Tuesday, September 26 10:45 AM - Noon Session A: Revolution in Feature Film/Short Film Production and the Net - The New Economic Model From Sundance to Cannes, this year will be remembered for one thing - the emergence of the dot-coms in film industry. If last year was the year the music industry was shaken by the arrival of MP3, then this year will be the year the movie industry “Gets Digital.” The merger of movies and the Internet is about two important ideas: the delivery of movies into the home via broadband and second, the ability of film makers to produce theatrical quality films (yes, just as good as 35mm) using digital cameras and digital desktop editing systems. Why should a feature film maker be boxed in by the constraints of huge budgets and the understandable demands of the traditional film industry when there is a ready alternative - low budget production with total creative freedom? And it goes double for innovative TV programming and animation. In the next twelve months, it is possible that 500 to 1000 quality shorts or features get produced, not only by students or fly-by-night production companies, but by experienced professionals. Digital Hollywood welcomes these newcomers to cross the digital divide. Stephen Simon, founder, Metafilmics, Producer “What Dreams May Come” and “Quantum” Curt Marvis, CEO, CinemaNow Larry Meistrich, Chairman & CEO, Shooting Gallery Nicolas van Dyk, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Chief Strategic Officer, President, Artisan Digital Media Heather Redmond, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Development, Atom Films Kevin J. Foxe, Executive Producer, Blair Witch Project Michael Stroud, Founder of iHollywood Forum & Journalist (WiredNews.com, Sunday New York Times, The Red Herring,) Moderator Stephen Simon, founder, Metafilmics, Producer “What Dreams May Come” and “Quantum”: Stephen Simon began his career in film in 1976 under the wing of legendary producer Ray Stark. Simon was responsible for the acquisition, development and production of the highly successful Smokey and the Bandit, starring Burt Reynolds and Sally Fields, which grossed $200 million on a budget of $4 million negative. Rising through the ranks to become the head of production at Rastarr, he supervised the production of The Electric Horseman, a property he acquired and developed for Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, as well as Neil Simon’s The Goodbye Girl, Murder by Death, The Cheap Detective and California Suite. In 1979, he produced Somewhere in Time, which starred Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour and went on to become a classic. It is one of only three films, including The Wizard of Oz and Casablanca, to have its own fan club and newsletter, and is, in fact, the subject of a documentary to be released by Universal Pictures on the twentieth anniversary of the film’s original release. During the making of Somewhere in Time, esteemed science fiction writer and metaphysician Richard Matheson, author of the novel and screenplay, gave Simon the galleys to his new novel, What Dreams May Come. The gift marked the beginning of Simon’s twenty-year odyssey to get What Dreams May Come on the big screen. Simon went on to produce All the Right Moves, starring Tom Cruise, and joined forces with Interscope Communications as executive producer of the hit comedy, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and its sequel, films which established Keanu Reeves as a star. From 1990 through 1993, Simon was president of production for De Laurentiis Communications where he oversaw the international distribution of an eye-opening backstage view of Madonna’s Truth or Dare tour, and Sam Raimi’s cult favorite, Army of Darkness, Once Upon a Crime and Kuffs, with Christian Slater. In 1995, he formed a partnership with producer/screenwriter Barnet Bain to launch Metafilmics, a company dedicated to creating film, television and new media projects that celebrate the human spirit. Their first production, What Dreams May Come, starring Robin Williams and Cuba Gooding, Jr. was released in 1998, and went on to garner an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, an Oscar nomination for Eugenio Zanetti’s Production Design and numerous other international awards. The film grossed over $100 million worldwide and was the #12 best-selling video of 1999. Metafilmics’ most recent projects include Quantum Project, the first feature-length film developed specifically for the Internet and airing only on the Internet, starring Stephen Dorff, Fay Masterson and John Cleese. Simon also executive produced Metafilmics’ The Linda McCartney Story for CBS, and the company is in development on a number of other projects, including a motion picture based on Neale Donald Walsch’s enormously popular Conversations with God books. Simon earned an undergraduate degree from the University of California at Los Angeles before attending Loyola Law School. He was admitted into the California Bar in 1974. He is a sought after speaker on topics related to visionary cinema. Curt Marvis is CEO of CinemaNow, an interactive entertainment and community driven virtual film studio linking indie film watchers to indie filmmakers. Marvis takes the helm of CinemaNow after a diversified 20-year history of leadership in the television, music, multimedia and Internet arenas. Prior to joining CinemaNow, Marvis led publicly held 7th Level (now Learn2.com NASDAQ: LTWO) in its transformation from a game development company to a leader in web-based e-learning and communications services. After overseeing the complete restructuring of