AFM Day 4 Highlights
Today’s programming included:
PITCH CONFERENCE
Pitching Essentials: The 2-Minute Pitch
Panellists:
- Tobin Armbrust, Producer, former President, Worldwide Production & Acquisitions, Virgin Produced
- Effie Brown, Producer, Duly Noted, Inc.
- Cassian Elwes, Producer, ELEVATED
Moderator:
- Lee Jessup, Screenwriting Career Consultant & Coach, leejessup.com
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SCRIPT SUPERVISOR
Presenter:
- Randi Feldman, Founder, Cinema Workshops
FUTURE OF FILM RIGHTS AND CONTENT MANAGEMENT
Presented by MTONOMY
Panelists:
Arjun Mendhi, MIT Technologist & CEO, MTonomy
Denise Denson, Former EVP of Global Content Distribution at Viacom & COO, MTonomy
Linda Nelson, Expert in Independent Films Market & CEO, IndieRights
ANIMALS IN FILM: FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN
Presenter:
Mark Harden, Senior Trainer, Animals for Hollywood
Benny, K9 Actor
Quotes
PITCHING ESSENTIALS: THE 2-MINUTE PITCH
Effie Brown, Producer, Duly Noted, Inc.
[on what is important in a pitch] “Why you are the person to do this story. And what emotionally resonates with you which usually makes the other person care.”
[when pitching]“You have to know your audience.”
Cassian Elwes, Producer, ELEVATED
“Part of what you do at AFM is to go out and meet people. Make sure you not only talk, but also listen.”
On being pitched a story, “t is great when somebody gives me a one-liner or a little bit to begin with so I understand the story they are trying to tell.”
“At the end of the day, the people that buy the pitches then have to take the script and go sell it to somebody else.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SCRIPT SUPERVISOR
Randi Feldman, Founder, Cinema Workshops
“The script supervisor has thought of where we’ve been [within the story], where we are going, and how we can get to where the film needs to be.”
“A script supervisor has to have a strong relationship with the director, producers, and writers to understand what they want accomplished. We have to be flexible to carry out their vision."
“Script supervisors are there to be the backup singers of the key production crew.”
FUTURE OF FILM RIGHTS AND CONTENT MANAGEMENT
Presented by MTONOMY
Arjun Mendhi, MIT Technologist & CEO, MTonomy
"Every film that we make today will live forever."
"Streaming penetration in China is at 6%."
"Let's envision a future where media content can live and grow autonomously… forever."
"Your security is as strong as your weakest link; simplify your workflow."
ANIMALS IN FILM: FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN
Mark Harden, Senior Trainer, Animals for Hollywood
“First thing I do when I read a script is ask myself what is the animal’s purpose. Why is the animal needed in the script?”
“Animals are just as important in script as a costume, prop, or actor.”
“Animal trainers become brand representatives for a film.”
“We recommend bringing animals and their trainers to production meetings to get comfortable with your staff. Do a show & tell when introducing your animal trainers & animals to your production!”
“Cheapest isn’t always best. Cheap up front will be more expensive down the line.”
“If you understand the differences of a film set with animals and a film set without animals you will be successful with your production.”
“Animal, to camera, to trainer is the triangle you have to work with when having animals apart of your story.”
“Multiple takes are imperative when working with animals on your set.”
