The art of Filmmaking is the process by which a film is made. From Development, Pre-Production, Production, Post-Production and Distribution, Filmmaking involves a number of complex and discrete stages including an initial story, idea, or commission, through screenwriting, casting, shooting, sound recording, editing, and screening the finished product before an audience in the hopes that it all may result in a film release and an exhibition.
ALL education programs are free to the public thanks to our wonderful sponsors!
Space is limited so please pre-register with the form, below – thank you!
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING with CLAY JOHNSON Friday 1-3
Friday, October 7th 1:00pm-3:00pm
Mahler Room at Tryon Fine Arts Center
SCREENWRITING and FINANCING with KEVIN BERNHARDT and STEVEN ESTEB Friday 2-4
Friday, October 7th 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Pavilion at Tryon Fine Arts Center
This workshop covers everything from elevating your screenplay to the best it can be to the finance and production side of seeing your story come to life!
HOSTS: KEVIN BERHARDT and STEVEN ESTEB
KEVIN BERNHARDT has had over 30 very different screenplays – result in produced films. They range from commercial action – to critically and spiritually-acclaimed. In the past 4 years, he has had four films shoot as a writer, with budgets up to $30 million – and casts including Michael Caine, Orlando Bloom, Michael Shannon, Alex Pettyfer, Patti LuPone, Christopher Plummer and Ben Foster.
In addition to those, Bernhardt’s work has resulted in films with Academy Award winners and nominees – including Donald Sutherland, John Lithgow, Nick Nolte, Djimon Hounsou, Sylvester Stallone and Dennis Hopper. Other prestigious notables include Kevin Bacon, Patrick Swayze, Chris Rock, Roy Scheider, Michael Biehn, Charlie Sheen, Dolph Lundgren, Peter Weller, Jennifer Beals, Tom Berenger, Daryl Hannah, Amy Smart, Matthew Goode, Til Schweiger and Wesley Snipes.
While building a career as a writer Bernhardt supported himself as an actor, with multi year contract/lead roles on GENERAL HOSPITAL and DYNASTY, followed by numerous leads in films such as Clive Barker’s HELLRAISER. Most recently, he returned with a supporting role opposite Michael Caine and Ben Foster in MEDIEVAL, which will be released theatrically in the U.S. in 2021. But screenwriting remains the passion.
STEVEN ESTEB – An award winning filmmaker that has worked as a Hollywood screenwriter and directed features, commercials, music videos, documentaries and was also a professor at Loyola University New Orleans teaching film and screenwriting. Founder of the Louisiana Screenwriters Bootcamp. His film, HATE CRIME, received numerous awards at film festivals all over the world. He’s also known for the cult film, BALLER BLOCKIN’, a rap film for Universal starring Lil Wayne, hit #1 on the Billboard charts in DVD and video sales eventually going quadruple platinum. Steve’s been repped by top agencies as a screenwriter and worked as a script fixer, and screenwriting coach. He lived and worked at an AIDS hospice for two years while making the feature length documentary, LIVING WITH…A FILM ABOUT LOVE AND AIDS. It premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and traveled the world, contributing to the opening of new AIDS Hospices, his proudest accomplishment.
Sponsored by Final Draft
SMART PHONE FILMMAKING with ALISON MAREK Friday 3-5 and Saturday 3-5
PART ONE: Friday, October 7th 3:00pm – 5:00pm
PART TWO: Saturday, October 8th 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Pavilion at Tryon Fine Arts Center
In between watching exciting, groundbreaking TRIFF films, why not make one yourself?
Have you always wanted to make a movie, but don’t have the time or money to invest in years of film school?
Have you made videos before but don’t feel satisfied with the result?
Do you wonder how you can create a short film or video that tells a story and takes your audience on an unforgettable journey?
The Smartphone Filmmaking Workshop provides you with the basics of storytelling, cinematic grammar, and shooting strategies so you can craft short films that are memorable and emotional.
