Monaco International Clubbing Show, American Film Market, Salon de la Photo, Billboard Touring Conference, are highlights in November’s Global Media and Entertainment Industry

Salon de la Photo is the annual Parisian trade show and conference for creative video and photography professionals. (photo credit: lesalondelaphoto.com)

The TV Connect trade show in Dubai strives to influence and advance the television service, delivery and telecom sector for the North Africa region through its resources. Planned lecture sessions, business seminars and conferences will put emphasis on issues like IPTV, OTTtv, multiscreen and Cloud TV services for local TV manufacturers and service providers. The event, once mostly rooted in IPTV, has evolved to include significant emphasis on OTTtv, multiscreen and Cloud TV services for regional TV service providers. The program agenda will shed light on monetising OTTtv, achieving the best broadcast quality through technologies including CDNs, transparent caching and web acceleration, the connected home, advice on growing revenue through the next level of quad-play services, focus on data centres and the debate on the convergence of telco business into caching business.

In a close-up of Day Two events on November 6 when the show closes, “Multi-screen services becoming part of the Digital Home” will offer insights into: Outlook of the Home of the Future and Facilitating Connected Lifestyles by Using the Power of 4G/LTE Network. A session on “User Interface and Content Discovery” shows the impact of social media on TV viewing habits – Defining Social TV and Taking content discovery to the next level by offering a premium user interface. TV Connect Middle East and North Africa will seek global exposure for all the leading domestic as well as international brands and service providers for showcasing various kinds of industrial products and services.

The Monaco International Clubbing Show (MICS) is an international meeting and forum assembled to address the needs of the nightlife and clubbing industry. The annual event, now in its fourth year happens in Monte Carlo. The highlights for this event are the conference, the exhibits and the DJ Festival. In the opening November 6 conference session, DJ Joachim Garraud, Sylvain Berretaga of Electrobeach Festival, and Fabrice Gadeau of Rex Club participate in a discussion on the rising prospects and profile within the DJ industry. The very next day, November 7, Dominique Wolton, Director of the Institute of Science and Communication of CNRS, and Pierre Chambon from UMIH Nuit will host speakers: Pierre Thomas of By Pass, Lionel Azoulay of Hostplatinium and Frederic Poulet of Optimize CHR as they build the case for how social networks are at the heart of commercial relations in todays nightlife establishments and in particular how Facebook remains the most effective tool for successful digital communication.

Another highlighted feature of the exposition are the showcase-clubbing parties. The Life Club is the official nightclub for these events, and on November 6, after the NRJ DJ Awards, there is an Official After Party with the dutch superstar AFROJACK for an exclusive DJ Set, followed by Reepublic, Niki Belucci, Paulette, Dj Oriska and Maeva Carter. On November 7, the dutch producer behind the record label Mixmash – Laidback Luke –  spins the turntables for an evening. On November 8, the DJ resident of the « Caves Du Roy » in Saint-Tropez, Jack-E, takes a turn. And on November 9, DJ Sub Zero, known as an American oriented French DJ, makes a return to the scene since two years that passed after his first performance at MICS.

AFM is the anticipated, annual film event that’s not quite festival, not quite conference, but mostly business opportunity — the business of independent motion picture production and distribution — set oceanside along Santa Monica beach. AFM will run from November 6-13. The AFM Conference Series will happen November 8-12, and will include conferences on Finance, Pitching, Production, Marketing and Distribution. Adam Carolla, comedian, podcast king, New York Times Best Selling Author and recent crowd funding leader, will deliver the Keynote Address at the American Film Market’s Production Conference on November 10. A Pitch Conference will be conducted November 9, and audience participants (pre-registered in advance) who will pitch to a panel of Hollywood decision makers, give feedback on each pitch – explaining what worked, what didn’t and why.

A special session on “How to Work the AFM” will be presented by Jonathan Wolf, AFM Managing Director, on November 6 and 9, and is limited to 100 people. New for 2013, the AFM Producers Forum offers access to specially designed educational sessions, including co-productions, working with sales agents, production incentives, and the amenities that lead to great networking and private hosted receptions. Another new presentation this year is “Hong Kong: Asia’s Co-production Centre and Gateway to China” which will be made by: Zhou Tiedong, President, China Film Promotion International (CFPI), Maria Orzel, Producer, Studio Strada, Jeffrey Chan, CEO, Distribution Workshop on November 7. Core Barre will be held at Exhale Spa at Fairmont Miramar Hotel on November 9, Yoga Flow at Viceroy Hotel – Bristol Patio on November 10 and both events are open to all AFM Badge holders.

