discussions (events)

Making films can be a risky business, and filmmakers are often left in the dark when trying to navigate the gambles that go hand-in-hand with bringing their stories to life. Join industry experts for an interactive game of Jeopardy that addresses the common challenges filmmakers face when developing their projects. Jeopardy topics will include: dealing with idea theft, use of name and likeness, false light, issues around stories based on or inspired by true events, legal pitfalls when blurring fact with fiction, public domain and fair use complexities, and the critical role insurance plays in getting your story out there.

The trailblazing linchpin of a sprawling African-American family of comic entertainers, it was the multi-talented writer/director/producer Keenen Ivory Wayanswho was the first to achieve national prominence by successfully creating, launching, and hosting the landmark, Emmy award-winning, 1990s black-oriented comedy satire In Living Color. Join this conversation with the 2017 Extraordinary Contribution to Television honoree for an in-depth conversation about his creative baby— and ultimate “pièce de résistance”—and how In Living Color paved the way for so many artists and projects.

In the world of independent film, everyone on a production does, well, everything: directors write, actors produce, and someone’s mom does props. But on a shoot, amidst the chaos of doing a million other jobs, building a good actor-director relationship is crucial to making the film a success. As a director, how can you be an effective creative leader, even as you’re setting locations and dealing with last-minute script changes? And as an actor, how can you put in the focus necessary for your craft even while you feel pressure to pick up other duties on a production? Seasoned independent filmmakers will can give you tips on how to make the most of this delicate dynamic.

By this point in the weekend, you’ve probably got a notebook chock-full of industry secrets, a rolodex full of new contacts, and only a faint memory of what sleep feels like. So now that you’ve met new contacts and rattled your brain with new ideas, what’s next? Join these AFF alumni– all of whom were once in your shoes – as they provide insight on how to use the competition as a calling card, how it has launched their own careers, and how it can do the same for you.

After four days full of panels, making new contacts, reconnecting with old friends, and packing your notebook full of screenwriting secrets, what do you do next, and how do you utilize your new arsenal full of writing resources? Join Shane Black for a candid conversation on how to transition “Black to the Future” from a writer’s retreat to retreating to the blank page.

Book-to-film adaptations may sound like they’re a walk in the park—they’re equipped with a thorough storyline, highly developed characters and of course, a built-in fan base—but the art of writing them is as advantageous as it is demanding. Characters in novels have an elaborately developed inner life, and visually depicting subtext and nuance in a compelling narrative can be a challenge, especially within the constraints of a 90-minute film. Screenwriters behind some of recent history’s greatest adaptations will discuss translating themes and literary devices to the screen, working with authors, and where and when to take creative liberties.

There is nothing like a well-drawn nemesis to enliven a screenplay by functioning as a worthy foe to the protagonist and creating the story’s central conflict. In this presentation with Scott Myers, you will learn the key principles to crafting a nemesis who goes beyond the stereotypical bad guy to a living, breathing, and powerful antagonist figure. Learn how to think of the nemesis as a projection of your protagonist’s shadow to create a psychological connection between these two pivotal characters.

So you want to write, direct, and produce movies? How do you know what kind of story is right for you? Knowing your voice can strengthen your writing even before the pen touches the page. This panel goes beyond ‘writing what you know’ to discuss how voice can be used as a tool in any genre. Panelists will talk about finding, developing, and honing your writing voice.

Join panelists who overcame the challenges of finding the best story within a true story. Writers will discuss their strategies on balancing truth, fact, and fiction while capturing the essence of real-life subject matter.

With a huge list of characters, ambitious flashbacks, centuries’ worth of mythology, and constant epic battles between gods—all within the confines of a television series, adapting Neil Gaiman’s seminal novel American Gods was no small feat. Writer, co-showrunner, and executive producer Michael Green will walk through the series’ script, discussing topics like staying true to and expanding the world that Gaiman created, establishing the show’s signature tone, and how he wrote THAT scene (you know the one).