Getting to the Next Level in Wilmington

WiFi Film Conference kicks on in June

by Lauren Barbato | Published June 11, 2008

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MM: How do you think being located in Wilmington will affect the conference?

SB: The east coast filmmakers know Wilmington is the place to film. There are many filmmakers in this region who are always looking for an excuse just to come here, and WiFi is allowing them to do so. We are offering so many exciting events during WiFi, such as open houses for soundstages and editing suites, the WiFi “Gilded Nights” Gala presented by South region of the Screen Actors Guild, a pitch breakfast with one of the greatest screenwriting teachers. WiFi also gives everyone a chance to get up close and personal with many industry professionals and a few celebrities as well. We are offering so much to the filmmakers and making the weekend so affordable, every filmmaker will get the chance to attend.

MM: With your background and writing credits, it seems that you are happily immersed in the indie film circuit. What do you think are the benefits to making films outside of Los Angeles and ultimately, outside of the studio system?

SB: The positive side of indie filmmaking, outside of the studio system, is there is more opportunity for creative control. I absolutely love being an independent filmmaker, and as much as I adore Los Angeles, I don’t need to reside there to make a quality film. The east coast provides so much in the most cost-effective manner, offering a variety of incentives. The local community will bend over backwards to help aspiring filmmakers make their artistic vision come to life.

MM: Are there any downsides?

SB: Distribution is, of course, a big concern when you don’t have studio backing. You definitely have to work harder as an indie filmmaker to get that project out to the world. Like so many filmmakers, we aspire to make that 100 million film with complete studio backing, but I think when you start at the bottom and work your way up to the top, you learn and appreciate where you came from and how you got there. The journey a filmmaker takes is everything. Until that time comes however, we are always raising the bar, doing it better than before and when your filmmaking team does it alone, they revel in their accomplishments.

MM: In addition to being educational, the conference also sounds like a great networking opportunity. What do you hope aspiring moviemakers will take with them after leaving the conference?

SB: We’ve had so much support from our sponsors like Subaru, The Screen Actors Guild, New Jersey-based production company Mighty Fist Motion Pictures (who will be filming in Wilmington this summer), ProductionHub.com, InkTip and MovieMaker Magazine and many more to ensure we bring the east coast filmmakers the best of the best. We hope that filmmakers will leave WiFi armed with knowledge and new friendships with not only the industry professionals, but with the filmmakers from across the region. Building a solid indie film community is one of our main goals.

MM: Aspiring writers everywhere will want to attend the conference just for Ken Rotcop’s “Practice Your Pitch” breakfast. What events are you especially excited about?

SB: Yes. You are exactly right. Ken has been my screenwriting mentor for three years now and I know so many screenwriters who literally will travel across the world just to attend Ken’s Pitchmart, which happens in Los Angeles twice a year. This is definitely one event that I am excited about. But all in all, I think we have such a great lineup with our guest speakers and the support from the WGA and SAG, everything we are doing is exciting.

Wynter and I want the filmmakers to have a complete experience. That’s why we’ve added all the fun networking opportunities to the conference. I cannot express how important it is to build relationships with industry professionals. Don’t just try to sell your script or your film, but sell yourself. That is essential. People have to like you in order to do business with you. We’ve laid out so many prospects for filmmakers to join these industry professionals in a casual manner. Networking can only thrive when a good chemistry is established with one another. Have an enjoyable experience with the experts and the door will open for these filmmakers for a lifetime.

MM: Where do you see the WiFi Film Conference in 10 years?

SB: In 10 years, we see WiFi as one of the top film conferences in the country. We’ve already established a five-year plan, so we could only imagine where it will be 10 years down the line. We look forward to seeing the filmmakers at the 2008 WiFi Film Conference.

For more information, visit http://www.WiFiWilmington.com.

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