AFM is produced by the Independent Film and Television Alliance®, the global trade association of the independent motion picture and television industry and the voice and advocate for the Independents worldwide. The American Film Market (AFM) is the market partner of AFI FEST. The association between the two events connects art and commerce (more on AFI in the next story below). AFM badges will allow access to many AFI events, including all public screenings. AFI FEST badges will allow access to the AFM screenings. AFI FEST filmmakers, whose films are part of the festival, will have full access to AFM (and to be able to promote their film to the AFM participant distributors. Shuttle buses will move participants between Santa Monica and Hollywood.

American Film Institute offers film enthusiasts a variety of events throughout the year, including AFI Fest every November in Hollywood presented by Audi. It operates in tandem with AFM in nearby Santa Monica running nearly identical dates. A Gala Tribute screening of ‘Osage County’ directed by John Wells is set for November 8. In this dramatic comedy Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts head an all star cast about a crisis that reunites the women of an Oklahoma family and re-ignites their dysfunction. Festival-goers will be able to obtain available tickets online at AFI.com/AFIFEST beginning Nov 2 until the last day of the festival, November 14. Additional tickets will be available all day, every day through Closing Night online and at the festival’s box office.

As a non-profit educational and cultural organization, American Film Institute carries a mandate to preserve the history of the motion picture, honor the artists and their work and educate the next generation of storytellers. It preserves the legacy of America’s film heritage for future generations through the AFI Archive, comprised of rare footage from across the history of the moving image and the AFI Catalog of Feature Films, an authoritative record of American films from 1893 to the present. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards. AFI FEST holds the FIAPF accreditation (FIAPF.org), assuring a high standard of quality and reliability for the international film community.

Salon de la Photo is the annual Parisian trade show and conference for creative professionals looking to update or enhance their studio and location equipment, get new tips and techniques, network with industry mentors and imaging gurus. From November 7-11 daily meetings with experts will be used to review legal, retouching, video, photographic projects, portfolio sessions, Visual correspondence. Demonstrations will be held of making and projecting picture shows (photo + video) via a programme of screenings and events focusing on the methods and tools available today from digital technology. Three topics are covered: Designing the show: taking the pictures, Making the show: software tools, Projecting the show: video-projection

Polka magazine will be organizing signing sessions with photographers. Portfolio sessions will take place every morning with members of the editorial team. In the afternoon: discussions and Q&A sessions with experts from the magazine take place. Fisheye magazine will launch its first photo competition at the Salon de la Photo, entitled “Suprise Us”. There will be experts giving technical advice for underwater photography. Five pro and amateur photographers reveal how they made photography their profession, talking about the choices they have made and the way they organize themselves in order to make a living from it. The Salon de la Photo is giving the ZOOM awards for the third year running. Nine photo magazines editors each choose their favourite up-and-coming professional photographer (French or living in France) who has real but as yet insufficiently recognized talent and whose work deserves to be brought to the attention of the general public.

Also on display will be the famous photography collection belonging to fashion designer agnès b., showing works by major photographers and new talents she supports as a patron of the arts and a gallery owner. The works exhibited are a selection of some sixty photographs chosen by her on the theme of “the young girl in the city”. Another featured exhibition will be  a retrospective of the work of Raymond Cauchetier, humanist photographer and emblematic figure of Nouvelle Vague film set photography. He began as a film set photographer when film producer Marcel Camus asked him to take photos for his film ‘Mort en Fraude’. He captured a notably iconic image of Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo on the Champs-Elysées in ‘Breathless’. He then worked on ‘Lola’, Jacques Demy’s first feature film, ‘Adieu Philippine’ by Jacques Rozier, ‘Jules et Jim’ by François Truffaut, ‘Landru’ by Claude Chabrol and other films most particularly with Jean-Luc Godard.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is organizing the second “State of the Entertainment Industry” conference for one day on November 12. The conference theme will be “Highlighting the Value of Hollywood’s Entertainment Industry to Los Angeles and California.” The conference is being presented by Variety and admission includes continental breakfast sponsored by Paramount Pictures and luncheon sponsored by The Hollywood Museum. Co-chairs of the conference are Paul Audley, President of FilmL.A., Inc and Chris Barton, Executive Vice President, Hudson Pacific. Speakers at the conference will be addressing the issues of how important the Entertainment Industry is for Los Angeles and what the outlook is for the future. The day closes with a cocktail reception.