All you need is a smartphone with a camera, an editing app, plus a burning desire to share your dreams and perspective with an audience.
2-day Workshop 1-5 minute silent documentary or narrative film
Day 1:
2 hours
Basics covered include:
- Preproduction – How to craft a story and develop a shooting strategy that supports it
- Production – Shooting efficiently so that you go into the editing room with everything you need
Day 2:
2 hours
- Basic concepts of postproduction
- How to decide which shots to choose, when, and why, based on the experience you want your audience to have
SHOOT YOUR PROJECT at TRIFF!
Help promote TRIFF and support other filmmakers by shooting key moments from the festival weekend. Finished films may be selected for uploading to the TRIFF site!
HOST: ALISON MAREK (MFA, New York University) is an award-winning writer and director who’s combined words and images professionally since she was in her late teens. Her short films have played in festivals around the world and aired on cable TV. Her writing and directing have won grants from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and Showtime Networks, Inc., been nominated for a Los Angeles Emmy Award, and received a Gold Aurora, Bronze Telly, and other awards and nominations. She’s produced shorts, features, and TV. She also built and ran the video department at an online magazine, where she shot and edited thousands of videos. Her graphic novels “Desert Streams” and “Sparrow” were published by Piranha Press, an offshoot of DC Comics.
DISCUSSION GROUP with HONEY HEAD FILMS Saturday 9-11
Honey Head Films’ Erika Edwards + Kristi Ray
Saturday, October 8th, 9:00 – 11:00am
Pavilion at Tryon Fine Arts Center
The session will focus on the arc of scaling your short film concept into a feature film. We’ll share insight on the years of preparation, how we built an audience and community of support and finessed our narrative from a zero-budget short to fully funded 94 page drama.
Honey Head is an award-winning, boutique production company that specializes in creating authentic narrative and documentary films. Founded in 2016 by creative duo Erika Edwards and Kristi Ray to address the lack of female representation in cinema – in front of and behind the lens. As a social enterprise, their radically inclusive company culture has opened unconventional doors as they continue to build the region’s first female-led independent film studio. In a traditionally male-dominated industry, Honey Head’s notoriety comes from women holding key roles of cinematographer, director, writer, producer and editor. Their work has inspired others and garnered unmatched support in the community. Collectively they have produced nearly 100 creative film projects over the past five years, including 13 narrative short films and 4 documentaries.
Kristi Ray is an award-winning actress and producer. Classically trained in New York City, she received a full scholarship to The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute where she deeply honed her skills as a method actor. With multiple wins for Best Actress in a feature, as well as Outstanding Performer of the Year for her efforts in independent cinema, her work has been programmed and distributed on the international level. As co-founder of the female-led production company Honey Head Films, her passion for team building creates a unique capacity to recognize the strengths and goals of fellow collaborators.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF FILMMAKING with FRANK CALO Saturday 11-1
Saturday October 8th 11:00am – 1:00pm
Pavilion at Tryon Fine Arts Center
This workshop with filmmaker Frank Calo focuses on the reality of the business from all three stages of production! Frank outlines the details of pre-production, production & post-production. You’ll learn how to create shooting schedules, budgets, contracts, financials, as well as actual shooting techniques, and writing techniques. He’ll also explain all aspects of the other areas of production for above the line and below the line crew.
This workshop is great for directors, producers, writers, actors and any other crew positions, and offers a dedicated Q & A portion!
FRANK M CALO is an Independent Producer and Director whose film THE BELIEVER, starring Ryan Gosling and Billy Zane won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2001 Sundance Festival. That film won all the festivals that year including The Berlin Film Festival. It was shown nation wide and had a great box office run.
His film, HERE & THERE with Cyndi Lauper and David Thornton has won the BEST NY NARRATIVE IN WORLD COMPETITION 2009 at Robert DeNiro’s, Tribeca Film Festival in NYC and had it’s official News York premier played to wide audiences domestically and overseas.
