08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
09:15 AM - 09:30 AM
Research Presentation
Mike Vorhaus, President, Magid Advisors
09:30 AM - 09:45 AM
BitTorrent Session with Matt Mason
“BitTorrent as a Marketing & Distribution Tool: How BitTorrent is Creating Value for the Film Industry”
Presenter: Matt Mason, Executive Director of Marketing, BitTorrent
09:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Keynote Conversation Tom Bernard, Co-President and Co-Founder of Sony Pictures Classics
Tom Bernard, Co-President and Co-Founder, Sony Pictures Classics
Moderated by: Tim Gray, Editor-in-Chief, Variety
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
State of the Film Industry
The increasingly digital-savvy and global movie fan is creating immense choice in the how studios manage film slates – creating a rainbow of strategies in development, finance, production, marketing, distribution and more. How are studios, production companies and financial partners creating business growth within this industry, considering the film community’s to nurture worldwide franchises that win over fans for years across theatrical and other platforms? As audiences are splintered across increasing screens and entertainment choice themselves, how is our industry working to boost their movie appetite? Studio leaders will debate what it means to be successful in film now and into the future.
Panelists
Tucker Tooley, President, Relativity Media
David Shaheen, Managing Director and Head of the Entertainment Industries Group, JP Morgan Chase
Larry Wasserman, CFO, DreamWorks Studios
Jeffrey Godsick, President of Consumer Products, 20th Century Fox
Moderated by Steve Gaydos, Executive Editor, Variety
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Track A
Facts on Pacts SuperSession- What is the Future of Studio Production Deals?
The studio production deal can coveted by the corporate exec and creative alike – studios gain first dibs on product from their in-house producers, and producers enjoy the luxury of developing with staffs, offices and other on-the-lot resources. Post Great Recession, the numbers of production deals have been on the rise, but what does this mean for studio film pipelines? What is the latest criteria for producers to score these deals and accomplish their filmmaking goals? Producers and their studio partners will explore the state of their relationships and what this means for enhancing overall film business.
Panelists
Chris Bender and JC Spink, Co-Founders, BenderSpink (History of Violence, Red Eye, Just Friends, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone)
Dana Brunetti, President, Trigger Street Productions (The Social Network and Captain Phillips)
Paul Green, COO, Anonymous Content
Ben Forkner, Producer, Film 360 and MG 360
Moderated by Dave McNary, Reporter at Variety
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Track B
The Social Marketing Revolution – What’s Working Among Fast Multiplying Apps and Services?
Films now require social media strategies built into their campaigns – but what activity is actually working the best in driving film revenues? As 5.3 billion people worldwide have smartphones as their constant companions, how is advancing mobile technology impacting the social campaign? Should you release your trailer on Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or something else? Will there ever be working templates for social media marketing success? Top film digital marketers and their technology service partners will explore how social media can reliably be used to drive box office success.
Panelists
Danielle Strle, Director of Product and Partnerships, Tumblr
Elias Plishner, SVP of Worldwide Digital Media at Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Danielle DePalma, SVP Digital Marketing, Lionsgate
Andrew Stachler, VP Interactive, Warner Bros. Pictures
Moderated by Josh Dickey, Film Editor at Variety
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Track A
China and the Emerging Market Opportunity: What is Success in this Fast-Growing Global Film Business?
With eased quotas and better revenue-sharing terms, China and has become an exciting partner for the overall film industry. Growing economies in Russia, Brazil, India and elsewhere also are opening doors for growth. To ease cultural distinctions between U.S. and other countries, there are increasing numbers of firms whose primary focus is connecting the larger film community to such international co-production and distribution opportunities. But what partnerships are succeeding? How are we expanding U.S. content to Chinese, Latin American, Indian audiences, as well as helping non-U.S. companies find new revenue streams with Hollywood film companies? Pioneers in U.S. and emerging market filmmaking collaboration will explore how to strike meaningful relationships.
Panelists
Chris Fenton, President, DMG Entertainment Motion Picture Group and GM, DMG North America
Peter Shiao, CEO, Orb Media Group
William Yuan, Chairman, Affinity Media Capital / Fortress Hill
Jim Stern, CEO, Endgame Entertainment
Eric Mika, CEO, Magic Storm Entertainment (joint venture between Stan Lee’s POW Entertainment and Ricco Capital Limited)
Moderated by Peter Caranicas, Deputy Editor at Variety
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Track B
Trendsetters of the New Platforms
Original online video has exploded of late, featuring high-quality cast and production values. With these new opportunities for driving entertainment revenues, who is succeeding with original programming? What are the creative and monetary goals for the talent and Web site executive chiefs? How do these new content players fit into the overall entertainment landscape – are they complementary or competitive to studio product? Top Web creators and new media chiefs will explore the burgeoning new world of online originals.
