AFMA To Conduct First Annual Production Conference; AMPAS President, Robert Rehme, To Give Opening Address.

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Sept. 9, 1999--

AFMA's (American Film Marketing Association) recently formed Producers Committee will convene its inaugural, industry-wide event outside the AFM during an all-day production conference to be held at the Wyndham Bel Age hotel on Thursday, Sept. 23.

Robert Rehme, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will deliver the opening day address and Jonathan Taplin, co-chief executive officer and co-chairman of Intertainer Inc., will give the keynote luncheon speech.

Organized by AFMA's Producers Committee and chaired by Pierre David, chairman of WIN Ventures, the theme of the conference is Staying Ahead of Change. Featured speakers, representing every aspect of the production community, will consist of CEOs of independent companies, agents, digital technology experts, producers and bankers.

"The conference is designed to enlighten the independent production community to the changes in virtually every aspect of the business that will affect production professionals and that are occurring with greater frequency," said David.

"We intend to address many of the important issues confronting independent producers, who may not be fully aware of solutions available to them regarding key aspects of filmmaking."

William A. Shields, chairman of AFMA said, "We hope this conference will reflect AFMA's ongoing commitment to assist its members in understanding the various options available to them in every aspect of filmed entertainment."

The price of the ticket is $85 for AFMA members and $125 for non-AFMA members, and includes admission to the day-long conference, the continental breakfast, lunch and the post-conference reception.

For information, contact Kay Schaber, director, AFMA Producer Services, at 310/446-1088.

Program for the Convention

8:30 a.m.   Registration and Continental Breakfast
9 a.m.      Welcoming Remarks
             Pierre David, Chairman, WIN Ventures and Chairman,
             AFMA Producers Committee

9:15 a.m.   Opening Address
             Robert Rehme, President, Academy of Motion Picture
             Arts and Sciences

Seminar I
9:30 a.m.   Every Dollar Counts: Chasing the Best Production Deal

            Independent producers have more production choices and
            opportunities than ever before.
            Competition for production dollars coupled with a growing
            international film industry, has created tremendous values
            and opportunities, including tax incentives, subsidies,
            co-productions and a well-trained global labor pool.
            Discover how to find and use these cost-saving resources
            from around the world that will bring your film in at the
            lowest cost possible.

            Panelists:

            Sam Berliner, Attorney-At-Law, Entertainment Division,
             Law Firm of Heenan Blaikie
            Tom Berry, President, Legend Entertainment
            Greg Coote, Partner, Coote/Hayes Productions
            Cassian Elwes, Senior Vice President,
             Independent Division, William Morris Agency
            Andrew Stevens, President, Franchise Pictures
            Jeffrey M. Tolin, National Director of Entertainment
             Tax Services, Ernst & Young LLP

            Moderator: Pierre David, Chairman, WIN Ventures

Seminar II
11:15 a.m.  "New Technology Tools for Production"

            Independent producers are being presented with new
            technologies that will forever change the way films are
            made and delivered.
            Discover what's just around the corner and how the digital
            age will transform your business.

            Panelists:
            John A. Alonzo, ASC, Cinematographer, "Chinatown,"
             "Scarface," HBO's "Lansky"
            Carol Hahn, Director of International Marketing,
             Digital Cinema, Qualcomm
            David Jaffe, Manager, Strategic Sales Group, Avid
             Technology
            Steven Puri, Founder, Centropolis Effects, "Godzilla,"
             "Independence Day"

            Moderator: Clark Peterson, Sr. VP, Production
                        & Development, Interlight Pictures

1 p.m.      Keynote Luncheon
             Jonathan Taplin, Co-CEO and Co-Chairman, Intertainer Inc.

2:30 p.m.   Case Studies: How I Got My Dough

            Orson Welles said he spent 5 percent of his time making
            films and 95 percent hustling for money. In 1999, it's
            still the same. Today's producer must think outside the
            box. Discover how tenacious filmmakers used creative and
            unconventional financing packages to get their projects
            completed and distributed.

            "Baby Geniuses," Andrew Hersh, Sr. Executive Vice
              President, Crystal Sky Communications

            "Gods and Monsters," Paul Colichman, Partner, Regent
              Entertainment

            MOW Co-Productions, Lewis Chesler,
             Producer, Chesler/Perlmutter Productions

Seminar III
4 p.m.      The Future of Production Financing

            From gap financing to insurance-backed deals, the '90s
            have been a volatile time for feature film financing.
            What does the next decade hold? Our panelists will examine
            the latest financing models and give their predictions on
            future trends.

            Panelists:
            D. Jeffrey Andrick, First VP/Group Mgr., Entertainment
             Industries Group, Comerica Bank
            William F. Lischak, COO and CFO, Overseas FilmGroup/First
             Look Pictures
            Bennett Pozil, VP, Group Head Entertainment,
             Natexis Banque-BFCE
            Christa L. Thomas, VP, Chase Securities Inc., Chase
             Manhattan Bank
            Paul Wycoff, VP, Entertainment Division,
             Silicon Valley Bank

            Moderator: Lewis Horwitz, President, The Lewis Horwitz
             Organization

5:30-7 p.m. Reception