[agenda]
[day date=”Monday, October 31″]Day 1[/day]
[event time=”8:00a – 9:45a” room=””]

Registration & Breakfast: Sponsored by The Gotham Group
[/event]

[event time=”10:00a – 10:50a” room=””]

The Current Reality for the Reality Markets: VR, AR, Domes, and Cinema 4-D

In recent months, we seen we’ve seen the emergence of consumer Virtual Reality products in more ways ever before. Experts have predicted 2017 to be a watershed year in mainstream engagement with the technology. There is obvious potential in the gaming industry, but how is VR impacting storytelling and the way children play, learn and explore their creativity? How are consumers engaging with the technology, and how is the visual effects industry meeting the demands of this exciting new market? This cutting-edge panel will take a timely look at the latest achievements and changing models of VR, AR, Dome and 4D projects and the employment opportunities they bring to the mark.

Larry Cutler: CTO, Baobab Studios
David Kleeman: SVP of Global Trends, Dubit
Ed Lantz: Founder, Vortex Immersion Media
Marco Marenghi: Animation Supervisor, Framestore
Matt Silverman: Head of Integrated Production, Ignition Creative

[/event]

[event time=” 11:00a – 11:50am” room=””]

Where Animation meets VFX: A Case Study of Star Trek Beyond

This panel will explore the creative and technical challenges involved in bringing director Justin Lin’s “Star Trek Beyond” to life. From Previs to Postvis to final CGI production, the panelists will discuss the interactions and collaborations that produced the extraordinarily complex “Swarm Ship” sequences in the film. 

George Antzoulides: Previs/Postvis Lead, Proof, Inc.
Dylan Highsmith: Editor
Rick Leary: VFX Supervisor, Double Negative
Marjolaine Tremblay: VFX Supervisor, RodeoFX
Alexander Vegh: Second Unit Director & Previs Supervisor

[/event]

[event time=”12:00p – 12:50p” room=””]

The Changing Face of the VFX Industry

We catch up with some of the visionary artists and vfx industry pros to find out how the industry is faring in 2016 and what it takes to make it in this highly competitive industry. Our team of experts will discuss the essential steps vfx hopefuls need to take to find the right jobs and projects, and whether it’s possible to have a thriving career locally while most of the vfx jobs are migrating to Canada, Europe and Asia.

Joyce Cox: VFX Producer
Ellen Poon: VFX Supervisor, Producer & Artist
Wendy Rogers: VFX Supervisor
Theresa Ellis Rygiel: VFX Supervisor
Joan Vogelesang: President & CEO, JV Consulting
[/event]

[event time=”1:00p – 2:25p” room=””]

Lunch: Sponsored by Illumination Entertainment
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[event time=”2:30p – 3:20p” room=””]

The Business of Show Business

This eclectic panel on various business and professional aspects of the animation and vfx business will highlight important things every producer needs to know. Panelists will offer helpful tips on how to protect your animation ideas, copyrights, sales and licensing rights, how to create successful promotional reels and EPKs, as well as the latest cloud solutions to help you with the tools you need on your operating system and on your devices.

Laura Gross: Founder, L.E.G. Productions
Babar Lakhani: CEO Ice Animations, & Principal, Lakson Group
Peter McHugh: Manager, The Gotham Company
Eliot Sakhartov: Technology Strategist for Media & Entertainment, Microsoft
Annette van Duren: President, Annette van Duren Agency

[/event]

[event time=”3:30p – 4:20p” room=””]

Demystifying the Process of Co-Productions and Distribution in Asia

Over the past decade, independent animation studios in Asia have had a high rate of success in delivering animated content both for local and global audiences. Our panelists will share some of their own studio’s success stories and shed some light on how American and European partners can take advantage of their country’s tax benefits to launch their projects. Also on tap will be a discussion of how to keep production costs reasonable, how to sell to Asian markets and what indie producers need to know about communicating with Asian partners.

Christy Hui: Founder, ActionFliks Media
Konnie Kwak: President, Toonzone Studios
Jayakumar Prabhakaran Nair: CEO, Toonz Media Group
Jyotirmoy Saha: Founder & CEO, August Media Holdings
[/event]

[event time=”4:30p – 4:55p” room=””]

Afternoon Break: Sponsored by Toonz
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[event time=”5:00p – 5:50p” room=””]

Bringing Life To Your Animation With Voiceover

Voice performance is a key component that helps brings an animated project to life, literally the very soul of its characters. But the art of voiceover can be easily overlooked in the animation production pipeline. How can you seamlessly integrate voiceover when preparing the whole, taking into consideration the artistic vision and the scale of your project?  What can be done during the casting process to make sure you choose the right actor/voice to match the character? What can you expect during the process of celebrity or non celebrity casting? What should you look out for during the recording to ensure you get the best performances out of your voice actors?  This panel will take you behind the curtain of all things voiceover and give you an inside look at the process behind the mic.

David Lodge: Actor
Candi Milo: Actress
Lynne Southerland: Animation Director & Producer
René Veilleux: CEO & Founder, Verité Entertainment
Giancarlo Volpe: Director, Producer, Writer
[/event]

[event time=”6:00p – 6:50p” room=””]

A Snapshot of the Russian Animation Scene

Russian animation is quickly becoming one of the country’s most successful exports in the entertainment world. Animated franchises such as Kikoriki, The Fixies, Masha and the Bear and the Snow Queen movies have had a wide success around the world. We will meet some of the key players in the Russian animation scene and find out what they are looking for in their production and distribution partners, and what are some of the challenges and opportunities in this thriving part of the world.

