our Screenwriters Conference, this event will offer exclusive and intimate access to individuals who can share knowledge and experience in relation to Artist Services from Location Scouting, Crew Building, Grants, Fundraising and more. The goal here is to start conversations about your production and the development of your next project.
Visit different tables during the event and get some one-on-one access to our esteemed guests. Attendees are encouraged to ask specific questions about the creative and business aspects of filmmaking. Stop by as early as 6:30 to connect with other up-and-coming Austin filmmakers in a casual environment. Whether you’re currently working on a project or are just curious about taking that first step as a filmmaker, take advantage of this invaluable experience to network and learn.
Meet the Panelists
New Republic Studios - Mindy Raymond
As a creative at heart, Mindy has been involved in every aspect of the filmmaking process. Her acting career took her to New York City to study at the prestigious Michael Howard Studios. While in NYC, she found a love for producing and creative marketing. Mindy lived in NYC for seven years and was bi-coastal, living in Los Angeles, for the last two. She worked with the Seattle Film Festival, spearheading their Platinum Pass Concierge Experience. Being a graduate of the University of Texas, Mindy was anxious to get back to Austin and there, found her footing and place in the world of film and TV. She has spent the last three years as the first Executive Director of the Texas Motion Picture Alliance, the organization advocating and fighting for a stronger rebate incentive program in Texas. She has lead the charge to inform and educate our State Representatives and Senators about the massive impact production has on our state. Now, Director of Marketing and Development for New Republic Studios, Mindy’s talents and her ability to connect people will help launch the studios to be the epicenter for the creative media world.
Mike Kanin - Texas Observer - Publisher - Archive
Looking for some exciting material or inspiration for your next project? Chat with Texas Observer Publisher Mike Kanin about their archive: From voter intimidation fueled by racism to tireless watch-dogging of environmental issues, to a litany of questionable border and immigration policies, to incomparable political coverage, the Observer‘s archives holds 54 years’ worth of the stories no one else in Texas would tell.
Texas Film Commission - Lindsey Ashley - Crew Building & Locations
Shelby Hadden - Independent Fundraising and Crowdfunding
Michael Thielvoldt - Austin Film Society's Program Manager of Filmmaker Resources - Grants
Cultural Funding Program Associate - Economic Development Department - Peggy Ellithorpe - Grants
I was on the original SXSW Film Staff back in 1994-95, managed all of the volunteers for film and interactive – and eventually all conference volunteers as well. My work there with many filmmaker volunteers led me into a career working with filmmakers at these places: Santa Fe Film Festival, American Film Institute, Duke City Shootout, Downtown Film Festival of Los Angeles, International Documentary Association, The Film Collaborative, Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts, Austin Creative Alliance and eventually the Cultural Arts Division for the City of Austin. My work at IDA included running a program that qualified ~22 documentaries (feature and short) annually for the Oscars by doing their theatrical runs. I also managed the entire IDA Awards show process from the call for entries to submission management to committee management to production of the awards show at the Director’s Guild annually. My work at The Film Collaborative was in support of the festivals manager; in this role, I processed hundreds of films to go to international film festivals, which included watching them, QC’ing them and prepping them to go out via various mail platforms, and operating a tracking system. I also managed the entire film catalog for The Film Collaborative. I have also attended Sundance and SLAMDance several times over the years. During my 5 years in LA, I also worked at Downtown Film Festival, Artivist Film Festival, Catalina Film Festival as well as San Pedro Film Festival. At Austin Creative Alliance, I was the program manager and regularly worked with all kinds of artists, including filmmakers and budding film festivals organizers such as Indie Meme. I worked to get these small artistic projects into fiscal sponsorship, which enabled them to access city funding programs. I have a real understanding of how most film grants work, as well as the ways in which COA cultural funding is truly different from a traditional film grant, and can easily help filmmakers navigate those differences. I have a deep understanding of filmmakers, funding, and length of time it takes to finish a project, particularly if it’s not studio-funded.
June Burnham - Mopac Media - Equipment Management
I’m June. I own and operate Mopac Media. I managed this tiny gear rental shop from 2004 to 2013 and took over when the founder, Kevin, went overseas to work. He started the shop in 1998 to recoup production costs for his Blaze Foley documentary. I helped construct the narrative of “Duct Tape Messiah” and later encouraged Kevin to tour the film. It was a good idea and he had fun and saw a lot of the world! I get a little charge out of having this hidden role in encouraging filmmakers to make the film they really want. That’s how I fell into this industry, which is basically an appropriate entry for our niche. We live in a world demanding content production, tech is constantly evolving, and this shop can be an important resource for microbudget, DIY, entry-level, super-indie producers because we will de-mystify at least this equipment part of the process, and share information about other filmmaking resources. Sometimes talking with us really quickens the pace a client can take in a project and may solve some budgeting questions. We’ve always included other filmmakers’ equipment in the business, and always hoped to someday formally restructure as a cooperative. If anyone’s interested in that project, call; we’re always taking meetings on that!