Mr. Calo has worked with Robert DeNiro (Godsend) Demi Moore, Mike Myers Shelly Winters, Marlon Brando and many more. His film THE COOKOUT with Queen Latifah also had a great box office run distributed by Lions Gate Films.
He also worked for two years with The Motion Picture Bond Company under Robert Bordiga, as a Producer working on films throughout the tri-state areas.
He was one of the few and only directors who studied privately under Mr. Elia Kazan.
Sponsored by RED Cameras
CINEMATOGRAPHY with ERIK OLSEN Saturday 1-3
Saturday, October 8th 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Mahler Room at Tryon Fine Arts Center
Join filmmaker Erik Olsen as he shares with you his best practices for telling your story visually and creating an incredibly cinematic film!
HOST: ERIK OLSEN
A native of Germany, I began learning about photography at a very early age. I turned my childhood dream into a career. I worked as a television news photojournalist for over a decade, then starting my own photography and filmmaking business in the foothills of the Carolinas. I can’t wait to get up each morning to do what I love to do. I’m so fortunate that I have turned my passion into my profession.
Sponsored by Spartan Photo
CONTENT CREATOR'S PANEL Saturday 5-7
BroPilot’s Matt Garkusha and Tony Winters, Cruz Crane. Moderator: Jashiel Valerio
Saturday, October 8th 5:00pm-7:00pm
Pavilion at Tryon Fine Arts Center
Jashiel Valerio is an Atlanta, Ga based actor who hails from Brooklyn, Ny. There he studied the craft with one of New York’s leading acting coaches, Penny Templeton of Penny Templeton Studio. Jashiel has worked on commercials for Teddy Grahams, Rhino Insurance, Uber and most recently Alka Seltzer. He has also worked on films; Judys Child ( currently streaming on Amazon Prime ), We Only Know So Much ( Clean Slate Pictures ), The Times ( NYFF ) and many more. Some of his stage work include Off-Broadway shows; B-Boy Blues, Sub-Basement, and Prayers For the Ghetto. Jashiel is currently writing a new pilot and working on content creation. He also enjoys running, biking, swimming, yoga, and meditation on his off time.
Jazelle Foster is an Actor, Acting Coach, & Media and Marketing Specialist. In short…a storyteller.
A working actor mostly known for her recurring role in ABC’s What Would You Do?! with John Quinones. Commercial work for brands such as Olay, Target, AT&T & Uber. Co-Lead in Feature Film God’s Compass alongside actors Karen Abercrombie & T.C. Stallings.
Jazelle has taught hundreds of actors around New York City in top acting schools including T. Schreiber, Denise Simon Studio and Actor’s Connection. Teaching online as well on her Youtube where she teaches 130K actors & parents the ins and out of starting an acting career. Her young women’s program, Worthy By Design, is focused on building the self-esteem of young women through devised theater and performance.
Alongside her acting efforts, Jazelle is the founder of Creatives Meet Marketing a digital marketing agency that manages & consults with creatives & companies such as The Acting Institute with Larry Silverberg, Denise Simon Coaching, Actor Class, The Honee Pot & T. Schreiber Studio. They believe if marketing is draining your creativity… you’re doing it wrong. They offer you permission to let your business be an extension of your artistic expression.
BroPilot’s Matt Garkusha + Tony Winters
BroPilots consists of two brothers who have been flying airplanes with their dad since they were boys. As General Aviation has seen a steady decline for the past few decades, Matt and Tony have made it their mission to pair their love of the skies with their production experience to help revive the fascination with flight that the world saw during the 50’s and 60’s, also known as the Golden Age of Aviation. They produce both long and short form content for YouTube and Instagram and are currently working on a feature-length film exploring the love story between man and the sky.
