OMPA and POWFest Present:
NW Film Finance Symposium
March 9 & 10, 2012 • The next highly-anticipated installment in the NW Film Finance series with a special two morning symposium.
Sponsored by: MarVista Entertainment • Pacific Grip & Lighting • Candice E. Jackson, Attorney at Law • Gales Creek Insurance with The McKenzie Agency and Oregon Film
Expert panels on the topic of earning return on investment to encourage larger budgets for Oregon filmmakers. If you are a producer or finance partner, this is a perfect opportunity to raise your game. If you know an indie producer who "just needs the money," refer them to these eye-opening panels on negotiating distribution, accessing state of Oregon funding, attaching union acting talent and more.
Thank you for attending!
If you attended the NW Film Finance Symposium and have not yet completed the event survey, please do so in the form below:
Schedule
Friday, March 9, 7:30 am (Invitation only)
Investors’ Breakfast: ROI in Feature Distribution
with Stephanie Slack, Senior Vice President
Co-Productions & Acquisitions, MarVista Entertainment
Vince Porter, Governor’s Office of Film & Television
Friday, March 9, 9:00 am - Noon
General Session (Part 1): Finance & Feature Distribution
Hotel Deluxe Screening Room, 729 SW 15th Avenue, Portland
Sponsored by The McKenzie Agency
with Nathaniel Applefield, Executive Director, AFTRA, PNW
Dena Beatty, Executive Director, SAG, Seattle/Portland
Eric Doebele & Matthew Wilson, Venture Capital
Jeffrey Hardy, FilmProfit
Katie O’Grady, Producer and Actor, Rid of Me
Candice Jackson, Entertainment Law
Vince Porter, Governor’s Office of Film & Television
Stephanie Slack, Senior Vice President
Co-Productions & Acquisitions, MarVista Entertainment
Friday, March 9, Noon
Refreshments and Networking
(no host bar available)
Sponsored by Candice E. Jackson
Saturday, March 10, 9:00 am - Noon
General Session (Part 2): Digital Distribution & Marketing
Community Conversation: The Way Forward
Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland
Sponsored by Gales Creek Insurance
with Paul Bernard, Producer, Leverage
Slater Dixon, MoPIX, Video App Marketplace
Nate DiNiro, Social Networking strategist
Todd Freeman, Producer/Director, Cell Count
Lyla Foggia, Acclaimed publicist
Tara Johnson-Medinger, Film Festivals
Tara Krick, REX Post Production
Alexander MacKenzie, Producer/Director, Dancing on the Edge
General sessions moderated by Christopher Toyne
Keynote Speakers Bios
Stephanie Slack | Senior Vice President, Co Productions & Acquisitions, MarVista Entertainment
Stephanie Slack is a television distribution specialist who brings to the table 15 years experience in worldwide sales and acquisitions from both a major studio and independent production companies, and a passion for piecing together international co-production projects.
Before joining the MarVista team in May 2011, Stephanie held the post of Vice President, Television Distribution for 20th Century Fox from January for 5 years. From driving the sales efforts of the local sales offices, to managing Fox's international format business (multiple local versions of Temptation Island, Beauty and the Geek and launching scripted format franchises of How I Met Your Mother, Prison Break), to overseeing the acquisition of product for distribution through the international division, Slack was involved in all areas related to the international television distribution of Twentieth Century Fox productions. She also was the liaison between Fox Television Studios and Fox Distribution on co-productions and pre-sales for projects financed fully outside the U.S. and then licensed to US network television, such as MENTAL (FOX), PERSONS UNKNOWN (NBC) and DEFYING GRAVITY (ABC). Prior to her studio tenure, Stephanie headed up the worldwide sales division for PorchLight Entertainment, an independent television production company. At PorchLight, she negotiated pre-sales of TV movies to U.S. cable networks (SyFy, Lifetime, ABC Family) and video partners and volume pre-sale deals with major Worldwide TV networks financing a yearly slate of TV movies for company. A world traveler with a masters in international business from l'Ecole Européenne Des Affaires in Paris, France. Stephanie speaks several languages fluently.