Panelists
Alex Barkaloff, US/EMEA head of Tom Hanks’ “Electric City” (Reliance/Playtone)
Brian Robbins, Creator of Awesomeness TV for YouTube/Executive Producer Smallville
Michael Gallagher, Co-Founder and Creative Executive, Maker Studios/Creator of Totally Sketch Web series
Lydia Antonini, Executive Producer, Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
Marc Lieberman, Head of Business Development at The Onion
Moderated by Andrew Wallenstein, TV Editor at Variety
12:45 PM - 02:00 PM
02:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Keynote Conversation with Director-Writer Kevin Smith and KROQ radio’s Ralph Garman
Kevin Smith, Writer/Director
Ralph Garman, KROQ Radio
02:30 PM - 03:15 PM
Track A
Scoring the Greenlight: What are the Latest Sources for Financing and Production Partners?
Good ideas are only as strong as their financial champions, and a diverse crop of investors worldwide are becoming critical to studio pipelines. Traditional lending has not come back from pre Great Recessionary levels, yet equity investors, soft funding, debt financing and more can be had for the right project. Who are today’s critical financial partners who can help nail down a film’s greenlight? What types of projects are winning backing? Top studio business chiefs, finance and legal leaders will identify the new money flow for film.
Panelists
Matthew Erramouspe, Partner at O’Melveny Meyers, Century City
Brian Stearns, Co-Head Entertainment Industries at Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Brian Oliver, President of Cross Creek Pictures
Scott Parish, COO/CFO, Alcon Entertainment
Milan Popelka, Chief Operating Officer, FilmNation Entertainment
Andrew Walter, Head of the Entertainment Practice in the Media & Telecom Group, Houlihan Lokey
Moderated by Rachel Abrams, Reporter at Variety
02:30 PM - 03:15 PM
Track B
The New Distribution Formula – What is the Best of When and Where? U.S., International, Theatrical, VOD, Launch Strategy
As studios look to minimize risk as well as to broaden films’ reach worldwide across windows, there is no standard operating procedure with film distribution. Increasingly films are launched internationally or on VOD platforms prior to a U.S. theatrical premiere – and in some cases virtually simultaneously across these different avenues. Studio distribution chiefs and their partners will analyze how they are deciding the best way to deliver their films to today’s audiences, and maximize revenue across windows.
Panelists
Tom Quinn, Co-President, RADiUS-TWC
Jason Janego, Co-President, RADiUS-TWC
Jamie McCabe, EVP, worldwide PPV, VOD, EST, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Todd Green, General Manager, Tribeca Film
Rob Sussman, EVP, Business Operations, Development, and Strategy, EPIX
Daniel Solnicki, Head of Worldwide Franchise Development, DreamWorks Animation
Moderated by Andrew Stewart, Reporter at Variety
03:15 PM - 04:00 PM
Track A
The Art of Storytelling - The New Idea Vs. The Known Brand – What’s Working?
Major studios are finding it increasingly profitable to focus on known entities, such as adapting literary successes, re-inventing past box office and TV hits, or introducing new franchise installments. But entirely new concepts can be great business as well, such as this summer’s Ted or Magic Mike. What is important in connecting with audiences with projects for ongoing film business growth? Top screenwriters, producers, and studio production leaders will debate what is working best in storytelling.
Panelists
John August, Screenwriter (Frankenweenie, Corpse Bride, Big Fish)
Reid Carolin, Producer and Writer for Magic Mike
Bennett Schneir, Head of Hasbro Films
Ron Yerxa, Partner, Bona Fide Productions
Jason Blum, Founder, CEO, Blumhouse Productions
Moderated by Peter Debruge, Senior Film Critic at Variety
03:15 PM - 04:00 PM
Track B
Monetizing Film and Video Content in a Digital Age
This panel of film, online video and payments experts will give you a glimpse into the future of monetization and provide many good examples of what payment models will and can work for the film industry going forward. From mobile wallets, to subscription services, advertising and rewards, it’s a brave new world there as consumers demand convenience and immediacy. So, what are the biggest challenges and opportunities for getting paid for film and video content in a digital age?
Panelists
Randall Cox, President, RogueLife and RogueDigital, Relativity Media
John Penney, Executive Vice President, Strategy & Business Development, Starz, LLC
Jordan Metzner, Head of Product and Partnerships, Xsolla
Mark Friedlander, National Director, New Media,SAG-AFTRA
Tim Wesley, Head of Programming, Blockbuster
Moderated by Ned Sherman, CEO & Publisher, Digital Media Wire, Inc.
04:00 PM - 04:15 PM
04:15 PM - 05:00 PM
Variety’s Producer to Watch SuperSession
Honorees from ‘Producers to Watch 2012’ feature will share their stories in building and breaking through with their movie projects.
Lynn Hendee, President, Chartoff Productions/Producer (Ender’s Game)
Toby Halbrooks, Producer, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints
James Johnston, Producer, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints
Adam Sherman, Producer of Marfa Girl
Nick Gonda, Producer of To the Wonder
Nick Spicer, Partner XYZ Films, Producer of Frankenstein’s Army and The Raid
Nate Bolotin, Partner XYZ Films, Producer of Frankenstein’s Army and The Raid
Justin Nappi, the founder and Chairman of TreeHouse Pictures and Producer of Arbitrage
Kevin Turen, Producer at TreeHouse Pictures and Producer of Arbitrage