Are Christian Creatives Really Welcome In Hollywood?

"Are Christian Creatives Really Welcome In Hollywood?"...

What, you expect an answer?

On Jan. 23 in Burbank, CA you shall have the answer at our 3rd of 4 VIP Mixers with writer/producer Brian Bird. We will interview him and then enjoy some focused networking exercises designed to pool resources and get folks connected on a 168 Filmmaking Team!

Film Project Team Entry Deadlines:

International Team Entry Deadline: Jan 23rd.

USA TEAM ENTRY DEADLINE: FEB 1.

To Register Click Here

Brian Bird

168 VIP Mixers - Mondays: 7-10PM

Free, all are welcome! Find your crew or join a 168 team!

Media City Church, 269 E. Providencia Ave, Burbank, CA 91502. rsvp@168project.com

Mon. Jan 23rd:

"Are Christian Creatives Really Welcome In Hollywood?" with Brian Bird,

Writer Producer, "Touched By an Angel."

Mon. Jan 30:

"Show me the Money: Acquiring funding for Motion Pictures" with "Star Wars" & "Veggie Tales" Producers: Howard Kazanjian & Terry Botwick.

Info & Bios below

Our full calendar follows the VIP Mixer descriptions. Please have a look.

Jan. 23rd VIP Mixer Description: "Are Christian Creatives Really Welcome In Hollywood?" The answer is ABSOLUTELY, but there are some very special KEYS that open the door. Learn what those keys are and how to acquire them in an interview and Q & A with veteran writer-producer and 168 board member Brian Bird. Brian loves encouraging filmmakers of all levels.

Brian Bird's writing and producing credits include "Not Easily Broken" (2009), adapted from the novel by T.D. Jakes, for Sony/Screen Gems; and "The Shunning" (Sony Affirm 2011), "Saving Sarah Cain" (2008) and "The Last Sin Eater" for (20th Century Fox 2007), in partnership with Michael Landon Jr., "Bopha!" for Paramount (1993), along with 250 episodes of network TV, including "Touched By and Angel" and "Step By Step," and the recent pilot for NBC, "Gametime."

He is currently prepping, "The Confession" & "When Calls the Heart" for the Hallmark Channel, and the feature film "Captives," the story of 2005's Atlanta hostage crisis in partnership with Ralph Winter ("X-Men") and Ken Wales ("Amazing Grace").

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Mon. Jan 30 VIP Mixer Description: "Show me the Money: Efficiency in Acquiring Funding for Motion Pictures" with Howard Kazanjian (pending availability) and Terry Botwick. Many empires come just one phone call short of being made. We are all salesmen/women and we must not only develop salesmenship, but also the ability to know when to hold/fold or run. Learn the art & science of the deal and hear the true stories behind some of the films you know and love.

Howard Kazanjian

Howard G. Kazanjian is a filmmaker, former Vice President of Lucasfilm, LTD & respected author, The Young Duke: The Early Life of John Wayne; in 2009, Thunder over the Prairie: The True Story of a Murder and a Manhunt by the Greatest Posse of All Time. He is most well known as producer of 1983's "Star Wars: - Return of the Jedi" & "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (exec. prod.), director Steven Spielberg.

Terry Botwick

Terry Botwick and Ralph Winter ("X-MEN" Producer) are Partners at 1019 Entertainment. Terry's core expertise lies in both the creative and the business side of the entertainment industry. Prior to forming 1019 Terry was President of Vanguard Films & Animation which was principally owned by John Williams (Shrek) and Starz Media where they produced Space Chimps for Fox, President and COO of Big Idea Productions (VeggieTales) where Terry Executive Produced Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie, Partner Thunderpoint Studios a film finance and production company,SVP of Programming for CBS, President of Distribution and National Programming for the Hearst Corporation and Vice President of The Family Channel. Mr. Botwick has had P&L responsibility for more than $100 million along with business and creative oversight of more than 1,000 hours of movies and television.

168 Calendar 2012:

THEME "PROMISES, PROMISES"

168 MONDAY NIGHT VIP MIXERS (4): Mondays: 7-10PM. Get on a team or find your crew! Jan. 9th, 16, 23 & 30. Location Media City Church, 269 E. Providencia Ave., Burbank, CA 91502 (MCC)

AMOEBA NETWORKING MIXER: Sat, Jan. 21, 1-5PM. All are welcome to this spectacle! A giant outer circle revolves to meet the inner circle, then the circles divide and meet each other, just like an amoeba. Engulf & Communicate! Snacks provided. Location: MCC

Scotty Dugan

Scotty Dugan Memorial Service Sat. Jan. 21, 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM.

Grace Community Church Chapel 13248 Roscoe Blvd. Sun Valley, CA 91352

Reception to follow. All are welcome.

CRAFT OF HOLLYWOOD WORKSHOP: Sat, Jan. 28, 9AM-5PM. Hollywood experts teach: writing, acting, producing, lighting, directing and sound. Foundational for beginners, fine points for pros. Mandatory (SoCal) producers mtg 8am. Guests include Casting Director Ronnie Yeskel ("Pulp Fiction"). $50, $79 day of. Location: MCC

TEAM SIGNUP DEADLINES: Int'l Teams: Mon., Jan. 23. USA Including SoCal: Weds, Feb 1.