Vince Porter | Executive Director, Oregon’s Governor’s Office of Film and Television
Prior to joining the Oregon’s Governor’s Office of Film and Television, Vince was Vice President of Production for Showtime Networks. Vince supervised the production of over 160 episodes of television series and more than 32 television movies. For the last two years of his twelve-year tenure at Showtime, Vince was in charge of the production department for Showtime's award winning Original Programming. Series under his supervision included "Dexter", "Californication", and "The Tudors". A native of Indiana, Vince graduated from Ball State University in 1992 with a B.S. degree in Telecommunications. Prior to his tenure at Showtime, Vince was Manager of Production at ABC Productions.
Panelists
Nathaniel Applefield | AFTRA Executive Director & National Representative, Pac NW
Nathaniel Applefield spent his early 20s as a starving artist. Movie theatre projectionist by day and multi-instrumentalist in a band by night, he used his spare time to develop and perform in short film projects. Frustrated by the political climate, he shifted gears in 2004 to dedicate himself to social change. He spent seven years working on over 20 different political campaigns across the country before joining the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists (AFTRA) in March of 2011. He currently serves as Executive Director for the Portland Local of AFTRA.
Dena Beatty | Executive Director, SAG, Seattle/Portland
Bio coming soon.
Paul Bernard | Producer, ‘Leverage’
Paul Bernard has extensive experience working as Assistant Director, Producer and Director in the Film industry. He produced and Directed the independent feature "Loose Women." In the film he called upon such talents as Charlie Sheen, Keith David, and Giancarlo Esposito. Next he Exec-Produced "Mixing Nia," starring Isaiah Washington (Romeo must Die, True Crime), Karyn Parsons(Fresh Prince of Bel Air). The film was received well at festival screenings in the Toronto International Film Festival, New York Women's Film festival, while being awarded Best Picture at Worldfest-Houston, and the Acapulco Film Festival.
In the last 3 years, he has produced a number of films including the feature "High Times' Potluck," written by Victor Colicchio (Summer of Sam) featuring Jason Isaacs, Jason Mewes, Dan Lauria, and Tommy Chong. The film was scored by John Nau and Mark Bryan of "Hootie and the Blowfish.". "Passionada," directed by Dan Ireland (A Whole Wide World) and starring Jason Isaacs and Emme Rossum. Paul served as Co-Executive Producer, re-teaming with his partner James Scura. Following "Passsionada" Paul served as one of the Producers on the digital feature "Swimming Up Stream" starring Michael Moriarty and Matt Czuchry, "Venus & Vegas" starring Donald Faison and Jon Pilito and "Leo", starring Joseph Fiennes, Elisabeth Shue, Sam Shepard, and Dennis Hopper. "Leo" is a 2002 official selection of the Toronto International Film Festival. He is currently one of the Associate-producers on Bart Freundlich's new film "Trust the Man" starring Julianne Moore, Maggie Gyllenthol,David Duchovney and Billy Crudup.
Bernard has worked as an Assistant Director on numerous films including: "Spanglish" "Day After Tomorrow," "The Patriot," "Any Given Sunday," "Three Kings," "The Siege," "Godzilla," "Mars Attacks," "Mission Impossible," "Die Hard With A Vengeance," "City Hall," and "Interview With A Vampire." In doing so he had the opportunity to work closely with talented directors and producers such as Doug Liman, Oliver Stone, Woody Allen, Michael Ritchie, Brian DePalma, Tim Burton, Roland Emmerich, Dean Devlin, Neil Jordon, Michael Mann, James Brooks, John Sigleton, Doug Liman among many others.
He received a Bachelor of Arts in Media/Film from the University of South Carolina, where he now teaches on occasion. Paul currently serves as one of the heads of the University of South Carolina Film Board.
Nate DiNiro | Social Networking Distribution Strategist
Nate DiNiro is web strategist with a background spanning over 20 years in technology, media as well as experience in film. He helps arts, non-profit organizations and others navigate the complexities of web and social media to tell their stories to broad audiences and niche communities in the most effective ways. In 2009 he helped Sundance Grand Jury winner We Live in Public with web presence, social media and online activity. Utilizing some groundbreaking techniques to activate the press via the web, he kept screeners out of the hands of pirates and helped the film maintain Oscar eligibility. Nate is the President of the Social Media Club's Portland Chapter and founder & Executive Producer of Open Affairs Television, where he produces, speaks and writes on open source technology, government and healthcare. Nate also consults on media, marketing, distribution, event & conference projects.