Cruz Crane began his career with small videos for a local rock climbing gym in his area. This sent him down a 6 year exploration of all kinds of different videos to create including narrative story telling, comedy skits, informative videos, aviation and now filming himself building ridiculous things. Cruz enjoys bringing concepts and techniques from his film background into comedic YouTube videos.
Sponsored by Casting Networks
and BroPilots
and Jazelle Foster
VOICE ACTING + MOTION CAPTURE with FRANCESCA CALO Sunday 11-1
Sunday, October 9th 11:00am-1:00pm
Mahler Room at Tryon Fine Arts Center
Learn the ins and outs of what it takes to be working in the illustrious field of Voiceover! In this workshop, Francesca will break down what you need to succeed in the age of remote recording, go over what casting directors and directors look for in auditions in the various genres of voiceover and motion/performance capture, what you’ll need for agent submissions, and answer any questions you might have about this fantastically fun world.
HOST FRANCESCA CALO Calo is a bicoastal actor, MoCap performer, and voice actress who spent her childhood on film and television sets with her parents. She began acting at the age of seven, and has since enthusiastically followed her passion. She studied and performed with theaters such as the moscow Art Theatre Company, New York Stage and Film, as well as with acclaimed international director, Adolf Shapiro. In the voice over realm, she has worked on a myriad of animated series, anime, films, and video games. She can be heard as Salene Crow in Wasteland 3: The Battle of Steeltown, Cheng Chen in the popular mobile game, Seven Knights 2, Stella Loussier in Gundam Seed: Destiny, Pokemon, and more.
Sponsored by Flat Rock Playhouse
SCREEN ACTING with JAMES K. FULATER Sunday 1-3
Sunday, October 9th 9:00am-11:00am
Mahler Room at Tryon Fine Arts Center
Host: James K. Fulater
James has been Acting for over 40 years covering all aspects of the craft. Since James moved to New York City, he has acted in 10 Movies including “Breaking Point “, “Landing Up”, “The Right to Live” and “ Bare Knuckle Brawler “ in which he acted along side Danny Trejo. He also performed in a off Broadway Showcase production of “ To Life “. Jim begin teaching 5 years ago and really enjoys working with Actors of all levels from beginners to seasoned pros. “ the joy is in the journey “ Jim looks forward to working with TRIFF!
Sponsored by Tryon Little Theater
AGENTS, MANAGERS AND CASTING PANEL Sunday 3-5
Patti Price, Alison Marek, Stisa Talent Agency’s Lisa and Steve Lopez, Jashiel Valerio, Francesca Calo and James Fulater
Sunday, October 9th 3:00pm – 5:00 pm
Pavilion at Tryon Fine Arts Center
Moderator: Jazelle Foster
Jazelle Foster of Jazelle’s Artistry is an Actor, Acting Coach, & Media and Marketing Specialist. In short…a storyteller.
A working actor mostly known for her recurring role in ABC’s What Would You Do?! with John Quinones. Commercial work for brands such as Olay, Target, AT&T & Uber. Co-Lead in Feature Film God’s Compass alongside actors Karen Abercrombie & T.C. Stallings.
Jazelle has taught hundreds of actors around New York City in top acting schools including T. Schreiber, Denise Simon Studio and Actor’s Connection. Teaching online as well on her Youtube where she teaches 130K actors & parents the ins and out of starting an acting career. Her young women’s program, Worthy By Design, is focused on building the self-esteem of young women through devised theater and performance.
Alongside her acting efforts, Jazelle is the founder of Creatives Meet Marketing a digital marketing agency that manages & consults with creatives & companies such as The Acting Institute with Larry Silverberg, Denise Simon Coaching, Actor Class, The Honee Pot & T. Schreiber Studio. They believe if marketing is draining your creativity… you’re doing it wrong. They offer you permission to let your business be an extension of your artistic expression.
