indyfilmnews.com

Upland, Indiana -- American Movie Classics’ (AMC) senior vice president for programming and acquisitions Tom Halleen will be one of three guests of honor at Taylor University’s Envision Film Festival, March 3-5, 2011.  Halleen, a Taylor alumnus, was instrumental in the successful launch of the award-winning television shows Mad Men and Breaking Bad, as well as the record breaking series Broken Trail and The Walking Dead.

Professor Kathy Bruner is especially excited to have Halleen coming back to Taylor. “He has so much to offer to our students, and I’m sure his insider’s perspective as an entertainment executive will be fascinating,” Bruner said. “It’s also wonderful to host him back at his alma mater.” Halleen will host two workshops on working in the entertainment industry.

Other honored guests scheduled to speak include film producer and Taylor graduate Angie Alvarez, and Jeffrey Sparks, President/CEO of Heartland Truly Moving Pictures.  Alvarez will speak on film producing and surviving in Hollywood. Sparks will speak on the power of story in film as well as film distribution trends.

The Envision Film Festival includes free workshops throughout the day on March 4, and showcases films during an evening screening and awards presentation at 7:00 p.m. in the Mitchell Auditorium. The Envision Film Festival “honors aspiring filmmakers whose visual storytelling explores the range of human experience with hopeful vision, artistry, truthfulness and integrity.”

This is the second year that Taylor University’s film festival has accepted high school student entries. The winning high school film will screen and be recognized along with the college winners. “There are so many young filmmakers doing great work, and we wanted to share our free educational workshops and have them join us Taylor’s campus,” Bruner said.

Students will compete in several award categories, including Best Picture, Best Cinematography and Audience Choice. Official sponsors include Apple, Sony, Final Draft, Alpha Video and Audio, Priddy Brothers Productions, Meeting Tomorrow and several Taylor University departments.

Taylor senior Kelsey Getzin is the student producer for the event. She said, “I’m very excited to see the department really pull together to put on this high quality event.”
On March 3rd, Taylor will screen two alumni films, "Walk of Redemption" and "The Butterfly Circus," followed by filmmaker question and answer session.

All March 4th workshops are free and open to the public. Tickets for the March 4th screening and awards event go on sale Feb 21st and cost $4. Tickets are available at the Rupp Communication Arts Building box office at 998-5289. For more information, see www.envisionfilmfestival.com. Special events are offered on March 5th for prospective students.
The Envision Film Festival is sponsored by Taylor University’s media communication department.

Schedule of Events
March 3, 2011
7:00 PM - Screening of Taylor Alumni Films, "Walk of Redemption" and "The Butterfly Circus," Mitchell Theatre

March 4, 2011
9:00 AM - “Behind the Screen:  Demystifying Christianity to a confused entertainment industry,” Tom Halleen, Senior V.P. for programming & acquisitions, AMC Networks, Rupp 222
11:00 AM - Getting your film seen: distribution trends & the festival circuit,” Jeff Sparks, CEO Heartland Truly Moving Pictures, Rupp 222
12:15 PM - Lunch & workshop -  “Survival Guide to Hollywood,” Angie Alvarez, film producer, Braden Room at the Hodson Dining Commons. Bring your lunch tray.
1:30 PM - “The power of story in film: what makes a truly moving picture” Jeffrey Sparks, CEO Heartland Truly Moving Pictures, Rupp 222
3:00 PM - “Behind the Screen:  The TV business from the inside looking out,” Tom Halleen, Senior V.P. for programming & acquisitions, AMC Networks, MMVA 002
4:00 PM - “Producing the Independent Film,” Angie Alvarez, film producer, Rupp 222
7:00 PM - Envision Film Festival Screening & Awards ($4 at box office), Mitchell Theatre