The Midwest Audio Visual Expo?the first totally local showcase in about a decade?takes place Sept. 8-10 at North Park University.
The Expo’s purpose, said producer Man Sung Son of SMS Productions, the event’s founder, “is to stimulate business and increase awareness of the market and the tremendous talent within it.”
In other words, to make a dent in the infamous flyover zone.
The Expo will do that by featuring a total of 40-plus exhibitors, including the latest technology, unique workshops, seminars and panel discussions led by top Chicago talent.
Chicago-made films, including entries and winners in two unique 16mm competitions, will be screened in the school’s 450-seat theatre.
“We will cover the entire spectrum of the industry and include something for everyone,” said Son. “It also presents a great networking opportunity.”
The Expo kicks off Friday, Sept. 8 with a 10 a.m. session with Crime Fiction Pictures’ Ben Kolak and Graham Ballou, followed by an agency program with top agency producers Harvey Lewis of JWT; Jake Lambert, Draft/FCB; and DDB’s Will St. Clair.
Afternoon session include speakers attorney Bob Labate of Holland & Knight; TV director Richard Kim; I Cube’s Carol Schaffner; and feature producers Lawrence Miller and Lars Ullberg.
Saturday, Sept. 9 starts at 8:30 a.m. with a Breakfast Summit Meeting addressing the question filmmakers have long asked: “What does it takes to build a film/TV renaissance in Chicago?”
Later sessions focus on the essentials of lighting, sound and editing. Production manager Cheryl Wayne discusses the importance of script breakdown; Emmy-winning lighting director Frank Partipilo conducts a studio lighting workshop.
Oscar nominee Scott Smith delves into modern technology of recording, filmmaker Ninoos Bethishou demonstrates lighting for film and HD, and Mac specialist Anthony Calardo heads two Final Cut Pro workshops.
Sunday’s highlight is a 3 p.m. session with marketing and distribution experts John Iltis and David Sikich, after a morning of film screenings.
Many of the equipment exhibitors?JVC, Panasonic, Sony, Bogen Imaging, Schneider Optics (Century Optics), Fujinon, Angenieux, 16X9, Tiffen, Cinebags, Porta-Jib, Cine 60 and more?will display the Midwest premiere of products whose protoype was showcased at NAB 2006.
For a detailed schedule, see www.midwestavexpo.com.
Expo committee working on plans since April
Son, owner of SMS Productions, a film/video camera rental, sales and service company since 1984, long-held commitment to the Chicago film market. A producer and filmmaker himself, Son is a highly-regarded mentor of aspiring young filmmakers and teaches filmmaking in inner city schools.
For a small company like SMS to stage a major expo like this is a huge undertaking. Son, his business partner and wife Helena, and a small committee began developing Expo activities last April.
“The Expo represents all of our commitment to the industry,” said Helena Son, “and we plan to build on it every year. We need an event like this in Chicago to put us back on the map instead of hearing that Chicago is not even Second City, but third, fourth or fifth. The people in our industry deserve better than that.”
Fees: Three day pass, $50 pre-registration. Individual tickets: Friday all day, $20 advance, $30 at the door; Saturday interactive workshops all day, $35 in advance, $50 at the door. Saturday morning Breakfast Summit, free with three day or Saturday pass, or $10 meeting only.
Students with current ID, $30 for three-day pass. Equipment exhibit free and open to all.
For advance registration or questions, call Helena Son, 312/440-8963. See www.midwestavexpo.com.
North Park University is located at 3225 W. Foster, enter at the corner of Kedzie and Foster. Doors open for registration 9 a.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Saturday Breakfast Summit, 8 a.m.
