This year's conference kicks off Friday, May 29 with Catherine Tarr, a 19-year veteran of Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and in-house story editor, who will host a discussion titled "Yes, You Can." Tarr will offer inspirational advice on turning the craft of writing into a successful career. She will be followed by William Akers, author of "Your Screenplay Sucks! 100 Ways to Make It Great" and a lifetime member of the Writers Guild of America. Akers will share how to keep the attention of agents and producers and avoid common mistakes and pitfalls in his panel, "Keep the Reader Reading-Fatal Errors Writers Make."
Friday's speakers will be followed by an advance screening of the highly anticipated film "I Love You Phillip Morris" (rated R) starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor. On Saturday, May 30, the film's screenwriters and directors John Requa and Glenn Ficarra ("Bad Santa") will host the panel "Adapting a Non-fiction Book." The writing and directing duo will be joined by Steve McVicker, author of the book which was the basis for the film, and producer Far Shariat (NBC's "Life,""Confessions of a Dangerous Mind") to discuss the process of turning a non-fiction book into a feature film.
One of the most popular panels, "Music in the Movies," will again offer aspiring songwriters, composers and artists advice on how to get their music placed in films and TV. Hosted by Music Supervisor, Anastasia Brown ("Billy: The Early Years,""August Rush," "Taken"), this luncheon taps into Nashville's songwriting community by providing the opportunity to actually submit songs for placement in upcoming movies. Tickets are available a la carte for $40 (includes lunch) and sell out fast.
On Saturday, attendees can also look forward to "The Psychological Perils of Screenwriting" hosted by Craig Mazin ("The Specials,""Scary Movie 3,""Scary Movie 4"). Mazin will take participants through the battles screenwriters face with both the blank page and with themselves, including procrastination, self-doubt, criticism, deadlines, distractions, creative block and other obstacles. Mazin will be joined by screenwriters Ted Griffin, Dan Weiss (upcoming films "The Game," "I Am Legend 2," "Game of Thrones"), Phil Hay ("Bug," "Clash of the Titans," "Aeon Flux," "Crazy/Beautiful") and Matt Manfredi ("Bug," "Clash of the Titans," "Aeon Flux," "Crazy/Beautiful").
Derek Haas and Michael Brandt ("Wanted," "3:10 to Yuma," "2 Fast, 2 Furious") will host "Your Team: How Screenwriters Work Daily with Agents, Managers and Lawyers." Haas and Brandtwill be joined by their team: literary agent Jeff Gorin (William Morris Agency); manager and producer Andrew Deane ("Masters of Horror," "Till Human Voices Wake Us," "See Spot Run"); and entertainment attorney Adam Kaller, to give an insider's view of the inner-workings of the Hollywood machine.
Also during the conference, "Survivor: How to Keep Your Career Alive in a Rough Business" will be hosted by, Linda Lichter, one of the most successful and respected attorneys in entertainment. Lichter has worked on such recent hits as "Finding Neverland," the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy, "Quantum of Solace," "Little Miss Sunshine," "Babel,"and "Juno." The panel will include a discussion with three writers Lichter has worked with over the years: David Franzoni ("Gladiator," "Citizen Cohn," "Amistad"); Linda Woolverton ("Lion King," "Beautyand the Beast," and the upcoming "Alice in Wonderland"); and Terry Rossio ("Shrek," the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy, "The Mask of Zorro").
(All panelists are subject to change.)
Stay tuned for more details on upcoming panels including this year's "Music in the Movies" participants, "The Audience as Mark: Conning the Audience Without Leaving Them Feeling Swindled" hosted by Ted Griffin and a panel featuring screenwriter Marty Bowen ("Twilight").
Don't miss what "Script Magazine" calls "one of the best screenwriters conferences in America." Tickets are VERY reasonably priced. Take advantage of early registration discounts by ordering before May 28. For the latest information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nashscreen.com.
