David Macmillan, is a long established Sound Department expert winner of 3 Oscars, and who has worked in the highest level for five decades.

David has worked with some of the best film Directors of our time, he has helped names such as Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, Sydney Pollack, Philip Kaufman, Alan Parker, Joel Schumacher, Kathryn Bigelow, Oliver Stone, Ron Howard, and many others to achive their goals.

Davis is wdely recognized as one of the most important sound department experts in the whole world, he has been involved in films such as Apolo 13 (earning him an Oscar) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, The Firm , Natural Born Killer, Speed (earning him an Oscar), Nixon, City of Angels, The Life of David Gale, Hancock, Twilight, and many others.

Here are a few words of David about his career:

My family emigrated to Canada from Scotland, although I was born in N. Ireland,my mother being Irish, Father Scotish. I started studying computer electronics after finishing school, but found it not to my liking, so I applied for an apprentice technician position at The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It was perfect for me, and as I completed my apprenticeship after only a year, having 3 years to do so, I had my choice of positions. The film department was sending their crews all over the world, so at twenty two, I got the job as a sound mixer on Documentaries, News, and some TV movies as series. One of my trips in 1968 was to San Francisco and I fell in love with the city. I left my job 6 months later, bought a return ticked with no thought of returning to the ice and snow of Toronto.

Scanning the phone book for film makers who could use my expertise, I happened on a Gentleman named John Korty, and helped him finnish post production on a film he had shot. He introduced me to Francis Ford Coppola, who hired me to prewire a studio he was opening there. He had purchased a Keller Flat Bed dubbing system, and when the Studio was not completed we set it up in a room on the ground floor, and with Francis, myself, Walter Murch and Billy Neal( Francis's Brother in law) we mixed "The Rain People", in two weeks time, allowing Francis to rush to Cannes where the film one the Palm de Ore in 1969. I stayed on with American Zoetrope for 3 years as post production mixer, and Francis arranged for my Green Card, and Union Card.

In late 1971 I left to return to Production Mixing, bought my own equipment, and as they say, the rest is history.

FEST   Training ground will have a variety of experts from the 4 corners of the world.

Some of the other Experts are Oscar Nominee Christian Frei, Cannes Golden Camera winner Etgar Keret, Marc Price, Nancy Bishop, Bruno Chatelin, and many others.

FEST - training Ground has been a worldwide success, with registered participants coming from countries such as Italy, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Spain, Lebanon, Brazil, Greece, Portugal, Nigeria and others

Be sure to register your place as soon as possible as places are limited, and the clock is ticking registrations on http://www.trainingground.fest.pt/

FEST   Training Ground, will take place from the 22nd to the 27 of June in Espinho, Portugal

FEST   Training Ground is a place where film makers and film enthusiasts from all over the world gather in one week, to attend a deluxe training from workshops to master classes, lectured by industry top experts with recognized achievements.

Where?

In Espinho, Portugal, 15 minutes south of Porto in the seacoast line. A tourism orientated city and one of the summer hotspots of Portugal.

When?

From the 21st to the 26th of June 2010

Who are the speakers and lecturers?

Participants will be provided with high standards of speakers and lecturers, recognized worldwide for their work and achievements. The event will program a diverse number of film experts, and participants will be able to interact with them in debates, small group sessions or even informally meeting. Detailed information of the speakers will be available on the FEST - Training Ground website

All in one

Training ground is all in one program, as participants will not only enjoy a six day deluxe training program, but also will be able to attend the screenings of FEST   International Film Festival, as parallel activities, all of this having as a scenario the beautiful seacoast city of Espinho, one of the most looked for seacoast location in all of Portugal.

FEST   International Youth Film Festival FEST   Training Ground will occur in the same dates as FEST   International Youth Film Festival, This is one of the most vibrant film festivals in Portugal, having shown in the past some of the year s most interesting works worldwide. All participants will benefit from this, as they will have free pass for this event as well. The festival focuses in new directors and it is expected to find in the event some future talents, from this screen, directors have gone to win awards and nominations in events such as Cannes, Venice, Sundance and even Oscars.

Exchange experience and knowledge with participants from all over the world!

In one place participants will enhance their knowledge, be up to date with the best new films in a wide range of styles, and interact with methods and young film makers from the 4 corners of the planet, the value of this experience is overwhelming for any participant.

How do you register?

All registrations must be made through the training ground website http://www.trainingground.fest.pt/

Who is eligible?

Every film maker or film enthusiast is eligible for registering; you just need to have a genuine interest in the subject, an open spirit, and the will to learn.

The FEST   Training Ground will gather in the same place hundreds of young filmmakers and film enthusiasts from all over the world and will offer an unique opportunity to meet experts, enhance your education , network and at the same time have fun so be sure not to miss it. It will be an unforgettable experience.

http://www.trainingground.fest.pt/