Media Release / Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative Film and Media Exchange on October 24 in Holyoke, MA

DATELINE: October 3, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:

Ellen Gorman

Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative

413-528-4223

ellen@berkshirefilm.com

Mark G. Auerbach

Mark G. Auerbach Public Relations

413-427-7352

mgauerbach@gmail.com

BERKSHIRE FILM AND MEDIA COLLABORATIVE PRESENTS THE FIRST EVER “WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS FILM AND MEDIA EXCHANGE”ON OCTOBER 24 AT BAYSTATE HEALTH’S CONFERENCE CENTER IN HOLYOKE, MA

(Pittsfield, MA) The Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative (BFMC) is pleased to announce that the first ever Western Massachusetts Film and Media Exchange will take place on Friday, October 24 from 10 AM – 6 PM at the Baystate Health Whitney Avenue Conference Center in Holyoke, MA. This daylong event for local film and video professionals and businesses that use film and video in their marketing, features Oscar-winning director and visual effects pioneer, Douglas Trumbull, as keynote speaker. 

Since 2009, the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative (BFMC) has created educational, workforce and production opportunities in Western Massachusetts as a creative economic engine for the region. BFMC offers networking events for industry professionals, develops educational and workforce enrichment courses, acts as a resource for visiting productions, creates jobs within our communities in the film and media industry and provides an on-line production guide and locations database as a resource for filmmakers. BFMC is a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity. 

As the first business-to-business film and media event of its kind in the region, The Exchange expects to draw attendees – including filmmakers, actors, production and post-production professionals, marketing and PR executives and local business owners – from Western Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire, as well as the Albany, Hartford and Boston areas.   

BFMC Executive Director, Diane Pearlman, is particularly excited about the participation of American film director and visual effects pioneer Douglas Trumbull. “Doug Trumbull is a true visionary,” she says. “He has developed new technology here in western Massachusetts that is used throughout the film industry. His creativity and innovative filmmaking techniques are an inspiration to those of us in the business.” 

Mr. Trumbull has participated in many landmark movies including 2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters of The Third Kind, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Blade Runner, Brainstorm and Silent Running. His latest short film, UFOTOG – shot at 120fps and projected in 3-D – debuted at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival and has piqued the interest of many in the film industry. A longtime resident of Western Massachusetts, he has started several film-related companies in the region.

Attendees will participate in a variety of industry-related workshops and presentations. Filmmakers may choose to attend workshops on “The Art of Running Your Own Business” and “Making and Selling Your Film”. Workshops aimed at businesses include “Making a Video 101” and “I Made a Video; How Do I Make the Most of It?” Other presentations at the Exchange include “Look Who’s Working in Massachusetts” (featuring Western Massachusetts talent). Event sponsor Baystate Health will offer three health and wellness workshops -- on stress reduction, good nutrition, and exercises to reduce physical strain -- appropriate for the film (and any) industry! The day will conclude with a “wrap-up” networking party for all attendees.

“This is going to be an exciting and informative event for an industry that is growing in our region,” says Pearlman. “People exchanging ideas, finding resources and showcasing talent – for those in the business and those who want to know more about it - you can’t afford not to be there!”

Tickets for The Exchange are $45 through October 19 and $55 after October 19 and at the door (students, $25). Admission includes full access to all Exhibits, workshops/panels and demos, along with breakfast, lunch and a networking cocktail party to conclude this groundbreaking event. For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more information, go to BFMC’s website: www.berkshirefilm.com or call their office 413.528.4223. 

To date, event sponsors include: AJA Video Systems, Baystate Health, Blackmagic Design, Client Cycle Marketing, HB Communications with AVID, HUNT’S Photo and Video, IMAGINE Magazine, Jx2 Productions, Mark G Auerbach Public Relations, Massachusetts Cultural Council, MassLive, New England Public Radio, Other World Computing, Westfield News Group, and Westfield State University. 

For further information about the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative, call 413-528.4223 or visit www.berkshirefilm.com

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NOTE TO THE MEDIA

Photographs of Diane Pearlman and Douglas Trumbull are available upon request.