The Conversation Launches in October

A new conference called The Conversation is coming to the Bay Area in October, focusing on the convergence of film, games, visual effects, CG animation, and Internet video. What new creative and business opportunities are emerging as these fields start to overlap and interact?

On October 17 and 18th at Berkeley's Pacific Film Archive, people will gather from the worlds of TV, film, online video, and games to talk about the convergence taking place. You'll hear about new distribution channels, new tools, and the future of visual storytelling. Topics in great detail will be posted as we get closer to the event.

* Workshop on digital cameras, digital cinematography strategies for independent filmmakers

* Set-top box systems... How do you get your content on them? (TiVo, Vudu, Roku, etc.)

* Window conflict - how will films be released in the future?

* Video Puppetry: A Performative Interface for Cutout Animation [ Maneesh Agrawala, UC Berkeley ]

* Eliot Mack: Demonstration of Lightcraft Technology green screen system

* Gail De Kosnik: How Piracy Offers a New Model for Video Archives

* Video on mobile phones: How you you get there, and are there ways to earn money?

Speakers include leading entrepreneurs from NetFlix, DreamWorks, Tippett Studio, YouTube, Heretic Films, CreateSpace, Virgin Animation, Vudu, Entertainment Technology Center, San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking, JibJab Media, and Pixel Corps, as well as a handful of independent film producers.