INDUSTRY PANELS – Free to the Public!
*RSVPs released ten minutes prior to start time
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27
12:30PM – 2:00 PM: LUNCH & LEARN
SAG-AFTRA CONTRACT WORKSHOP
Presented by SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA will host a 1-hour Contract Workshop for filmmakers who are interested in producing Low-Budget films and/or New Media projects under a union contract.
Panelists: Tim Kuhl, Lilliana Barzaga
Tim Kuhl, Manager in Television and New Media and Lilliana Barzaga, Business Representative in Theatrical will conduct the workshop and answer questions independent producers may have.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF THE INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER
Presented by NALIP
Hands-on workshop learning how to overcome the challenges of the independent filmmaker.
Host: Danny Arroyo
Panelists: Shahrook Oomer, “J. R.” Marquez, Javier Chapa, Christopher Broughton, Charo Toledo
Danny Arroyo
Danny Arroyo is an actor/writer/producer/director with a Bachelor’s Degree in Film Production, and over 75 film/TV/commercial credits. Arroyo plays Rico Fisher, the lead character in the true story film THE LAST SMILE, for which Arroyo won Best Actor at the Silicon Valley Film Festival. Arroyo is a series regular on the TV series SANGRE NEGRA, for which he won the “Best Actor” award at the Vive Latino America Awards Show for playing Detective Christian Santos. Danny Arroyo is a member of the Television Academy (Emmys) where he stays active being a member of various committees. Being an advocate of Latino’s in entertainment, Arroyo produced, wrote and hosted a very successful live event for the TV Academy titled, “HOLA: THE PHENOMENAL GROWTH OF LATINO TV”.
Shahrook Oomer
Award-winning producer and film executive Shahrook Oomer, has produced, co-written, and/or developed over 45+ feature film, television, live broadcast and/or branded content projects which have been released through various film studios, television networks and distribution companies, such as Columbia/Tri-Star, Sony, Warner Bros., Lions Gate, FOX Sports Net, Syfy Channel, USA Network, Saban Brands, and Gravitas Ventures among others. Whether functioning in roles such as Producer, Production and Post-Production Executive, Director and/or VP of Development, Mr. Oomer’s career has been entrenched in building brands through innovative content creation, influencing audiences, and delivering authentic experiences to consumers. Mr. Oomer is currently a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences – Producers Branch.
“J. R.” Marquez
Juan Rodolfo “J. R.” Marquez oversees the planning and execution of the NALIP Media Summit
and Latino Media Fest for the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP).
He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the Arizona State University in Marketing and Film
Production. J. R. began his work in the entertainment industry doing marketing campaigns for
indie films that eventually led him to producing film, television and commercial productions. He
has worked with independent films and music videos for Warner Brothers Music Group and
Republic Records artists.
and Latino Media Fest for the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP).
He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the Arizona State University in Marketing and Film
Production. J. R. began his work in the entertainment industry doing marketing campaigns for
indie films that eventually led him to producing film, television and commercial productions. He
has worked with independent films and music videos for Warner Brothers Music Group and
Republic Records artists.
Javier Chapa
Javier Chapa got the film bug in the Corps of Cadets at Texas, where he was asked to train “military extras” on Ed Zwick’s Gulf War action-drama, Courage Under Fire. After graduating, Chapa attended St. Mary’s Law School in San Antonio, TX where he spent all of his free time studying film and directing short films as a hobby. However, what began as an avocation quickly turned into a vocation when Chapa’s first attempt at writing and directing earned him a showcase entry position in the 2002 Austin Film Festival with his witty comedy, Happy Hour.
Christopher Broughton
Christopher Broughton has an extensive background in directing live shows. He started his career as a child actor working in the film, television and music industries. Broughton is a writer, actor, director and producer and has built a reputation for getting projects done on time and on budget. Christopher has been a judge for the international emmys for several years. Currently Broughton is producing The Boy Who Knew Too Much for 20th Century Fox.
Charo Toledo
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Award-winning bilingual writer/producer, Charo Toledo has nearly two decades of experience in the entertainment industry working on a variety of projects for film, television and theater. While pursuing her career as a writer, Toledo also worked for the DEA for five years as a linguist and intelligence analyst. Charo Toledo has worked in the general market and Latino market both in scripted and non-scripted shows. Currently, she is a consulting producer for Facebook Watch’s Confetti, a live game show for the Mexico market. Last year, she worked on the first Latina talk show on wheels, the Kiki Mobile for FYI network. In addition, Toledo produced the groundbreaking Univision show La Reina de la Canción, whose ratings beat Dancing with the Stars and The Voice on its premiere.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28
3:00 PM: WOMEN IN POST
Presented by FILM GALS
Host: LaShawn McGhee (Co-founder of Revry TV)
Panelists: Brenda Alvarado, Anisha Acharya, Megan Gaspar, Giselle Murillo
LaShawn McGhee
LaShawn is one of 4 Co-Founders of Revry, the world’s first LGBTQ+ digital streaming and distribution network dedicated to showcasing artistry that truly represents the breadth of the queer experience. LaShawn is the Head of Production for Out Web Fest, Hollywood’s first short-form digital media festival celebrating the progressive, evolution of authentic Queer storytelling and experiences. In addition to severing her country as an Army Nurse for 9 years, LaShawn has a master’s in film editing from AFI.
She has worked on film, television, and documentary projects in the Editor, Assistant Editor, and Producer capacities. As a producer, LaShawn has a feature film, SHINE currently in theaters and 4 films doing the festival circuit (ROOM TO GROW, THE DRAG ROAST OF HEKLINA, MISS ROSEWOOD, AND HE DRINKS).
Brenda Alvarado started her production career producing commercials, music videos and shorts. She then transitioned into post production for scripted half hour comedies. Brenda currently serves as an Associate Producer for Speechless (Season 3) & Single Parents (Season 1). She helps oversee post production for both series. Past credits include New Girl, The Grinder & One Mississippi among other Fox and Amazon shows.
Anisha Acharya graduated from the American Film Institute with an MFA in Film Editing. Her feature credits include both narrative and documentary films such as “A Thousand Junkies”, “Through the Banks of the Red Cedar” and “Purdah”. Anisha’s AFI thesis film “Day One” has been nominated for an Academy Award in the Live Action Short Film category. Her films have screened at Tribeca Film Festival, Cannes Emerging Filmmaker Showcase and AFI Fest among others. She has worked as an assistant editor for feature films and television projects, most notably “Come Away” and “Nashville”
Since her days at Emerson College, Megan Mascena has spent her career working in all aspects of film and television production. Finding her niche in Post Production, she is currently the Post Producer on the ABC series Speechless and Single Parents. In Network television, Megan has produced half hour comedies and one hour dramas, credits include the series New Girl, The Grinder, Fresh Off The Boat, Weird Loners, Ben & Kate, Sons of Tucson, Journeyman, Windfall and JAG, along with a smattering of pilots. She has also produced the ultra low budget independent film 2 Minutes Later and the short film Will You.
Giselle Murillo (Modern Family)