Venue Map
Film Schedule
Film Guide

EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS & COFFEE TALKS
LOCATION: YMI CULTURAL CENTER IN THE RAY AUDITORIUM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

10:30-11:30 a.m.
Creative Distribution
Session Host: Greg Gardner
Your film has been on the market for a year. You’ve been to the festivals, got some awards, received great feedback from the audiences, but you still don’t have a distribution deal. This session will explore the creative ways to go about getting your film distributed.
Gregory S. Gardner is the product division manager at Laemmle Theatres, and has been with the filmmaker friendly Southern California chain for almost 20 years, booking films and special events. Recently he has formed C*ME (Cinematic Media Events) a distribution source that coordinates booking, publicity, marketing and advertising services for the independent producer and director looking to open their films theatrically, especially geared toward AMPAS eligibility for feature documentaries. Gregory has spoken on panels at various film festivals and film forums, and has been at the forefront of independent cinema through out his career.

12:00-1:00 p.m.
Foundations of Cinematography
Session Hosts: W.S. Pivetta, Steve Agnew

The cinematographer is an artist and a technician. This session explores the aesthetic choices of the cinematographer, from selecting the “look” of the film to integrating the elements of visual language with the goals of the director. Cinematography is at an intersection of traditional 35mm capture and the growing standard of using all-digital tools. This crossroads presents the cinematographer with a wealth of technical tools and challenges.

W.S. Pivetta is an experienced cinematographer, sound technician and editor. He has worked on hundreds of film projects, including independent films, commercials, music videos and features. He received his BFA from The Ohio State University in 1985. He is an Instructor at Appalachian State University in the Department of Theatre and Dance and The Carolina Film Institute. He is a member of The Society of Camera Operators, based out of Burbank, CA. His company, First Avenue Films, Inc., specializes in providing support to professional and independent filmmakers.



Steve Agnew is an award-winning cinematographer, director, and editor with over 20 years of experience in documentary, broadcast, commercial and corporate films. Steve was Director of Photography on the independent feature film Sinkhole, and has recently worked on projects for the U.S Patent and Trademark Office Museum and National Museum of African Art. Steve is the owner of Rock Creek Productions, a small, versatile media production company with eight employees in Asheville and Washington, DC.

1:00-2:00 p.m.
Coffee Talk: Cinematography
Session Leaders: W.S. Pivetta, Steve Agnew
An interactive session for local, regional and visiting filmmakers focusing on cinematography with W.S. Pivetta and Steve Agnew. This session is designed to give participants the opportunity to explore the importance of cinematography, consider a variety of techniques and how to optimize those techniques in production.
W.S. Pivetta is an experienced cinematographer, sound technician and editor. He also conducts film and cinematography workshops at various universities throughout the year.
Steve Agnew is an award-winning cinematographer, director, and editor with over 20 years of experience in documentary, broadcast, commercial and corporate films.

2:30-3:30 p.m.
Sound Design for Independent Film
Session Host: David Schmidt
Investment in good sound design pays huge dividends by increasing the emotional impact of motion pictures and expanding the screen. This session will explore production sound, construction of sound motifs and using inspiration in sound design.

David Schmidt started his audio career after graduation from the Audio Engineering program at American University in Washington, DC. He honed his craft directing hundreds of narration sessions, selecting thousands of music cuts, and editing tens of thousands of sfx in productions for film, TV, corporate, radio, and the web. In 2004, David opened Acapella Audio in Asheville, North Carolina to better serve his clients.

4:00-5:00 p.m.
The Art of Editing
Session Host: Amanda Burnette
There is no film before editing. There is only a collection of tapes or reels. This session explores the creative process of editing and some ways the editor creates the pace, mood, and tone of the story. Practical tips for efficient workflow and problem solving will also be addressed.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14

10:30-11:30 a.m.
Computer Animation
Session Hosts:  Lei Han, Phillip Delacruz
Many elements of the production process have moved to the computer environment.  In the world of computer animation the entire film, including performance, lighting and directing, move into the machine environment.  This session explores the process of computer animation, its foundations, history, and practical approaches for getting involved in this unique form of filmmaking.



Phillip Delacruz is an artist whose work combines 3D computer animation, film, and traditional arts. He spent ten years as a commercial digital artist in Orlando, Florida, while earning his B.A. and M.F.A. degrees from the University of Central Florida. Phillip has taught in both the professional and educational sectors, and is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. His particular interests include 3D animation, video, installation, photography, 2D printing, sculpture, and drawing.

Lei Han is a digital artist in motion graphics, film, and digital media. She received her BA from Shenzhen University in China and her MFA from Memphis College of Art in Memphis, Tennessee. Lei’s current work, in experimental video, digital animation, video art and interactive video installation, has been exhibited at galleries, museums, and film festivals nationally and internationally.  She is currently Assistant Professor of Multimedia Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Lei's particular interests are video art and digital animation.

12:00-1:00 p.m.
Screenwriting – The Great Beginning
Session Host: Joseph C. Stinson
Explore structure and content as components of effective and marketable screenplays. New writers will learn how to begin, and advanced writers are sure to learn strategies to improve their work.


Joseph C. Stinson is a screenwriter whose credits include numerous original scripts and adaptations (among them, Sudden Impact and City Heat) as well as many production rewrites, dialogue polishes and development deals. His line of dialogue “Go ahead, make my day.” is included in Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations and has been honored by the American Film Institute as one of the hundred all-time most memorable film quotes. Placing sixth, it was the only line in the top half dozen written in the past quarter century.

1:00-2:00 p.m.
Coffee Talk: Screenwriting
Session Leader: Joseph C. Stinson
An interactive session for local, regional and visiting filmmakers focusing on Screenwriting with Joseph Stinson. This session is designed to give participants the opportunity to create a working outline of an unrealized storyline and to utilize screenwriting techniques to take your screenplay to the next level.
Joseph C. Stinson is a screenwriter whose credits include numerous original scripts and adaptations as well as many production rewrites, dialogue polishes and development deals. He has lectured and conducted workshops at several film festivals, high schools, universities and film schools including The American Film Institute in Los Angeles. Currently, he is the Creative Director of the New Jersey State Film Festival and the Cape May Film Society where he conducts workshops and film series.

2:30-3:30 p.m.
Perspectives on Directing
Session Hosts: Paul Schattel, Paul Bonesteel, Rod Murphy
The panelists will explore the elusive art of honing a performance for the camera. They will examine interpretation, rehearsal, blocking and the collaborative relationship between director, actor and subject.

4:00-5:00 p.m.
The Roles of the Producer
Session Host: Trent McDevitt
Most people know what a producer is, but fewer can say what a producer actually does. This session investigates the various roles that producers take and the paramount responsibility in making a film happen.

APPLE PRO VIDEO WORKSHOPS
LOCATION: PACK PLACE
Presenter: Francis Shepherd, Apple Senior System Engineer

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

9:00-10:00 a.m.
Final Cut Studio - What's New
With more than 100 new features, the new Final Cut Studio advances the art and technology of filmmaking with innovations that help you work faster, collaborate more efficiently, and finish brilliantly. Join us for an overview of FCP 7, Motion 4, Soundtrack Pro 3, Color 1.5, Compressor 3.5, and DVD Studio Pro 4.

The Asheville Film Festival is produced by the City of Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department in conjunction with the Asheville Film Festival Committee.
Phone: (828) 259-5800 Fax: (828) 259-5606