Arts & Entertainment ROANOKE COUNTY’S
Conference
WORKSHOPS, VENDORS, FILM SCREENINGS & SOCIAL GATHERINGS
April 12-13, 2013
Join a star-studded cast of leaders in the film industry, as we bring a bit of Hollywood to the Roanoke Valley! Tickets: Full conference: $60 Opening reception: $10 Workshops only: $20/$10 student Closing gala ticket: $50
MEDIA SUPPORT BY:
Information: RoanokeCountyParks.com Or call (540) 777-6326 An event of: SUPPORTING SPONSOR:
WORKSHOP SPONSORS: MemberOne FCU Coots, Ward, Cross & Associates Dentistry UBS Financial Services, Inc.
Workshops Pg. 2-6
Q&A’s Pg. 2
Vendors & More Pg. 2-3, 6-7
Screenings Pg. 7
Social Events Pg. 8
Arts & Entertainment
Friday, April 12:
Opening Reception (7:30pm) Holiday Inn Roanoke Valley View 3315 Ordway Dr. • Roanoke, VA 24017
Saturday, April 13: Workshops and Film Screenings (Below) Arnold R. Burton Center for the Arts 1760 Roanoke Blvd. • Salem, VA 24153
Conference
Closing Gala (7:00pm) Holiday Inn Roanoke Valley View 3315 Ordway Dr. • Roanoke, VA 24017
Saturday Workshop Schedule Cafetorium (Screenings)
2
Black Box (Q & A’s)
Dance Studio (Vendors)
Vocal Room (Workshops)
8:00-9:00
Closed
Closed
Vendors and Autograph Signings
Closed
9:00-10:00
Festival Film Viewing
Nancy Stafford Q&A
Vendors and Autograph Signings
Creating films about socia awareness (Greg Robbins)
10:00-11:00
FILM: Hero
Jenn Gotzon Q&A
Vendors and Autograph Signings
Acting for Camera (Nancy Stafford)
11:00-12:00
FILM: Hero Q& A with George Escobar
Sandra Van Natta Q&A
Vendors and Autograph Signings
Working with Child Actors (Greg Robbins)
12:00-1:00
FILM: Super Heroes Don’t Need Capes
Why make a film in Southwest Virginia (Andrea Shreeman)
Vendors and Autograph Signings
LUNCH Break
1:00-2:00
Festival Film Viewing
Jenn Gotzon Q&A
Vendors and Autograph Signings
Film Techniques !—Acting front of the Camera LA Style (Sandra Van Natta)
2:00-3:00
FILM: God’s Country
Nancy Stafford Q&A
Vendors and Autograph Signings
Working with Casting Directors (Jerry Franks and others)
3:00-4:00
Q&A with Jenn Gotzon
Sandra Van Natta Q&A
Vendors and Autograph Signings
Film Techniques II—The business of building a care without losing yourself (Nancy Stafford)
4:00-5:00
Film Festival Awards
Closed
Vendors and Autograph Signings
Closed
Primary Parking
Workshop Map
Purchase Tickets Here
Map of Arnold R. Burton Center for the Arts & Technology
Cafetorium
1760 Roanoke Blvd. • Salem, VA 24153 Front of building facing Roanoke Blvd.
Culinary
Black Box
Dance Studio
Production English
Pre-purchased Tickets Only
Vocal Room
COURTYARD
Purchase Tickets Here
Accessible Parking
English Room (Workshops)
Production Room (Workshops)
Culinary Classroom (Workshops)
Closed
Closed
Closed
ScreenWriting 101 (Rusty Whitener)
Filmmaking—A Workshop for Newbies (Torry Martin)
Film Techniques 1—Acting in front of the Camera LA Style (Sandra Van Natta)
era d)
The Child Actor—Pitfalls to Avoid (Jerry Franks)
The Production Element—Part I Pitching the Idea (George Escobar)
The Art of Improvisation (Torry Martin)
Actors s)
ScreenWriting 101—Part 2 (Torry Martin)
The Art of Scene Study (Jenn Gotzon)
Making Documentaries—How to get started (Will Anderson)
LUNCH Break
LUNCH Break
LUNCH Break
Protecting your artistic work (Mike Snyder )
The Production Element—Part 2 Storytelling through the Eyes of the Production Designer and Cinematographer (George Escobar)
Producing for Web (Will Anderson)
From Book to Film (Rusty Whitener)
Show me the money—marketing your films and getting noticed by the funding groups (Mike Snyder)
The Art of Acting Natural (Jenn Gotzon)
How to make an Emmy Award Winning Film (Will Anderson)
The Power of Networking (Torry Martin)
Dealing with Writer’s Block (George Escobar)
Closed
Closed
Closed
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Acting in era
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—The a career urself d)
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Arts & Entertainment
Workshop Leaders
Conference
George Escobar is the co-founder of the Advent Film Group, a Virginia based film company. His company’s first film was Come What May followed by Screenwriters. His next film, with co-founder Mike Snyder, is Hero which will be screened this weekend. George has more than 20 years of experience in film, television, and interactive media. Before founding AFG, George was Vice President of Product Development for Discovery, Executive Director for AOL/ Time Warner, and is a former Producing Fellow from the American Film Institute’s Center for Advanced Film and Television Studies. He holds seven patents in technology and user-interface design. Jenn Gotzon as an actress had her first career break portraying U.S. President Nixon’s daughter Tricia Nixon in Ron Howard’s Academy Award Nominated film Frost/Nixon. Since then, Jenn has had lead roles in eight feature films including, mystery-drama Doonby opposite John Schneider, Alone Yet Not Alone, God’s Country, political-thriller Dragon Day, Dante’s Inferno Documented portraying heroine Beatrice, a crime-suspense drama Untouched, a 1940s Hollywood comedy Screenwriters, a faith-based musical September Skies and an inspirational drama I Am... Gabriel. Jenn