PRESS RELEASES

Miami, FL – September 2007 – Florida Film Institute (FFI), famed Hollywood television Director, Morris Abraham and the Florida Media Market (FMM) are teaming up to offer Miami “Alternative Media,” a series of one-of-a-kind workshops on various aspects of television production. The workshops are geared toward participates who are either planning careers in or are currently working in the film and television industries. The workshops, held on October 20, will begin at 9 AM and will take place at the Alexander Hotel, 5225 Collins Avenue, in Miami Beach.

“Our workshops are going to be amazing,” said Stephanie Martino-Rizzi, Founder and President of FFI. “We have invited the finest group of industry professionals to communicate and explain the many different aspects of television production, along with educating participants on what the television networks are looking for in a product.”

The unique workshops, done “live” and “in person,” will feature film and video clips, lively discussion and interviews with industry professionals such as award winning television actor, Gary Collins, technical director, Kent Green and Andrew Singer, Senior Vice President of Television Development at the Lorne Michael’s Broadway Video Co. The workshops will blend behind the scenes anecdotes and points of view, with three specific subject matters: “What’s So Funny,” “Oh No! It’s the Geek Squad” and “Keepn’ it Real!”

“What’s So Funny” – This comedic themed workshop will focus on how to execute and maximize the most laughter from a given piece of material. From the Hollywood television production and network world, Andrew Singer, together with Morris Abraham, will explore various aspects of the industry, including “retro” comedy to present day comedy.

“Oh No! It’s the Geek Squad!” – Is content keeping up with new technology?
Award winning technical director and television engineer, Kent Green will discuss and compare technical approaches used on “multi-camera” productions versus “single camera,” along with several other aspects of the technical world of TV production.

“Keepn’ it Real!” – Participants will have the opportunity to learn the secrets of reality television from American Idol, Project Runway, The Tonight Show to Monday Night Football, it’s all reality. Television actor and talk show host, Gary Collins will break down the Talk-Show genre’s past, present and future.

For nearly three decades, Morris Abraham has worked in Hollywood with some of the biggest names in the business and has achieved widespread recognition. He began his career in Canada directing and producing the country’s most popular television shows, subsequently moving to Los Angeles directing television series such as the Mickey Mouse Club, Late Night with Conan O’Brian, Mad tv, In Living Color, CMT Music Awards and the Miss America Pageant.

Kent Green, President of Kent Green Video Group, has won two Emmy Awards and is currently the technical director for the MTV Movie Awards and CMT Flameworthy Awards. Gary Collins is best known for his work on the syndicated program and Emmy winning show “Hour Magazine,” and is currently working on “NOW Playing with Gary Collins” on Comcast and DirecTV. Andrew Singer has worked in the television industry for several years and served as an Associate Producer for the Emmy award winning NBC comedy, “30 Rock”.

The FMM is a non-profit membership based organization whose goal is to build a platform where independent film and media makers meet with international buyers, distributors and production companies to buy, sell and network. The aim is to create an annual market for film, documentary, television and media deal-making that will fortify the film industry both internationally and in Florida.

Registration is available online at www.flfilminstitute.org and closes on October 16, 2007. The cost for the full day is $75 (limited to 80 participants) and is open to all ages. For any questions regarding the workshops, students may contact the Florida Film Institute at (305) 891-3456.

Founded in 1992, the Florida Film Institute teaches the art, science and business of filmmaking through a series of workshops designed to inspire and empower aspiring filmmakers, providing them with the know-how to create their own film. The Florida Film Institute acknowledges the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners for their support. For more information, please visit www.flfilminstitute.org.