The producer of such hit movies as "Father of the Bride," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and Oscar winner "Common Threads" will present a seminar this month focusing on the skills of pitching, packaging, and promoting a movie project. Presented by Indie Memphis and the Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commission/Memphis ED, the seminar led by Howard Rosenman will be held on Sunday, September 18th, in the Memphis College of Art's Callicott Auditorium from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The seminar is part of a weekend of events showcasing Rosenman's extensive show business career. His films have won two Peabody Awards, an Academy Award, and top honors at the Sundance, Berlin, and Cannes Film Festivals. Presenters say he will share his "often hilarious stories" from 35 years as a film and TV producer while coaching seminar attendees on their projects. He'll draw from his teaching experience at the University of Southern California, UCLA, Columbia, Brandeis, Yale, Tel Aviv University.
Erik Jambor of Indie Memphis sees the seminar as a "rare opportunity for area filmmakers and anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes wrangling it takes to make a successful Hollywood feature." Rosenman himself says, in a press release, that "it's perfect for up-and-coming filmmakers, students, or anyone who loves film and TV and wants to know the next step in how to take their ideas and develop films from them." He has presented this seminar in such cities as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.
In the evening after the seminar, at 7:30 p.m., Indie Memphis will host a special screening, at Evergreen Theater, of the modern classic Father of the Bride starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, and Martin Short. A donation of $5 is suggested.
Another event planned in conjunction with Rosenman's Memphis appearance is a showing of the documentary " PARAGRAPH 175" about gay people who were persecuted in the Holocaust. This showing will take place at September 15th at 6:30 p.m. at Ridgeway Four Theatre.
Seminar tickets are $35 for the general public; $25 for friends and members of Indie Memphis and the Film Commission; and $15 for students. The event is sponsored by the Memphis College of Art and The Peabody hotel. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.thehollywoodsell.com.