Joe Howell spreads word in Westwood graphic design classes

ATLANTA, Ga.--Big Picture Foundation board member Joe Howell spoke about the Georgia BigPictureCon to graphic design students at Westwood College.

“We’re bringing film technology to the students,” he told the students in Darryl White’s Westwood College classroom August 14, referring to how the conference would be held at the college itself.

The event will cover film, technology, gaming, animation, and promotion. There will be two days of workshops and conferences with working professionals. The master class workshops for more advanced learners will feature industry professionals located in the metro Atlanta area. “They will be teaching about the most advanced aspects in their industry,” he said.

Student James York asked if the conference would be one large event or have different workshops. Howell said it would be broken up by topic. There will be three tracks dedicated to technology, industry and business, and the master classes.

Bryant Berkeley asked about Howell’s background. Howell said his degree is in information systems, but he has worked in music production for nearly 20 years. His career has brought him into contact with Universal Music artists and onto the production of film soundtracks. At the conference, he will host audio for gaming and music panels in the technology track, with a focus on scoring, soundtracks, and sound effects.

Director of Career Services Irene Hillman told students she was their point of contact for conference information and registration. Because Westwood is hosting the event, students will receive discounted rates.

Nancy Howard shares information about 2013 GABPC at Westwood College

Westwood College student Terrell Davis signs up for the Georgia BigPictureCon mailing list.

ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia BigPictureCon founder and producer, Nancy Howard, spent the morning of August 14th making Westwood College students aware of the coming conference.

“We have an information table set up,” she said. “We’re excited to share that Westwood is our host school this year.”

The goal of the booth that was set up at the college’s student lounge was to share information about the conference and make students aware of the reduced admission price they can get because Westwood is the host school. The goal was to sign up students for the mailing list and show them the different aspects of the conference, such as the educational tracks and the film festival, whose deadline is getting close.

“It’s been going well,” Howard said. “People have been very excited about the conference coming here and all the opportunities they can access.”

Many people signed up for the mailing list at the table and when Howard and Big Picture Foundation board member Joe Howell made presentations in classrooms.

Rosemary Salem, chief executive officer of Mrz. Entertainment Productions and a Westwood student, was among the students interested in the conference’s booth. Salem founded Mrz in 2011 as a talent management company that soon branched out into event planning and production of television shows and films.

“We are trying to get us corporate sponsors, local business sponsors, to sponsor our productions,” she said. “As you know, it can be costly.”

The BigPictureCon interests her for its networking potential—other producers and directors will be there. This could help her build up her company. She is also interested in the workshops and panels, which could help her learn new things.

Regina Williams, another Westwood student, also checked out the booth. “I’m breaking into acting for film as well as producing,” she said. “I’m also a graphic design student.” On top of all of that, she has taken audio-video production classes at Westwood. The casting and production panels at the conference are of particular interest. She hopes she can make contacts and gain opportunities for future work.

GABPC Spreads Word At Peachtree Village International Film Festival

Representatives of the Georgia BigPictureCon distributed information about the upcoming conference at the Peachtree Village International Film Festival at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel Aug. 23.

Georgia BigPictureCon Accepting Short Films For Festival

ATLANTA, Ga.—The Georgia BigPictureCon (GABPC) Film & Technology Conference is accepting submissions for its 2013 film festival.

“At past conferences, we would always have a student film festival,” said founder and producer Nancy Howard.

Anyone can submit a short film on any topic. However, the piece must be family-friendly (PG or G-rated), with no grotesque violence, nudity, or other inappropriate content. Recommended genres include comedy, drama, suspense, music videos, and public service announcements (PSAs). Films cannot be more than 15 minutes in length. The purpose of the festival is to give participants a venue to showcase their work.

There will be four submission deadlines. The early deadline is Aug. 31, the regular Sept. 6, and the late Sept. 18. The fourth deadline, Sept. 25, is for those submitting via the online mechanism Withoutabox.com. Those whose submissions are accepted will receive two 2-day passes and additional 2-day passes at half-price. There is a $5 submission fee. 

For more information and submission information, visit here.

