AuditionInside Guest Article on audition faux pas... and... Asia Television Forum, Mixed Messages, Sync Summit, are highlights in December's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

Guest article from AuditionInside
5 Ways to Not Get the Part...
By Zachary Miller -- Auditioninside

Every person has something that pisses them off. There’s always that one little thing that someone else does that throws you, wait... hurls you... off the edge! Lucky for you, we have interviewed some stage managers and grilled them about what really ticks them off! Lucky for me... I am not the one getting hired!

In this article, I will look at 5 ways to send your next potential stage manager over the edge at the audition.  Don’t want to get the part? Then do these 5 things and you surely will have no problem getting cut for a random “type out.” Hah!

1) Put no effort or thought into your resume, and I mean absolutely no stinking thought at all!  When a stage manager glances over your resume, he or she is getting a first impression of you. Don’t ruin the impression because you hand wrote your special skills in the margin or forgot to change the name of the person you copied the resume from!

2) Audition for something that you don’t want. Guess what?! Not wanting it shows clearly, even on the best liar’s face. Stage managers don’t want their time wasted just as much as you don’t want yours wasted! If you don’t want it, don’t audition.

3) Come to an audition that you know you can’t fill the requirements for! “Hey, even though the breakdown explicitly indicates ‘10 pull-ups required at the audition,’ I’m going to go even though I can’t.” Or...”I know this is an audition for a tap solo, but maybe they will look past the fact that I don’t tap and hire me for my jazz skill.” No...No...No. Again, refer to the second bullet point, don’t waste their time!

4) Don’t follow simple directions. Doing a backflip when they asked to see a back roll doesn’t impress anyone. It just shows you SUCK at following directions and should NOT be hired.

5) Use your phone at the audition. In fact, why not just talk on your phone in the waiting room, text when they are speaking to the group, and let the phone ring when the stage manager is calling your number. They really love that! I don’t believe any extra explanation is necessary here. Don’t use your phone AT ALL!

And there you go... 5 ways to not get the part... OR, really piss off your direct boss for your next year contract. Good luck with that!

All 5 ways to throw your stage manager over the edge were collected from actual stage managers. You wouldn’t believe the stories they had! AuditionInside wants to hear from you! Have you done anything extremely dumb in an audition? Have you seen anything in an audition that really irked the stage manager? Let us know at contact@auditioninside.com!

About the Author
This article was written by Zachary Miller, the founder of www.AuditionInside.com. Zachary spent his performance career as an acrobat, performing with cirque companies around the United States. Most notably, Zachary performed alongside Debbie Gibson in Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy and in the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Walt Disney World. After experiencing the struggle to find consistent work during his performance career, Zachary decided to give back to the artist community. AuditionInside.com is a website designed for performance artists to find auditions, access artist resources and read performance news and advice. For more articles like the one you just read, visit www.AuditionInside.com/articles.

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Every Tuesday evening in New York City, right in the heart of Broadway, around the corner from The David Letterman Show, a singers open mic takes place. No call or appointment is needed to perform in front of the mic for Gotta Sing!. Aspiring singers are welcome to come in, sign up and sing! A pianist will be provided or singers are welcome to bring their own accompanist, tracks or be self-accompanied. From Broadway to Pop to Jazz to Country to Gospel to Opera to R&B to Singer Songwriters, this open mic welcomes all styles of musical performance, talented newcomers and experienced singers are all welcome. They will have an opportunity to gain experience and exposure in a nurturing environment. Judi Jourdan and Billy Shepard, who have operated Gotta Sing! since early 1980s, have put in their time in the industry as artists, directors and producers, nurturing new talent - referring to the performers as "our singing family" - and providing essential feedback drawn from their extensive wisdom and knowledge on how the industry works, which is over 25 years worth.

And that's not all there is to this singers showcase. Selected performers from Tuesday night will be handed an opportunity to be booked as a featured singer in a future Shepard and Jourdan Showcase for half an hour taking place on a Saturday night. Lately, the showcase has been looking to pass along the opportunity for young talented singers from Performing Arts Schools in Metro New York to take advantage of this opportunity to perform on stage in an open mic night and opportunity for booking their own show. Seeking singers from LaGuardia, Performing Arts School, Professional Children's School, Frank Sinatra School, AMDA, Juilliard, etc. Regardless of this latest endeavor, the GottaSing showcase remains open to all levels that wish to share a song and showcase their talents.

From Singapore, Asia Television Forum will be conducted as a forum to buy, sell, finance, distribute and co-produce, across all platforms, making the case for Asia’s TV and Film market and how they’re changing. ATF will be co-located this year with ScreenSingapore. Together, ScreenSingapore and ATF facilitates trading possibilities through a Film and TV market, conferences, networking opportunities, and gala film premieres. MIPAcademy, produced by Reed MIDEM, will present a one-day Master Class event focused on the ‘How To’ and targeting producers and executives from across the entertainment industry who want to learn from international industry professionals.

Activities get started with a pre-market conference on December 3. An opening keynote will be delivered by Sunny Xiangyang Zhu, Chief Content Officer, Youku Tudou Inc. on "Changing the Future of TV Content..." and then will tackle other areas: "The Future of Kids' TV in Asia Pacific", "New Media Strategy - Business Model and Monetising Opportunities". And there will be the launch of ATF's first Animation Lab, a three-day matchmaking platform dedicated to Asian animation producers who seek co-production and funding opportunities.

In another Forum highlight set for December 5, the Village Roadshow Entertainment Group Asia sets up a dialogue among film industry professionals who are engaged in the development, financing, production and marketing and distribution of Chinese films for the Mainland China market and beyond. Topics covered will be project selection and script development; financing and production management; and marketing and distribution. As the Forum winds down to its last day, December 6, a Dealmaking and Distribution panel will share insights on "How to sell your entertainment properties around the world."

Receptions and parties happening during Asia Television Forum include a Taiwan Pavilion Networking Reception, UK Indies Networking Drinks and Cocktails and Sushi Party on December 4. The French Cocktail session will be held in conjunction with the Singapore Hour and the Animation Lab Networking Session on December 5, then culminating with a Red Carpet Film Premiere.

Varied events and screenings happen in December with showcase events from the New School's Media Studies division as well as student achievements in media production and scholarship. Kinoscope, a December 3 screening series sponsored by the New York City located School of Media Studies, presents a screening of genius filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's Ikuru (1952), considered by some to be the iconic director's greatest achievement. It will be introduced by Kenji Fujishima, In Review Online editor-in-chief and Slant Magazine film critic. A discussion and reception with food and beverages follows the screening. Kinoscope’s mission is to enhance the awareness and understanding of the film and filmmaking process by screening a wide variety of national and international films.

Mixed Messages is an annual exhibition of curated works of film, video, sound, and other media created by graduate students of the School of Media Studies. Selected by a panel of jurors, the projects displayed in the gallery show range from installations and web-based projects to works on paper. There is an accompanying gallery exhibition starting with the December 4 opening, then running through December 18, at the IMC Lab + Gallery, where there will also be a reception on December 6.

The Media Studies program is also holding a Ruff Cuts III screening for New School students to attend, exhibit and discuss their media works while they are still in progress. All events are free, no tickets or reservations required but seating is first-come, first-served. Marshall McLuhan's colleague, John Culkin, brought his Center for Understanding Media to The New School in 1975 and The New School began offering the Master of Arts degree in media studies, one of the first graduate programs of its kind.

