Film Makers Summit 2008

“Premiering on Wednesday, October 29th IFP/Chicago is presenting the “Defiantly independent and deliberately scandalous” (Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune) Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF).   This exciting development in the growth of IFP/Chicago combines CUFF with IFP/Chicago’s 17th Annual Filmmaker Summit for five days of movies, panels, parties, music, and much, much more."

Ticket Information

Summit Pass Plus: $150
-Includes admission to all Summit panels and five CUFF screenings (Does not include special screenings.)
Summit Day Pass: $50
-A pass to one day of panels; does not include CUFF screenings
CUFF Screenings: $8

To Buy Tickets:
At the Door:
The Viaduct Theatre's box office will be open from one hour before the first panel or screening until the last screening of the evening begins.

In Advance:
Visit www.CUFF.org to easily click on a screening and be linked to Brown Paper Tickets Or visit
www.brownpapertickets.com and search for 'Chicago Underground Film Festival'.

Panel Schedule

Friday October 31st

Registration at 10am

Panel 1
11:00 to 12:30 TUG
Anatomy of a Red Camera Project
Moderator: Tom Fletcher (Fletcher Camera)
Hopwood DePree, Christina Varotsis, Adam Stone

Steven Soderbergh calls it the camera he has been waiting for his whole career. Fresh from the recently wrapped production of the low budget feature film Tug, which was filmed in Holland, Michigan using the Red Camera, cinematographer Adam Stone, producers Hopwood Dupree and Christina Varotsis, and Tom Fletcher from Fletcher Camera will examine the practical considerations involved in using the camera touted by Wired Magazine to be the first digital camera that matches the detail and richness of analog film.

Panel 2
12:45 to 2:15
The Digital Intermediate Workflow
Moderator: Ericka Frederick (Kodak)
Carol Schaffner (Astro), Scott Stevens (Kodak), Charlie Langrall (Filmworkers Club) and Mike Matusek (Nolo Digital Film)

Digital intermediate (DI) technology is evolving as an exciting creative tool for filmmakers in both the independent and big-budget arenas. Learn from the front lines of the DI process how to push the envelope and get all the benefits of digital tools for designing the visual palette of your film, while reducing costs and enhancing the quality of the viewing experience. Industry experts show how the digital intermediate process can empower filmmakers at all budget levels, both creatively and financially.

Panel 3
2:30 to 3:45
Music and Sound Design
Moderator: Mark Messing (Maestro-Matic)
Randy Bobo (Spirit Award Winner “Sweetland”), Lou Mallozzi (Experimental Sound Studio), Liz Storm (Movie Trax)

Low budget filmmakers cannot underestimate the importance of music and sound design in enhancing the movie going experience. In this discussion music supervisors, sound designers and composers will treat us to some of their tricks and secrets that can help overcome the limitations of budget and will look at some of the rights and licensing issues involved in the use of music in movies.

Panel 4
4:00 to 5:15
“Night Tide” Case Study
Moderator: Bryan Wendorf (CUFF Festival Director)
Edward Crouse, Mark Toscano

This panel will examine the adventuresome, macabre and quirky filmography of filmmaker Curtis Harrington. It will also look at the process involved in the restoration of “Night Tide,” Harrington’s fiendishly cultish 1961 tale starring Dennis Hopper in his first film role as sailor Johnny Drake about a dark romance between a sailor and a sideshow performer, who just may be a murderous mermaid.

Break-out Session
3:00
Kodak

A mini session with Ericka Frederick and Scott Stevens of Kodak who will discuss the latest developments in Kodak film stock with emphasis on the low budget and experimental filmmaker.

Saturday November 1st

Summit 10:00am to 2:45 pm

Panel 1
10:00 to 11:00 am
Working the Festival Circuit
Moderator: Scott Smith (CUFF Filmmaker “Waiting for God”)
Matt Dentler (SXSW), Kevin Monahgan (Boston Underground), Donald Harrison (Ann Arbor Film Festival), Todd Verow (CUFF Filmmaker)

For filmmakers and audiences film festivals are a vital point of entry into the international film culture. Learn from festival programmers about the unique aspects of their festivals, do's and don’ts for festival submissions, and how to relax and enjoy the festival experience

Panel 2
11:15 to 12:15 pm
Gallery and Art Film Exhibition
Moderator: Amy Beste (School of the Art Institute of Chicago)
Abina Manning (Video Data Bank), Donald Young (Donald Young Gallery), Jennifer Reeder (CUFF Filmmaker)

For certain films art galleries and museums may be the best venue in getting a film seen. This discussion will take a truly fresh approach to getting your movie seen as filmmakers, gallery owners and art world representatives explore the world of gallery and art film exhibition.

Panel 3
12:30 to 1:30 pm
New Media Exploitation
Moderator: Howard A. Tullman (president and CEO Flashpoint Academy)
Matt Dentler (Cinetic Digital Rights Management), Tami Yeagher (ReFrame), Dan Brown (Amazon.com Digital Business Development)

As Hollywood’s corporations and creative talent have squared off over the developing world of new media, the past year has seen a steady migration of content to the internet as companies and filmmakers alike struggle to adapt to the world of New Media. This panel of New Media experts will examine the challenges and opportunities presented by new media and will address the question of whether filmmakers will be the exploiters or exploited in the Brave New World of New Media.

Panel 4
1:45 to 2:45 pm
CUFF Directors Panel
Moderator: Nicole bernardi-Reis (IFP/Chicago Board Member)

The Summit will close with this lively discussion about the creative process, CUFF and everything else featuring an eclectic mix of directors with films in CUFF 2008.