We are excited to invite you to the Fifth Annual Cherokee Film Summit on March 14, 2024
from 5 to 9 p.m. at the YANMAR EVO//CENTER – 5889 Old Alabama Rd, Acworth, GA 30102.
Reel. Community. Connection.
The Cherokee Film Summit was launched five years ago by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development as a bold initiative to provide ‘reel community connection’ between film professionals, businesses creatives and students.
Join us for this year’s fifth anniversary event! Celebrate success, acknowledge present challenges and provide a vision for the future.
Read more about COED’s involvement in the film community here.
check out last year's event!
Video courtesy of The Highlight Reel ATL.
faqs
Anyone!
Whether you have a background in the industry or are curious about the local film community, we welcome you to join us!
The Cherokee Film Summit provides the community the opportunity to learn more about the film industry, ways to get involved, and hear from experts in the field.
There will be opening and closing presentations, with breakout sessions in between, so you can explore topics of your choosing!
Access to expert knowledge, the opportunity to network with peers in the industry, heavy Hors d’Oeuvrs in the form of Pie Bar and Four 41 South BBQ, plus drinks and Reformation Brewery Samples!
There will be “Additional Event Parking” signage throughout the premises. Please park in these designated areas. Carpooling is strongly encouraged!
Yes! Our caterers provide delicious hors d’oeuvres to meet a variety of dietary needs. Not sure which items meet your needs? Just ask a team members when you arrive!
The Cherokee Office of Economic Development is a certified Camera Ready community and official Film Liaison for Cherokee County.
To learn more about film opportunities in Cherokee, receive complimentary location scouting assistance, list your property as a film location or learn more about Cherokee’s thriving film scene reach out to Film Project Manager Molly Mercer at mmercer@cherokeega.org.
thanks to our sponsors!
Programming
Keynote panel: 50 years of the georgia film office
Misti Martin is a native of Georgia and has been in the Chamber and Economic Development field for over 25 years. She has served as the President of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development since 2004.
In the 1990s, Martin worked for the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. She served as President & CEO of the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce in east Atlanta from 1998-2004 before returning to Cherokee. Ms. Martin graduated from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia and earned her MBA from Troy University. She is also a graduate of University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute (EDI) as well as the Institute for Organization Management at the University of Georgia.
Misti has held numerous positions on state boards for Chamber and Economic Development organizations, serving as Chair of the Georgia Economic Developers Association in 2012. She earned her Certified Economic Developer status from the International Economic Development Council in 2000 and has also been featured as one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s “40 Under 40” and as a “Notable Georgian.” Martin was recognized as one of the “Top 50 Economic Developers in North America” in 2016.
Misti is married with three sons.
Lee Thomas is the Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia Film Office, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, responsible for developing the state’s film, television, and commercial production industries through marketing, scouting, and coordinating the filming needs of companies with other state agencies, local governments, and residents. The Office is responsible for developing the industry’s infrastructure and workforce, certifying projects under the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act, and engaging municipalities throughout Georgia through the Camera Ready program.
A native Atlantan, Lee attended the Tisch School of the Arts Doctoral Program in Cinema Studies at New York University and worked at the Brooklyn Arts Council before returning to Georgia as a in 1996 to work for the Georgia Film and Videotape Office as a project manager.
Lee has worked with hundreds of Georgia-lensed films and TV, including “Ozark,” “Wakanda Forever,” “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “Lovecraft Country,” “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” and “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
Lee graduated from Marist School before earning her undergraduate degree in radio, TV and film at the University of Georgia’s Grady College and master’s degree in film studies from Georgia State University. Lee splits her time between her home in Atlanta and on Lake Seed and enjoys tennis when she’s not watching Georgia-lensed productions.
Greg Torre began his career at the state’s lead economic development agency in the Georgia Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Office where he served as Director from 1998 to 2006. In addition to recruiting television and motion picture projects to the state, he developed and helped pass the state’s first film industry-specific incentives, including the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act.
Later, within the Global Commerce Division, Torre served as the division director for the agency’s Small Business & Innovation team, with oversight of the Governor’s Entrepreneur & Small Business Office, the state’s Innovation & Technology Office and the Georgia Centers of Innovation.
From 2009 through his retirement in early 2020, Torre served as Deputy Commissioner of Marketing & Communications for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. The award-winning team of marketing creatives and public relations professionals handled all aspects of the department’s B2B and B2C advertising and marketing needs through print, direct, outdoor, experiential, digital, and social media platforms.
Currently, Torre provides economic development focused consulting in the areas of marketing, film industry and incentives development.
feature panel: revolutionizing entertainment through cutting edge technologies
Billy Gabor is President of Post-Production for Company 3 responsible for leading the Los Angeles, Atlanta, and London studios. He also continues to be a Senior Colorist for Company 3.
