ICE - Independent Cinema Expo

Meet authors and ICExpo speakers Rick Schmidt, Louise Levison, and Morrie Warshawski as they sign books and meet fans at a special booksigning event at Borders, 2190 N. Rainbow, at 7:00 p.m.

Registration desk opens at 8:00 a.m. Get your badge and seminar materials, network with fellow filmmakers, and visit the exhibitor booths for hands-on time with the latest production and post-production equipment.

Master film instructor Dov Simens, of the famous Hollywood 2-Day Film School, presents a compressed version: The 99-Minute Film School: Making The Film, and The 99-Minute Film School: Selling The Film. In just four hours (with two breaks) with Dov "carpet-bombing you with the tools of the producer's trade" (quote by Empire Magazine), you'll understand how the Hollywood system works and how films really get made -- and how to make your own.

DV cameras and desktop editing have tantalized independent filmmakers with the prospect of affordable high-quality image acquisition, but the image they produce has always looked like "video," not film. No more. Panasonic has introduced the revolutionary AG-DVX100, an affordable 3-CCD video camera with the independent filmmaker in mind. The AG-DVX100 produces an image competitive with the best DV cameras available -- and with the flip of the exclusive CineSwitch, it shoots filmlike images at 24 progressive frames per second -- just like a film camera. Now you can make a movie that looks like a "movie."

Registration desk opens at 8:00 a.m. Network with fellow filmmakers and visit the exhibitor booths for hands-on time with the latest production and post-production equipment.

An independent filmmaker's toolkit doesn't begin and end with just a camera. With tools available today you can finish your entire film right on the desktop, including making a final output on a progressive-scan DVD! ProMax Systems, one of the country's leading digital postproduction system integrators, will demonstrate complete post-production
solutions using Final Cut Pro, Cinema Tools, and DVD Studio Pro. These tools are designed to deliver the highest-quality throughout the
production process, allowing you to edit and finish your film to a progressive-scan DVD ready for sale, or for exhibition in new

Independent fundraising guru Morrie Warshawski takes you on a guided tour of the most powerful fundraising technique for arts & documentary films -- the Fundraising Houseparty. An expert in grants and donations for noncommercial projects, Mr. Warshawski reveals that a staggering 87% of all nonprofit fundraising comes from individuals, not corporations or foundations. In this lecture he teaches you how to tap into that incredible source of donations, by giving details on how to structure, organize, present, and conduct a Fundraising Houseparty, along with advice on follow-up requests for donations and grants. This fundraising technique is well proven and is one of the most effective ways to raise money for independent films and documentaries. Copies of Warshawski's new book, THE FUNDRAISING HOUSEPARTY, will be available at the lecture.

Bo Svenson is best known as an actor, having starred in over 40 feature films, from major theatrical releases (like the upcoming Kill Bill by Quentin Tarantino) to television series to independent and direct-to-video films. What you may not know is that Mr. Svenson is also an accomplished writer, director, and producer of independent movies. Listen to a veteran Hollywood insider as he tells you about the realities of getting your film made, how to get connected with the right people and actors, advice on directing, and how to get the best from your actors.

Raising the money to get your film made can be tough, but it's usually even harder to get your film sold. David Russell's Big Film Shorts and Tigris Films are film distributors that acquire and sell short films and theatrical feature films. They sell films through DVD collections, international sales, and theatrical release of short films. There's no more important subject for indie filmmakers than distribution, and David Russell will give you the complete spectrum on distributing films in today's marketplace.

Rick Schmidt has been making feature films since 1975, on film and video. He's gotten into Sundance, won awards at festivals in America and abroad, gotten an official Dogme 95 certificate, and even sold a film to television. The one thing he's never had is a budget. Rick wrote the book on producing films on micro budgets, and he now hosts workshops where participants work together to produce a feature-length production in just 10 days. Rick will talk about the challenges and blessings that come from working without a budget, and offer advice from his nearly 30 years in the trenches making feature films at used-car prices.

All speakers and presenters are booked and confirmed as of the time of this writing. Program order, schedule, and speaker lineup are subject to change due to accident or health reasons. Lecture descriptions are an approximate guide as to the content the speaker will deliver, each speaker will present the material they feel is most appropriate for the audience.

at the Alexis Park Resort Hotel, 375 E. Harmon in Las Vegas, just across the street from the Hard Rock Cafe. The Alexis Park features a beautiful resort setting, affordable rooms, and great convention facilities. 1-800-582-2228

Join independent filmmaker Rick Schmidt for a special screening of his movie "Chetzemoka's Curse". Chetzemoka's Curse was produced during one of Schmidt's Feature Workshops, having been written, produced, directed, starring and edited entirely by first-time filmmakers in a collaborative effort to create an entire feature film in just 10 days. Produced under the famous Dogme 95 Vow Of Chastity, Chetzemoka's Curse is only the 2nd American movie to receive Dogme certification, and is the first Dogme movie with a female director. The movie has been selected to play in festivals in Egypt, Portugal, and the Dogme-fest in Vilnius, Lithuania. It is currently being blown up to 35mm, but we will be screening this digital movie digitally. Director Schmidt will be available for Q&A after the screening.

Louise Levison, author of "The Film Entrepreneur" newsletter and moviemoney.com, takes you through an intensive workshop explaining the process of raising money for independent feature films. The author of "Filmmakers & Financing: Business Plans For Independents" will explain the process of writing a business plan, what needs to be included, how to do your research, where to get budget figures and data, making revenue and profit projections, and ultimately how to write a business plan that will make investors want to say "YES".

Jerry Molen, one of the highest box-office grossing producers in Hollywood history, has recently retired from studio films to focus on making small independent films. Jerry will talk about his new company, WhiteLight Entertainment, and what he is looking for from today's filmmakers. He will also explain working in the Hollywood studio system and the differences between making Hollywood films and working the independent side of the aisle, follwed by a question & answer session. Jerry is famous for his ability to get deals done. Steven Spielberg took out a full-page ad in Variety to compliment him which said "Jerry, I love to sit back and watch you work." Come listen to the master producer explain the requirements for indie producers in today's market.