won best actress for short-film Stained at the 168 Film Festival. Torry Martin is hard to keep up with as he combines so many projects. If he’s not entertaining crowds across the country with his Lessons in Laughter, or writing award-winning screenplays or sketches, he’s probably working in a movie or acting in a television show or commercial. Though remembered by many young people for his Adventures in Odyssey work, he has also starred in Adult, Stalling, Boxed Lunch and most recently, My Name is Paul. Torry also conducts workshops and has authored books on character development. At our gala banquet you will see a sample of Torry’s comedy. Greg Robbins originally stepped in front of the camera in 1984 playing a redneck thug in a PBS special, The Grand Baby. A sitcom idea came in 1996 and, after writing it it became the series Pastor Greg, which made it on TV and was a success. Greg starred in the series. He also went on to do the series Animal Action. Other productions he has been associated with are Capt’n Chuckleberry and Super Simple Science Stuff. In Greg’s latest film he served as producer, director, screenwriter and actor. This is Super Heroes Don’t Need Capes, which will be screened here this weekend.
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Workshop Leaders Arts & Workshop Leaders Entertainment
Conference
Michael Snyder is the former Senior Vice President of Prison Fellowship and head of its Christian worldview teaching and advocacy division encompassing BreakPoint, the Centurions Program and the Wilberforce Forum. Last summer, he joined the Advent Film Group as a principal in charge of business, marketing, and distribution. Mike’s deep experience in building and growing enterprises is a tremendous blessing for AFG. As a former partner in several major law firms, Mike brings marketing, financial, and deal structuring savvy to shape attractive investment opportunities in AFG’s films. Mike is instrumental in proving that marketable films can be made in Virginia. Nancy Stafford is an actress, author and travels across the nation as a motivational speaker. This former Miss Florida began her career as a businesswomen and then became a model. Numerous TV appearances followed including serving as a regular on St. Elsewhere and Matlock. Nancy has also made several successful films including Christmas with a Capital C, Foreclosed, Assumed Killer, Season of Miracles, Super Heroes Don’t Need Capes and Christmas for a Dollar. She has authored two popular books. Nancy also serves as a director for many organizations including SAT-7 and boards such as for Point North Outreach. Sandra Van Natta is a former school teacher who was a model and charity show emcee before becoming a film actress, educator, and writer. This South Carolinian is one who has proven you can make a successful acting career outside of Hollywood and has been building quite a resume of film credits. Known for her work in the HallMark series The Shunning and The Confession she also was in the James Garner and Gena Rowlands sentimental love story, The Notebook. More recently she has starred in The Screenwriters, Season of Miracles, Untouched and A Cry for Justice.
Will Anderson is the Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of Blue Ridge PBS and a multiple Emmy award winner. Will has a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of South Carolina and attended the VanderCook College of Music of Chicago, Illinois where he studied Music Education.
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Arts &
Entertainment
Conference
Workshop Leaders
Rusty Whitener is a Virginia resident who after serving as a pastor for twelve years felt a calling to be an author and an actor. His films include Alone, Yet Not Alone, Luke Warm and A Matter of Time. What is rare in Rusty’s case is to author an award winning book and then to get to write the screen play for what will soon be released, A Season of Miracles. Only a few like Ray Bradbury have been able to accomplish that feat and a sequel to both the book and film have already been called for. Jerry Franks is a former casting executive who has been honored with television Lifetime Achievement as well as Emmy Awards as well as countless humanitarian awards for his pro-bono star studded productions. Franks has taught in the middle, high school and college sectors and has lectured nationwide. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for “RXLaughter”, as an Ambassador to the Ronald Reagan Clinic, and fundraiser for the Pat Tillman Foundation. Andrea Shreeman began acting professionally at age 15 here in Roanoke, Virginia. Her television credits include pilots Better People, Payback, Diagnosis Murder, The Standard Deviants (PBS), and Make Me Laugh (Comedy Central). As an executive with Mobile Magic Studios, Andrea wrote and sold five short series to Sprint TV, Verizon’s Vcast and Shanghai Mobile. She served as Director of Fundraising on the 2008 Sundance Award-Winning Documentary, Fuel. Andrea holds an MFA in acting from USC. Her weekly podcast, 10 Minute Tuesdays, follows her experiences producing A Good Day to Die, scheduled to shoot in Roanoke this year.