At “State of the Entertainment Industry”, a special “Commitment to California” Award will be presented to an as yet unnamed awardee in the industry who has worked to keep production in-state. Last year’s honoree was Anthony E. Zuicker of CSI. Two days afterward on November 14 the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will hold its – unrelated – Leadership Luncheon Series with Assemblymember Richard Bloom at the Hollywood Chamber offices. This is a free event but space is limited, so it is essential to RSVP to the Hollywood Chamber in advance. The Mission of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is to promote and enhance the business, cultural and civic well-being of Hollywood. Significant accomplishments have come out of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce since its formation. For example, the Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame exist today due to the efforts of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Started in 2004, the Billboard Touring Conference and Awards is an annual meeting sponsored by Billboard Magazine which also honors the top international live entertainment industry artists and professionals. Taking place in New York City for two days starting November 13, some program highlights include a featured keynote Q&A with Roger Waters whose most recent tour, The Wall Live, which captured Top Tour honors at the 2012 Billboard Touring Awards, an artist development panel with Florida Georgia Line, a Grateful Dead panel featuring Skrillex and Warren Haynes, and the Touring Conference Awards honoring George Strait. Each year features a keynote speaker from the performance industry, who in the past have included the likes of Gene Simmons of Kiss and 3 Doors Down.

On day one, following a late afternoon conference presentation: “Agents In The New World Order…” there will be an Agency Forum in which attendees can get some face time with active agents in all genres of touring including: Comedy, Country, Hip-Hop/R&B, Rock, Pop, Hard Rock/Metal, EDM. At the close of day one there is a “Welcome Cocktail Reception” followed by the 10th Anniversary Billboard Touring Conference Concert with performances by Florida Georgia Line with Dallas Smith and Chris Lane. The conference day closes with a Pre-Awards Reception, followed by The Billboard Touring Awards hosted by Gary Dell’Abate.

Beginning day two of the conference and following opening remarks from Ray Waddell, Executive Director of Content and Programming for Touring and Live Entertainment, Billboard, the subject matter of targeted and efficient marketing opportunities brought about by digital media,  mobile, social, e-mail, push marketing, and an array of non-traditional sales channels will be addressed in “Music Marketing In the Digital Age”, moderated by Joyce Szudzik, VP of Digital, AEG Live. Toward the end of day two, a pre-awards reception opens for the main event to follow in which Billboard will honor the industry’s top artists, venues and professionals of the year at the annual Billboard Touring Awards reception based on the Billboard Boxscore chart recognizing box office success and industry achievement in the period of October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013.

The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the “Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events” page at: http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html. The events blog also shows links to pages that are translated into ten of the most widely used international languages read over the Internet other than English. This month’s picture placement highlights the Salon de la Photo photography exposition in Paris, France. If the photo does not appear in this post please click this link to view it. In a preview of next month’s events, be aware that: International Film & TV Finance Summit will be in New York City, Florida Media Market will be held in Miami, 2nd Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival will be in Mumbai, Art Basel will be at Miami Beach, Asia Television Forum will be happen in Singapore, Cineasia Hong Kong 2013 will be in Hong Kong.

James Bond Turns 50, also, American Film Market, Billboard FutureSound, Siggraph Asia, are highlights in November’s Global Media and Entertainment Industry

Bond through the years: (From left) Sean Connery as James Bond in “From Russia With Love” (1963). David Niven as James Bond in Bond spoof based loosely on Ian Flemming’s story, “Casino Royale” (1967). Roger Moore as James Bond in “The Spy Who Loved Me” (1977). George Lazenby as James Bond in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1969). Timothy Dalton as James bond in “Licence to Kill” (1989). Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in “Golden Eye” (1995). Daniel Craig as James Bond in “Casino Royale.” (2006). Photo credits: United Artists; MGM; Sony

