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Schedule 2020
Wednesday
18th November
/ Innovation
16:45 - 17:00 (GMT)
WELCOME ADDRESS
Welcome address by Future of Film Founder Alex Stolz
17:00 - 17:45 (GMT)
JASON BLUM: THE INNOVATION KEYNOTE
×JASON BLUM - THE INNOVATION KEYNOTE
Jason Blum, founder of Blumhouse Productions, is a three-time Academy Award®-nominated, two-time Primetime Emmy Award-winning and a two-time Peabody Award-winning producer. In film, Blum has produced the lucrative, iconic, genre franchises like HALLOWEEN,PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, and THE PURGE as well as acclaimed hits GET OUT, BLACKKKLANSMAN and WHIPLASH.
Blumhouse Productions pioneering approach to filmmaking and prevailing commitment to innovation aligns with Future of Film’s mission to highlight the trailblazers that are dismantling the traditional forms of storytelling and forging new paths. We are delighted that Jason will be opening this year’s programme with his Innovation Keynote speech.
Speakers
Wendy Mitchell, Journalist & Broadcaster (Moderator)
Jason Blum, CEO, Blumhouse
17:50 - 18:50 (GMT)
DIVERSIFY, PIVOT, INNOVATE: NEW STRATEGIES FOR STORYTELLERS
×DIVERSIFY, PIVOT, INNOVATE: NEW STRATEGIES FOR STORYTELLERS
In a world where definitions of film and storytelling are increasingly blurred, how are entrepreneurial creators adapting and innovating to get work made and seen? Our panel of trailblazing filmmakers and producers share the strategies they are successfully using to drive forward their careers, businesses and art - and discuss what it means to be a film storyteller in 2020.
Speakers
Wendy Mitchell, Journalist & Broadcaster (Moderator)
Lina Flint, Producer, Nordisk Film Spring
Naysun Alae Carew, Producer
Shola Amoo, Filmmaker
18:55 - 19:55 (GMT)
INTERACTIVE FILMMAKING GOES TO THE NEXT LEVEL
×INTERACTIVE FILMMAKING GOES TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Across multiple forms and genres, storytellers are pushing the boundaries of film and games to bring about new types of art, entertainment and experience. This session will explore the commercial and creative opportunities of interactive filmmaking and how it is being used by storytellers in different ways and in different forms. We also explore the range of models, styles and business cases for interactive film with the pioneers who are developing new workflows and techniques that place the audience in control.
Speakers
Claudia Myers, Filmmaker (Moderator)
Ilan Benjamin, Interactive Filmmaker
John Giwa Amu, Producer, Red & Black Films
Ru Howe, Director, Stornaway
20:00 - 20:35 (GMT)
DIRECTION OF TRAVEL: BACK-PROJECTING VINTAGE LA FOR DAVID FINCHER'S 'MANK'
×DIRECTION OF TRAVEL: BACK-PROJECTING VINTAGE LA FOR DAVID FINCHER'S 'MANK'
Presented by Simon Carr, VFX Supervisor at Territory Studio with an introduction by Peter Mavromates, Co-Producer of 'Mank'
Territory Studios’ VFX Supervisor Simon Carr and Mank Co-Producer Peter Mavromates consider the creative and technical reasons behind the decision to shoot with LED back-projection for David Fincher’s epic biopic ‘Mank’; and how that led to Territory embarking on a CG backlot build of Wilshire Boulevard from 1934, using the latest technology to take a journey back in time. Asking is this the way forward? The new direction of travel? And will green screen car interiors soon be a thing of the past?
20:35 - 21:15 (GMT)
THE GREEN ROOM
×THE GREEN ROOM
Join the Future of Film team and speakers for a relaxed, informal ‘after hours’ conversation. Ask questions and exchange ideas as we discuss the key talking points from the day's sessions, as well as looking ahead to what’s next.