Sync Summit in Hollywood is meant to be a high-level, focused networking event where music supervisors, heads of music in visual and interactive media (TV, film, video games, advertising, the internet and mobile), label executives, publishers, music libraries, composers, artists, technologists, legal, accounting, brand managers and service providers gather for two days of discussion, networking and dealmaking beginning December 4. The goals for Sync Summit are organized to produce productive networking opportunities, presenting case studies of how music is discovered and used, point out evolving business models in the music and media market as well as creative and promotional considerations.

Summit sessions will be presented as a panel or Q&A chat format determinedly set this way to encourage dialog between attendees and speakers. Speakers delivering keynotes will include: Steve Lindsey of Warner/Chappell, Terry McBride, CEO, Nettwerk Music Group, Robert Kraft, Kraftbox, Mike Knobloch, President, Film Music and Publishing, Universal Pictures, Mathew Knowles, CEO, Music World Entertainment, Russell Ziecker, Head of Television Music and A&R, Lionsgate, Lori Silfen, SVP, Music, MGM. Day one of the two day summit concludes with the Sync Summit Reception and Party.

In one such planned session a panel consisting of rights holders and music supervisors from across the globe discuss the challenges and opportunities in doing business internationally. Then there will be a conversation between top directors, producers, music supervisors, composers, labels and publishers discussing the creative, thematic and practical roles of music in film. Topics covered include the integration of music in film throughout the creative process, best practices in clearance, collaboration and placement, discovery of music for a particular project, and how much music enhances the overall message and quality of the branding and story.

BMI, along with Hope Town Harbour Lodge, presents the First Annual Combustion Music Hope Town Music Festival on Abaco Islands. Hosted by GAC’s Storme Warren, the festival which runs December 5-9 includes free performances from BMI affiliated songwriters and artists, including Jon Pardi, Dallas Davidson, Blair Daly, Kree Harrison, Native Run, Chris Farren, Ashley Gorley, Johnnie and Joe, Chris DeStefano, Rodney Clawson and Nicolle Galyon, at different venues across the island. The Combustion Music Hope Town Music Festival will raise awareness and collect proceeds benefitting the Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Every Child Counts, an alternative education program for children with learning, developmental or physical disabilities.

Combustion Records has collaborated with a score of country musicians such as Darius Rucker, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Thompson Square, Dustin Lynch, Rascal Flats, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Martina McBride, and many others. Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), the largest non-profit music rights organization in the United States, represents over 600,000 country, jazz, and blues songwriters, composers, and publishers, and totals over 7.5 million works collectively.

Combustion Music first opened its doors in 2001 as an independent publishing/production company, first as a partnership with Windswept Pacific in L.A., and most recently partnering with Warner Chappell Music. Presently, as a Nashville independent publishing company, Combustion Music's successes include: 2009 GRAMMY Best Rock Song, Best Rock Performance, and Record of The Year "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon; 2009 ASCAP Country Song of The Year "You're Gonna Miss This;" 2009 ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley; and additional GRAMMY nominations in the following categories Song of The Year, Best Rock Album, Best Country Collaboration, Best R&B Song, Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album.

The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page at: http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html. The events blog also shows links to pages that are translated into ten of the most widely used international languages read over the Internet other than English. This month includes guest blogger Zachary Miller, founder of web resource AuditionInside.com with a contributed excerpt on auditioning tips. This month's picture placement is drawn from  Warner Bros. Picture's The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, opening December 13 in North American movie theaters. If the photo does not appear in this post please click this link to view it. In a preview of next month's events, be aware that: NMX - New Media Expo 2014 will be in Las Vegas, photo technology show, PMA International Convention And Trade Show, will also be held in Las Vegas, Florida Media Market Conference will be in Miami, London Short Film Festival, a UK-only showcase, will be in London, Asia Television Forum will happen in Singapore, culture and events fair, International Kulturborse Freiburg, happens in Freiburg, Sundance Film Festival returns to Park City, Grammy weekend in Los Angeles leads up to the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

Austin City Limits, MIPCOM, Hawaii International Film Festival, PhotoPlus International, are highlights in October's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

IndieCade in Culver City supports independent game development and organizes a series of international events showcasing the future of independent games. The flagship festival is held each October in Culver City, with this year's festival running through October 6, and is open to the industry and to the public. Events include festival workshops, master classes, a professional conference track, keynotes, and family-focused activities, meet-and-greets with game creators, hands-on gameplay with a GameWalk, live games, Night Games and numerous social events. IndieXchange sessions are designed to help intermediate to advanced developers push each other up to the next level. It's a full-day opportunity to network with peers, attend clinics and master classes, and discuss common challenges and  opportunities. IndieCade’s Night Games are a series of Big, Table and Digital games best played under cover of darkness. The party starts at 20:00 Saturday in the IndieCade Village. IndieCade was formed by Creative Media Collaborative, an alliance of industry producers and leaders founded in 2005.

Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival now happens over two weekends - October 4-6 and October 11-13 - and now encompasses eight stages and over 130 bands. Acts that have been confirmed for the 2013 lineup include: Roadkill Ghost Choir, Caspar Babypants, Whiskey Shivers, Alanna Royale, My Jerusalem, Houndmouth, Ms Mr, Depeche Mode, Thao & the Get Down Stay Down, Red Baraat, Delta Rae, Autre Ne Veut, Neko Case, Kendrick Lamar, Tame Impala, Toro Y Moi, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Arctic Monkeys, Little Green Cars, Noah and the Whale, Lionel Richie and so many more.

In between ACL conference weeks, the Captivate Conference, October 6-8 at Palmer Center, hosts industry talent from a number of digital entertainment industries spanning film, games, mobile and music. The sessions and workshops focus on learning tools and events set up for the professional musician and products for consumers. In separate but related activities, SXSW Eco will run for its third year, opening on October 7, and connecting professionals spanning the public, private and academic sectors who are all working toward finding solutions to  challenges facing civil society, the economy and the natural world.

Wanderlust Yoga, another mid-weekend event, is hosting an October 8 yoga class at the Long Center Pavilion during the week between the two ACL Fest weekends to benefit SafePlace. It will be a flow class led by five talented teachers and accompanied by live music. Attendees will enjoy refreshments from local vendors, a raffle of exciting prizes and a view of the entire Austin cityscape. The ACL Art Market is located in the center of Zilker Park where booths are open throughout the duration of the Festival. And aside from the daytime weekend showcases, there are the Official 2013 Late Night Shows that will bridge the two weekends, and features many of the same musical acts billed for the ACL Music Fest showcase.

The Bel Air Film Festival - BAFF for short - in Beverly Hills and surrounding areas is an annual international film festival offering attending filmmakers access to a series of film panels, music performances, gala events, and screenings of all genres including documentaries, animations, short films, student films, and comedies. The World Premiere of Feature Film Romatic-Comedy "Producer Sam" Followed by Red Carpet Gala at the Hammer Museum happens on October 10. The Festival will honor films in the following categories: Documentary Film, Feature Film, Short Film, Student Short Film, Comedy Short Film. The Bel-Air Film Festival hosted its first inaugural event in 2008 at a private estate located in Bel-Air, California. Even today some screenings are held at private luxury estates in Bel-Air and throughout theaters in Beverly Hills, on the UCLA campus, throughout Westwood, and into greater Los Angeles.