Slater Dixon | MoPix, Video App Marketplace
Slater Dixon is a film and video creative. Slater was first introduced to the magic of filmmaking after capturing moving images on a discarded Super 8 camera. Quickly, his focus as a filmmaker shifted and evolved from capturing images through conventional means to fully embracing the digital revolution as both an artist and filmmaker. Slater continued to pursue his passion for storytelling by attending film school at Chapman University in Southern California, where he graduated with both academic honors and accolades for his filmmaking talents.
With award winning, theatrically screened shorts and feature film credits, Slater Dixon brings his diverse background, passion and unique experience to every project that he undertakes. His portfolio of work includes over 20 films ranging from Sundance Award winners to Academy Award qualifiers. Among clients and colleagues, Slater has built a reputation of excellence and acknowledgement for "going above and beyond;" he has become a sought after filmmaker and collaborator in the Northwest.
In addition to production and post-production, Slater is a partner in MoPix. With a focus on creating the "post DVD experience," MoPix is a revolutionary new film distribution platform that will define what the movie experience can be on tablet devices. MoPix is a privately held company that has secured early seed funding from Wieden and Kennedy’s PIE (Portland Incubator Experiment) as well as San Francisco-based - 500 Startups.
Eric Doebele | Entrepreneur, Venture Capital
Eric Doebele is a serial entrepreneur and active advisor to startup companies. He has founded several companies including HandymanOnline in 1997, which raised over $27 Million in venture capital grew to over 300 employees, and was later acquired by ServicMagic.com. In 2001, he founded ReliableRemodeler.com, which ranked 187th in the 2007 Inc. 500’s list of fastest growing companies, and was later sold to Quinstreet. Eric is a board member or active advisor to several companies, including ReliumMedia, Nightwave, Paydici, and AthletePath. He is an active member of several angel investing groups, and served on the 2010 Angel Oregon planning committee and the 2011 Oregon Angel Fund Advisory Council. Eric attended the University of Notre Dame and lives in Portland, OR.
Lyla Foggia | Publicist, Author
Lyla Foggia is a national publicist and award-winning writer who has personally mounted over 200 national campaigns to date – many of them considered groundbreaking. Prior to founding her own agency, she served as the Vice President of Publicity for TriStar Pictures, Director of Publicity for ABC Television, and National Broadcast Publicity Manager for 20th Century Fox.
Foggia began her career as a freelance journalist in Seattle, for which she was awarded a coveted National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship. After relocating to Los Angeles, she joined First Artists Productions, the company founded by Barbra Streisand, Dustin Hoffman, Paul Newman, Sidney Poitier, and Steve McQueen. In only seven years, Foggia rose through the studio ranks to become second in command of TriStar’s national publicity division – despite taking three years off from the corporate track to handle the PR during production on such films as “E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial,” “Splash,” and “WarGames.”
Notably, she was one of only two staff publicists at Columbia Pictures invited to join the Sherry Lansing team at 20th Century-Fox when Lansing became the first female studio head in history.
Widely regarded as one of the industry’s top copywriters, Foggia taught publicity writing to students around the world for UCLA Extension for three years, and has served as the in-house editor and staff writer at various companies. She is also the author of a landmark book, Reel Women: The World of Women Who Fish, which chronicled the 500-year history of women in the sport for the first time. Among other honors, Reel Women was selected as one of the “Top 25 Best Fishing Books in Print” (out of 2400 titles) by Field & Stream magazine.
Todd Freeman | The Brothers Freeman, Filmmakers
Jason and Todd Freeman started like many do early in their lives loving to watch movies. Their father, Dale Freeman, showed them 16MM prints of the classics from every genre you can imagine. Before the days of audio-commentary, Dale would stand up in front of the portable screen and relay the tale of how the majestic filmmakers overcame adversity and triumphed with the celluloid that would soon unfurl in front of their eyes. Since then, they’ve strived to be worthy of such a tale themselves. Both Jason and Todd went to Columbia College in Hollywood and studied under working industry professionals. From there, the brothers each made their first feature length films. In the 15 years since, they have Written, Directed, Shot, Produced, and Edited over 15 feature length films. Their films have been distributed worldwide and their two most recent feature films The Weather Outside and Cell Count, which both utilized the iOPIF incentive in Oregon, are currently heading to film festivals around the world in 2012.
Jeffrey Hardy | President, FilmProfit, LLC
Jeffrey Hardy, president of FilmProfit, is the co-author of FilmProfit software and the sole author of The FilmProfit Guide To Film Distribution Deals, a respected primer to the deals in the key film distribution markets.