Thursday
19th November
/ Storytelling
11:45 - 12:00 (GMT)
WELCOME / DAY TWO PREVIEW
Alex Stolz looks ahead to day two of the Summit
12:00 - 12:45 (GMT)
JOHN GAETA AND KIM LIBRERI: THE STORYTELLING KEYNOTE
×JOHN GAETA AND KIM LIBRERI: THE STORYTELLING KEYNOTE
Relentless innovators, storytellers and inventors, John Gaeta and Kim Libreri have been breaking ground at the forefront of innovation in film now for over two decades. The pair famously collaborated in inventing and delivering the groundbreaking, Academy Award® winning visual effects on THE MATRIX, pioneering the now legendary ‘bullet time’ technology and sequences. Refusing to let this formative work define them, John and Kim went on to accumulate credits across over 40 films as they continued to invent and develop new approaches to film and visual storytelling. Kim then brought his vast film experience to Epic Games in the role of Chief Technology Officer, where he is driving the uptake of Unreal Engine as the platform for film and entertainment creation on projects such as THE MANDALORIAN. Pursuing his interest in the emerging space of XR and immersive storytelling, John meanwhile co-founded ILMxLab and then joined Magic Leap as SVP Creative Strategy. Now in 2020, Future of Film is honoured to reunite these innovators and colleagues for a very special conversation on the past, present and future of their work - and a journey to new horizons in film storytelling.
Speakers
Amon Warmann, Film Critic & Contributing Editor, Empire Magazine (Moderator)
John Gaeta, Designer & Inventor
Kim Liberi, CTO, Epic Games
12:45 - 13:45 (GMT)
THE REALTIME REVOLUTION OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS
×THE REALTIME REVOLUTION OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS
Disney and Lucasfilm's THE MANDALORIAN showcased the possibilities of in-camera visual effects and virtual production, powered by Unreal Engine and an LED volume. Yet these advances require a different approach to not just to how visual effects are deployed but potentially the entire process of filmmaking. Does this change the roles of the crafts and the way these teams work together? Are these an improvement to the historic models and as an industry, what needs to happen to fully embrace this way of working? Our panel of experts discuss this and also whether this type of production process may provide a way for film to become both safe and more sustainable in a post pandemic world.
Speakers
Alex Stolz, Founder, Future of Film (Moderator)
Matt Madden, Director of Virtual Production, Epic Games
Paul Franklin, VFX Supervisor & Creative Director, DNEG
Andrew Jones, VFX artist
13:45 - 14:25 (GMT)
HYBRID IMMERSIVE FILM EXPERIENCES WITH 5G AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
×HYBRID IMMERSIVE FILM EXPERIENCES WITH 5G AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
If a global pandemic can teach us one thing, it's that traditional ways of doing things can always be upended. The "future of film" is no exception. If it's taught us another, it's that technology solutions can be accelerated to accommodate new normals. Again, the "future of film" is no exception. What were once manual and standardized processes for the capture, processing, distribution, consumption, and engagement of content are now being rethought in radical new ways. The timely arrival of 5G and its awakening of supporting technologies like motion and volumetric capture, extended reality, and edge computing are unlocking new opportunities for filmmakers to be creative and engage with their audiences. This includes content captured from unlikely sources and consumed in unimagined ways. Film -- as we think about it today -- has the potential to become a live, immersive experience that lives and grows with its audience. Entertainment will not be exempt from new hybrid models, and 5G will work with supporting technologies to reimagine how we think about immersive hybrid media entertainment -- including traditional film. Join Sarah Gilarsky and Joshua Ness from Verizon and learn how these emerging technologies are driving new partnerships and new ways of connecting content creators with audiences who are ready for what's coming next.
Speakers
Alex Stolz, Founder, Future of Film (Moderator)
Joshua Ness, Senior Manager, Verizon 5G Labs
Sarah Gilarsky, Content Partnerships & Business Development, Verizon
14:30 - 15:15 (GMT)
HOW I REINVENTED MY FILMMAKING WITH VIRTUAL PRODUCTION // HAZ DULULL
×HOW I REINVENTED MY FILMMAKING WITH VIRTUAL PRODUCTION // HAZ DULULL
Hasraf ‘HaZ' Dulull started his career in Visual Effects for Film and TV, before transitioning to directing and producing with his breakout sci-fi indie feature film - THE BEYOND. His second feature film 2036: ORIGIN UNKNOWN, earned a limited theatrical release in the US before landing on Netflix.