Each annual Bel Air Film Festival launches with a red carpet opening night gala and provides networking with  industry professionals. The Los Angeles Premiere of feature documentary "Unclaimed," will be October 8 at 19:00, followed by Q & A with Director Emmy Award Winner Michael Jorgensen. It is free to attend. There will be free admission to the USC film panel hosted by FilmBreak, Ripple News and moderated by Entertainment Attorney Mitra Ahouraian, on October 9 and the Hammer Museum After Party on October 10. An October 13 film panel hosted by FilmBreak, Ripple News, and moderated by entertainment attorney Mitra Ahouraian will be on the topic "Video On-Demand: Market Potential and Opportunities in Marketing and Merchandising" marks the close of the Festival.

Organized and run by Reed MIDEM, MIPCOM in Cannes is a yearly global market for entertainment TV content across all platforms. In four days beginning October 7, visitors to MIPCOM can come to discover and acquire the newest content in every genre and platform, gain industry knowledge, understand ongoing trends, learn new business models, finance their projects, find co-production partners, network and do deals with the decision-makers in the international television broadcasting and entertainment Industry. The MIPCOM 2013 programme will include the Media Mastermind Keynote Series, World Premiere Screenings, conferences, matchmaking and networking events.

This year in association with Shine International, Kudos, Shine France Films, Sky Atlantic HD and CANAL+, “The Tunnel,” is featured in MIPCOM’s World Premiere TV Screening on October 7. The conference's anticipated keynotes will be made by executives including: Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chief Executive Officer and Director, DreamWorks Animation SKG, Roma Khanna, President, Television Group and Digital of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Dan Rose, VP of Partnerships, Facebook, Michael Wright, President and Head of Programming, TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies. Jeffrey Katzenberg has been named MIPCOM 2013 Personality of the Year and will accept the award on October 9 during a gala dinner for industry executives at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes.

This year, planned matchmaking and networking opportunities seek to accelerate business in different media sectors and provide practical solutions for business development. Animation buyers can take advantage of this planned opportunity to discover new prorgrams from some of Japan's' independent animation studios. MIPCOM and the Argentine National Film Board (INCAA) bring special focus to Argentina’s television production industry as this year's "Country of Honor". Argentina plays host to this year’s Opening Night Party, sponsored by the Argentine National Film Board (INCAA) and a dealmakers lunch the day after. A line-up of new leading executives and discover programming and production trends out of Africa, reportedly, a region undergoing innovation and fast growth in this field.

Screamfest from October 8-17 in North Hollywood premieres and showcases new work from American and international independent horror filmmakers. The opening night feature, 'Beneath', is followed by the Opening Night Party. Film entries are accepted in the categories of Best Feature, Directing, Cinematography, Editing, Special Effects and Musical Score. In addition, there are special categories for Best Animation, Best Short, Best Documentary and Best Student Film.

On October 15, a Screamfest Q&A panel moderated by Peter DeBruge, senior film critic for Variety is paneled by: Don Handfield, producer, Ray Siegle, stunt person, Michael Colleary, writer/producer, Lucy Mukerjee, SVP Development at After Dark Films. The discussion tackles issues of: "The Art, Business and Future of Genre Filmmaking" -- also to be viewable via live-streaming video hosted by CraveOnline and ScreenCraft. The festival has hosted its share of notable filmmakers as guests, including Sam Raimi, Williiam Friedkin, Wes Craven, Eli Roth, John Landis, and ushered in well regarded horror flicks: David Arquette's The Tripper, Paranormal Activity, 30 Days Of Night, Wolf Creek, Cube: Zero and others.

The New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) was founded in 1989. This past year marked the 21st Anniversary of the New Orleans Film Festival, which has grown into a showcase of local, regional, national, and international films. In addition to the annual Film Festival each fall - this year from October 10-20 - the NOFS hosts special events throughout the year: the French Film Festival, the New Orleans International Children’s Film Festival, and other events designed to benefit local film audiences, artists, and professionals. The NOFS also presents two monthly film series, one at the Contemporary Arts Center and one with the Porch 7th Ward Cultural Organization. Since NOFF is dedicated to nurturing new voices and making and making them feel welcome in New Orleans, it has, in recent years provided two complimentary nights of lodging for every attending filmmaker along with a Festival All-Access pass to enjoy all films, parties and more.

The Hawaii International Film Festival in Honolulu is an official partner with Academy of Motion

HIFF will conduct a New Media Camp right up to closing date, October 17-20. It is to be an intensive video workshop with hands-on guidance and expertise from working professionals ranging from successful YouTube partners and content producers, working filmmakers in traditional media, social media experts, and Hollywood actors who will assist in tweaking craft skills in the production of a three minute video that will be presented on the final day of the workshop at the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18. There is also the Creative Lab Writers Accelerator program that gives participants an opportunity to delve further into the craft, provide them with direction on the business of writing and help create a plan to assist them in taking their next steps to career fulfillment.

On October 19, SAG-AFTRA presents a workshop on the inner processes of casting diverse projects fielding a panel of industry casting directors, producers, directors and actors, some of whom have films in the 2013 Festival. After the panel, selected members of the audience will get the opportunity to test their audition skills and receive immediate feedback from the panel. HIFF started as a project of the East-West Center, an educational and research institution created by U.S. Congress and located on the University of Hawai`i Manoa campus in Honolulu.

Every two years, for 11 days, film festival goers can immerse themselves in feature films, documentaries, shorts, animations and new media works, as the Adelaide Film Festival curates a screening program along with a forum program designed to explore program themes and approaches to film methodology. The festival based in Glenside will be relevant to both the general public and industry professionals introducing it's audience to innovative areas of screen practice that reflect current and future trends in the film and new media screen-based industries.

The Adelaide Film Festival October 10 Opening Night Gala will showcase 'Tracks', starring Mia Wasikowska (Jane Eyre, Stoker) and Adam Driver (HBO’s Girls, Frances Ha, Inside Llewyn Davis) and directed by John Curran (The Painted Veil, We Don’t Live Here Anymore). Following the screening, the festivities switch over to the Freemasons Hall for a gala after-party, to celebrate 10 years of the Adelaide Film Festival and the array of Australian and international films being presented in 2013.

On October 11, Bill Morrison will probe topics of screen works with Laurence Weshler, former director of the Humanities Research Institute, New York University. Morrison's work is known to make use of rare archival footage in which forgotten film imagery is reframed as part of collective mythology. He has been commissioned to create films for contemporary composers, including John Adams, Dave Douglas, Michael Gordon, Henryk, Górecki and Steve Reich. And on October 14, Morrison will open up the different ways that archival film and found footage can be used in a 90 minute Masterclass.

On October 13, guests from across Australia, and outside the region via Skype, explore the world of online content in a forum at Mercury Cinema. Topics that will be covered include: comedy, documentary, drama, soap opera and educational storytelling. It will take on issues about who is making money and how they are doing it, who is watching and whether webisodes are the new step stone into the moving image industries. The forum will culminate with a launch of the 2014 Guidelines for the MRC's annual Web TV! Webisode Production Initiative. Following the screening of Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s on October 16 at Palace Nova Cinemas, a special event follows at the Festival Club over lunch and drinks when attendees can enjoy a fashion parade of genuine period outfits from the private collection of Catwalk Connections (the people behind Frock Around the Clock). The show will also feature rare fashion items and objects of curiosity from across the decades.

The PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo is an annual New York City photography event for professionals, students, educators and enthusiasts concerned with the latest developments and techniques in photography, video and digital imaging. From October 23-26 visitors to the PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo can explore over 300 exhibits, see new products, attend conference seminars, keynote presentations, special events. Donald Pettit, Mark Seliger, and Rick Smolan will each deliver keynote presentations at PhotoPlus. On opening conference day, panel presentation "20/20 Vision: What Will Photography Look Like in the Next Decade?" features a panel of photo industry experts and thought leaders discussing technology, issues and desires, and envisioning the future of photography. Admission is free for all registered attendees. Portfolio Review sessions will happen October 24-26. The review program features over 175 veteran professionals with the visitor able to select and prioritize the reviewers they want to meet with. Every registrant for the Official Portfolio Review program receives free admission to PhotoPlus Expo. The Expo celebrates its 30 year history this year with a party that will include three hours of food, beverages, photo ops, and fun.

Known as “The Writer’s Festival,” for the past 19 years, Austin Film Festival has sought to distinguish its festival program by selecting films that display strong storytelling, both written and visual. This year is Austin Film Festival's 20th Anniversary. In addition to the Narrative Feature and Documentary Feature categories, this year there has been added a new "Dark Matters" category to showcase horror films. The festival will present a program of narrative, animation and documentary features and shorts, including premieres, advanced screenings, and independent films. Film screenings are complemented by informative Q&A sessions with cast members and filmmakers.

The AFF conference, dedicated to the screenwriting practice, will cover areas like: researching and editing your story, creating and funding a film, working with a writing partner, facing a blank page on a bad day,  risking a new direction after established success. Parties and social network events include Opening Night Reception, hosted by Austin Film Commission, followed later on by the WGA West Late Night Welcome Party hosted by Craig Mazin. The night before the official festival open, there will be the 11th annual "Film and Food Party", an evening dedicated to honoring Austin as both a nationally recognized thriving film industry and renowned culinary hotspot. Proceeds from the event benefit AFF’s Young Filmmakers Program. Then there will be a Starz Media Conference Wrap Party on October 26.

Billboard/Hollywood Reporter Film and TV Music Conference in Hollywood includes panels, Q&As and case studies with composers, music supervisors, artists and executives from across the film, television, advertising and music industries, leading discussions on the pressing issues in the Film and TV community, for two days, October 29-30. Brought back by popular demand, attendees have the opportunity to engage in 10-minute sit-downs with active song reps in the business, and submit their pitches and music. Industry notables scheduled to take part include: Michele Wernick, EVP, Music Placement; Michael Fey, Creative Licensing, Shoot the Noise Music Peter Shurkin, Select Tracks; Cindy Badell-Slaughter, President, Heavy Hitters Music Group, Peter Shurkin, Senior Director-Creative, Select Tracks; Sven Spieker, Mighty Generation Music; Anny Colvin, Position Music and others.

Grammy®-winning producer, musician and songwriter T Bone Burnett will receive the Maestro Award at the Billboard/Hollywood Reporter Conference. Burnett will be honored for his work in film and television music, most recently as executive music producer of “Inside Llewyn Davis,” the CBS Films release that opens in theaters December 20. Burnett will host a Q&A after the award presentation. A late panel on closing day, the eve of Halloween, "Halloween, Horror and Hollywood", focuses on the artistry of horror films with the topic dissected by a panel of experts from the world of chilling movies. The Film and TV Music Conference Closing Night Party will be hosted by John Anderson and PJ Bloom at Avalon. Costumes are optional.

The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page at: http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html. The events blog also shows links to pages that are translated into ten of the most widely used international languages read over the Internet other than English. This month's picture placement highlights festivals of horor and gore reflecting the upcoming Halloween period and the Hawaii International Film Fest. If the photo does not appear in this post please click this link to view it (http://actorschecklist.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/HorrorPics.jpeg and http://actorschecklist.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/HIFF2013Poster.jpg). In a preview of next month's events, be aware that: The annual American Film Market (AFM) arrives in Santa Monica. Running across town in Los Angeles and having a market partnership with AFM is American Film Institute (AFI) Film Fest in Los Angeles. Monaco International Clubbing Show will be in Monaco. Supanova Pop Culture Expo Brisbane will happen in Brisbane. Annual Content and Communications World is in New York City. Dubai International Character and Licensing Fair opens in Dubai.

AFM/AFI, Leeds Film Festival, Billboard's FutureSound Conference, Alpha Night on Broadway, are highlights in November's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

American Film Market is headquartered in Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas is the site for the 12th Annual Latin Grammy Awards.

AFM is the anticipated, annual film event that's not quite festival, not quite conference, but mostly business opportunity — the business of independent motion picture production and distribution — set oceanside against Santa Monica beach. Generally, 8,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, seminars, networking and parties, right up till November 9. Participants come from over 70 countries and include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world's press, and all those who provide services to the motion picture industry. Separate from the conference schedule, the AFM Industry Conversations are interactive and informative discussions led by Hollywood thought leaders, decision makers, trendsetters and experts, and are free to anyone with an AFM Badge.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards. And AFI FEST holds the FIAPF accreditation (FIAPF.org), assuring a high standard of quality and reliability for the international film community. The festival opens with the Clint Eastwood directed, 'J. Edgar', with Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Josh Lucas and Judi Dench. Individual tickets became available to the general public from October 27. Tickets will be released the day before each screening at AFI.com and the day of each screening at the AT&T Box Office at Hollywood & Highland Center. The American Film Market (AFM) in Santa Monica, is the market partner of AFI FEST.

Leeds International Film Festival will be held in West Yorkshire through November 20. It primarily supports the work of fresh talent in fiction and documentary filmmaking (both features and shorts), and importantly, work from existing talent that has not received some exposure yet in the UK. Every section of Leeds is structured as a film festival in itself. Cherry Kino is the forum for "wondermental" cinema at the festival. Cinema Versa is the home of documentaries inspired by the underground festival aesthetic, running two major themes: Music on Film and Underground Voices, incorporating live special events and collaborations. Fanomenon is the genre section of the film festival offering a mix of fantasy cinema experiences, light and dark. To celebrate its fifth birthday, this year's Thought Bubble festival programme will be extended over seven days taking place at venues across the city. Thought Bubble 2011 will include free workshops for all ages, a three day academic conference, talks and masterclasses led by industry professionals, a giant free book crossing and giveaway, and a programme of film and documentary screenings.

Canadian-born composer Trevor Morris has earned multiple Emmy and Gemini Nominations and Awards for his work on Showtime's The Tudors, The Borgias, and Starz Entertainment's The Pillars of the Earth. For a November 8 evening event in Los Angeles, he and the Grammy Museum's Executive Director, Bob Santelli, discuss his career and the process of writing scores for films and television. Along with the discussion, Morris will take questions from the audience, instruct a live composing demonstration, and audience members will be among the first to see clips from upcoming 3D action adventure feature, Immortals, which he has contributed to.

