The VC FILMFEST is again offering a diverse slate of seminars and panels, affording audiences a unique glimpse into the craft and perspectives of Asian Americans who make (and break into) movies. With panelists ranging from those working within the mainstream entertainment arena to makers who produce grassroots independent media, these seminars will be held during Festival weekend, May 1 - 2, at the Directors Guild of America. Below is the line-up as of April 9. Additional guests will be added shortly.
The Seminar Series is funded in part by The Academy Foundation
Click here to go to the VC FILMFEST ONLINE SEMINARS BOXOFFICESEMINAR 1
THE AA & XXX: ASIAN AMERICAN ON-SCREEN SEXUALITY
Saturday, May 1, 2004
Directors Guild of America • 2 p.m. • Theatre 1
The provocative essay titled, The Joy Fuck Club, by UC Davis professor Darrell Hamamoto has raised many an eyebrow and sparked dialogue among Asian Americans about the sexual identity of Asian American men in popular media. Hamamoto advocates the representation of Asian American men in pornography to re-orient (if you will) the Western manifestation of Asian American heterosexuality, and has even made his own short Asian American porn with an Asian American man and woman. This has ultimately prompted the question: Where are the Asian American men in porn? Why aren't they participating? And how does this play out in the larger context of Asian American sexuality?
A lively discussion with JAMES HOU, director of the documentary, Masters of the Pillow; AMY SUEYOSHI, Assistant Professor in Ethnic Studies and Human Sexuality Studies at San Francisco State University; and members of the porn industry will take place following the screening of Masters of the Pillow/Yellowcaust. Producers, directors, and actors from San Fernando Valley - home of the porn industry, will join in discussing the topic of pornography and Asian Americans. Please note: all works presented in this program is UNRATED. Parental guidance is suggested
--Moderated by Winston Emano
This serminar is combined with Program 13 "Master of the Pillow"
Click here to purchase tickets for Masters of the Pillow (Program 13).SEMINAR 2
DOING IT INDIE-STYLE
Saturday, May 1, 2004
Directors Guild of America • 12.00 p.m. • Atrium
Elizabeth Stanley from the Directors Guild of America, a representative from WGA Indie, and Paul Bales, SAG Indie will team together to illustrate how your low-budget film can benefit from Guild coverage under their Indie programs. A director/producer will offer insights into how his/her most recent project came together under Indie Guild coverage.
--Sponsored by DGA, SAGindie and WGAw
Click here to purchase tickets for this seminar.SEMINAR 3
INDIE WOMEN PRODUCERS: SISTERS WHO ARE DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES
Saturday, May 1, 2004
Directors Guild of America • 4:30 p.m. • Atrium
As the Asian American Indie film cinema begins to grow, we need to grow our own producers, as well as writers and filmmakers. More women seem to be heading toward producing, and the VC FilmFest is proud to present the best of the indie producers to date. Join three of the top independent female film producers, Joan Huang (Better Luck Tomorrow, In the Realm of the Unreal) and Effie Brown (Real Women Have Curves, In the Cut, Everyday People) who are on the threshold of taking Hollywood by storm. These three dynamic women will be sharing their experiences and insight with the audience to encourage the growth and nurturing of more producers (male/female, Asian American, non-Asian American). Other panelists to be confirmed.
Click here to purchase tickets for this seminar.SEMINAR 4
The WGAw presents: HOW TO PITCH YOUR STORY
Sunday, May 2, 2004
Arclight Cinemas Hollywood • 11 a.m.
This WGA panel will feature writers, producers, executives, and agents who will discuss the finer points of pitching. This panel is for aspiring and intermediate writers, this workshop will feature practice pitch sessions with industry executives.
--Sponsored by the Writers Guild of America
Note: All treatments and scripts must be registered in advance with the Writers Guild by mail or in person at the Los Angeles office and/or be copyrighted. On site registration will be available for writers wishing to pitch. For more information about registration, visit the Guild's webpage at www.wga.org.
Click here to purchase tickets for this seminar.SEMINAR 5
THE ART OF THE DP
Sunday, May 2, 2004
Directors Guild of America • 2:00 p.m. • Atrium
Cinematography and the director of photography are an important part of the filmmaking process. Colors, lighting, lenses, angles, and film speed along with a sense of creativity and vision are some of the elements necessary to make great films. Join our own Asian American DPs, the award winning Matthew Libatique (Never Die Alone, Requiem for a Dream) and Daryn Okada (Martin Lawrence Live Runteldat, Dr. Doolittle 2) as they talk about their art. Matthew and Daryn will share their knowledge and experience in the hopes of encouraging our own talented artists to become DPs. Other panelists to be confirmed.
--Sponsored by Eastman Kodak Company
Click here to purchase tickets for this seminar.SEMINAR 6
KEEPING SCORE: CREATING MUSIC AND SOUNDTRACKS FOR YOUR FILM
Sunday, May 2, 2004
Directors Guild of America • 4:00 p.m. • Atrium
A good film score adds greater emotional depth and gives texture to the moving image. Keeping Score brings together the working artists who craft this audio experience. Composer Nathan Wang (Who's Your Daddy, Red Trousers), composer Sujin Nam (Shanghai Ghetto) and music supervisor Ernesto Foronda (Better Luck Tomorrow) share anecdotal references and pieces of their works to provide insight into the creation of motion picture soundtracks. Panelists will also share the knowledge and the ins and outs of creating music for film, developing movie soundtracks, and finding that perfect musical piece to match the scene and bring the film to life. Find out about the pitfalls and successes of the art of developoing the musical soundtrack, from licensing to artist selection to composition to actually laying down the score with the film.
Click here to purchase tickets for this seminar.