HaZ talks us through his journey into realtime filmmaking, covering his career from ‘pitchvis’ to animated pilot, to animated feature and then to live action virtual production, revealing the tools, techniques and strategies that have helped make 2020 a pivotal year in his storytelling career.
Speakers
HaZ Dulull, Founder, Hazfilm
15:20 - 16:20 (GMT)
BREAKOUT SESSIONS PLUS REPEAT OF KEYNOTE
×BREAKOUT SESSIONS
We’re pleased to be hosting more intimate, interactive, expert-lead sessions across a variety of topics and experience levels. You'll be able to choose which session you'd like to attend on the day
A Previs-style Approach to Real-time Filmmaking
Martin Bell- Proof, Inc / Yes Commissioner?
Digital artist Martin Bell (JURASSIC WORLD, NO TIME TO DIE, 1917) joins us to talk us through his work as a previs/postvis artist and supervisor. Using his first real-time film, PRAZINBURK RIDGE as a case study, Martin will talk us through the process of coming up with the idea, why he made it in Unreal, and how he adopted a previs-style workflow. He’ll also be on hand to answer your burning questions in this fun, informal style workshop.
Interactive Filmmaking Simplified
Kate Dimbleby, Writer / Performer, & Ru Howe, Filmmaker- Stornaway
Stornaway.io is a new drag & drop application that lets video producers create interactive branching narrative stories, quickly and easily, without coding. In September, Stornaway.io released two original shorts at Immersive Encounters 2020: A Little Hungover (www.ALittleHungover.com), written and directed by Tyrell Williams, and Life Moves Pretty Fast (www.LifeMovesPrettyFast.io), which follows Wolfie on several different journeys to work on his birthday. In this session, Stornaway.io creators Kate Dimbleby and Ru Howe will discuss the potential and challenges of this kind of interactive storytelling; summarise the current landscape of tools and platforms for creation and delivery; demo Stornaway.io's story mapping and previs tools; and discuss integration with other platforms and possibilities for 360 and VR capabilities. Participants will be also encouraged to share their experiences of working on branching narrative/interactive projects.
How to Make Your Ideas Stand Out
Fiona Gillies & Christine Hartland, Smash Media
Smash are working to level the playing field for filmmakers and content creators from all backgrounds to ensure that the best emerging talent can gain access to decision makers. Smash will be sharing their knowledge, as well as welcoming filmmakers and decision makers alike to share their stories and offer advice and feedback.
MOVIE MARKETING - STAYING DYNAMIC IN THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ACROSS DISTRIBUTION AND EXHIBITION
Catherine Downes, usheru & Ben Johnson, Gruvi
usheru and Gruvi bring you this breakout session which examines the current situation in the industry across distribution and exhibition, looking first at the latest trends developing in the realms of movie marketing over the last 6 months and seeing where they will bring us in the year to come - think analysis, insights and predictions, and learn how to stay dynamic and capitalise on the opportunities presented in times like these. Catherine (CMO of usheru) and Ben (CEO of Gruvi) will engage in a lively chat with industry experts across home entertainment, exhibition, distribution and film advertising to uncover what to expect in the year ahead.
Networking
If you didn’t manage to book any of our breakout sessions, this space is for our delegates to network with each other in an informal environment. No booking needed, simply join on the day.
16:20 - 17:20 (GMT)
DEMOCRATISING VIRTUAL PRODUCTION
×DEMOCRATISING VIRTUAL PRODUCTION
Virtual Production, or ‘realtime filmmaking’ has the potential to democratise filmmaking in new and unprecedented ways. Beyond high profile projects such as THE LION KING and THE MANDALORIAN, how are filmmakers utilising virtual production to create their work? And if we are indeed on the brink of a new era of democratised filmmaking, what is needed to make this happen and what might it mean for the industry?
