ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., April 28, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Albuquerque Film & Music Experience promises an amazing week of incredible musical performances, one-of-a-kind films, and opportunities for attendees to engage with filmmakers, actors, and artists from around the world. Created and Executive Produced by Ivan Wiener, AFME's mission to bring people together through the power of film, music and the arts is bigger than ever going into its third year. The unique, mainstream celebration of the arts, taking place June 1-7, has attracted the participation of many industry leaders and luminaries from New Mexico productions, world markets and Hollywood.
"AFME 2015 offers a platform for celebrities, attendees and the entire community to come together and experience the best of Albuquerque in a fun, impactful and memorable way," said Ivan Wiener. "Programming includes domestic and international movies, panels and workshops, a wide range of live music, celebrity guests and incredible after parties each night."
Special events throughout the week include: AFME's "Reel" Dog Fashion Show at the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque on June 1st with New York Pet Fashion Show's Ada Nieves. New Mexico Short Movie Program at the South Broadway Cultural Center on Monday, June 1st with some of NM's top filmmakers.
AFME Art and Photography Exhibit that honors its volunteer team with 25 of their original pieces on display at the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque; a photography exhibit by music producer Jermain Dupri; and a dark art exhibit of works by world famous painter Chet Zar. Jermain and Chet will be in attendance to showcase their works.
AFME panels and workshops will be informative and motivating for everyone in attendance. "It's one of our goals to continue to inspire and grow the future generation of artists and entertainers," continued Wiener. "By engaging in the types of panels and workshops we offer, everyone will benefit as a filmmaker, artist or artist-entrepreneur, or simply expand their entertainment experience by hearing from industry professionals."
Panels that will take place at AFME are SAG-AFTRA's Contract panel and The Business of Acting, Women in Film & Television, The Allure of Filmmaking in New Mexico, Music in Movies & Television with top musicians, Drone University, The Art of the Pitch, Crash! Boom! Bang! Stuntman's Panel, Jimmy Santiago Baca's Writer's Workshop, Casting, Cinematography, AFME's Actor Panel and Crowdfunding and Distribution by Seed &Spark Workshop.
Members of the media interested in attending can request press credentials at http://abqfilmexperience.com/press/.
Partial Lineup of Workshops and Panels
Tuesday, June 2nd - SAG-AFTRA Contracts Panel
1:00–3:00pm
Wednesday, June 3rd – Women in Film and Television
10:00am–12:00pm, Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
As we celebrate women directors, producers, actresses, musicians and entrepreneurs, join us for one of our most popular panels that brings forth some of the top talent in our industry. These professionals bring it every day in their respective fields while paving the way for future generations.
Wednesday, June 3rd – SAG-AFTRA Business of Acting
1:00–4:00pm
With special guest Rene Haynes
Thursday, June 4th – The Allure of Filmmaking in New Mexico
9:00–10:30am, Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
Featuring Chris Schueler (moderator), Don Gray, Rick Clemente, Ann Lerner, and Rebecca "Puck" Stair. New Mexico is one of the top destinations for film and television for a reason. Come hear from those who love who love film in the Land of Enchantment and the impact New Mexico has on blockbuster movies and television shows.
Thursday, June 4th – Music in Movies and Television
11:00am–1:00pm, Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
Featuring Bobby Shew, Jose Ponce, Dave Eggar, Jono Manson, Mitch Frohman, and Chuck Palmer. Music makes the film, and the world, go round. This fun panel shares why music in movies and television make or break what you see on screen and how music impacts the world. Have you thought about a shark lately? What score comes to mind? Come hear from top music professionals who are in the know about laying down tracks that take your listening pleasure to the next level. There will be important information and great stories to share!