At 50: Bond… James Bond

In 1952, an English author, journalist and former naval intelligence officer named Ian Lancaster Fleming sat down at his Jamaican retreat which he was vacationing at and started to pen a story that would become ‘Casino Royale’, the first of 14 novels and short stories featuring the fictional commander in the Royal Naval Reserve and British secret agent of secret intelligence service MI6, James Bond. The resulting work was a success with three print runs to answer demand and marked the start of a series that has sold over 100 million copies worldwide. Fleming also wrote the children’s story Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang and two works of non-fiction and received acknowledgement from London based The Times as one of “The 50 greatest British writers since 1945”. In 1954 CBS commissioned Ian Fleming to adapt his novel ‘Casino Royale’ into a one-hour television adventure as part of its Climax! series. The episode aired live in October 1954 and starred Barry Nelson as “Card Sense” James ‘Jimmy’ Bond and Peter Lorre as Le Chiffre.

The first Bond film (set in Jamaica, W.I.), ‘Dr No’, would be released in 1962 with Sean Connery (a Scotsman) setting the standard for the Bond character, and marking the start of one of the most successful franchises in movie making history. EON Productions has produced the majority of the Bond series. The 1967 Bond spoof, ‘Casino Royale’, starring David Niven and the 1983 ‘Never Say Never Again’, with Sean Connery in a return performance after leaving the series, were not made by EON who produce the official Bond movies. Barbara Broccoli, the daughter of the late Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, the producer who brought Bond to the screen in 1962, maintains active control along with half-brother, Michael Wilson, in the productions of all Bond films right up to Skyfall, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the franchise. Incidentally, David Niven was the only James Bond actor mentioned by name in the text of Fleming’s novels. In ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’, Bond visits an exclusive ski resort in Switzerland where he is told that David Niven is a frequent visitor and in ‘You Only Live Twice’, David Niven is referred to as the only real gentleman in Hollywood.

++++++<@@@>++++++

American Film Market, the annual, anticipated film event that’s not quite festival, not quite conference, but mostly business opportunity — the business of independent motion picture production and distribution — set oceanside against Santa Monica beach. Generally 8,000 industry professionals converge in Santa Monica for the deal-making, screenings, seminars, networking and parties that continue through November 7. Participants come from over 70 countries and include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world’s press all those who provide services to the motion picture industry. Separate from the conference schedule, the AFM Industry Conversations are interactive and informative discussions led by Hollywood thought leaders, decision makers, trendsetters and experts, and are free to anyone with an AFM Badge. This year AFM and AFI FEST that normally runs concurrent to AFM in Hollywood will join forces and introduce a new AFI FEST screening program. Three AFI FEST films seeking international sales representation will be screened at AFM on Tuesday, November 6. A total of 27 films screening at AFI FEST will also be represented at this year’s AFM. AFM is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance®, the global trade association of the independent motion picture and television industry and the voice and advocate for the Independents worldwide.

The Hollywood based American Film Institute Festival holds a well regarded FIAPF accreditation assuring a high standard for the films it screens in its festival. ‘Hitchcock’, with Academy Award® winner Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock, Academy Award® winner Helen Mirren as his wife, Alma Reville, Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh, Jessica Biel as Vera Miles and James D’Arcy as Anthony Perkins, will have its World Premiere on the Opening Night Gala of AFI FEST 2012. Tickets will be released the day before each screening at AFI.com and the day of each screening at the AT&T Box Office at Hollywood and Highland Center. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is the official host hotel where you can find the Cinema Lounge, Audi Sky Lounge, Media Center and other various reception/event spaces. The Festival closes November 8.

Starz Denver Film Festival showcases more than 200 new films from around the world with over 175 international filmmakers, directors, actors and other film artists participating. The annual celebration of film running through November 11 provides a prominent showcase for world cinema, a platform for international film artists, and promotes dialogue between participating filmmakers and the public. Panels slated for discussion include: “The Talent You Don’t See”, “Women + Film”, “Zombie Town Hall Meeting”. During the Argonaut Wine and Film Series, seven films have been specially paired with wines from the respective countries of production and tastings will either precede or follow the screenings. Another festival special event, Animation Station, will feature an Animation Station Competition at Open Media Foundation, Animation Station workshop, and Animation Station Screening.