Speakers
Sallyann Houghton, Business Development, Epic Games (Moderator)
Felix Jorge, CEO, Happy Mushroom
He Sun, Head of Rebellion VFX, Rebellion Film & TV Studios
Mariana Acuña Acosta, Chief Product Officer & Co-Founder, Glassbox
Sol Rogers, CEO and Founder, RWD
17:20 - 17:35 (GMT)
MID POINT ROUND UP
17:35 - 18:05 (GMT)
LIVE Q&A - JOHN GAETA & KIM LIBRERI
18:10 - 19:10 (GMT)
ARE BRANDS THE FUTURE OF FUNDING?
×ARE BRANDS THE FUTURE OF FUNDING?
As forward-thinking marketers increasingly look to film to share their message, we explore the latest ways in which brands and storytellers are working together. How does this relationship work creatively and financially, and what are brands looking for when they engage with filmmakers? Our expert panel reveals how these partnerships come about, how funding decisions get made and, in a rapidly transforming media landscape, whether brands really are the future of film funding.
Speakers
Brian Newman, Founder, Sub-Genre (Moderator)
Angela Matusik, Head of Corporate Brand, Content and Creative, HP
Colin McRae, Shopify Studios
Everett Katigbak, Stripe
19:15 - 20:15 (GMT)
THE ART AND SCIENCE OF BUILDING STORY WORLDS
×THE ART AND SCIENCE OF BUILDING STORY WORLDS
With the increasing fragmentation of channels available for storytelling, the benefits of worldbuilding (developing the ‘storyworld’ before or alongside the story itself) are becoming evident for creators, as a way to build IP and tell stories across multiple platforms. Yet how does this process work in practice and is it ap[plicable to all projects and all budget sizes? Join our panel of expert worldbuilders, as we journey to new horizons, where science, creativity and collaboration converge offering new possibilities for storytelling.
Speakers
Iain Dodgeon, Director, OKRE [Moderator]
Alex McDowell, Executive Creative Director, Experimental Design Studios
Dr Clifford Johnson, Professor of Physics, University of Southern California
Diana Williams, Multi- Platform Producer Madison Wells
Vivienne Medrano, Creator, Director, Animator
20:15 - 20:25 (GMT)
CLOSING REMARKS
A round up of day 2
20:25 - 21:25 (GMT)
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS FROM THE EPIC GAMES UNREAL ENGINE FELLOWSHIP
21:25 - 01:25 (GMT)
DAILY RE-RUNS
A replay of today’s Summit, for the benefit of those in different time zones
Friday
20th November
/ Reimagine
12:00 - 12:15 (GMT)
WELCOME / DAY THREE PREVIEW
Alex Stolz looks ahead to the final day of the Summit
12:15 - 13:00 (GMT)
IN CONVERSATION: JIM LEBRECHT & NICOLE NEWNHAM
×IN CONVERSATION: JIM LEBRECHT & NICOLE NEWNHAM
Filmmakers Jim LeBrecht and Nicole Newnham discuss their creative partnership and the making of the pioneering feature documentary, CRIP CAMP.
13:05 - 14:05 (GMT)
FEMALE FILM FOUNDERS
×FEMALE FILM FOUNDERS
In Partnership with Creative England’s Female Founders Programme, the session features innovative female business leaders addressing the challenges film faces right now. In an open and collaborative discussion, the founders will discuss their experience in the role, the industry opportunities that they are addressing and their aspirations for the film's future.
Speakers
Mia Bays, Producer & Director, Bird’s Eye View (moderator)
Akua Gyamfi, Founder, British Blacklist
Maria Tanjala, Co-Founder, FilmChain
Victoria Emslie, Actor & Founder, Primetime
14:10 - 15:10 (GMT)
FILM’S FUTURE IS SUSTAINABILITY
×FILM’S FUTURE IS SUSTAINABILITY
Film’s future is dependent on its sustainability. But what does this simple statement look like in practice? What are the steps we can each right take and how might new technologies help us achieve this? And looking beyond our own productions, can film itself become more of an agent of change in the world? Our expert panelists discuss the opportunities and challenges in achieving a sustainable future for film.