Helpful Information Concessions Students from the culinary school at Arnold R. Burton will be at the Saturday workshop venue with a variety of concessions available for purchase. Breakfast (8:30am to 9:30am): Sausage Poofs Snacks (Throughout the day): Baked Potato Bar Chili with Fritos Brownie / Cookie Combo Popcorn Candy 6 Soda / Water / Coffee
Arts & Entertainment Conference
Film Screenings
Matlock episode, The Mother (Screening at Opening Reception) Ben Matlock defends a woman who confesses to a murder she did not commit. Michelle Thomas makes a bet with Conrad McMasters to prove a point about all men being alike, including Ben. Starring Andy Griffith and Nancy Stafford. Super Heroes Don’t Need Capes (Screening at Saturday Workshops) Based upon true events, this Greg Robbins film tells about neighborhood bullies picking on a boy with a disability. Encouragement from a new friend helps the boy to get beyond what has happened to him and to become a true Hero. Starring Greg Robbins, Nancy Stafford and a group of talented young people. God’s Country (Screening at Saturday Workshops) Meghan Doherty (Jenn Gotzon), has only one goal in life, to make money. She is assigned to take her talent to the Mojave Desert to get a land owner to turn over his land in what will be a 100 million dollar potential profit. However, the unwilling owner and his family use the land for a youth camp and Meghan has six days to close the deal. Hero (Screening at Saturday Workshops) A baseball film that is not just another baseball film as it is about the relationships between fathers and their children. It is a special film to excite Dads with rediscovering their importance in the life of their family. It will inspire us to get our priorities straight as parents.
Holiday Inn Roanoke Valley View - Conference Rates Our host hotel is a lovely 3-star property, which has a restaurant serving breakfast, dinner and a bar/lounge. Recreational amenities include an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness facility. There is a business center and complimentary wireless and wired high-speed Internet access is available in public areas. Roundtrip airport shuttle and guest parking is complimentary. • Conference Rate: $89 per night • Contact Information: 3315 Ordway Drive Roanoke, VA 24017 • (540) 362-4500 Bella Girls’ Night Out - Friday, April 12 • 6:00pm-7:30pm Ladies are invited to join us prior to the opening reception at Holliday Inn Roanoke Valley View, for a special celebration! Meet the female stars from the conference, enjoy music from the Bahama Mamas Steel Drum Band, improv comedy from the ladies of Big Lick Conspiracy, a cash bar, and much more. Sorry, no boys allowed! Special thanks to Bella Magazine.
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Opening Reception Friday, April 12 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm Alleghany Room, Holiday Inn Roanoke Valley View
Arts & Entertainment Conference
This inaugural event will kick off as guests are invited to mix and mingle with the stars and other industry professionals. Additionally, a screening of a Matlock episode, The Mother, will start at 8 PM in an adjoining room. Ben Matlock defends a woman who confesses to a murder she did not commit. Michelle Thomas makes a bet with Conrad McMasters to prove a point about all men being alike, including Ben. Starring Andy Griffith and Nancy Stafford. Piano music will fill the air as you enjoy the opportunity to “play” among the stars. Amazing Photos by Morton Crouch will be for sale. Have a bit of fun while he superimposes your face in place of your favorite star. Cost for the evening is $10 and includes Hors D’oeuvres, cash bar, and a complimentary champagne punch.
Closing Gala Saturday, April 13 from 7:00pm to 11:00pm Ballroom, Holiday Inn Roanoke Valley View
Caravan
Mike Wilson
Deet Reed
The evening will begin with a cash bar and dinner will be served at 7:30 PM. A perfectly set table and a fine dinner will allow you to dine with celebrities and friends. There will be fabulous music provided by the Caravan band. Each member has had a musical career touring and recording, and together they are the perfect melding of seasoned performers whose every show has an element of spontaneity. With their original interpretations of classic tunes along with an original number or two, the listener is immersed in a jazzy, snazzy, groovy vibe. They continue their session work and now call Roanoke, Virginia their home base. There will also be an awards ceremony and a short comedy routine performed by Torry Martin, one of our seminar presenters who entertains crowds with his “lessons in laughter”. Torry will indeed set the tone for the evening. Also Emcees Deet Reed, co-host on the Cox Channel 9 television show Deet & the Geek, and Mike Wilson, co-host on WSLS 10 Daytime Blue Ridge, will insure the evening flows flawlessly. A silent auction filled with an enticing array of splendid items will be available for bid and then end your evening dancing like no one is watching. Cost for the evening is $50 and reservations must be made in advance. 8