A natural, creative entrepreneur repeatedly recognized for delivering results via a collaborative culture aligning artists with sales, operations, technology, finance, and strategy. Unique ability to leverage creative experience with business acumen to build consensus and guide decision making. Fosters a client service focused mindset throughout the organization to fuel and empower a culture of continuous improvement. Skilled in overseeing creative output, workflow, facility construction projects, technological upgrades, capital expenditures, P&L, legal and compliance.
Billy is a driving force in establishing a post-production industry in Georgia. Experience addressing policymakers including testifying to GA Creative Arts and Entertainment committee about Tax Credits’ impact on jobs, investment and business certainty. He’s a founding member of the Georgia section of Visual Effect Society (VES) and previously served on the Board of Governors as well as The AICP’s Post-Production Council.
Company 3’s award-winning capabilities span the post-production pipeline from on-set/near set solutions, dailies, editorial, color grading, VFX & finishing, sound design and mixing across all formats including feature films, episodic television, commercials, animation, gaming, and more.
Acknowledged as one of the top Colorists in the industry, Gabor has been a part of the Company 3 team for more than 25 years. His passion, creativity and integrity for his work is underscored by his longstanding relationships with celebrated directors, cinematographers & the country’s top advertising agencies. Gabor has contributed to numerous award-winning projects including Sundance Jury, Clio, Monitor, AICP, Cannes Lion, and Emmy Awards. In addition to his work in commercials and music videos, Gabor has colored television shows and an array of feature films, including Sundance Premieres, Emmy Award winning Documentaries and Academy Award nominated Shorts.
Gabor joined Company 3 LA in 1998 as their 4th colorist. In 2001 he moved back to NYC to establish a Company 3 location there. With the business expanding, Gabor contributed to the design of the new facility located in Chelsea that launched in 2010. One year later, Billy moved to Atlanta to start Company 3 Atlanta as Colorist and VP of Business Development to service the rapidly growing market. With his continued success in both commercials and features, Gabor led the redesign and build of the Atlanta facility including the addition of the first full-scale DCI compliant color grading theatre in Georgia. In 2014 he was promoted to Managing Director for Atlanta. In 2022 he was promoted to EVP of Post-Production for Atlanta, London, Toronto, & Vancouver. In 2023 he was promoted to his current role. Prior to Company 3, Billy worked at Roland House in Washington D.C. and SMA Video in New York. He began his career with Editworks/Cinepost in Atlanta. He is a graduate of Georgia State University with a degree in Film and Television.
Todd Harris (@toddalanharris) is an accomplished entrepreneur who has been leading video game and esports businesses for 15 years and involved with technology product startups for 25 years. After leading Product Development at NCR, Radiant Systems, and BlueCube Software, Todd co-founded Hi-Rez Studios, one of the largest video game studios in the Southeast.
Todd is currently Founder & CEO of Skillshot Media, a leading live event production company, Co-owner of professional gaming team Ghost Gaming, and Chair of the Atlanta Esports Alliance.
Skillshot produces and live-streams the major gaming & esports events in our region. The company has produced thousands of esports events and live-stream productions, paid out over $10M in prizing for competitive video games, and delivered over 1 billion views of esports content.
Ghost Gaming is a Georgia-based gaming lifestyle brand that has won 15 tournament championships and cultivated a social media following of over 20 million. Ghost Gaming partners with consumer brands seeking to reach a GenZ & Millennial audience in an authentic way via gaming, social media, and influencer integrations.
The Atlanta Esports Alliance is a division of the Atlanta Sports Council with a mission to establish metro Atlanta as the nation’s esports capital.
Throughout his career, Todd has garnered industry recognition including “2019 Most Admired CEO” by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as he works with partners toward advancing the gaming & esports industry.
John Swartz is an independent producer currently working with director Bryce Dallas Howard, writer/showrunner Laeta Kalogridis, Lucasfilm, Disney and other creatives and companies.
Swartz previously worked with Lucasfilm from 2012 to 2021 as a VP of Development & Production and Co-Producer on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Solo: A Star Wars Story. He has served as a Second Unit Director on the Disney+ series The Mandalorian for Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni and Bryce Dallas Howard, as well as an Additional Second Unit Director for Ron Howard on Solo: A Star Wars Story.
He began his career in story development at MTV Films, followed by Aversano Films. In 2008, he began assisting Kathleen Kennedy at the Kennedy/Marshall Company. Swartz then served as Kennedy’s production associate on Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, War Horse and The Adventures of Tintin.
Grant Wainscott is an international economic and ecosystem developer with more than two decades of experience researching, launching, and supporting domestic and international initiatives designed to grow industry clusters, galvanize communities, and advance cross-border relationships. He has led or participated in dozens of business and cultural missions throughout the world, visiting more than 60 countries on six continents as he worked to build economies and communities.
He currently serves as the Vice President of Ecosystems for the Metro Atlanta Chamber, in Atlanta, Georgia USA. In this role he leads a team of technology and digital media cluster experts to retain, expand and attract jobs and investment to the metro Atlanta region while shining the light globally on the assets and brands that have made metro Atlanta an international hub. He specifically works with the entire spectrum of creative industries to support and grow this ecosystem.