Thursday, June 4th – Drone Technology Workshop
11:00am–1:00pm, National Hispanic Cultural Center
DroneU will be showcasing the possibilities of aerial cinematography. Drones have taken productions to new heights, but these machines can offer a world of value. They also pose a serious risk to talent and production crew alike. DroneU is going to educate the audience on safety and showcase a live demonstration to provide a birds eye view to attendees. This is an Intermediate/Advanced Aerial Video with Drones Workshop. This workshop will cover Safety and some of the Basics, but the majority of the focus will be on higher level, shot-specific techniques. Attendees will also experience Heavy Lifter cinema-copter demos, working as part of a two-person camera drone team, FPV goggles and advances monitoring tools.
Friday, June 5th – The Art of the Pitch
9:00–10:30am, Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
Featuring Adam Rubin, Emily Best, Stephanie Palmer, Ken Knoll, and Jeremiah Bitsui. The art of the pitch changes depending on who you're talking to: an equity investor, a crowd funding supporter, a brand or non-profit, or a customer/audience member. Over the course of the two hours, you will hone your pitch for each of these four categories. Come prepared to pitch your current or next project! You may be selected from the audience for a three-minute pitch!
Friday, June 5th – Crash, Boom, Bang Stuntman's Panel
11:00am–12:30pm, Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
Featuring Al Goto. Known in the industry as the "unsung heroes" stuntmen have been around since the dawn of filmmaking. Although today they are highly skilled world-class athletes, with technically sophisticated abilities, enabling them to work in the ever advancing forms of film production. In the early days, before talkies, young comedians such as Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton and the stunt filled Keystone Cop movies used these gutsy guys extensively. Filled with pratfalls, high dives and comedy car wrecks soon the audiences couldn't get enough of this mayhem. The need for stuntmen had been solidified.
Friday, June 5th – Jimmy Santiago Baca Writing Workshop
11:00am–1:00pm, Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
Featuring one of the greatest living poets in the world, Jimmy Santiago Baca, Jimmy's workshop will be geared toward bringing out the story or poem inside you. Drawing it from the far recesses where you have stored it. The workshop will provoke you into writing that story or poem that your heart yearns to write or compose. It will take you out of your normal refuge and liberate you so you can write—cutting the old recognitions, toppling the walls, allowing you to believe in yourself to write with confidence and nerve. You'll do it and I'll show you how.
Saturday, June 6th – Cinematography
9:00–10:30am, Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
Featuring David Jean Schweitzer, Dyana Taylor, and Scott E. Steele. Come see things through a different lens as this captivating panel discusses technique, latest trends and technologies and the importance of cinematography and camera in the film and television industry.
Saturday, June 6th – Casting
9:00am–10:30am
Saturday, June 6th – Actors Panel
11:00am–12:30pm
Featuring Tom Schuch (moderator), Jeremiah Bitsui, Benito Martinez, and Annika Marks
Saturday, June 6th – Seed & Spark Workshop
12:30–2:00pm, Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
We started Seed & Spark because we want to make films but we needed a healthier environment in which to make them. We believe the art of storytelling is about expanding imagination, shining a light on the world inside and deepening empathy for the world outside. In the current social climate where many consider the arts a luxury, we believe artists are responsible for teaching their audiences why they are essential. We also believe films are not just art, they are business ventures. They require the seed of an idea and the sparks of human and capital investments to bring them to life. Yet the film business has grown removed from what it really is: playing make believe. That's something we all know how to do. The make believe we played as children was essential to our development: brains are firing on the most cylinders when the imagination is stimulated. It's creative, inclusive, expansive, and playful.
Sunday, June 7th – Filmmakers Brunch
10:00–11:30am, Slate Street Café
Featuring Bettina Gilois, the Filmmaker's Brunch is AFME's way of saying THANK YOU to all of the filmmakers from near and far who have movies in the 2015 program. Those who are able to be here on Sunday morning will enjoy this complimentary breakfast sponsored by Slate Street Cafe. Slate Street is one of downtown Albuquerque's restaurant gems. Special guest speakers will be in attendance while filmmakers have a platform to bond and share their personal experiences from the week.
For full schedule and to buy tickets please see WWW.ABQFILMX.COM. Press images available upon request.