Producer Patti Price is a testament to it’s never tolate to do what you love. In what seems like a past life, she was in corporate management and negotiations running multi-million dollar departments and saving her company over $6M in one year, before fully enjoying life as an award-winning producer. She took that business experience to found KP Films and KP Films Studio in North Carolina. She recently produced a comedic Christmas feature and has a slate of features moving forward including action, horror, family friendly (another Christmas movie), and a heart-warming dramedy about reincarnation as well as TV series. Combining the best in production value while bringing in the business sense leads to successful film distribution. She is President of NC Women in Film and Television and founder of Teens in Film (a 501c3), giving back to the community through full scholarship film camps. She serves as a consultant to several film producers and speaker regarding budgeting, tax incentives, and other business-related items.
Jashiel Valerio is an Atlanta, Ga based actor who hails from Brooklyn, Ny. There he studied the craft with one of New York’s leading acting coaches, Penny Templeton of Penny Templeton Studio. Jashiel has worked on commercials for Teddy Grahams, Rhino Insurance, Uber and most recently Alka Seltzer. He has also worked on films; Judys Child ( currently streaming on Amazon Prime ), We Only Know So Much ( Clean Slate Pictures ), The Times ( NYFF ) and many more. Some of his stage work include Off-Broadway shows; B-Boy Blues, Sub-Basement, and Prayers For the Ghetto. Jashiel is currently writing a new pilot and working on content creation. He also enjoys running, biking, swimming, yoga, and meditation on his off time.
Alison Marek (MFA, New York University) is an award-winning writer and director who’s combined words and images professionally since she was in her late teens. Her short films have played in festivals around the world and aired on cable TV. Her writing and directing have won grants from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and Showtime Networks, Inc., been nominated for a Los Angeles Emmy Award, and received a Gold Aurora, Bronze Telly, and other awards and nominations. She’s produced shorts, features, and TV. She also built and ran the video department at an online magazine, where she shot and edited thousands of videos. Her graphic novels “Desert Streams” and “Sparrow” were published by Piranha Press, an offshoot of DC Comics.
The Brock Agency’s Agent & Casting Director Beverly Brock
- The Brock Agency, Hickory, North Carolina, has been in business since 1990. The success of The Brock Agency in placement of talent and models is well known throughout the world of entertainment and the fashion industry. There has not been a talent and/or modeling in the state that has enjoyed the amount of success The Brock Agency has for the past twenty four years.
Ms. Brock is a member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and a member of the Church’s choir. The Brock Agency also had a long standing membership with the Better Business Bureau and has been a member of the Catawba Chamber of Commerce for many years. Ms. Brock’s previous experience on stage and modeling provides her talent with valuable inside information on the business. Ms. Brock has always been active in local charities and previously helped in spearheading Operation Christmas Child in 2010.
Director and Voice Actress Francesca Calo
I am a bicoastal actor, performance capture, and voice actress. Born and raised in New York City, I am half Chinese and half Spanish, and spent my childhood on film and television sets with my parents. I began my own studies of the performing arts at the age of seven, and have since enthusiastically followed my passion for acting. I’ve studied and performed with theaters such as the Moscow Art Theatre Company and New York Stage and Film, as well as with acclaimed international director Adolf Shapiro. I can be seen alongside Sandra Bullock in the Warner Bros film, Ocean’s Eight, most recently in the hit HBO TV show Mare of Easttown, and can be heard as various characters in Disney XD’s Pokemon, Nickelodeon’s Regal Academy, the popular videogame, Warframe, and more! Other fun facts: I’m a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and am conversational in Spanish & Japanese. I also enjoy baking! My aesthetic is cozy rainy days under a blanket, with a dog and tea for extra love. I will always accept dog pictures.
Actor James Fulater has been Acting for over 40 years covering all aspects of the craft. Since James moved to New York City, he has acted in 10 Movies including “Breaking Point “, “Landing Up”, “The Right to Live” and “ Bare Knuckle Brawler “ in which he acted along side Danny Trejo. He also performed in a off Broadway Showcase production of “ To Life “. Jim begin teaching 5 years ago and really enjoys working with Actors of all levels from beginners to seasoned pros. “ the joy is in the journey “ Jim looks forward to working with TRIFF!
