Idyllwild Internataional Festival of Cinema

IIFC SEMINAR SERIES PRESENTS
“Women In Independent Film And Television”
Sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Fight For The Cure Foundation
Thursday January 14, 2010 5 p.m. The Rainbow Inn.
$20 at the door.
(Free admission with Platinum Pass. $10 admission with Resident Pass.)
An evening of frank and open discussion with working women
in the film and TV industry on the ins and outs of getting
started in Hollywood, and making a living in the world of
motion pictures and television.

— THE PANEL —

SHANAH BLEVINS Shanah is an award winning film, music video, and commercial producer, who’s work for major clients such as Coors and Verizon (among others) has brought her international prominence, and who’s video work with artists like Eminem and Tupac cemented Shanah’s reputation as a moving force in the world of music entertainment. She produced the award winning film “Motel”, directed by Thor Freudenthal, which was an official Selection to both the Sundance and Aspen Film Festivals in 2005, and was the winner for best film at the 2005 Aspen Comedy Film Festival. Shanah is currently directing and producing for television, and is writing and producing a children’s television series set for production in the coming months. Shanah lives in Los Angeles with her actor/writer husband Wolfgang Bodison (”A Few Good Men,” “Akeelah And The Bee”) and her adorable 4-year-old daughter.
AMANDA ADAY WRITER-DIRECTOR-PRODUCER-ACTOR Amanda Aday is the daughter of singer/actor Meat Loaf. Her screen career began in the mid 1990s, with starring roles in such indie films as “To Catch A Yeti,” “To Hell and Back,” and “Crazy and Alabama.” Amanda’s breakthrough came in 2003 when she secured the role of Dora Mae Dreifuss in the HBO series Carnivàle. Since that time she has continued her acting career, guest starring in hit shows like “My Name Is Earl,” “Boston Public,” and “E.R.,” all the while working to extended her career in television and film producing and directing. Amanda’s travel documentary series “Off on the Road” is now being shopped to all the major networks, and she is currently in development with two film projects which she will direct. Amanda is a graduate of the Idyllwild Arts Academy, and the WIIF seminar will be her triumphant return to the town that helped launch her artistic dreams.
TARINA REED DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Originally from the small town of Sturgis, Michigan, Tarina Reed first discovered her passion for cinematography in 1995 when she became a Combat Photographer in the United States Army Reserves. While serving fourteen years in the military she refined her handheld techniques and creative composition. In addition, deployments to Bosnia, Egypt, and Germany prepared Tarina for capturing images in hostile conditions and diverse environments. In 2001, Tarina received her BFA in Cinematography from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. It was in this setting that her enthusiasm for visual storytelling was enhanced through creative lighting. Tarina’s artistic efforts as a student was rewarded on several occasions when, in 2000 she received a cinematography internship with the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and again, in 2001 when she participated in the Sixth International Student DOP Workshop. These internships gave Tarina the opportunity to study under renowned cinematographers James Chressanthis, ASC, Laszlo Kovacs, ASC, and Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC. In 2004, she moved to Los Angeles to begin her career in the film industry. In five years of working in LA, Tarina has been the Director of Photography on six feature films, and numerous documentaries. She has worked with such noted film stars Steve Carell, Danny DeVito, Jason Alexander, Danny Glover, and Michael Madison. With technology constantly evolving, she has worked effortlessly between shooting 35mm film, 16mm film, and HD. Her latest feature, Solitary, was shot on the RED camera. Tarina believes the image is most powerful when it evokes an emotion, and a cinematographer must use whatever knowledge they have to bring that emotion to the screen.
GALINA LEINEN PRODUCER-DIRECTOR-WRITER Russian born Galina Leinen came to the U.S. in 2004 with one goal in mind: to be a filmmaker. After just five years on American soil, Galina is producing, writing, and directing, and has become a force on the independent movie scene in both New York and California. Coming from a corporate background, Galina was able to combine her business, technical and creative skills in the development of her career. She started her media journey with the New York based “Scribe Media”, where Galina was producing and editing news and informational videos, and soon expanded her professional outlook to a much more “Focused” level, becoming a film producer. In the past year Galina produced two films for Lunatopia Entertainment, the psychological thriller “Legacy” (2009) and the Sundance Channel western, “The Hunter’s Moon” (2008), both of which will screen at the 2010 IIFC.