Leeds International Film Festival, founded in 1987 and hosted in the main city of the UK’s Yorkshire region, features programme sections including: the competitions of the Official Selection; Fanomenon, the UK’s largest genre event; Short Film City; documentary strand Cinema Versa; Cherry Kino for artist film and video; and the Thought Bubble Comic Convention. LIFF is organised by Leeds Film, part of Leeds City Council, a local authority in the Yorkshire region of the UK. There are a number of free films and events at this year’s festival which runs until November 18, including ‘Unchosen Presents Ghosts’ with Nick Broomfield and The Golem + Live Organ Accompaniment.

Createasphere’s Entertainment Technology Expo in Burbank is a two-day gathering beginning November 7 for content creator professionals involved in production, post and delivery. Co-located with the Entertainment Technology Expo is Gear Alley where attendees can get to handle the production gear and participate in shoulder-to-shoulder demonstrations with active professionals. On the second day of ETE is the Post Production Master Class. This is an session focused on the trends, technologies, and the business of post production. Soon to be announced, Createasphere will launch the DPW Lab at the Entertainment Technology Expo 2012 featuring cutting edge digital process workflow. In one special Gear Alley session, attendees an handle and improve their technique with floating, camera boom, crane and jib shots during an info seminar led by Eddie Barber,  Emmy Award-winner and cameraman with an extensive list of music video credits that include Michael Jackson, Madonna and the Beach Boys, among others.

Salon De La Photo is an international exhibition of photography in Paris put together by La Compagnie Du Nouvel Art De Vivre, a subsidiary of Comexposium. Credit: lesalondelaphoto.com

Salon De La Photo is an international exhibition of photography in Paris put together by La Compagnie Du Nouvel Art De Vivre, a subsidiary of Comexposium. On display from November 8-12 will be the latest technological innovations, from cameras to printers to digital imaging techniques. It offers a range of demonstrations, hands-on workshops, classes, film sessions and public discussions. One particular interactive experience, “Grandes Rencontres du Salon de la Photo”, gives visitors the opportunity to meet photography professionals in an event that will be organized and broadcast by Photographie.com. Salon de la Photo will also be an innovative trade show and conference for creative professionals looking to update or enhance their studio and location equipment, pick up new tips and techniques, network with industry mentors and imaging gurus. Salon de la Photo will be giving the ZOOM awards for the third year running where ten photo magazines editors each choose their favourite up-and-coming professional photographer (French or living in France) who has real but as yet unrecognized talent and whose work deserves to be brought to the attention of the general public.

This year at the Oaxaca FilmFest in Oaxaca, independent filmmakers and screenwriters from each continent will be competing for six original hand crafted Agave Statues created by international artist Alejandro Santiago. The categories include: Screen Writing Competition Award, Audience Choice Award, Best Documentary Short Film, Best Narrative Short Film, Best Documentary Feature Film, Best Narrative Feature Film. And of course Oaxaca FilmFest will honor Excellence in Cinema, including: acting, editing, musical score, directing, and Mexican film. There will be a three day “Pitch It” event that includes two workshops on how to properly pitch a film script to industry professionals followed by the opportunity to pitch to and interact with industry executives from various regions around the globe in real time via live video streaming. “Meet the Directors”, a part of the festival format since its start, will be in La Choperia, a local bar, on a night when a handful of directors screen their short films and lead a discussion on the making their film. There will be a late night “Insominia” midnight outdoor screening overlooking the city of Oaxaca. Cocktails and After Parties are scheduled for every day of the festival which goes November 8-17, and are included on a schedule at this link.

Opening November 14-25, Brisbane International Film Festival in Fortitude Valley take place at what is for them the beginning of the Australian summer, as well as for anyone else in that region of the world. BIFF is a showcase for International cinema while also serving as a platform for local Australian and Queensland productions. The Opening Night film will be British crime drama ‘The Sweeney’ followed with a gala after party on the Barracks bridge. Closing night film is Tolstoy’s classic tale of obsessive love, ‘Anna Karenina’ (Keira Knightley), from Universal Pictures, then followed by the Closing Night Gala.