the company, Marvis led the successful merger activity between 7th Level and privately held Street Technologies resulting in the formation of Learn2.com (NASDAQ:LTWO). Previously he was co-founder and executive vice president of multi-media start-up Powerhouse Entertainment where he was instrumental in creating a new form of interactive entertainment called Moviegames. The new game genre, which integrated original film footage and breakthrough voice recognition technology, debuted in two live-action CD-ROM games base on the motion pictures -- "The Jungle Book" from Disney and "Pinocchio" from New Line Cinema. Before starting Powerhouse Entertainment, Marvis served as consultant to the IBM Multimedia Publishing Studio and Global Interactive Task Force where he helped create strategic plans for IBM in their development of CD-ROM and interactive software. Marvis initially made his mark in the entertainment industry as CEO of The Company, an award winning privately held LA based production company that produced and developed more than 200 music videos, concerts, home videos and commercials. During the 10 years he headed The Company, Marvis launched productions for rock luminaries from Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones to Janet Jackson and Bon Jovi. He produced many of the most popular rock videos in the history of MTV and his work was honored during the Grammy’s, American Video Awards, Billboard Awards, MTV awards, and international competitions. The industry recognized him by awarding him the coveted MTV Video Vanguard Award in 1991. Early career work included a three-year stint with documentary and family programming production house Bill Burrud Productions and five years producing for a number of projects including the innovative comedy program Channel Zero as well as a diverse mix of reality and dramatic productions for United Artists, New World and Sunn Classics. At the age of 17, he filmed and produced a television documentary on California that was sold during Marche International Des Producteurs (MIP) in Cannes, where he was the youngest producer to participate in the selling of his own program. Marvis received his B.F.A. Summa Cum Laude from the UCLA Film School in 1980, after being one of the youngest documentarians to have a film acquired for distribution. Marvis’ position at CinemaNow.com marks the return to his true love, the world of film. He brings leadership and entrepreneurial vision in directing CinemaNow.com towards creating a world of free enterprise for independent cinema enthusiasts. Larry Meistrich, Chairman & CEO, Shooting Gallery: As founder, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Shooting Gallery since its inception in 1990, Larry Meistrich has received the highest respect and recognition for his commitment to story over the past ten years and for the creation of a place where new talent and ideas merge to become new and exciting content experiences across all media platforms. An integral part of the production of roughly 100 films, commercials and music videos, his producing credits include such critically acclaimed projects as Kenneth Lonergan’s You Can Count on Me (Grand jury Prize, waldo Salt Screenwriting Award; 2000 Sundance Film Festival), Billy Bob Thornton’s Sling Blade (Best Adapted Screenplay; 1996 Academy Award), Nick Gomez’s Laws of Gravity, Bob Gosse’s Niagara Niagara (Best Actress; 1997 Venice International Film Festival) and Hal Hartley’s Henry Fool (Screenplay Award; 1998 Cannes International Film Festival). Mr. Meistrich demonstrates a unique ability to seek out and bring to the screen the exceptional work of innovative filmmakers. With his completely unique multimedia studio, he has also proven to be a savvy businessman. Shooting Gallery now distributes the films the company produces and acquires both domestically and internationally. Along with President Stephen Carlis, Mr. Meistrich earned the 1999 New York City Entrepreneur of the Year Award for production and post-production services made available to the City through the Gun For Hire, the first all-inclusive media production centers. They also garnered the 1998 Crain’s Small Business Award for their efforts in the development of the Centers. Gun For Hire covers more than 400,000 square feet across North America in New York, Miami, Toronto, Vancouver and Los Angeles to house interactive, film, television and commercial companies. Centers will expand to Europe and Asia. As a means of giving something back to the community, Mr. Meistrich created the R.E.A.C.H. (Rallying the Entertainment and Athletic Communities to Help) Foundation for inner city schools and children with life-threatening disease. A dedicated advocate of independent filmmaking, Mr. Meistrich currently serves on the boards of New York Production Alliance, the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival and Volunteer lawyers for the Arts. He is often a guest speaker at both Harvard University and Columbia University’s business schools. Often a panelist and featured speaker at festivals and forums, Mr. Meistrich participates in such events ranging from the Sundance and the Berlin film festivals to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and the Smithsonian Institute. Shooting Gallery recently produced Bob Gosse’s, Julie Johnson, starring Lili Taylor and Courtney Love, and Laurence Fishburne’s directorial debut, Once in the Life, in which he also stars. Still expanding in theaters across the nation, is its most recent acquisition Mike Hodges’ Croupier, a breakout success story from the Shooting Gallery Film Series at Loews Cineplex Entertainment, a