LESLEY PATERSON WRITER-PRODUCER-ACTOR Lesley Paterson has a Masters degree from the School of Theatre, Television and Film from San Diego State University, and an Undergraduate degree from the Department of Theater at Loughborough University, England. Before turning to screenwriting and producing, Lesley worked as a professional actor in Los Angeles, starring in over 15 independent films. With her writing-producing partner, Ian Stokell, they have written and produced numerous short films including the award winning ‘The Negotiation’ (Best Short at the Delta Film Festival, 2005). Additionally, they produced their first feature film last year called “Something Blue” which has already been an Official Selection at Temecula Valley International Film Festival, The Dixie Film Festival, and now the Idyllwild International Festival Of Cinema. Lesley and Ian have also acquired the film rights to the world famous anti-war novel ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ and have successfully adapted the novel in to a new screenplay, which is currently receiving much praise in Hollywood. Furthermore, it has already helped them obtain a prestigious Literary Agent (Michael Cendejas at Lynn Pleshette Agency). The duo is now looking to attach major talent to the project. Lesley also continues to be a world class professional triathlete as her other career track. She has competed for Great Britain several times and only 2 months ago won the silver medal at the World Xterra Triathlon Championships in Hawaii.
CASSIE JAYE DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER- WRITER-DIRECTOR-ACTRESS Documentary Filmmaker and indie film actress, Cassie Jaye, founded Jaye Bird Productions in 2008 at the age of 21. Cassie’s passion for unmasking social issues led her to producing and directing her first feature film, “Daddy I Do”, examining Abstinence-Only Programs in America and their affects on teen pregnancy, poverty, and sexual abuse. Cassie continues her activism with “Faces Overlooked”, a short film (produced for Palms for Life Fund) revealing the hidden epidemic of hunger in the wealthiest community in California. Future projects currently in production include: "The Right to Love", a documentary on marriage equality; "Untitled Fibromyalgia Project" about the chronic pain condition that affects over 12 million Americans; an untitled documentary about female entrepreneurs in the San Francisco art world; as well as Jaye Bird Productions' first feature narrative film in development. Both “Daddy I Do” and “Faces Overlooked” will screen at the 2010 IIFC.
ALISA SCHULZ PRODUCER-ACTOR A native of Racine, Wisconsin, Alisa began her career as a model, working & living all over the world, and eventually landing in NYC. It was there that she discovered her love of acting. Growing restless of NYC, she soon packed her bags for Hollywood and quickly booked several major commercials. After feeling her way through the Hollywood “Machine”, she decided to study the business end of the film industry as well, becoming a producer under the guidance of film producer Patrick F. Gallagher (”In Enemy Hands”, “Silent Partner”, and & “Narc” (Uncredited). Her first producing turn came with the ensemble film piece “Cosmic Radio”, Starring Michael Madsen (”Reservoir Dogs”, “Kill Bill 1&2”, “Wyatt Earp”), Linsay Price (”90210”, “Eastwick”, “Lipstick Jungle”), Wes Studi (”Last Of The Mohicans”, “Heat”, “Dances With Wolves”), and Ricardo Chivara (”Desperate Housewives”, The Alamo”) which brought her together for the first time with writer-director Stephen Savage, a close friendship and partnership which continued in 2009 with the new Savage directed film, “Legacy”, on which Alisa was both producer and one of it’s stars. “Cosmic Radio” became the sleeper hit of the 2008 Palm Springs International Film Festival, and is currently being shopped for both domestic and foreign market release. “Legacy” will be the Premiere Film showcase at the 2010 IIFC.
DOMINIQUE LUCHART PRODUCER/DIRECTOR/ENTREPRENEUR Dominique Luchart is founder of WindHorse Entertainment. At the production company’s core is the development and production of creative content that has international appeal. Extending the company’s traditional focus of film production, Dominique is developing a creative and social network-based and market-driven website, the WindWorld Webcast Network. The Network’s nucleus is the driver of shows, movies, competitions and other original creative content that engages audience and membership participation while creating ancillary market opportunities. The Webcast is currently developing various production projects including two webisodic series The PULSE and The BED set for production in early 2010. As a Producer/Director, she has developed and directed pilots for a children’s television series “Animal News Network” and “Voices”, a TV Magazine Format Show. Dominique and Windhorse have produced, co-produced or seen direct involvement in 7 independent films that have found their way to distribution or garnered selections in various film festivals, including “Good Night Valentino”, a 2003 Sundance Film Festival selection. Dominique brings to WindHorse projects experience in business and creative development, direction, management and production. While leading her own US-based advertising firm, she conceptualized, designed and oversaw award-winning corporate campaigns that led to over 50 ADDY Awards. She has produced TV spots and visual campaigns for entertainment companies such as Capitol Records, EMI and cutting edge Location Based Entertainment provider ShoWorks. As VP Creative Services, she directed the marketing efforts of Oscar winning Soundelux Entertainment Group and its 12 divisions, the world’s largest independent Sound Studio. Windhorse is a member of UNESCO’s Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity and is engaged in the efforts of Mabawa-Wings for Africa, a government recognized NGO based in Rwanda and Eastern Congo developing projects that promote self-reliance. Dominique holds degrees in Communication and Film and a Juris Doctor degree. But most of all, Dominique is passionate about everything that brings different people and cultures together.