Every November, the Lone Star Film Society presents the Lone Star International Film Festival bringing top selections in cinema to the City of Fort Worth. Along with celebrating emerging visions, the festival also pays homage to the masters of the medium throughout five days of screenings, panels, and parties. The focus of the 2011 Lone Star International Film Festival, opening for a five day run starting November 9, will be to examine new models of film distribution and marketing with the objective of contributing to the creation of industry best practices for filmmakers and other professionals working within this transitioning environment. The LSIFF Feature Film Competition Program focuses on new works from emerging talents made with modest budgets. The LSFS rationalizes this as the best way to identify new visions that are strong enough to see through barriers such as limited resources.

The Sixth Annual HPA Awards Show Gala is held to recognize the very best in Post Production, and will be held in Los Angeles on November 10. The Hollywood Post Alliance®, also known as HPA®, is the trade association serving the Southern California-based professional community of businesses and individuals who provide expertise, support, tools and the infrastructure for the creation and finishing of motion pictures, television, commercials, digital media and other dynamic media content. Cocktail attire is suggested for this event, and a champagne and dessert reception immediately follows the show.

The Oaxaca International Independent Film and Video Festival is an official cultural event of the city of Oaxaca de Juarez, happening November 12-19. Quality film submissions of any length are welcome from all genres from anywhere in the world. A strong emphasis of the Oaxaca International Independent Film and Video Festival is to contribute to the economic and creative vitality of the city of Oaxaca and expand the audience for independent film. Opening night after party at Bar Txalaparta, and closing night after party at Bar Desestresse.

Billboard's FutureSound conference will bring together musical artists, entrepreneurs, investors and meaningful rights-holders for focused conversations about next-generation opportunities in music over two days in San Francisco from November 17. These ideas will be presented and discussed on-site to produce a Billboard publication cover story detailing best practices and ideas. During a scheduled Friday panel, Steve Jang, Founder/CEO, SoundTracking, Ryan Sarver, Head of Platform, Twitter, take part in a panel moderated by Joe Marchese, SVP Marketing & Digital, FUSE, on "Twitter and The Socialization of Music". In addition to the conference, Billboard will also be featuring installations of next generation platforms and music products to create a backdrop for the day's discussions.

Established and recognized magazine on the film circuit, Independent Film Quarterly presents its Film & New Media Festival in New York City, November 17-24. The festival provides a platform where filmmakers can showcase their work (features, shorts, new media, animation, music videos and documentaries), increase opportunities for producers and maximize potential for distribution, press and industry recognition. The Festival will exhibit a selection of short- and long-form works that exhibit strong personal visions combined with the high standards of artistic merit and technical achievement consistent with, and reflective of Independent Film Quarterly.

At the Music In Media Industry Professionals Mixer running from November 18-19, attendees can get up close and personal with top industry movers and shakers who will be on hand to connect and meet Hollywood Music In Media (HMMA) artists and members. The Hollywood based event officially known as MIMIpro™, features groovin' music, tasty appetizers and a full bar that will be used to create an ambiance for networking while award winners, industry luminaries and personalities deliver candid and revealing interviews live in the hotel's mid-century styled lounge. All HMMA members, guests, friends and awards attendees are welcome to this complimentary two day experience. Live broadcast is carried via www.stageit.com both nights beginning at 8 pm PST. A post event celebration follows.

Held during the official proclamation of "Animation Week" in Burbank, the CTN animation eXpo which runs three days starting on November 20, is an assemblage of presentations, workshops, screenings, networking, recruiting, to mutually benefit the animation artist, games, education, film and video communities and the individuals in those communities. In one planned conference panel, "The Media is the Message!", panel participants explore the topic of developing content in new media such as web-based, iPad apps, PDA oriented content, streaming content, multi-platform content linked with gaming, apps, feature films and more. Since its inception in 2004 The Creative Talent Network® stands as the organized community for the top creators of both traditional and digital animated films, and hosts of the CTN animation eXpo.

Our Gang Productions joins with Rho Psi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the producers of the Broadway play, Stick Fly, for one night, November 20, to divert a portion of the evening's box office into a fundraiser for the Rho Psi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, leading up to a 2012 Historic Black college and university tour and College Boot Camp that underprivileged urban youth will take part in. The evening begins with a pre-reception at B. Smith's Restaurant on Restaurant Row of Hell's Kitchen, then onto the Broadway play, Stick Fly, followed by a Q&A panel discussion moderated by Dion Michael Ashman of Get Ready for Primetime Radio. Stick Fly is written by Lydia R. Diamond, directed by Kenny Leon, and executive produced by Grammy winner, Alicia Keys, who composed an original score for the production.
The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page at http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html which now has a language translation button to convert page contents into most widely used languages. In a look ahead into December event dates, there is the anticipated Bahamas International Film Festival in Nassau & Paradise Island, the 2011 International Film Festival Summit in  Las Vegas, Monaco International Film Festival in Monte Carlo, the Metropolitan Film Festival of New York in New York City, and Queer Fruits Film Festival in Lismore, to give a small sample of the upcoming events in the month ahead. Also to alert viewers, a site revamp and redesign of The Actor's Checklist is close at hand, with new interactive features, tools and resources to aid members, so please stay tuned.

Malibu Film Festival, Independent Film Week (IFP), NYTVF, POP Montreal, are highlights in September's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

New York's Harlem community hosts a film festival through September 11 that showcases features, documentaries, shorts, youth films and animated works from around the world. Other events include night life, panel discussions, the Brownstone Awards and the Renaissance Awards gala. In addition to showcasing films from around the world, the Festival also features the Harlem Spotlight, which highlights films produced or directed by Harlem residents, films shot in Harlem, or films about Harlem and its history.

A Miami Hitmakers Panel set for September 8, has been structured to help educate the up and coming music community in Miami. Panelists will discuss topics such as their background, the state of the music industry today, advice for aspiring producers, songwriters, artists and executives, and other related areas. They will also participate in a Q&A with the audience near the end. ASCAP's Vice President of Rhythm & Soul Membership, Nicole George, will moderate the panel. Attendance requires an RSVP that will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis. To RSVP, please contact Michael Wells at mwells@ascap.com. This panel is free and open to the public.

The Sydney Underground Film Festival seeks filmmakers that veer from the norm. The festival, held in Marrickville, Sydney and running September 8-10, seeks to support filmmakers who operate outside established film industry infrastructures, by providing a platform for exhibition, exposure and critical discussion. The festival program's selection screens independent, experimental, art-house, provocative and daring films from around the world. There will be a fifth birthday celebration at the Opening NIght film and party with fun films, a special live performance, DJs, complimentary food and beverages including organic wine, organic beer, and freshly baked pizza onsite.

In 1997, Malibu Film Foundation was founded by writer/producer/director, David Katz, to produce the Malibu Film Festival. The Malibu Film Festival is set to make a run this year from September 9-15 in the renowned beachfront community that is its home. With a focus on new filmmakers, Malibu Film Festival screens films in all genres, on any topic, from every country around the world. The mission is to showcase the most talented emerging filmmakers, bringing attention to their work to the film industry. A Tory Burch Fashion Show will be presented during the festival run, and there will be a Closing Night Awards Party.

The Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival is open to US and International films in five categories: full length features, shorts, documentaries, animation and student films. The music competition component of TVIFF is designed to showcase the music vision and artistry of musicians representing all genres of music - from rock to pop, jazz to R&B, Folk to Hip Hop, Country to Latin, Reggae, etc. The festival starts September 14 with an Opening Night red carpet welcome of 300 filmmakers and music artists participants, followed by nightly filmmaker/musician receptions, capped by a Black Tie Awards Gala to close on September 18. Independent record producer Jason Brawner leads the workshop, "Pitch It, Pitch It Good!" where he conducts one-on-one mentoring sessions, and JDS Actors Studio conducts a workshop that focuses on the Audition process for Actors at every level. The two-day MusicFest, Friday and Saturday, is free to the public.

In a combined effort, ASCAP and GRAMMY U present a September 15 networking mixer in San Antonio geared to college students and featuring food, drinks, and a panel presented by ASCAP titled: "The Importance of Music In Film and Television 101". Students can network with fellow college students, Recording Academy Texas Chapter Board members, and start the school year with GRAMMY U. Panelists include: Jeff Jernigan, ASCAP Associate Director of Film and TV Music, Yocel Alonso, Entertainment Attorney, Janet Vasquez, San Antonio Film Commission, Rick Garcia, ASCAP Film Songwriter, Brian Black, Music Supervisor, Veronica R. Hernandez, NALIP, Carl Thiel, Music Producer/Composer/Film Scorer.

Taking place during the 33rd annual Independent Film Week (formerly IFP Market), IFP’s five-day Filmmaker Conference: The Future of Film is now in its new home in New York City at the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s new facility. New this year, are in-depth master classes on topics ranging from financing the narrative feature to audience building and outreach. Created in 1979, IFP is one the nation's oldest organizations of independent filmmakers, and during this time has supported the production of 7,000 films and provided resources to more than 20,000 filmmakers through programs and guidance that include: Independent Film Week, Independent Filmmaker Labs, Industry Connects, Fiscal Sponsorship, the Independent Film Conference and many others. IFP also publishes Filmmaker magazine.

The New York Television Festival (NYTVF), founded in 2005 as the face of the "independent television" movement, has been striving ever since to provide artists with needed access to decision makers, innovative paths of program development, and opportunities to showcase their work. The NYTVF's Independent Pilot Competition has established a pipeline allowing producers, writers, and directors to showcase their original TV pilots directly to decision-makers of the industry. For the first time, an international group of writers, directors, and producers, selected from a grassroots search, will be given the opportunity to showcase pilot programs directly to network and cable executives in a forum. There will be a cocktail party welcoming the 2011 Official Artists and celebrating the opening of the Independent Pilot Competition on September 20, and on September 21 join the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment for a party celebrating the City's thriving television production community, both events in the Varick Room at Tribeca Cinema.

Unicomm in association with Variety will host the LA Mobile Entertainment Summit in Hollywood, September 20-21, which is all about connecting the ecosystem among digital assets, original content and mobile platforms to reach consumers in today's multi-screen environment. It will bring forth some of the top minds in mobile technology, interactive media and entertainment to examine how content and rapidly evolving technology is dramatically changing the entertainment marketplace. The two-day conference includes keynotes, one-on-one interviews, panels, technology demonstrations, a networking luncheon and evening cocktail reception as well as table top displays and interactive showcases. It will run concurrent with the 3D Entertainment and 3D Gaming Summits operating from the same space.

POP Montreal International Music Festival, running September 21-25, is an annual not-for-profit curated cultural event championing the international music scene vital to indie oriented communities of musicians and artists, fans, curators, critics, and record labels. The festival includes symposium discussions, artisan and visual art exhibitions, fashion shows, film screenings, and nightly parties. The Festival is designated by these sections: Pop Montreal, ArtPop, FilmPop, KidsPop, PucesPop, Symposium. In a slated "Music Supervision Workshop" Jon Bartlett (Megaphono/Kelp Records), Andrea von Foerster (Firestarter Music), Michael Hill and Russell Ziecker (Lionsgate Entertainment) analyze the process to create new soundtracks to a 30-second film clip.

Across the Canadian divide in Ottawa, the The Canadian Film Institute (CFI) rolls out the Ottawa International Animation Festival from September 21-25. The CFI is focused on promoting and presenting regular public programmes of contemporary, historical, and international cinema in the National Capital region. During the week of the Festival, there are 92 screenings and 46 professional development events at six venues across downtown Ottawa. In addition to the main Festival - the OIAF runs a number of outreach events and activities such as: free NFB workshops for families and teens, the Adobe Toon Apprentice Pass, Animation Celebration (a free screening for elementary classes), Toon Apprentice high school lecture series, and more. Aside from nightly parties, the festival also has the annual picnic located in Strathcona Park, Ottawa's picturesque green spot on the Rideau River.

The Fantastic Film and Arcade Game Fest, happening in Austin, September 22-29, was created to offer exposure to genre films in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action, which can be overlooked by the traditional festival circuit. The Festival strives to offer acquisition and media and exhibition opportunities for undistributed films as well as to spotlight upcoming genre theatrical releases and repertory genre classics. The Fantastic Arcade will showcase a curated selection of brand new independent games as well as a larger sampling of important independent games from the last couple of years.The festival will also make available special badges for access to: the arcade  open for game play and tournaments, Fantastic Arcade happy hour and tournament finals, Fantastic Arcade VIP Party. Festival venue The Alamo Drafthouse was named the best cinema in America by Entertainment Weekly and features food and drink served to your seat without any disruption of the movie experience.

The mission of the upcoming Coney Island Film Festival is to raise funds for the non-profit arts organization Coney Island USA while presenting an engaging program of films including "made in Coney Island" productions. The September 23 opening night celebrations pay tribute to Coney Island's renown carnival history with live performances by sideshow freaks, sword swallowers, fire eaters and stars of the New York City burlesque scene. Coney Island's amusement parks and aquarium are scheduled to be open weather permitting. The festival runs through September 25.

Miami's DocMiami International Film Festival will kick off with Opening Night Cocktails and a Screening on Thursday at Romano's Macaroni Grill. The festival officially opens September 23-25. In some of the speaker sessions, Funding and Development of Your Document, will be addressed by former 20th Century Fox Scriptwriter, Alyn Darnay; and Brenda Nieborsky, VP Operations for Openfilm.com is a featured speaker on the topic of On-Line Distribution. Speaker Ece Karayalcin, Filmmaker/ Professor at the Department of Film and Television, School of Entertainment and Design Technologies, takes on issues of Legalities, Footage & Music Rights. Performing artists including Javier Batiz "The Godfather of Mexican Blues" and Tito Puente, Jr. contribute their talents in scheduled concerts for the benefit of the children of Tanzania at DocMiami 2011.

The annual conference for the film, video, and digital media industry known as Cine Gear NY, includes: exhibits, premiere and master class seminars, film series competition and finalist screenings, 3D symposium and technology salon, content conference, new product announcements, demonstrations, VIP awards ceremony, special events and more. The conference which runs in New York City, September 24-25, offers artists and technicians the opportunity to discover the latest technology and techniques, get hands-on training, gain knowledge and skills from industry leaders, obtain the newest equipment, hear breaking industry news and network with peers and industry leaders.