NASHVILLE SCREENWRITERS CONFERENCE
ANNOUNCES MUSIC IN THE MOVIES PANELISTS
Hollywood's Top Music Supervisors Discuss Path to Big Screen Success
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--May 13, 2009--Music City provides the perfect setting for the eleventh annual Nashville Screenwriters Conference (www.nashscreen.com) on May 29-31 at the historic Union Station Hotel because of the abundance of creative talent found in Nashville. It's no surprise with an event held in Music City that one of the most popular panels is the "Music in the Movies" luncheon. Scheduled for Saturday, May 30 at 12 p.m. at theCountry Music Hall of Fame's Ford Theatre, the luncheon will feature advice from top music supervisors for songwriters, composers, artists and publishers hoping to tap into the world of song placement in television and film. The panel will be hosted by 821 Entertainment Group President, Anastasia Brown ("Billy: The Early Years," "August Rush"and "Taken") and will feature opportunities for individuals to submit music for placement in upcoming projects. "Film and television are joining radio in successfully launching and building music careers," says Brown. "Nashville has such an abundance of talent and this panel will further educate us all on how to get the music heard."
Joining Brown, will be Music Supervisor, Julia Michels("Marley and Me," "Sex and the City: The Movie" and "The Devil Wears Prada"), Music Supervisor, Julianne Jordan ("Hotel for Dogs," "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" and "Fools Gold"), Music Supervisor, Dana Sano ("Two Lovers," "Dan in Real Life" and "Shoot 'Em Up"), NBC Vice President of Music Creative Services, Alicen Catron Schneider ("Heroes, "Trauma" and "Caprica"), Music Supervisor, Darren Higman ("Shark Tale," "Two Weeks Notice" and "State of the Union") and music journalist/critic, Phil Gallo.
"I have been a panelist for a few years and I'm participating again this year because of the talent in Music City. Nashville's creative community is home to some of the best songwriters and I truly expect to find great songs for my projects," says Michels. The NSC "Music in the Movies" luncheon has brought success for several attendees in the past. Steve Diamond and Lucas Reynolds were both able to successfully place music in the films "Santa Clause 2" and "August Rush" respectively. Tickets to the luncheon are limited and generally sell out but are available a la carte for $40 at www.nashscreen.com.
In addition to the "Music in the Movies" panel NSC will also feature an advanced screening of the film "I Love You Phillip Morris" starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor, based on the non-fiction book by Steve McVicker, written and directed by John Requa and Glenn Ficarra ("Bad Santa"). The screening will take place on Friday, May 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the Belcourt Theatre. McVicker, Requa and Ficarra will be joined by producer Far Shariat for the panel "Adapting a Non-fiction Book" during the conference. (Note: this film is rated "R")
The eleventh annual NSC features Hollywood's top writers and executives, providing aspiring screenwriters and individuals interested in film and TV the opportunity to learn, network and explore the vast professional endeavors within these industries. Credits for 2009 panelists include NBC's "Life," "Scary Movie 3," "Scary Movie 4," "Bug," "Clash of the Titans," "Aeon Flux," "Crazy/Beautiful," "Wanted," "3:10 to Yuma," "2 Fast, 2 Furious," "Finding Neverland," "Quantum of Solace," "Little Miss Sunshine," "Babel," "Juno," "Gladiator," "Amistad," "Citizen Cohn," "Lion King," "Beauty and the Beast," "Shrek," the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy, "The Mask of Zorro," "Marley and Me," "Sex and the City: The Movie," "The Devil Wears Prada," "Twilight" and many more.
Don't miss what Script Magazine calls "one of the best screenwriters conferences in America." Tickets are VERY reasonably priced. For the latest information, complete schedule of panels or to purchase tickets, visit www.nashscreen.com. Register before May 28 to take advantage of discounted registration fees.
ABOUT THE NASHVILLE SCREENWRITERS CONFERENCE:
Founded in 1999, Nashville Screenwriters Conference was inspired and created by the multi-talented Karen Murphy (producer of "For Your Consideration," "A Mighty Wind," "Best in Show," "Waiting for Guffman" and "This is Spinal Tap"), Les Bohem (writer/executive producer of "Taken," "Dante's Peak" and"Daylight"), as well as business manager and Nashville businessman Gary Haber of Haber Corporation. The Nashville Screenwriters Conference is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization.
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For more information contact:
Kaleidoscope Media (615) 321-3211
Publicity: Joseph Conner (joseph@kaleidoscope-media.com)
Digital: Brian Foyster (brian@kaleidoscope-media.com) |