VERSE ASSIGNMENT: This marks the start of Pre-Production Week.

Int'l Teams: Monday, January 30, 2012, 7-9PM (Verse assigned via email). USA Teams (outside SoCal): Sunday, February 5, 2012, 7-9PM (Verse assigned by phone or email)

SoCal Teams: Mon, Feb. 6, 7-9PM. Location: MCC

LA CASTING: Sat, Feb. 11. Location TBA. Invitation only. Info soon...

PRODUCTION WEEK START:

Cameras roll at 11AM Local Time - No Earlier! Int'l Teams: Fri, Feb. 10.

USA Teams (outside SoCal): Thurs, Feb. 16.

SoCal Teams: Fri, Feb. 17. Exception: Unlimited Docs begin production (verse chosen/fee paid) anytime.

FILM TURN-IN DEADLINES: Int'l Teams: Fri, Feb. 17 - Must be overnight postmarked by 11AM (Local Time).. USA Teams (outside SoCal): Thurs, Feb. 23 - Must be overnight postmarked by 11AM (Local Time). SoCal Teams: Fri, Feb. 24 - 11AM. Location: MCC.

UNLIMITED DOCUMENTARIES: Must be received in Burbank, CA by Fri, Feb. 24.

168 "MAKING OF" DOCS TURN IN DEADLINE: 5 min. max. TRT

Int'l Teams: Fri., Feb. 24 - Must be overnight postmarked by 5pm (Local Time).

USA/SoCal Teams: Fri., Mar. 2 - Must be in either overnight postmarked or dropped off at 168 office by 5PM: 100 E. Cedar Ave. Burbank CA 91502

OSCAR PARTY: Feb. 26, 2012 Time & Location TBA

168 FILM FESTIVAL 2012: March 29-30: Hope Theatre in San Fernando CA, March 31: Alex Theatre in Glendale.

FAITH 'N' FILM SUMMIT AT NAB: April 15, Las Vegas. Guests include Kevin Sorbo ("Young Hercules")

MCC= Media City Church, 269 E. Providencia Ave., Burbank, CA 91502 / See website: www.168project.com.

Information subject to change

Students Make a 168 Film Project Run

High School Students Jessica Hernandez &

Ramona Mayer with Teacher Sarah Paige Cooper (L-R)

from Locke II Charter High School in Watts, CA

Students are a growing part of the 168 Film Project. A practicum in faith-based filmmaking.

For Schedule, Click Here.

Schools like Biola have given college credit for participating in 168 in the past, and we have had student participation from across the country. According to director John David Ware, "We encourage student participation and we give awards for excellence in 'all-student productions.'"

168 veteran Sarah Paige Cooper is a leading a 2012 student entry. According to Ms. Cooper, "Our team includes seniors at Locke II Charter High School in Watts, CA. I taught them introductory drama as sophomores, and we wanted to work together on one big project before they graduate. What better way to tell their story than through 168!"

"My first 168 film was in 2008. I was overwhelmed and I made a lot of mistakes. My biggest lesson was that this is God's film, His project, and if I surrender the outcome to Him, His purpose will prevail and the students will have an amazing experience. So this year, my prayer is for Him to use these students to tell His story through their eyes and their words, and I'm excited to see what they come up with."

"168 provides educational workshops that allows student producers to participate in and interact with professional, mature filmmakers in a safe, respectful environment. 168 has always encouraged the development of filmmakers, regardless of their age or experience. The 168 time frame works with our school schedule and guarantees screening of films (with respect to the rules). 168 provides the challenge of interpreting a scripture verse in a 10-11 minute film with high expectations for story and character development; without profanity and graphic violence or sex. 168 provides students with the opportunity to tell what God is doing in their lives, and what He means to them."

"The entire cast and crew will be students from our school. I selected 2 student producers, who recruited the rest of the team. The students will produce, write, direct, act in and edit the film.
"The challenges in producing with students are many. It's a huge workload for kids, often with little experience and minimal equipment. So, prayer and careful selection of personnel is key. Our prayer partner is Suez Smith from Oregon."

Producer/director/editor Jessica Hernandez is a senior at Animo Locke II Charter High School in Watts. Her interest in filmmaking began when she was cast as an angel in her brother's short film. When she saw the finished film, she was hooked.
"I wanted to produce something of my own, something to amaze people as his film did to me." When Ms. Cooper told me about the 168 Film Project, I got excited instantly! I can learn from people who actually made award-winning shorts. I excited to meet Ralph Winter, producer of some of my favorite movies like: 'Fantastic Four,' 'Hocus Pocus,' 'Inspector Gadget,' and 'X-Men.' I have much to learn & 168 is the first step for me."

Producer/assistant director/actor Ramona Mayer is a senior at Animo Locke.
"I can't wait to face the challenges and lessons that 168 has to offer. We are using our creativity to display God's glory through film. I am definitely excited to be part of this project and everything it stands for. Thank you for giving us this opportunity."