In San Francisco, the Billboard FutureSound Conference’s format includes a series of 15-minute presentations from digital music thought leaders outlining their visions for both existing and future opportunities in the music industry. Fred Wilson, Principal, Union Square Ventures, delivers the conference Keynote along the intersecting lines of music, digital and social trends and investments. Don Was, President of Blue Note Records, delivers a Keynote Q&A shares his insights on how apps can function as a music format, and other issues related to the intersection of music, tech and fans as it relates to music distribution and artists development. New at this year’s two-day conference starting on November 15 is the Innovators Showcase competition where digital music startups get the opportunity to pitch a company or product to a panel of judges on stage during the conference. Eligible startups must be pre-revenue, with a working demo or prototype to present that is directed at the music industry —- be that fans, artists, or insiders. Cocktail receptions close the evenings for both days of the conference.

Bath Film Festival was originally established in 1991, in Bath, by members of the Bath Film Society and the three cinemas in the city at the time. An expanding program over the years now includes workshops for festival goers, live music accompaniments to silent cinema, open-air cinema. On November 21 screenwriter Bob Baker, who has been writing scripts for over 40 years from television dramas to children’s programs, gives advice on writing for film and television and talks in detail about his screenwriting while showing clips. On November 23, BAFTA-winning, and Oscar-nominated producer, Stephen Woolley, shares insights from his 30 year career. Bath Film Festival in conjunction with the Internet Movie Database – IMDb – have instituted two new film awards in 2012, IMDb New Filmmaker Award aims to discover new directorial talent and the IMDb Script to Screen Award. On the evening of November 25, Screen Award winner titled Pussy Cat, by Simon Wharf, will get its world premiere, and five finalists and the winner of the £1,000 prize of the New Filmmaker Award will also be screened. The festival in its entirety runs from November 15-25.

According to festival organizers, the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography selects films according to their visual, aesthetic and technical values. The Bydgoszcz based Festival strives to be a forum not only for presentation but also for further development of international moviemaking. Apart from the Main Competition the Festival also contains other events such as Student Etudes Competition, Documentary Films Competition, Music Videos Competition, Feature Debutes Competition, Plus Camerimage Market, Plus Camerimage Forum, Polish Films Competition, special screenings and premieres, various reviews, retrospectives, meetings and accompanying events such as art exhibitions and music performances. During the Festival, which has its run November 24 to December 1, the gymnasium of the University of Economy is turned into a functioning film studio, where  filmmakers lead film workshops for accredited guests of the festival. This 20th edition of the festival will present Latvian Cinema Review, a program that will provide festival participants with a selection of films displaying the variety and the value of Latvian cinema. Latvian Cinema Review will not only be a chance to learn more about the country’s history, mentality, and current situation, but also explore the Latvian sense of humor and the unique atmosphere of Latvia’s cinema.

Siggraph Asia 2012 happening in Singapore November 28 through December 1 is put on by The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), an educational and scientific society uniting the world’s computing educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field’s challenges. The convention’s trade exhibition will offer participants from hardware and software vendors to studios and educational institutions a platform to market their products and services to computer graphics and interactive techniques professionals and enthusiasts. This year the conference will introduce a new program – “Technical Briefs”. Other featured events include Art Gallery, Computer Animation Festival, courses, Emerging Technologies, Symposium on Apps, and Technical Papers. The Symposium on Apps program aims to cover the development, technology, and marketing of mobile applications, and this year’s program will put more emphasis on graphics and replace “motion tracking” with categories like hardware, games, augmented reality, location-based services, animation, and social networking.

“Birds of a Feather” events are proposed by SIGGRAPH Asia 2012 attendees and are informal presentations, discussions, and demonstrations for people who share interests, goals, technologies, environments, or backgrounds. These events will be free of charge, related to computer graphics or interactive techniques, and open to all SIGGRAPH Asia 2012 conference attendees. Blender, the free/open source 3D creation software developed by a worldwide community of 3D artists and developers, holds a November 30 session for users (open to Siggraph attendees) of Blender to showcase their work, ranging from technology demos to animation and VFX for film. The official SIGGRAPH Asia 2012 Networking Reception will be at |MAX Atria Foyer, Level 1, on November 29. Stroll through the Art Gallery and Emerging Technologies demonstrations with live entertaining music in the background. A standing dinner buffet including a free flow of refreshments will be provided. Wine and beer will be available as well.

