Sunday, January 24, 2010

Amazing Passion and Enthusiasm at Arizona Film and Media Expo


On Saturday, January 23, 2010, actors, filmmakers, producers, directors, and businesses turned out not only to support their beloved local film industry, but connect with others in the community. The entry fee more than paid for the numerous free seminars held throughout the day on topics of interest to film and media in Arizona. Giveaways and raffles all day long were frequent and plentiful.

The Arizona Film and Media Expo (www.azfame.com) was created by Depleting Shadow Films (www.depletingshadowfilms.com) owners Richard Ryan and Dana Skvarek in conjunction with the Arizona Film and Media Coalition (www.azfilmandmedia.org) with 20% of profits from the event being donated to the Arizona Film and Media Coalition to promote film in Arizona.

Among the free seminars were local Steve Briscoe on the Art of Comedy Writing, Phoenix filmmaker Webb Pickersgill on Quality in Independent Film, Jeffery Weissman on acting, long-time screenwriting professional Lee Shargel on screenwriting, the Torch Theatre Improv on Principles of Longform Improvisation, and Mike McGinn and Gay Gilbert with the Arizona Film and Media Coalition on Filmmaking in Arizona and the future of Arizona’s Film Tax Incentive program - a vital program that can make millions of dollars for the state by bringing in filmmakers from California, New York, and the rest of the world.

Among the giveaways and raffles were a $250 gift certificate for plastic surgery, numerous t-shirts, DVDs, and numerous other exposition tchotchkes. Each of the seminar speakers were also available at their respective small booths and were happy to connect and speak with the local professionals. Richard Ryan commented that next year’s expo would be three times as large.

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