The State of Filmmaking: Workshops

NOTE: Tickets to this event must be purchased through Newfields. We will provide a link as soon as tickets are available. In the meantime you will be the notified first of ticket availability if you RSVP!

The State of Filmmaking Workshops

The Tobias Theater / Newfields / $45

Spend the day dedicated to the art and craft of filmmaking, directing, and acting—a series of workshops designed to inspire and educate budding filmmakers and performers alike. Explore the fundamentals of filmmaking as participants delve into the key aspects of storytelling through visual media. From understanding camera angles, lighting, and sound, to scripts, storyboarding, scene work, and character development, throughout the day, participants will have the opportunity to interact with industry professionals, gaining invaluable insights into the dynamic and multifaceted world of film. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned enthusiast, join us for a day of creativity, exploration, and inspiration in the art of cinematic storytelling.

Schedule

• 12:30-1:15 pm / Making a movie (with Zachary Spicer and Gordon Strain)
• 1:30-2:15 pm / Writing and Directing Your Vision (with Luke Spencer Roberts and Justin Matthews)
• 2:30-3:15pm / The Art of Auditioning with Dylan Sprouse
• 3:30-5 pm / THE STATE OF FILM - Panel Discussion and Q&A (panelists to be announced)

Panelists

JUSTIN MATTHEWS is an award-winning writer, director, and producer. While studying neuroscience at the University of Southern California, he simultaneously found early success with acting, starting his foray into entertainment. Quickly migrating from acting to writing, Justin has already worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. He spent most of his early writing career in television, even receiving a WGA nomination for his writing contribution on Apple TV’s “The Morning Show” starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell, and Jon Hamm. More recently, Justin co-wrote Amazon Studio’s Rom-Com “Upgraded” starring Marisa Tomei and Camila Mendes. He co-wrote and directed “The Duel.”

LUKE SPENCER ROBERTS is an award-winning writer, director, and producer. As an actor, he’s worked with directors such as Phillip Noyce (“Above Suspicion”), Ben Kasulke (“Banana Split” with Dylan Sprouse), Jake Szymanski (“The Package”), and Joel & Ethan Coen (appearing as Peanut in their 2016 film “Hail, Caesar!”). He met writing and directing partner, Justin Matthews, on the set of “Phoenix Forgotten” (produced by Ridley Scott), in which the two were starring. Since then, they’ve gone on to co-write Amazon Studio’s Rom-Com “Upgraded” starring Marisa Tomei and Camila Mendes, as well as co-write and direct “The Duel.”

GORDON STRAIN Gordon, Co-Owner of Pigasus Pictures, has dedicated his life to the arts. His pursuits have  included designing animated holiday windows in New York City, scenic designs for theatres all across the globe, creating sculpture installations, the painting of murals, and most importantly, the design of film sets.

Gordon is the co-founder of the Franklin Department of Public art, which strives to bring and support the arts in Johnson County Indiana. Strain currently resides in Franklin, IN and teaches theatre design as an Artist in Residence at Franklin College. Gordon was a Producer of Pigasus films “We Strangers,” “Runner,” “The Miseducation of Bindu,” “Ms. White Light,” and “So Cold the River,” and was the Production Designer on “The Good Catholic.” He served as Producer and Production Designer for “The Duel.”

ZACHARY SPICER is the Founder and CEO of Pigasus Pictures, as well as an actor featured on Broadway, television, and film. Over the past nine years Zach has produced eight independent feature films: “The Good Catholic” (Danny Glover and John C. McGinley — “Best Feature” at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival); “Ms. White Light” (Roberta Colindrez, Judith Light, and John Ortiz — World Premiere at SXSW, Torino International Film Festival Press and Audience Award winner); “The Miseducation of Bindu” (executive producers Mark and Jay Duplass); “So Cold the River“ (adapted from the New York Times best-seller by Michael Koryta); “What She Said” (distributed by 1091 Pictures, fall 2021); “Runner” (Cannes Cinéfondation 2020, World Premiere at Toronto International Film Festival, winner of the San Sebastián International Film Festival), “We Strangers” (Kirby, Sarah Goldberg, and Kara Young — World Premiere at SXSW 2023); and “The Duel” (distributed by Lionsgate). Zachary is dedicated to engaging, educating, and elevating Indiana communities through the diverse storytelling of film and theater. He is passionately working towards a filmmaking tax credit in Indiana, which would make on-screen storytelling possible for his fellow Hoosiers.