Mr. Hardy has acted as an expert resource for Hollywood Reporter, Fortune Magazine, The Washington Times, WSYR radio and The Black Film Report, among other publications, and interviews with Mr. Hardy have appeared in The Independent magazine, Black Talent News, Cue Magazine and FACES Magazine. His products and projects have been profiled in In Motion Magazine, MacWeek Guide to Desktop Video, Film/Tape World, Release Print Magazine, Movie Business Report and other industry publications, and FilmProfit contributed to The Independent Film and Videomaker’s Guide (2nd ed.)and to the Independent Filmmaker’s Guide to Writing a Business Plan for Investors.
He has presented multiple all-day workshops for the Institute for Independent Film Finance and lectured by invitation to Media and Entertainment MBA students at The University of California Berkeley, he was the moderator and an organizer for the inaugural NW Film Financing Workshop and has lectured on the East and West coasts for the Independent Feature Project. He has appeared by invitation before the California Film Commission, National Media Network, Creative Financing Conference, The Boston Film and Video Foundation, Black Hollywood Film Festival, and other organizations as a lecturer and panelist on creative and business issues for independent films.
Candice Jackson | Entertainment Law
Candice E. Jackson is a multi-faceted creative and business force to be reckoned with. She is an Attorney, Best-Selling Author, and Speaker who has appeared or been featured on national TV and Radio stations including Fox News, MSNBC, EIB Network, and more.
Candice began her career by graduating with honors from Stanford University at age 20 with her bachelor's degree in Economics. She took a year off to serve as campaign manager for her father's campaign for U.S. Congress, then worked in Olympia, Washington as the legislative director for a respected State Senator. She then accepted a full scholarship to law school at Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, California and graduated with honors in 2002, propelling her on her journey into law and politics.
After developing excellent litigation skills with the non-profit legal watchdog organization Judicial Watch, Candice opened her own private practice in Southern California, representing a diverse clientele in transactional and litigation matters ranging from personal injury to employment to film production. From March 2008 to August 2009, Candice worked for a premier West Coast law firm headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Bullivant Houser Bailey PC, where she expanded her practice to corporate law, entertainment law, and commercial litigation in the Northwest.
Candice is originally from the Pacific Northwest, and the move back to the Portland-Vancouver community from California was a welcomed one. She now runs her own law firm, Candice E. Jackson Attorney At Law, representing clients up and down the West Coast in business, entertainment, and litigation matters.
Candice enjoys working for a wide range of clients in various industries, from restaurants to medical clinics, and from authors and musicians to filmmakers and record labels. Candice also litigates business, employment, and injury claims. Candice is a published author and frequently speaks on topics of law and politics.
Candice’s initial experience in the entertainment business came from her brothers' and father's careers in Hollywood and Nashville. She believes in being part of a team to help any business or creative endeavor succeed, achieve dreams, and make the world a better place. She herself is a shining example of these qualities with compassion, intelligence, and justice.
Tara Johnson-Medinger | Executive Director, POWFest
Tara Johnson-Medinger is currently producing and co-directing the feature MY SUMMER AS A GOTH, and the documentary ROCK N ROLL MAMAS. Tara is the Executive Director of The Portland Oregon Women’s Film Festival and co-founder of Sour Apple Productions, a production company dedicated to original filmmaking, festival exhibition and website development. Before moving to Portland, she was a manager of affiliate promotion at FOX Broadcasting Headquarters in Los Angeles for six years. Through her production work as well as POWFest, Tara wants to promote and create new opportunities for women filmmakers not only in Oregon but world-wide. She currently serves on the founding board of directors of Women in Film Portland Chapter (WIF-PDX).
Alexander ‘Sandy’ MacKenzie | Producer & Director, Highland Light
Sandy MacKenzie has experience spanning forty-four years as an award-winning producer, director, writer and actor of feature film, television, legitimate theater, commercial and corporate / industrial programming, CEO and President of Highland Light Productions Inc., a full service feature film, television and theater production company. Recently he has produced and directed ‘Dancing on the Edge’ - which has garnered 13 awards on the 2011 Festival circuit, while attaining an International distribution deal.