series of critically acclaimed films that are distributed nationwide. Nicolas van Dyk, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Chief Strategic Officer, President, Artisan Digital Media: Nicolas van Dyk serves as of Executive Vice President and Chief Strategic Officer for Artisan Entertainment and President, Artisan Digital Media. As Chief Strategic Officer, van Dyk is responsible for company-wide business development, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. As President, Artisan Digital Media, van Dyk oversees all strategic and operational aspects of Artisan’s Internet initiatives, including the management of iArtisan LLC, an Internet investment vehicle with interests in new media companies that provide tools and enabling technologies for the creation and delivery of rich media content. Van Dyk joined Artisan in July of 1997 as Vice President of Strategic Planning and part of the company's new management team that acquired LIVE Entertainment. Prior to joining Artisan, van Dyk was Manager of Strategic Planning for The Walt Disney Company, where he was responsible for technology-related acquisitions and strategy, including the technology strategies of such Disney business units as ABC, ESPN, Disney Regional Entertainment and Disney Interactive and the acquisition of digital effects company Dream Quest Images. Prior to his tenure at Disney, Mr. van Dyk was a consultant in the Los Angeles office of the London-based LEK Partnership, where he focused on M&A advisory work and strategy for clients in the media and entertainment industries. Van Dyk graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UCLA with a BA in Political Science and holds an MBA from The Harvard Business School. Van Dyk resides in Los Angeles with his wife Jill. Heather Redmond, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Development, Atom Films: Prior to joining Atom, Heather was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Getty Images, Inc. Prior to its merger with Getty, she served as Vice President and General Counsel of digital photography pioneer PhotoDisc Inc. Before joining PhotoDisc, Heather was associated with the law firm Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe. Heather holds a BA from Reed College, Phi Beta Kappa, and a JD from Stanford Law School. In addition to her roles in corporate strategy and development, Heather is responsible for the Company’s film and animation acquisition and development. Kevin J. Foxe began his film career in 1983 working as an editor, location manager and line producer. He has worked with a number of notable filmmakers including, Robert Benton, Federico Fellini, Bob Fosse, Milos Forman, and David Mamet. He executive produced "The Blair Witch Project"; "Magic Adobo"; the documentary "How To Draw A Bunny, A Ray Johnson Portrait"; an extreme sports documentary "Miracle Boy And Nyquist" and many others. Foxe also served as producer on many independent films such as "The Contenders" (Best Comedy 1992 Houston Film Fest), "Blessing" (1994 Sundance Film Fest Finalist), "Nowhere To Go (1998 Santa Barbara Film Fest, 1998 Newport Film Fest, Montreal International Film Festival), and "In The Eye Of The Storm". Foxe is currently in production with the upcoming comedy, "Heart Of Love", created by the same team that brought you "The Blair Witch Project". He is also producing a project with Walt Disney Studios, tentatively titled, "Area 99"; a film with Fine Line, "Tomorrow Man"; as well as "Prince Charmingless", and "Salvage". Foxe serves on the board of Eveo, and is on the advisory board of a number of other wired and wireless companies. Recently, he founded the Outpost Institute, which will serve as the last stop in the old world of storytelling before venturing into the new wild frontier of digital entertainment. In 1997, Foxe won the Writers At Work Screenwriting Award for "On The Trail Of The Golden Spike." Foxe lives in Los Angeles, after a lifetime in New York, with his wife, Sarah, and his children, Wyatt, Auden and Zoe. He hopes to have a robotic dog soon. Michael Stroud, Founder of iHollywood Forum& Journalist: Michael Stroud is the founder of iHollywood Forum (www.iHollywoodForum.com), the first professional networking organization based on Los Angeles dedicated to providing ongoing educational seminars and business development opportunities for entertainment and music industry players, technology executives, investors and new media entrepreneurs. The forum holds monthly forums and executive dinners discussing the impact of the Internet and technology on the entertainment business: film, music, television, cable and video, and is attended by over 800 people. Michael has been a professional business journalist for 18 years, and is a frequently moderator for Internet business forums in Los Angeles and San Francisco. He previously covered technology, as a senior writer at Investor's Business Daily, then became the Los Angeles Bloomberg News entertainment correspondent for five years, and later served as the Los Angeles Bureau Chief for Broadcasting and Cable. He works as an independent journalist covering technology, entertainment and the Internet for business magazines, and is a regular contributing writer covering entertainment and music for WiredNews.com. His articles have also appeared in the Sunday New York Times, Business 2.0, and The Red Herring. He has a B.A. from UC Berkeley in Asian Studies in 1981, and speaks fluent Mandarin. He previously lived in Taiwan and worked as a foreign business correspondent covering Pacific Rim trade. Michael presently resides in Los Angeles California.