Speakers
Lyndsay Duthie, CEO, Production Guild of Great Britain (Moderator)
Sam Sutaria, Head of Strategy, WaterBear
Melanie Dicks, CEO, Fingerprint Content and Co-founder, Greenshoot
Emellie O'Brien,Founder & CEO, Earth Angel
15:15 - 15:25 (GMT)
MID POINT ROUND UP
15:25 - 16:25 (GMT)
WHERE NEXT FOR DISTRIBUTION?
×WHERE NEXT FOR DISTRIBUTION?
Already seismic changes in the media landscape and resulting audience behaviour have been accelerated by the pandemic - so is it now time to create a new blueprint for film distribution? This ambitious session will feature leaders in distribution and production collectively exploring new possibilities for how to reach audiences, maximise revenue and release films in a post-pandemic, post-streaming world.
Speakers
Catherine Downes, COO / CMO, usheru
Emily Best, Founder & CEO, Seed & Spark
Tomas Jegeus, Founder & CEO, Mad Science
Jake Hanly, VP & Acquisitions, Gunpowder & Sky
Delphi Lievens, Senior Box Office Analyst, Gower St Analytics
16:30 - 17:30 (GMT)
DOES CINEMA NEED TO REINVENT ITSELF?
×DOES CINEMA NEED TO REINVENT ITSELF?
As the global cinema industry continues to reel from the impact of Covid-19, the role of the big screen communal experience has been called into question like never before. Whilst many believe cinema will bounce back from this setback, serious concerns persist around how consumer behaviour and distribution patterns are being permanently and fundamentally altered.
Looking to the future, are there new approaches exhibition can adopt to maintain its cultural and economic relevancy and vitality? Our panel will explore how innovative cinema operators are adjusting to the new ‘new normal’ as well as new strategies that can transform the business and user experience. And if cinema does need to reinvent itself - then how?
Speakers
Erwin M Schmidt, MD, German Film Producers Association (moderator)
Anthony Andrews, Co-Founder & Creative Director, We Are Parable
Ben Johnson, CEO, Gruvi
Johanna Koljonen, Media Analyst
Tim League, Founder and Executive Chairman, Alamo Drafthouse
17:30 - 18:30 (GMT)
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
×BREAKOUT SESSIONS
We’re pleased to be hosting more intimate, interactive, expert-lead sessions across a variety of topics and experience levels. You'll be able to choose which session you'd like to attend on the day.
How Data Analytics Is Changing Film Finance
Greg Gertmenian- Slated
Over $2.8B has been introduced to independent films on Slated, the world's leading online film packaging, financing and distribution marketplace. Movies like JOKER and SUPER TROOPERS 2 received production financing in part thanks to their high Script and Financial Scores, which predicted these films' outsized financial success. Join Slated's Head of Development, Greg Gertmenian, for a discussion about how data analytics is changing the way studios and financiers think about independent films, and to learn best practices for putting your film together to attract talent, capital, and distribution.
A Peek behind the SVOD curtain
Stephen Follows, Film Analyst
Using a powerful, unique dataset, film analyst Stephen Follows reveals what types of content perform well on streaming platforms and provides insight to help film professionals as they make content with an eye on an SVOD sale
Networking
If you didn’t manage to book any of our breakout sessions, this space is for our delegates to network with each other in an informal environment. No booking needed, simply join on the day
18:35 - 19:20 (GMT)
EFFIE T BROWN: THE REIMAGINE KEYNOTE
×EFFIE T BROWN: THE REIMAGINE KEYNOTE
Effie T. Brown is an award-winning producer and CEO of Gamechanger Films, which launched in 2013 as the first film fund for women filmmakers and now under Brown’s leadership includes projects by and about people of colour, LGBTQ+ and people with disabilities as well as its expansion into television and digital content.
Effie joins Future of Film Summit for a special keynote conversation about her career, diverse storytelling and a reimagined future of film.
19:20 - 19:35 (GMT)
CLOSING REMARKS
Alex Stolz looks back on the past 3 days of the Future of Film Summit 2020
20:00 - 22:00 (GMT)
DAILY RE-RUNS
A replay of today’s Summit, for the benefit of those in different time zones