Katie O’Grady | Actor, Producer
Katie O’Grady’s passion is acting but she also started a production company, Alcove Productions, LLC, alongside filmmaker/director James Westby (The Auteur, Film Geek). Katie starred in and produced RID OF ME (a critically acclaimed black comedy that premiered at the Tribecca Film Festival). Rid of ME was released in theaters Nov. 18th, 2011. Katie also starred in and produced HOT IN THE ZIPPER (a 1940’s screwball comedy).
Other productions from Alcove include: Oracle’s music video WAKE, Storm Large’s music video 8 MILES WIDE, and BULLY’D: a documentary/narrative about teen bullying. She has 4 new projects in development.
Over the last few years Katie has filmed with Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn, Justin Long, Timothy Hutton, Diane Lane, and Tommy Lee Jones. She recently guest starred on several episodes of LEVERAGE (TNT) as Amy Nevins. Katie can be seen on numerous National commercials; including M&M, Nintendo Wii, Clorox, and Nike. Katie got the opportunity to work as season 1 and 2 cast ,opposite the talented Fred Armisen (SNL) and Carrie Brownstein, in the series PORTLANDIA. Her first episode, PUT A BIRD ON IT, has gathered national enthusiasm and will launch a clothing line based on the episode. The show is produced by SNL creator Lorne Michaels and is currently featured on IFC. O’Grady also has a lead role in the short film SALT AND SILICONE that recently went to the Cannes Film Festival.
Mathew Wilson | Entrepreneur, Attorney
Matthew is a founding partner of Alumin, LLC and SideBarLegal. Alumin is an investment and consulting company that focuses on assisting early stage companies through the most challenging phase of growth. ThroughSideBar Legal, Matthew advises clients in the areas of corporate and securities law, venture capital, media and intellectual property matters, and merger and acquisitions. Prior to founding Alumin and SideBar Legal, Matthew was a shareholder at the law firm of Lane Powell PC where his practice focused on complex intellectual property matters, licensing, trademark, clean technology, corporate finance, technology transfers, mergers and acquisitions and entertainment law. Matthew advised clients on key issues including venture financing, strategic alliances, branding and market growth.
Christopher Toyne | Moderator
Emmy® Award Recipient 2008; Emmy® Award Nominee 2010
Christopher Toyne is an actor, producer and multi-cam director, with wide experience in many disciplines of media production. He is the fourth generation of an established British theatrical family including Sir Gerald du Maurier, Daphne du Maurier and Diana Beaumont. Having become a J. Arthur Rank contract child-star, he trained and worked as an actor in London during his youth. Returning to acting and narrating in 2008, he is represented both by Actors-In-Action agency and by In Both Ears for voice work. He has achieved a number of credits in the Oregon market.
His first love is long-form dramatic production for television and cinema - on both sides of the camera. Having recently played the evil doctor Dr. Brandt in Todd Freeman’s ‘Cell Count’ - he is presently working on features ‘Angel Punk’ and ‘My Summer as a Goth.’
He was Producer/UPM on ‘White Air,’ starring Riley Smith, Dominique Swain and Tom Sizemore. Previous to this, he produced the 2-hour dramatic TNT movie ‘Diana: The People’s Princess,’ in which he also performed the BBC Anchorman, documenting the troubled last year in the life of the iconic Princess. It was shot entirely on the island of Mallorca, Spain, depicting 10 countries and 52 locales. He was sole-credited producer on PBS/Wonderworks’ TV movie ‘Frogs’, with Shelley Duvall, Elliot Gould and Robin Tunney.
Christopher second love is music programming. He received an 2010 EMMY® nomination for Outstanding Entertainment Special/Live, producing ‘Gershwin at One Symphony Place.’ He received a 2008 EMMY® for Outstanding Event/Live, producing ‘Gala Opening: One Symphony Place,’ both in Nashville for PBS and as live Hi-Def broadcasts worldwide.
Christopher is also an experienced film festival programmer and artistic director. He helped found the Palm Springs International Film Festival for Sonny Bono, as International programmer for the first three years. He was International programmer and board member of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and artistic director of “The British and the Oscar Festival” Orange County and “Style Film” San Diego. He has moderated at film festivals and International market places from Cannes to London.
Please note that attendance of all Speakers is subject to their availability and any scheduling conflicts that might arise.
Artwork on this page by Jay Tormholen.
OMPA celebrates the indie spirit that makes Oregon rich with filmmakers, and we are putting on NW Film Finance because we believe that every producer has the potential to realize business as well as creative success. Access to information and a team of experienced people go a long way to that success.