Stisa Talent Agency’s Lisa & Steve Lopez pride themselves on their hands-on approach with each of its talent. They are accessible to all of their talents, the same as if they were their own family members. They are often referred to as Stisa family members. Directors have sought out their talent for repeated bookings because of their professionalism, reliability, and uniqueness. They are the only talent agents in the Carolinas that have served as an actual momager and dadager to an actor/model/voiceover artist in the NYC and LA markets who is now a successful college student at a prestigious art school; so they know what it takes to manage school, career, and family.
Steve and Lisa Lopez are the co-founders and owners of Stisa Talent Agency, and they are extremely passionate about the talent they represent. Each one is treated like family. They put their hearts and emotions into their work, bearing their personal experiences and sharing them with their talents. Their office is conveniently located on the west side of Spartanburg, but they work with casting directors all over the United States.
Sponsored by CastingNetworks.com
LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY! ADVENTURES FROM THE WORLD OF DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING SESSION Sunday 3-5
Jamie Huss + Gregg Jamback
Sunday, October 9th 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Mahler Room at Tryon Fine Arts Center
Join us – Gregg Jamback and Jamie Huss, producers/directors of “In Pursuit of Justice”- (a feature-length criminal justice doc awarded Tryon’s “Audience Choice Award” in 2019) for a wide-ranging discussion about independent documentary production.
We’ll discuss “behind the scenes” obstacles, setbacks, and pitfalls we (like many filmmakers) went through – from production setbacks, frustrated “talent,” the joys of co-producing while “in relationship” to editing challenges, fundraising stress, and film festival success/failure. We’ll facilitate sidebar discussions on the current state of “documentary” production. Let’s all discuss resources to help with your film project.
We hope to facilitate lively conversation for all, hear your stories, and provide encouragement to all who endeavor to “make a doc”. Filmmakers and film “lovers” are all welcome. See you at the movies!
HOSTS: Jamie Huss + Gregg Jamback
Gregg is a film and video professional. For more than 30 years his work has been seen on broadcast outlets, such as NatGeo, Animal Planet, ESPN, public television, and others. His clients have included corporations, such as IBM, Amex, Pitney Bowes, Deloitte & Touche, and many others. Institutional clients include numerous foundations, such as the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, the Winston-Salem Foundation, Save the Children, and non-profits. As a filmmaker Gregg has produced independent projects, including Discover Yourself with the Enneagram, The Little America’s Cup Challenge, Peelers, Busters, & Soft Shell Crabs (broadcast on UNC-TV), The Real Cost of Coal, and Greg Taylor Ghost. Awards include Best of the Fest at Down East Flick Fest, Judge’s Choice at Eastern North Carolina Film Festival, and Best Documentary at Rugged Phoenix Underground Film Festival.
Jamie has worked as a producing partner at Swiftwater Media on three independent productions: Discover Yourself with the Enneagram (2001), The Real Cost of Coal (2010), and Greg Taylor Ghost (2014). She has consulted on many others. With 11 years experience in a Fortune 500 corporate position involving communications, presentations, and training sessions (spanning all levels of employees and executives), she is comfortable with organizing materials for comprehension and meeting new people — skills critical to a film festival. With 30 years of experience as a partner or a sole-proprietor of healthcare-related practices, she is able to oversee every aspect of a project. She has honed interview skills used when dealing with confidential, traumatic, or emotional subjects. A longstanding commitment to social justice issues led her to devote four years to a local foundation where she focused her energies on donor development, re-branding, and creating marketing materials (producing three annual fundraising testimonial videos).
SESSION REGISTRATION
Please pre-register for the sessions you plan to attend – thanks, it’s a big help!
