Mentors - Production 1
Film production runs the gamut from pre to post. Learn from industry professionals who have experience in the wide range of experiences film production entails.
Mentor session signup is open to all Film, Gold and Platinum badge holders at a first-come, first-served basis. Registrants who signed up online must check-in 30 minutes before your mentor time slot to guarantee your spot. Limited on-site signup is also available for a small number of mentor sessions spots and will begin 30 minutes before the first time slot of each session.
To sign up for a mentor session click on the link for the mentor you are interested in meeting with:
Amy Lo -- http://mentor.sxsw.com/mentors/100
Beatrice Springborn -- http://mentor.sxsw.com/mentors/101
Brad Beesley -- http://mentor.sxsw.com/mentors/96
Brent Kunkle -- http://mentor.sxsw.com/mentors/98
Holly Jeter -- http://mentor.sxsw.com/mentors/102
Hunter Weeks -- http://mentor.sxsw.com/mentors/99
Karl Jacob -- http://mentor.sxsw.com/mentors/97
Yvonne Boudreax -- http://mentor.sxsw.com/mentors/95
Presenters
Mental Pictures was formed by Amy Lo to develop and produce feature films, documentaries, and new media, focusing on director-driven original stories. Amy was awarded a 2010-2011 Sundance Institute Creative Producing Fellowship and was the sole US producer selected for the 2009 Berlinale Talent Project Market.
Amy just wrapped production on a narrative adaptation of PLANET B-BOY with Sony Pictures' Screen Gems, and she was the sole producer of the original documentary, released in 2008. PLANET B-BOY also broke ground as an independent film securing innovative sponsorship deals with Samsung and Southpole, and engaging audiences across different platforms including mobile phone content, live events, fan videos, and a 24-hour takeover of the YouTube.com homepage.
Amy also associate produced the UK film ON A CLEAR DAY, which premiered in competition opening night at the Sundance Film Festival and was acquired for distribution by Focus Features. She previously worked as Head of Development for NY and London-based InFilm Productions; and served on review panels for the Gucci Tribeca film grants, the Global Film Initiative, the International Emmy Awards; and the Selection Advisory Committee for the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program.
Previously, Amy worked in physical production on films including Spike Lee’s INSIDE MAN; Steven Spielberg’s MUNICH; Leon Ichaso’s EL CANTANTE; and ABC's SIX DEGREES produced by J.J. Abrams and directed by Rodrigo Garcia. Her work as a writer aired on PBS for the Foreign Policy Association, and prior to her start in the film industry, she lived and worked in Beijing, China as a freelance writer. Amy grew up in Alaska and graduated from Stanford University with a dual degree in International Relations and Economics.
Beatrice Springborn started her career as a journalist, working for CNN, mostly on the Unabomber case. She then went on to be one of the founding employees of ChickClick.com, a website for teen girls and produced a radio show in 28 markets based on the brand. She got her start in film at Pixar in development where she worked on Ratatouille, Cars, Finding Nemo and Up. She then went on to get her MFA in film at UCLA, while working for Newmarket films and producer Aaron Ryder (Memento, Donnie Darko, The Mexican). Ryder then started his own company Raygun Productions, where they produced The TV Set, Hamlet 2, The Prestige and My One and Only. Springborn then joined Ryder at FilmNation Entertainment, a partnership with Glen Basner, who ran International sales for Focus and The Weinstein Company. After two years at FilmNation as the VP of Production and development, she joined Valhalla Motion Pictures as their Executive Vice President. Valhalla is producer Gale Anne Hurd’s company. Their latest project is AMC’s TV series, The Walking Dead, which premiered October 31 in over 120 countries. Valhalla is currently developing a number of feature and television properties, including The Boston Stranglers and Magdalena, as well as comic books, including Aspen Comics, The Scourge. Hurd has previously produced The Incredible Hulk, Armageddon, The Punisher, Hulk, Dante's Peak, and The Terminator, as well as Oscar-winners The Ghost and The Darkness, The Abyss, Terminator 2 and Aliens.