The Annual CULTURE&CULTURES Intercultural International Film Festival (C&CIIFF), staged in Lempaut Tarn and opening September 29 until October 2, is created by the non-profit association "Culture&Cultures" and presents a selection of international films, both documentary and fiction, with a platform committed to intercultural exchange and dialogue. After each screening, the audience will vote for their favorite film and the Director of either the fiction or the documentary film which obtains the highest votes will be the winner of the 1000 Euros prize.

The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page at http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html which now has a language translation button to convert page contents into most widely used languages. A look ahead into October event dates will help you prepare for:  Billboard & The Hollywood Reporter Film & TV and Music Conference, in Los Angeles, Durango Songwriters Expo, in Boulder, the New Orleans Horror Film Festival, in Theodore, New York City ShowBiz Expo, in New York City, 2011 Content & Communications World, in New York City, to provide just a small sample of upcoming events in advance. Also to alert viewers, a site revamp and redesign of The Actor's Checklist is close at hand, with new interactive features, tools and resources to aid members, so please stay tuned.

Los Angeles Showbiz Expo, Cannes Film Festival, Billboard Music Awards, Drama Desk Awards, are some Highlights in May's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

In Brooklyn, the 2011 Summer Series will feature more than 200 new films, all screened outdoors, in front of big audiences in the parks, on boats, and on rooftops. The festival screens comedies, dramas, experimental shorts, animation, videos, short and feature documentaries, political films, and home movies and found footage, as well as many of the  new independent narrative feature films. Live bands at free music events are scheduled during the series which runs until September 30.

The Festival of Animated Film in Stuttgart hosts directors, production companies, distributors and international sales companies to present their animated films in this competitive festival, now in its 18th year. Artistic animation films and the support of budding talents represent the core of the festival. Prize money of more than 50,000 Euros in total will be awarded in the various competitive programs. The combination of the Festival of Animated Film, the Animation Production Day and FMX, the conference on Animation. Effects, Games and Interactive Media, has established the event as an opportunity for financing and developing animation projects. For Festival goers, entry to any events in the Festival Garden is free through May 8.

Black International Cinema Berlin, May 4-8, originated from the Black Cultural Festival, which was produced and directed by Fountainhead(R) Tanz Theatre in 1986 for the first time in Europe. The present-day event in Berlin, presents the contributions of Black people to world culture through film, theater, dance, music, workshops and seminars, and pays homage to legendary tap dancer, Carnell Lyons. The festival focuses on presenting works of an artistic, cultural or political nature coinciding with the general educational, social, artistic and economic interest of people from Africa, and/or the African Diaspora.

This year's Los Angeles Showbiz Expo -- an annual industry event happening on both coasts -- that brings together everyone who works in Film, Video, TV, Theatre, Fashion and Live Events, will be happening this year from May 6-7. To attend the auditions at ShowBiz Expo, please register to attend ShowBiz Expo. If you do not pre-register by the cut-off date and would still like to attend the auditions, you may do so by proceeding to the audition area without a ShowBiz Expo badge although pre-registrations will receive priority.

NARM advances the promotion, marketing, distribution, and sale of music and entertainment by providing its members with a forum for meeting and networking opportunities, information, advocacy and education to support their businesses. At this year's NARM Convention in Los Angeles, May 9-12, a NARM/A2IM Music Business Crash Course will be given on May 9 and May 10. The course features educational presentations and panel discussions focused on the independent sector, and directed to independent music labels, artists, technology companies and students, to remain current in the transforming music economy. The National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) is a not-for-profit trade association, and since 1958 has served the music and entertainment content delivery community.

Streaming Media, New York, is the annual gathering of online video professionals that offers the opportunity to get hands-on time with new products, check out new streaming devices, and network with industry experts, colleagues, and associates. New for 2011 is a fourth track devoted to HTML5. The HTML5 video "conference-within-a-conference" track will run the full two days from May 10-11 of the conference. Topics will include encoding to HTML5, encoding for Apple iOS devices, advertising and HTML5, how-to build an HTML5 player, and HTML5 standards. There will also be the unveiling of a new broadband device called Pavilion.

At Cannes Film Festival, short films are prominently represented at the Competition, such as when the short films Jury awards a Palme d'or, and at the Short Film Corner, a professional area for meeting people, exchanging ideas and promoting films. A number of initiatives aimed at supporting the talent of the future have already been introduced: the Camera d'Or is awarded to the best film presented either in the Official Selection, during Directors' Fortnight or during the Semaine de la Critique. The Cinefondation, which serves to showcase new trends in the film industry, screens films from film schools as part of the Official Selection, as well as organising the Residence and the Atelier. This year, the opening film will be released in cinemas in France on the same day as its screening at Cannes and the opening ceremony will be broadcast in cinemas enabling audiences to experience the Festival launch night live. The Cinema de la Plage, an outdoor cinema, screens a different film each night, and since 2010 even the occasional world preview from its theme-based programme.

The International Film festival and Environment Ciudad de Zaragoza has a focused directive to show, support and promote films made in the world on the environment. EcoZine aims to promote, show and award prizes to audiovisual fiction, animation and/or documentaries with environmental themes produced anywhere in the world, and also to promote actions and audiovisual events related to the Environment. The Festival based in Zaragoza runs from May 13-21.

BMI will honor David Foster as a BMI Icon on May 17 at its 59th Annual Pop Awards in Beverly Hills. The invitation-only event will also honor the songwriters and publishers of the past year's most-performed pop songs in the United States. Foster was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010. The evening will include an all-star musical tribute to Foster, as well as the presentation of the Pop Songwriter, Song, and Publisher of the Year crystals.

The Jazz Foundation presents its annual "A Great Night in Harlem" gala concert, May 19 in New York, benefiting the Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund. This evening will raise money to assist the elder jazz and blues musicians in crisis across the country, artists who have spent their lives being passionately devoted to their music while creating enjoyment for listening audiences. Presently on the agenda, performances by Macy Gray, Roberta Flack, Dr. John, Lou Reed, Christian McBride, Hot 8 Brass Band are slated, with more to be announced. Post-concert supper, club gala, and the VIP After-Party jam session with musicians are featured activities. The 2011 Gala Honoree is Michael Novogratz.

Artists collective, The Urban Individualists, and their artist affiliates, open a New York show with music themed, and music inspired artworks paying tribute and homage to musician and composer Gerry Eastman and The Williamsburg Music Center he founded in 1981. WMC exists to foster the creation, performance and appreciation of American Classic Music. It is a black-owned and operated non-profit jazz institution offering classes and workshops in jazz performance and history. This exhibit will formally open on May 20 with a reception and will be accompanied with live music provided by Gerry Eastman's band. This is an Urban Individualists Event curated by Helene Ruiz, co-curated by Jakulo Cooper, in collaboration with WMC.

"Gaming: A Dominant Force In Entertainment, What's Next?" is the theme to be addressed at a panel on May 20 that will ponder the entertainment software industry's growth of roughly 1300% since the year 2000, and how Gaming is now beginning to push boundaries in other fields outside of entertainment such as social networking, health, education, and even science. The group of experienced gaming professionals assembling in Boulder will tackle the future role of video games in the entertainment industry. Panelists will discuss their personal history in the industry as well as rising trends and new applications for gaming.