The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the “Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events” page at: http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html which now has pages translated into 10 of the most widely used international languages that can be accessed from the blog page. This month’s photo composite celebrates the 50 years since the world’s best known secret agent — James Bond — came unto the cinematic screen as Agent 007. If the composite does not appear in this post please click this link. Looking ahead into the next month, be aware that December will be a slow month with most activities reserved for holiday celebration, but there will still be… Burleighfest in Perth, All Things Hollywood; International Festival opens in Burbank, Future of Film Summit in Los Angeles, European Conference on Visual Media Production opens in London, The Bahamas International Film Festival opens in Nassau, DocMiami International Film Festival will be in Miami, the International fest of experimental film and digital art will be in Bratislava, NewFilmmakers New York comes to New York City.

AFM/AFI, Leeds Film Festival, Billboard’s FutureSound Conference, Alpha Night on Broadway, are highlights in November’s Global Media and Entertainment Industry

AFM is the anticipated, annual film event that’s not quite festival, not quite conference, but mostly business opportunity — the business of independent motion picture production and distribution — set oceanside against Santa Monica beach. Generally, 8,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, seminars, networking and parties, right up till November 9. Participants come from over 70 countries and include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world’s press, and all those who provide services to the motion picture industry. Separate from the conference schedule, the AFM Industry Conversations are interactive and informative discussions led by Hollywood thought leaders, decision makers, trendsetters and experts, and are free to anyone with an AFM Badge.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards. And AFI FEST holds the FIAPF accreditation (FIAPF.org), assuring a high standard of quality and reliability for the international film community. The festival opens with the Clint Eastwood directed, ‘J. Edgar’, with Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Josh Lucas and Judi Dench. Individual tickets became available to the general public from October 27. Tickets will be released the day before each screening at AFI.com and the day of each screening at the AT&T Box Office at Hollywood & Highland Center. The American Film Market (AFM) in Santa Monica, is the market partner of AFI FEST.

Leeds International Film Festival will be held in West Yorkshire through November 20. It primarily supports the work of fresh talent in fiction and documentary filmmaking (both features and shorts), and importantly, work from existing talent that has not received some exposure yet in the UK. Every section of Leeds is structured as a film festival in itself. Cherry Kino is the forum for “wondermental” cinema at the festival. Cinema Versa is the home of documentaries inspired by the underground festival aesthetic, running two major themes: Music on Film and Underground Voices, incorporating live special events and collaborations. Fanomenon is the genre section of the film festival offering a mix of fantasy cinema experiences, light and dark. To celebrate its fifth birthday, this year’s Thought Bubble festival programme will be extended over seven days taking place at venues across the city. Thought Bubble 2011 will include free workshops for all ages, a three day academic conference, talks and masterclasses led by industry professionals, a giant free book crossing and giveaway, and a programme of film and documentary screenings.

Canadian-born composer Trevor Morris has earned multiple Emmy and Gemini Nominations and Awards for his work on Showtime’s The Tudors, The Borgias, and Starz Entertainment’s The Pillars of the Earth. For a November 8 evening event in Los Angeles, he and the Grammy Museum’s Executive Director, Bob Santelli, discuss his career and the process of writing scores for films and television. Along with the discussion, Morris will take questions from the audience, instruct a live composing demonstration, and audience members will be among the first to see clips from upcoming 3D action adventure feature, Immortals, which he has contributed to.

Every November, the Lone Star Film Society presents the Lone Star International Film Festival bringing top selections in cinema to the City of Fort Worth. Along with celebrating emerging visions, the festival also pays homage to the masters of the medium throughout five days of screenings, panels, and parties. The focus of the 2011 Lone Star International Film Festival, opening for a five day run starting November 9, will be to examine new models of film distribution and marketing with the objective of contributing to the creation of industry best practices for filmmakers and other professionals working within this transitioning environment. The LSIFF Feature Film Competition Program focuses on new works from emerging talents made with modest budgets. The LSFS rationalizes this as the best way to identify new visions that are strong enough to see through barriers such as limited resources.

The Sixth Annual HPA Awards Show Gala is held to recognize the very best in Post Production, and will be held in Los Angeles on November 10. The Hollywood Post Alliance®, also known as HPA®, is the trade association serving the Southern California-based professional community of businesses and individuals who provide expertise, support, tools and the infrastructure for the creation and finishing of motion pictures, television, commercials, digital media and other dynamic media content. Cocktail attire is suggested for this event, and a champagne and dessert reception immediately follows the show.

