Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival 2011 Schedule
All films and programs are in Marriott Hall 2 at the Marriott Marquis
& Marina, next to the Hall A side of the Convention Center.
Saturday, July 23
10:00-11:00
Comic-Con Film School 103: Working with Actors and a Crew—Day 3 of our course
on microbudget moviemaking deals with how to direct actors, organize a crew,
and keep them all happy without anybody making a dime. Panelists for the class
include Valerie Perez (producer/star of the Paula Peril series),
Vera Vanguard (writer/producer of Goth Girl), Jack Conway
(writer/producer of Fear News), Sean Rourke (writer of Ballistica),
and actors Susan Smythe, Brian Stevenson, Kat Steel, and
Brad Upton.
Science Fiction and Fantasy Category
11:05-11:45 The Man
Who Knew How to Fly—Mr. Tomasek has just discovered the human ability to fly. Now
he fears the repercussions. Based on the short story by Karel Čapek. Participating
panelists include Robi Michael (director/writer), Kim
Stodel (lead actor), Thomas Marinelo (visual EFX supervisor), Ehud
Freedman (composer), and Chady Eli Mattar (producer).
11:45–12:25 The Historian
Paradox—Federal time-traveling agents from the future visit Los Angeles
on a mission to document a series of terrorist bombings. The team historian
becomes romantically involved with a woman he learns is destined to become a
victim of the bombings and must decide whether to let her live or die. Actors
and filmmakers discussing the film include Deon H. Hayman (writer/director/producer,
The Don of Virgil Jr. High), J. Michael Briggs (producer/actor,
Homicide Hunter), Selwyn Ward (lead actor, Power Rangers
movie), Mirelly Taylor (actress, Lost, Crash), and Michael
Candelori (cinematographer, She's a Fox).
12:25–1:05 New World
Water—In a postapocalyptic near-future
where natural sources of water have disappeared, the New World Water corporation
controls the population and remaining water supply with an iron fist. When Perry,
a low-level engineer, is discovered in the desert near the body of Lila, one
of the company's most promising scientists, he is taken in for interrogation
by Sybella, the company's best and most loyal interrogator. Sybella soon learns,
however, that the answers to her questions are not what she believed, and the
truth behind the mystery may crack the very foundations of the company she is
sworn to defend. Participating panelists include J.
R. Robinson (director), Vera
Meyer (producer), Ryan
Weeda (cinematographer), and actors Alexander
Carroll and Jennifer
O'Kain.
1:05–1:30 Cockpit:
The Rule of Engagement—The
captain of a Star Carrier must decide whether the lone surviving pilot of a
bombing run can return to base when suspicion arises that the alien enemy has
corrupted his mind. Jesse Griffith (writer/director), Karl Champley
(actor, DIY to the Rescue), Jamie Callahan (actor), Peter Zachos
(music composer), and Garrard Whatley (sound, owner Rocketwerks
Sound) talk about their film.
1:30–2:00 Digital
Antiquities—In the year 2036, a woman in an antique electronics store
meets a desperate young man seeking to recover data from an old CD. Together,
they embark on a dangerous journey to find a working optical drive that will
unlock the secrets on the disc. Participating panelists include J. P.
Chan (writer/director), Diane Houslin (producer), and Karmin Ahmad
(series manager, Futurestates).
2:00-2:30 Android 413—Set in a world where World War II
did not end in 1945 but continued well into the future, the story focuses on
an android factory worker in Dachau, where his longing for a better world causes
an event that may finally bring an end to Hitler's War. Filmmakers include
William Wall (director, The Wheeler of Oz), Mike Burnell
(Delirium), Steve Terrones (King Nostromo), Ken Fiedler
(The Immortal Edward Lumley), and Ryan Cahill (actor).
2:30-3:10 Heal—Amidst
the conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan a gifted eight-year-old boy makes an
extraordinary effort for his people: a powerful film that uses the supernatural
to bring focus to an often-ignored reality in today's world. Participating panelists
include Marcus Metsala (producer), Yukako Shimada (editor),
Navid Negahban (actor), Ameer Zhowandai (actor), Hannah Sher
(actor), and Fereshta Kazemi (actor).
Panel Discussions
3:15–4:00 Amazon Studios:
Opportunities for Filmmakers and Screenwriters—Amazon Studios offers monthly
and annual awards totaling more than $2.5 million to filmmakers and writers
and is seeking top projects to produce as feature films. Learn more in a Q&A
with Amazon Studios chief Roy Price, senior content manager Michael
Lewis, and Amazon Studios award winners Alex Greenfield and Gary
Milin.
4:00–4:45 How to Get an
Audience into Your Main Character's Shoes—Whether your main character is
a hero, a villain, a sidekick, or a one-of-a-kind original, empathizing with
him or her is essential if you want your audience to experience your story at
a personal level. This workshop by Chris Huntley (award-winning story
development consultant) gives you several surefire, practical techniques to
get your audience squarely involved in your main character's personal issues.
Science Fiction/Fantasy Category (continued)
4:50-5:20 Misdirection—Peter,
the grandson of the famous magician Castulo the Magnificent (Castulo Guerra,
Terminator 2), discovers his grandfather's greatest secret, and it is
more dangerous than he can possibly imagine. Magicians battle over a magical
deck of cards created by Houdini, in this award-winning film. Participating
panelists include Doron Kipper (director/writer), Jeff Kongs (actor),
Crystal Nobregas (producer), Trevor Baker (editor), and Jack
Rutkowski (editor).
5:20-5:50 The Unnatural—Jeremiah
Sloane works for a company that grows genetically engineered humans and sells
them to the upper echelon of society. When the human product deviates from designed
behavior, Sloane is called in to ‘retire' the product. On stage to discuss the
film are Eric Day (director/writer), Jessica Phillips (producer),
Natalie Testa (unit production manager), Jacob Johnston (production
designer), and Matt Schnarr (story co-creator).
5:50–6:10 The Vortex—Buster
Hawke, an out-of-luck cardboard artist, isn't faring well on cash, and no matter
how hard he tries nobody seems interested in his figurines. With no future and
nothing to lose, Buster digs beneath a coin vortex, hoping to find some spare
change and instead finds much more than he bargained for—a strange and mystical
place awaiting him in the dark. Writer/director Zachary Johnson and costume
designer Laura Ortiz talk about their film.
Documentary Category
6:10-7:40 Superheroes—Superheroes
is a journey inside the world of real-life caped crusaders. From all over America,
these everyday citizens don masks, homemade costumes and elaborate utility belts
in an attempt to bring justice to evildoers everywhere. Participating panelists
include Michael Barnett (director), Theodore James (producer),
and Mr. Xtreme (Real Life Superhero).
7:40-9:00 Comic Books
Go to War—Fantasies of power are inevitably violent, but the violence
in comic books has no consequences. After all, it's just the stroke of a pen
...But what happens when the comic book meets real war?
9:00-10:35 My Comic
Shop DocumentARy—In 1992, one man embarked on a journey from lawyer
to comic book retailer. It has been a journey filled with accomplishment and
disappointment, friendship and heartbreak, and a dream that became a nightmare.
This documentary shines a light on the colorful community that calls Alternate
Realities home. Participating panelists include Anthony Desiato (writer/director),
Bryan Gomez (composer), and Zach Woliner (cast member).
10:35-11:00 To Romero with Love—Mike and Katie got together as
a couple because of a movie quote...from Dawn of the Dead! Alex proposed
to Kim by getting on his knees...and giving her a human heart! This documentary
celebrates people who love people who love zombies. Producer Kiel Chenier
and director Aaron Peacock talk about their film.
