PITTSFIELD, MA, Oct. 7, 2009 – VALLEYWOOD, producers of events designed to promote all aspects of the digital arts, has invited digital arts companies and service providers, as well as schools and colleges, to exhibit at “FILM TECH: An Evening with Eugene Mamut and the Animagic Museum.” The exhibition and cinematic showcase of the digital arts in the Berkshires is scheduled Nov. 9, 2009, from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m. in the Colonial Theatre lobbies, 111 South St., Pittsfield, MA. (See map)
The combined exhibition of digital arts studios and related professionals, and a program showcasing Berkshires work, is open anyone interested in the digital arts and film industry. It is designed to help those seeking work, contract employment or training in all aspects of the digital arts that support the film industry.
The exhibition hall will be open from 5:30 to 7 p.m., followed by the digital arts showcase featuring Mamut, guest speaker Larry Jackson and Berkshires-based animation, special effects and video game studios. Studios from western Massachusetts will also exhibit, and their clips will be showcased along with their Berkshire neighbors as part of the video that Mamut is creating.
Already signed up to exhibit as of October 1 are Mamut, who showcases all Berkshires studios at the Animagic Museum, and Tom Gasek, a director and animator who has worked on films such as “Wallace and Gromit” and “Chicken Run.” The Synthespian studio will also be represented.
Exhibiting from western Mass. are Pileated Pictures (Shelburne Falls) and Anzovin Studios (Florence). Many more digital arts specialists are expected to exhibit.
Exhibitors may include, though not limited to:
- Animation, special effects and video game producers for feature film, TV, commercials, video games for consumers and the classroom
- Documentary and feature film makers
- Authors whose work has been turned into a digital format
- Screenwriters
- Hollywood agents and publicists
- Sound and light companies
- Computer programmers and Web designers
- Marketing, public relations and product promotional specialists
- Gaffers, grips, etc.
- Digital equipment vendors and manufacturers
- Wireless service providers
- Caterers and other food providers to film/TV sets
- Film/TV critics
- Film schools and programs
- Any other business that serves the digital arts
There is room for 50-plus exhibitors to be placed throughout the two lobbies and wide hallways that sit between them. Exhibitors will be provided table space, a table cloth and electric outlets. Full tables are available at a fee to be paid to VALLEYWOOD producers. Follow the link for information on fees and to submit the mandatory pre-registration online form.
Public relations sponsors may come from the private or public sectors, including Chambers of Commerce, educational institutions, film and arts commissions, health care providers that utilize digital equipment, media outlets, cities and towns, corporations or individual companies, etc. All will be provided a free table in exchange for promotion of the event.
scholarship to benefit Berkshires students
Ten percent of proceeds will go to creating a scholarship to benefit Berkshires students of all ages who are seeking training in the digital arts as they relate to the film industry. Exhibitors and PR patrons will have free access to the digital showcase portion of the event, which will start at 7 p.m. in the theater’s central lobby. Payment for exhibitor space may be made online through PayPal, a check, cash or a money order to be mailed to Amy Zuckerman, 4 Eaton Court, Amherst, Mass. 01002.
ABOUT EUGENE MAMUT:
Eugene Mamut is the owner of the Animagic Museum in Lee with Irina Borisova, and the recipient of the 1986 Academy Award for Science and Engineering. The award was made for his work used on “Predator.” He will highlight the accomplishments of regional digital artists serving the film industry with a half-hour film.
ABOUT LARRY JACKSON:
The featured guest speaker is Larry Jackson, former Senior Vice President of Production for the Samuel Goldwyn Company, Executive Vice President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Miramax Films, Vice President In Charge Of Production at Orion Pictures, and Production Manager for (and mentored by) the legendary Orson Welles. Jackson, who lives in Amherst, Mass. and teaches film at New York University and in Ireland, is an independent producer and director. He is currently the developer of the iArtHouse.com downloadable film library.
ABOUT VALLEYWOOD
VALLEYWOOD is an outgrowth of the Hidden Tech network for virtual companies that VALLEYWOOD owner and producer Amy Zuckerman founded in 2002. Since 2004, VALLEYWOOD programming has showcased all sectors of the digital arts that support the film industry, including studios of all kinds, technology companies, writers, publicists, marketing and promotional professionals. VALLEYWOOD is a business line of Zuckerman’s A – Z International Associates (www.a-zinternational.com), a strategic marketing and content packaging business based in Amherst.
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