The Oaxaca International Independent Film and Video Festival is an official cultural event of the city of Oaxaca de Juarez, happening November 12-19. Quality film submissions of any length are welcome from all genres from anywhere in the world. A strong emphasis of the Oaxaca International Independent Film and Video Festival is to contribute to the economic and creative vitality of the city of Oaxaca and expand the audience for independent film. Opening night after party at Bar Txalaparta, and closing night after party at Bar Desestresse.

Billboard’s FutureSound conference will bring together musical artists, entrepreneurs, investors and meaningful rights-holders for focused conversations about next-generation opportunities in music over two days in San Francisco from November 17. These ideas will be presented and discussed on-site to produce a Billboard publication cover story detailing best practices and ideas. During a scheduled Friday panel, Steve Jang, Founder/CEO, SoundTracking, Ryan Sarver, Head of Platform, Twitter, take part in a panel moderated by Joe Marchese, SVP Marketing & Digital, FUSE, on “Twitter and The Socialization of Music”. In addition to the conference, Billboard will also be featuring installations of next generation platforms and music products to create a backdrop for the day’s discussions.

Established and recognized magazine on the film circuit, Independent Film Quarterly presents its Film & New Media Festival in New York City, November 17-24. The festival provides a platform where filmmakers can showcase their work (features, shorts, new media, animation, music videos and documentaries), increase opportunities for producers and maximize potential for distribution, press and industry recognition. The Festival will exhibit a selection of short- and long-form works that exhibit strong personal visions combined with the high standards of artistic merit and technical achievement consistent with, and reflective of Independent Film Quarterly.

At the Music In Media Industry Professionals Mixer running from November 18-19, attendees can get up close and personal with top industry movers and shakers who will be on hand to connect and meet Hollywood Music In Media (HMMA) artists and members. The Hollywood based event officially known as MIMIpro™, features groovin’ music, tasty appetizers and a full bar that will be used to create an ambiance for networking while award winners, industry luminaries and personalities deliver candid and revealing interviews live in the hotel’s mid-century styled lounge. All HMMA members, guests, friends and awards attendees are welcome to this complimentary two day experience. Live broadcast is carried via http://www.stageit.com both nights beginning at 8 pm PST. A post event celebration follows.

Held during the official proclamation of “Animation Week” in Burbank, the CTN animation eXpo which runs three days starting on November 20, is an assemblage of presentations, workshops, screenings, networking, recruiting, to mutually benefit the animation artist, games, education, film and video communities and the individuals in those communities. In one planned conference panel, “The Media is the Message!”, panel participants explore the topic of developing content in new media such as web-based, iPad apps, PDA oriented content, streaming content, multi-platform content linked with gaming, apps, feature films and more. Since its inception in 2004 The Creative Talent Network® stands as the organized community for the top creators of both traditional and digital animated films, and hosts of the CTN animation eXpo.

Our Gang Productions joins with Rho Psi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the producers of the Broadway play, Stick Fly, for one night, November 20, to divert a portion of the evening’s box office into a fundraiser for the Rho Psi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, leading up to a 2012 Historic Black college and university tour and College Boot Camp that underprivileged urban youth will take part in. The evening begins with a pre-reception at B. Smith’s Restaurant on Restaurant Row of Hell’s Kitchen, then onto the Broadway play, Stick Fly, followed by a Q&A panel discussion moderated by Dion Michael Ashman of Get Ready for Primetime Radio. Stick Fly is written by Lydia R. Diamond, directed by Kenny Leon, and executive produced by Grammy winner, Alicia Keys, who composed an original score for the production.

The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the “Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events” page at http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html which now has a language translation button to convert page contents into most widely used languages. In a look ahead into December event dates, there is the anticipated Bahamas International Film Festival in Nassau & Paradise Island, the 2011 International Film Festival Summit in  Las Vegas, Monaco International Film Festival in Monte Carlo, the Metropolitan Film Festival of New York in New York City, and Queer Fruits Film Festival in Lismore, to give a small sample of the upcoming events in the month ahead. Also to alert viewers, a site revamp and redesign of The Actor’s Checklist is close at hand, with new interactive features, tools and resources to aid members, so please stay tuned.