UBC2C NYC is a two-day symposium featuring several tracks in acting and directing to media and journalism and writing for animation. Attendees will pick one concentration and spend one-one time learning in-depth tools of the trade from industry insiders.
2010 workshops include:
Acting
Leader: Peter Riegert ’68
This course is beneficial to future directors, producers, casting directors and actors. Actors will be guided in presenting and delivering memorable auditions in order to reveal their unique personalities and distinguish their talents. These exercises are designed to help actors structure career strategies that will help generate audition opportunities and skills that increase their ability to audition successfully. Topics will also include self-marketing, networking, goal-setting techniques, headshots and resumes, the one-line audition, cold reading and callbacks.
The Agent’s Role in the Entertainment Industry
Leader: Richard Lawrence ’67
Do you need an agent? If so, how do you get one? How do you use an agent effectively? Veteran agent Richard Lawrence will explain how agents function in the ever-expanding media world. With 40 years’ experience, he will be able to answer questions and will share his knowledge in the areas of writing, directing, acting, and producing. An overview of the agency business will be included, which will follow the growth of the media business.
Alumni Dance Panel
Leader: Jeanne Palmer-Fornarola (UB Faculty)
From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., dancers will have the opportunity to participate in a closed audition, performing solo works for consideration of placement in an innovative New York City showcase company launching in spring 2010, headed by internationally acclaimed dancer/choreographer/instructor Roberto Villeneuvo ’01, who will provide individual feedback to dancers.
From 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., dancers will have the opportunity to audition (learning two combinations) for possible representation by New York City-based dance agency McDonald Selznick Associates (MSA). MSA will contact any participant that they choose to represent within two weeks of the symposium.
From 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., MSA agent Lucille Di Campli will review resumes, head shots, reels and offer individual feedback, along with advice on the ins and outs of working professionally, including the business of dance, the role of a dance agent in advancing a dance career, and best practices for landing professional work in the industry. (Only dancers over 21 years of age are eligible to audition for MSA.)
Animating Your Storyline
Leader: Robert Lamoreaux
Regardless of the genre, few things are more important to the networks than a strong storyline. This course will cover writing, developing, producing, and creating episodic television, focusing on the process involved in developing the premises, the script, the storyboard and developing the personas of the individual characters. It will offer a comprehensive analysis of the components of good story-telling as it relates to animated shows from story structure to affecting characterization.
The Business of Independent Film
Leader: Robert Fingerman ’80
The “Business of the Independent Film Industry” changes daily. In order to survive and compete with the studios, indie filmmakers must learn how to package their films’ projects in new ways, as financing firms scale back investments, banks pull out, and states compete for production with complicated incentive credits and funding. Now, more than ever, independent filmmakers need to have an artistic vision, coupled with a business strategy savvy enough to green-light their projects. Today’s successful indie filmmakers adhere to a well-thought-out business plan with sound budgets that make their projects appealing to film financiers, while engaging their target audience.
In this workshop, geared to both new and experienced filmmakers, producers, and those in finance looking to work in the entertainment business, you’ll learn the nuts and bolts of the business of independent film, including a case study of producing an actual film. Fingerman will teach you how to play by the rules of the film business, identify opportunities and risks in order to put the right elements in place to maximize the success of your film to the audience and critics as well as investors. This part of the workshop will be an open forum of ideas, questions, and answers always of concern to today’s filmmaker community.
Comedy Writing for All Genres
Leader: Alan Zweibel ’72
This workshop will give aspiring and experienced writers of all genres a humorous and eye-opening guide to writing for all media including television, motion pictures, Broadway and publishing. This course will cover how to write monologues, sketches, sitcoms, screenplays, one- and two-act plays, novels and magazine pieces. The business part of show business will cover getting an agent, pitching to network and studio executives, and working with producers, directors and stars.
Directing
Leader: Robert Lieberman ’71
Using his films as a road map, director Rob Lieberman will discuss the art and business of commercial and film directing and production.
Entertainment, Arts and Media Law Panel
Leader: Don Zakarin ’72
Many who contemplate a career in the law actually know little about the profession’s many opportunities in the arts, media and entertainment industries. This interactive panel will discuss the realities of entertainment law, as well as the various areas of entertainment law practice, including entertainment litigation. Panelists will share interesting cases, offer thoughts on the future of the field and provide advice about how to break into this exciting industry.
Improv: Thinking on Your Feet
Leaders: Linda Gelman ’72 and Paul Zuckerman ’72
The producers of Chicago City Limits, NYC’s longest-running comedy revue, host this daylong workshop designed to help unleash creativity and maximize a group’s potential. Tools and exercises used by CCL improvisation actors to hone their skills are introduced in a high-energy, fun-filled and supportive atmosphere. The workshop will focus on spontaneity, idea generation and group dynamics. No prior theatrical skills are required. In addition, there will be a guided discussion about the uses of improvisation in non-theatrical settings, such as corporate team-building, idea generation and public speaking. Wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to have fun.
Managing For-Profit and Not-for-Profit Cultural Organizations
Leaders: Ken Tabachnick ’77 and Harry Ferris ’78
Enterprise and the arts find their greatest expression in America’s cultural institutions. The myriad responsibilities of the non-profit performing arts leader encompass fundraising, business management, marketing, staffing, programming, community education, governance and more. In this survey seminar you will gain hands-on experience in some of the key skills of the executive director position of a performing arts institution and hear of current trends and challenges in this sector, punctuated with real-life, behind-the- scenes stories of America’s celebrated arts institutions. Harris Ferris, executive director of the Pittsburgh Ballet, BA ’78, and Ken Tabachnick, former general manager of the New York City Ballet, BA ’77, will discuss their exciting day-to-day lives and offer insight and suggestions to anyone interested in the exciting world of the performing arts.
Jazz Improv (Vocal Master Class)
Leader: Gary Brocks ’71
Journalism and New Media
Leader: Jody Kleinberg Biehl, Director, Journalism Certificate Program, University at Buffalo
It’s a new media world. This multimedia workshop offers a look at how journalism is changing and what today’s journalists need to know to stay on top. Are newspapers dying? Will local news save the industry? Will Twitter kill it? We’ll look at these questions and more. The workshop will also offer an immersion into the art of journalistic storytelling as we examine how best to tell stories with text, photos, video and graphics. We will feature speakers from major television, magazine, and online news outlets as well as tech gurus who will present ways to make the most of online tools, including apps.
Shakespeare Sings (Vocal Master Class)
Leader: Ray Leslee ’76, ’77
Ray Leslee, an award-winning composer who has written scores for virtually all of Shakespeare’s plays, will conduct a vocal master class geared for experienced singers and musical theatre actors. Participants will enjoy an exceptional opportunity to learn Leslee’s original songs, the words coming directly from Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets. They will spend the day working with him in a professional rehearsal studio, exploring a genre that crosses classical and traditional Broadway music. To culminate the day, a select group of workshop participants will perform for UB alumni and friends at the symposium’s Saturday evening cocktail party.
Stand-up Comedy
Leader: Bobby Collins ’73
Learn the art and business of comedy from an award-winning, stand-up comedian with 30 years’ experience. The workshop will cover writing stand-up comedy material and elements of the business including the commitment, stage-time, dealing with agents and managers, roadwork, and the highs, lows and heartaches of the business.