The 2011 Billboard Music Awards will air on ABC live from Las Vegas on May 22, in partnership with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The awards will reflect Billboard's chart rankings based on key fan interactions with music, including album, single and digital sales, touring, streaming and social interactions on MySpace, Facebook and other popular online destinations for music. The awards will be based on the reporting period of February 28, 2010 through March 1, 2011. Top artists will be recognized in a variety of genres, including R&B, Rap, Pop, Country, Rock, Latin and Alternative.

The 56th Annual Drama Desk Awards will be held at a gala sit-down dinner in New York, on May 23. The Drama Desk Awards which were established in 1955 and are given annually in a number of categories, recognize excellence in the commercial and not-for-profit sectors of New York theatre. It is the only theatre award for which production on Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off Broadway compete within the same categories. This year's Awards show adds new features including a live orchestra, performances from nominated musicals, and a one hour primetime special which will air one week later on the Ovation Network. Festivities opens with a Black-Tie VIP Cocktail Reception, VIP After Party Ticket with Premium open bar and dessert stations. Harvey Fierstein is host of this year's awards.

The Amsterdam Film Festival contains a mix of art and expression seeking to reflect the character of the host city. Honoring films from over 90 countries around the world, the 2011 Amsterdam Film Festival will award and recognize feature films, short films, documentaries, student films, animation, music videos and screenplays. The festival accepts submissions of all types and encourages individuality and experimentation. The Festival, running May 31 to June 1, recognizes excellence in filmmaking in the categories with the organization's Van Gogh Awards.

The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page at http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html which now has a language translation button to convert page contents into most widely used languages. A look ahead into June event dates will help you prepare for:  Cine Gear Expo 2011, in Hollywood, Produced By Conference, in Orlando; The Aruba International Film FestivalSanta Cruz, Aruba, in Santa Cruz, Banff World Television FestivalBanff, Alberta, in Alberta, AFI/Discovery Channel SILVERDOCS Documentary Festiva, in Silver Spring, to provide only a small sample of upcoming events in advance. Also to alert viewers, a site revamp and redesign of The Actor's Checklist is close at hand, with new interactive features, tools and resources to aid members, so please stay tuned.

Streaming Media Europe, One Mic Nite, MIPCOM, New Orleans Film Festival, Jazz Loft Party, Florida Media Market, Billboard Mobile Entertainment Live! B

HDFEST World Tour takes place in six different cities throughout four countries around the world - first in London through October 4; then New York, October 10-11 - screening High-Def content, and holding panels, that highlight issues pertaining to filmmaking in HD. Films that will be screened in the "MontanaCINE International Film Festival of Cultures, Issues of Nature and the Environment," taking place in Missoula, through October 7, throws the spotlight on issues that include: culture, outdoor recreation, conservation, urban sprawl, political and social impacts and influences, agriculture, industry and the effects of war on the natural world. Streaming Media Europe, on October 4 & 5 in London, features over 50 international speakers focusing on both corporate and consumer business, technology and content issues for online video in the enterprise, advertising, media and entertainment and broadcast markets. The Annual Durango Songwriter’s Expo, happening in Rio Rico October 4-6, typically limits its registration slots holding this year's number to 200. Horror genre screenwriter Stephen Susco discusses the craft and business of his chosen field when Alameda Writers Group meets October 6 in Glendale. On October 8, and every Monday night, the One Mic Nite talent showcase - http://www.myspace.com/onemicnite and industry networking event turns over the microphone to a variety of performinng artists to do their thing, in the far west district of Greenwich Village.

At the San Francisco International Animation Showcase, opening October 8-11, programs of feature-length and short films are screened, with two days devoted to the latest technical, aesthetic and narrative techniques in animated film production. MIPCOM, the global content event for co-producing, buying, selling, financing and distributing entertainment content across all platforms, opens this year October 8-12 in Cannes. HD World, opening for two days on October 10 aims to bring together buyers and suppliers of HDTV, high def video, and broadcast related equipment and solutions while offering a forum for broadcast, cable, film and government executives to collaborate together and with suppliers of High Definition technologies. The New Orleans Film Festival enters its 18th anniversary when it opens October 11-18 as the preeminent vehicle in the region for the exhibition of local, regional, national and international film, while also hosting the Film Congress, a program of panels, workshops and mentor sessions. The 2007 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony on October 14 is a presentation of The Nashville Songwriters Foundation, Inc., a non-profit foundation dedicated to honoring and preserving the songwriting legacy of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. A Jazz Loft Party will be thrown to benefit the Jazz Foundation of America's Musicians' Emergency Fund on October 14 in New York. Nightly red-carpet gala premieres and other cause celebre are part of the annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Film Awards happening in Beverly Hills, from October 17-22.

The Amsterdam Dance Event is part industry conference, part club festival, and actually takes place in over 40 clubs, concert venues, record stores and art galeries in the city center of Amsterdam from October 18-20. Florida Media Market, a membership organization that facilitates meetings of independent film and media makers to meet with international buyers, distributors and production companies, to buy, sell and network, hosts an upcoming session from October 18-21 in Miami. FREAK SHOW Horror Film Festival features independent horror from around the world, and is part of the SCREAMFEST Horror Convention, running October 19-21, in Orlando where there will be seminars, live music, tattooing, a dealer room, and more surprises. Billboard Mobile Entertainment Live! is a mobile entertainment conference produced in partnership with CTIA - and hosted by entertainment impresario Quincy Jones - prospectively drawing in more than 1,000 executives from companies representing mobile music, gaming, TV, video, animation, messaging, marketing, social networking and more at its October 22 meeting in San Francisco. American Black Film Festival hosts five days of independent films, panels, workshops, Hollywood premieres, live entertainment and the ABFF Awards Dinner, during its run from October 25-29 in Los Angeles. From the World Trade Centre in Mumbai, Broadcast India Exhibition and Symposium is a global megamart for broadcast related industries, with everything to do with entertainment. During the Americana Music Conference, October 31 to November 3 in Nashville, evening showcases and parties will continue Thursday through Saturday, and the Sixth Annual Americana Honors & Awards will be held at the Ryman Auditorium on November 1.

The above events are just a sampling of what is listed. Most of the reported events above have a submission process for indie and/or performing artists to take part in. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page at http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html. Video and podcast versions of this news summary are now available at most popular video sites around the Web like MySpace, YouTube, the Apple iTunes store podcast category, as well as on The Actor's Checklist at http://actorschecklist.com/loudblog/ a great place to get your iPhone, ipod or Apple TV download from. This month on video you will see trailers and video clips of The Milgram Experiment (http://www.myspace.com/tme61) a Moving Art Picture film by Maxwell Addae following the story of a pair of career con artists who have mastered the art of wielding the power of authoritative figures; the antics reflected by their comedy skits and hip hop tunes of the parody duo Tommy C and Joey McG (http://www.myspace.com/tommyc_joeymcg); Hear the soulful, break beat, hip-hop style of UK based songstress, Bukola (www.bukola.biz; www.myspace.com/bukolabiz). The Actor's Checklist now lets you keep track of latest musical artists song releases on Apple's iTunes, updated on an hourly basis at: http://www.actorschecklist.com/resources/itunes.php.