Valeria Dobrolyubova: Head of Sales, Mirsand, Ltd.
Michael Mennies: Producer, Story Editor, Voice Director, Actor
Anna Pokorskaya: International Sales & Licensing Manager, Wizart Animation
Vadim Sotskov: President & CEO, KinoAtis
Tatyana Tsyvareva: CEO, Carousel
Diana Yurinova: VP International Development and Distribution, Riki Group
[/event]

[event time=”7:00p – 9:00p” room=””]

Opening Night Cocktail Party: Sponsored by Nickelodeon

[/event]

 
[agenda]
[day date=”Tuesday, November 1″]Day 2[/day]
[event time=”9:00a – 10:20a” room=””]

Breakfast: Sponsored by Splash Entertainment

[/event]

[event time=”10:00a – 10:50a” room=””]

Making a Splash with Disney’s World of Moana

On November 23, Disney will release directors Ron Clement and John Muskers’ much-anticipated animated feature Moana, a sweeping tale about a brave young woman who uses her navigational talents to set sail for a fabled island, accompanied by her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui. This informative session will showcase some of the talented CG animation visionaries who worked on the movie who will discuss the film’s cutting-edge visual achievements and their challenges and triumphs.

Camille Cellucci: VFX Producer
Kyle Odermatt: VFX Supervisor
Marlon West: Head of Effects

[/event]

[event time=”11:00a – 11:50p” room=””]

Guide to Successful Streaming 2.0

With more people cutting cable cords in massive numbers, the possibilities of new animated content on streaming outfits such as Netflix, Amazon, Hulu seem to be endless. What do you have to know about creating animated content for these bright new services? We’ll talk to some of the major players in the small-screen arena, including YouTube, Frederator, Toon Goggles, Awesomeness TV and NOOG to find out how you can build your own toon empire in the streaming world in 2017.

Malik Ducard: Global Head of Kids and Learning, YouTube
Butch Hartman: Founder, The NOOG Network
Stephen Hodge: Founder, Toon Goggles
Birk Rawlings: Birk Rawlings, Head of DreamWorksTV at AwesomenessTV
Fred Seibert: Founder, Frederator Networks
Rita Street: EP, Radar Cartoons
[/event]

[event time=”12:00p – 12:50p” room=””]

Animag’s Annual Oscar Contenders Round-Up

2016 has been a stellar year for animated features, with a rich variety of artistic and commercial successes vying for audiences and critical acclaim from Academy Voters. We will talk to these directors and producers to find out the specific details of their projects and how they developed, created and fine-tuned each beautifully mounted feature.

Holly Edwards: Co-Producer, Trolls
Mark Osborne: Director/EP, The Little Prince
Travis Knight: Director/Producer, Kubo and the Two Strings
Rich Moore: Director, Zootopia

[/event]

[event time=”1:00p – 2:20p” room=””]

Lunch, Sponsored by Cyber Group and Animation Magazine

[/event]

[event time=”2:30p – 3:20p” room=””]

So You Want to Make an Animated Hit Series?

More than ever before, producers of animated content for the small screen are facing more possibilities and choices in the global market. Our team of experienced and talented TV producers and executives help attendees navigate the complex waters of TV animation production and distribution, offering advice on how to guide their projects from the idea stage to small screens all around the world, focusing on the latest market trends, U.S. versus international preferences, choice of medium, and how to find the right partners and audiences in a constantly evolving marketplace.

Vanessa Chapman: Head, VJC Media
Josh Fisher: VP Creative Affairs, DHX Studios
Mary Harrington: Head, Harringtoons Productions
Rick Mischel: Producer, Sony Pictures Animation
Bill Schultz: CEO & EP, Home Plate Entertainment
Teri Weiss: Head of Pre-School and Current Series, DreamWorks Animation Television
[/event]

[event time=”3:30p – 4:20p” room=””]

Success Stories: Making it as an Indie Toon Studio

In recent years, we have seen many new animation start-ups throw their hats in the competitive international marketplace and create exciting new content for both traditional and non-linear digital space. In this free-wheeling, informal conversation, successful founders of hot animation indie studios will share some of their most important experiences, offering intelligent advice on how to swim with the sharks and navigate the challenging storms of the business.

Raquel Benitez: CEO, Comet Entertainment
David Braun: Creative Director & Co-founder, Open The Portal
Eric Rollman: President & CEO, Rollman Entertainment
Sander Schwartz: President, Grom Social

[/event]

[event time=”4:30p – 5:20p” room=””]

From Toys to Toons: Tales from the Trenches

Each year, more animated features and TV series are produced based on previously existing toys, games and licensed characters. In turn, retail sales of licensed products grew to $271.7 billion last year, a gain of 4.2 percent from last year. We’ll talk to some of the top professionals working in the field to better understand the delicate relationship between animated fare and toys, and how the licensing industry continues to inspire shows that are much more than 22-minute-long ads for Pokemon, LEGO, Barbie, and My Little Pony.

Sean Gorman: President, American Greetings Entertainment
Sherry Gunther Shugerman: Founder & CEO, POPmedia Brands
Christopher Keenan: SVP Content Development & Production, Mattel Creations
Heather Kenyon: SVP Development & Production, Citizen Kids
[/event]

[event time=”5:30p – 6:30p” room=””]

Travel to Casa del Mar
[/event]

[event time=”6:30p – 7:30p” room=””]

Awards Gala Cocktail Party at Casa del Mar, Santa Monica
[/event]

[event time=”7:30p – 9:30p” room=””]

Awards Gala at Casa del Mar, Santa Monica
[/event]