Georgia BigPictureCon Who's Who: Ken Feinberg

One of the movers and shakers of the Georgia BigPictureCon is Ken Feinberg, founder and chief executive officer of Creative Studios of Atlanta. For over 25 years, Feinberg has been directing, writing, producing, and acting in award-winning films, hit television series like Enterprise and Angel, and major theater projects in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta.

Now Feingberg passes his knowledge and experience onto students through a curriculum covering acting, directing, and screenwriting at CSA. One of the CSA's major program is the Film Academy, a highly selective nine-month intensive program to mentor talented actors and their parents and significant others for professional careers. Many of his students have starred in feature films, television programs, commercials, voice-over, print, billboards, and even Broadway.

Feinberg is currently overseeing the post-production of the feature film Santa's Boot Camp.

Georgia Big Picture Foundation To Hold Sound Workshop

ATLANTA, Ga. — Sam Ash Music Store will be hosting a sound and audio workshop courtesy of the Georgia Big Picture Foundation.

Foundation board member Joe Howell said the event, which will last from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. August 13, will draw on his background in audio engineering and sound design. An audio engineer works with recording audio and video on a film set, with duties including working with microphones and creating sound effects. A sound designer specifically records sound effects and creates the overall sound of the project, including the music needed to set the mood.

“That could mean I create a score that’s going to create suspense around a particular scene,” Howell said.

The foundation is putting on the workshop due to e-mail and survey requests for more information about sound. Howell said sound is one of the least-studied aspects of filmmaking. Even a film school graduate might have little knowledge about how to properly handle sound in a film.

In the workshop, participants will analyze equipment, talk about what sound can do for a picture, do hands-on exercises with audio equipment, and discuss the soundtrack and sound needs for a film. Howell will teach the class along with guest producer Gerald Coby.

Those interested in participating can sign up at www.gabpc.com. The deadline is August 9 and the cost is $39 in advance.

2013 Georgia BigPictureCon Coming To Westwood College

This October, Westwood College in Midtown will host the 2013 Georgia BigPictureCon (GABPC) Film and Technology Conference.

“The GABPC is a two-day educational summit for professional and emerging filmmakers and those entering the film, technology, and digital media industry in Georgia,” said founder and producer Nancy Howard.

The conference, which began in 2005, is intended to connect students with professionals and industry representatives to keep them working in Georgia. The GABPC also serves as a resource for emerging filmmakers to find out what opportunities are available in the state. Compared to neighboring states, Georgia has much more to offer, including experienced production companies and post-production houses, trained crews, and skilled actors. In recent years, the state has provided tax credits and other incentives to encourage independent and studio film production in the state.

The conference will begin with a keynote session on Sunday, Oct. 13 and will end with another keynote speaker and a reception Monday, Oct. 14. In between, there will be educational sessions, workshops, and panel discussions on topics such as visual effects design, the role of a producer, digital content creation for mobile devices, and the latest trends in digital entertainment. Those with more experience will be able to attend the master tracks, which consist of longer, more advanced workshops.

Georgia Film Commissioner Lee Thomas will participate in the closing session, informing participants about the history of filmmaking in Georgia and discussing future developments. Ken Feinberg, founder of Creative Studios of Atlanta, will moderate the panel Acting in the Digital Age. Diane Ashford of Symmetry Entertainment and Amani Channel of Visual Eye Media will participate as a speaker as well.

The entry fee varies, with students paying $69 and up to $189 for an all-access pass for all sessions on both days. Groups of five or more can take $10 off per person if they purchase tickets together. Westwood College will host the conference, giving participants easy access to everything Midtown has to offer. The Hilton Garden Inn will be the host hotel, with a special rate of $149 per night for conference guests who use the promo code “GBPC.” More information about the convention can be found via phone or fax at 770-819-9635 or by visiting gabpc.com.

Welcome to the 2013 Georgia BIG PICTURE Conference

Welcome to the 2013 Georgia BIG PICTURE Conference, slated for Oct. 13-14 in Atlanta, Ga.

This blog will be the successor to this blog, dedicated to the 2009 conference.

More information will be posted shortly...