Bradley Beesley has made a cinematic career documenting oddball Americana and homegrown rock stars. Post art school, he began filming with bluesman R.L. Burnside to make his first movie ‘Hill Stomp Hollar’ (SXSW). He has since directed nine feature-length films, including seven documentaries,. Bradley is the director of the backwoods cult classic Okie Noodling (PBS). The film chronicles the lost art of bare-handed catfishing. In 2005, Shout! Factory released ‘The Fearless Freaks’, a documentary starring The Flaming Lips. ‘Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo' (HBO) is his latest effort and goes behind prison walls to follow convict cowgirls. His TV credits include ‘Mudcats’ (History) ‘Paranormal State’ (A&E) and ‘Storm Chasers’ (Discovery).
Brent Kunkle, producer - recently produced Rick Alverson’s Sundance dramatic competition selection "The Comedy" starring Tim Heidecker. His recent work include a slate of “pulp” thrillers with Glass Eye Pix and Dark Sky Films. The pictures include Joe Maggio’s "Bitter Feast," Jim Mickle’s "Stake Land," Midnight Madness award winner at 2010’s Toronto Int’l FF; and James Felix McKenney’s "Hypothermia" starring Michael Rooker. Brent began his career assisting at indie non-profit film champion IFP, and then joined Iridium Entertainment for a short period as a producer’s and development assistant. He later transitioned into film production as production coordinator and music supervisor on "Liberty Kid," winner of Best Picture at the 2007 NY Int’l Latino Film Festival, produced by Mike S. Ryan and Larry Fessenden. In 2007, Brent began working full-time for Fessenden at Glass Eye Pix. There he has served as line producer on "I Sell The Dead," starring Dominic Monaghan and Ron Perlman, and production supervisor on Ti West’s "The House Of The Devil." He co-produced JT Petty’s short film "Blood Red Earth" and produced Graham Reznick’s 3D short film "The Viewer." He is currently producing Aram Garriga’s feature documentary, "American Jesus," and Rick Rodgers feature debut, "Fall."
Holly Jeter is a Motion Picture Production agent at William Morris Endeavor Agency specializing in hybrid talent. Formerly of Twentieth Century Fox and New Regency, Holly has worked on films such as AVATAR, IN TIME, and THE DARKEST HOUR. She presently represents Tim Bourne, Producer of THE BLIND SIDE and FOOTLOOSE; Lilly Kilvert, two-time Academy Award nominated Production Designer; and Ginger Sledge, Producer of Richard Linklater’s BERNIE, to name a few clients. She enjoys identifying and working with crossover clients who can apply their numerous talents to different sides of the business.
Hunter directs and produces award-winning films, including 10 MPH, Ride the Divide, Where the Yellowstone Goes (releasing spring 2012), and Reveal the Path (releasing spring 2012). He's also working on a documentary about the oldest people in the world. He’s led efforts to bring major partners on board to help fund and promote the films, including such companies as CBS Sports, Quiznos, YouTube, Crocs, SmartWool, Fender, and Chipotle. He’s also the author of the 10 MPH DIY Manual, which discusses unique PR, Marketing, and distribution insights on how to distribute indie films both digitally and conventionally without a major distributor.
Hunter is a contributor and consultant with Workbook Project and has spoken on his achievements in distributing and marketing films at various major film events, including Sundance Film Festival, Galway Film Fleadh, The Conversation, and DIY Days.
Karl Jacob is a New York based filmmaker and actor whose film career began with Ti West’s cult horror classic, The Roost in 2005. Acting and collaborating on IFC’s Young American Bodies for three seasons with Joe Swanberg started his love affair with the stylized improvisation techniques that are propelling a new American film movement. Karl’s most recent feature project, Happy New Year, is on its US festival tour after premiering at the 2011 SXSW Film Festival. His improvised feature film 'Pollywogs' is currently in post production. Karl recently worked with Sacha Baron Cohen and Ben Kingsley in the upcoming Paramount Feature The Dictator.
Yvonne Boudreaux is a production designer, art director and set designer for stop motion animation, television, and live action who has worked on over 30 films including Machete, Paranorman, and The Lying Game.