2013 FILM INDUSTRY EXPO Ruben Juarbe and Louisiana Film & Video executive editor Andrew Vogel man the LF&VM booth.
The Expo's founder and CEO Shanda Quintal with Tai Quintal Freeman and Nico Quintal Freeman.
STORY BY CAROL ANN SCRUGGS GUEST COLUMNIST
O
n Saturday, September 7, the 2013 Film Industry Expo, the largest film industry conference in the Gulf South, was held at the Sheraton in downtown New Orleans, marking its fifth anniversary. years. New this year were auditions by top casting directors, and The Acting Studio, which featured workshops and presentations on acting technique, career development and human psychology.” The Expo covered a wide variety of media for the novice and experienced actor, filmmaker and screenwriter, and was an all-day event with a free open-to-the-public exhibit area.
Dr. Tina Thomas, TEDTalk speaker.
The Expo’s founder and CEO, Shanda Quintal, has been working in the Louisiana film industry since 1991, before there was really an industry. According to Quintal, “There were close to 1,000 people in attendance this year, and they came from all over the country. Almost 50 percent of the actor and filmmaker attendees traveled from New York, Northern and Southern California, Illinois, Colorado, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, Tennessee, the Carolinas, Maryland, Kansas, Georgia and New Jersey. Most were first-timers, but there were people who have attended in previous years because they have come to trust the valuable insights and reliable information that Expo panelists and participants provide. And the other 50plus percent came from throughout the Gulf South, from Texas through Florida. Many had been to The Expo three, four, and even all five 54
LOUISIANA FILM & VIDEO MAGAZINE
ISSUE FIVE 2013
Among the many workshops were: • Headshot/Publicity/Marketing by Fern Orenstein and Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i of the CBS Diversity Institute • Casting from A-Z with casting directors Liz Coulon, Pam Dixon and Ryan Glorioso • Actors Access presentations with Gary Marsh and Jason Teresi • Casting Director Critique with casting directors Lisa Marie Dupree and Anne Massey • Agents 101 with talent agents Tabitha Huff-
Securing Distribution panel with Melissa Wiseman, Jason Hewitt, Eric Thompson, and Laura Medina.
Film Finance Forum was hosted by Melissa Wiseman (center) and featured panelists (l to r) Diego Martinez, Rob Wollfarth, Will French, and Todd Lewis.
man, Lawrence Turner and Savannah Strachan • Branding Yourself with talent agents Jorge Elizondo and Brenda Pauley • Chat, An Intimate Conversation with top LA casting directors Pam Dixon, Laray Mayfield and Sharon Bialy • Being Authentically You with casting directors Tracey “Twinkie” Byrd and Rhavynn Drummer • Casting a Wide Net: Regional Casting with casting directors Michael Cassara, Allison Estrin and Beth Sepko • The Acting Studio Presents, actor workshops with actor/acting coaches Lance Nichols, Jerry Katz, Laura Cayouette, and TEDTalk
The Casting Director Critique with Lisa Marie Dupree, Jason Teresi, and Anne Massey.