Grant has worked for more than a decade to bring film, tv, animation, gaming, post production and music productions and facilities to the metro Atlanta region. He served as the state’s first county Film Commissioner, launched the Office of Film & Entertainment for Clayton County, Georgia, and co-founded the country’s first region-wide Esports Commission, a division of the Atlanta Sports Council. Grant also leads the region’s presence at major global events like the GRAMMYs, South by Southwest, TIFF, DreamHack, London Tech Week and CES.
Prior to his time in economic development, Grant founded several small tech companies and a West African trading company, ran a tech incubator in North Carolina, was Director & Chief Curator of an airline museum, and owned a rare book and cigar shop.
Grant holds a B.A. in International Business from Florida Southern College, and attended university in Quebec, Canada and Augsburg, Germany. Originally from Seattle, he has studied and lived in five countries and speaks French and German.
Todd Harris (@toddalanharris) is an accomplished entrepreneur who has been leading video game and esports businesses for 15 years and involved with technology product startups for 25 years. After leading Product Development at NCR, Radiant Systems, and BlueCube Software, Todd co-founded Hi-Rez Studios, one of the largest video game studios in the Southeast.
Todd is currently Founder & CEO of Skillshot Media, a leading live event production company, Co-owner of professional gaming team Ghost Gaming, and Chair of the Atlanta Esports Alliance.
Skillshot produces and live-streams the major gaming & esports events in our region. The company has produced thousands of esports events and live-stream productions, paid out over $10M in prizing for competitive video games, and delivered over 1 billion views of esports content.
Ghost Gaming is a Georgia-based gaming lifestyle brand that has won 15 tournament championships and cultivated a social media following of over 20 million. Ghost Gaming partners with consumer brands seeking to reach a GenZ & Millennial audience in an authentic way via gaming, social media, and influencer integrations.
The Atlanta Esports Alliance is a division of the Atlanta Sports Council with a mission to establish metro Atlanta as the nation’s esports capital.
Throughout his career, Todd has garnered industry recognition including “2019 Most Admired CEO” by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as he works with partners toward advancing the gaming & esports industry.
John Swartz is an independent producer currently working with director Bryce Dallas Howard, writer/showrunner Laeta Kalogridis, Lucasfilm, Disney and other creatives and companies.
Swartz previously worked with Lucasfilm from 2012 to 2021 as a VP of Development & Production and Co-Producer on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Solo: A Star Wars Story. He has served as a Second Unit Director on the Disney+ series The Mandalorian for Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni and Bryce Dallas Howard, as well as an Additional Second Unit Director for Ron Howard on Solo: A Star Wars Story.
He began his career in story development at MTV Films, followed by Aversano Films. In 2008, he began assisting Kathleen Kennedy at the Kennedy/Marshall Company. Swartz then served as Kennedy’s production associate on Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, War Horse and The Adventures of Tintin.
Grant Wainscott is an international economic and ecosystem developer with more than two decades of experience researching, launching, and supporting domestic and international initiatives designed to grow industry clusters, galvanize communities, and advance cross-border relationships. He has led or participated in dozens of business and cultural missions throughout the world, visiting more than 60 countries on six continents as he worked to build economies and communities.
He currently serves as the Vice President of Ecosystems for the Metro Atlanta Chamber, in Atlanta, Georgia USA. In this role he leads a team of technology and digital media cluster experts to retain, expand and attract jobs and investment to the metro Atlanta region while shining the light globally on the assets and brands that have made metro Atlanta an international hub. He specifically works with the entire spectrum of creative industries to support and grow this ecosystem.
Grant has worked for more than a decade to bring film, tv, animation, gaming, post production and music productions and facilities to the metro Atlanta region. He served as the state’s first county Film Commissioner, launched the Office of Film & Entertainment for Clayton County, Georgia, and co-founded the country’s first region-wide Esports Commission, a division of the Atlanta Sports Council. Grant also leads the region’s presence at major global events like the GRAMMYs, South by Southwest, TIFF, DreamHack, London Tech Week and CES.
Prior to his time in economic development, Grant founded several small tech companies and a West African trading company, ran a tech incubator in North Carolina, was Director & Chief Curator of an airline museum, and owned a rare book and cigar shop.
Grant holds a B.A. in International Business from Florida Southern College, and attended university in Quebec, Canada and Augsburg, Germany. Originally from Seattle, he has studied and lived in five countries and speaks French and German.
breakout session speakers
Recognized for her roles in “WandaVision,” “Candy,” and many more shows and films, Selena Anduze is not just your average actress – her mastery as an Acting & Essence Coach empowers you to fine tune your unique artistic frequency to radiate genuine charisma that leaves the audience and casting directors saying, “Wow!”
If you’re ready to grab your career by its roots and to weed, fertilize, and nurture the soil surrounding your talent, then join Selena for a session so you can grab the reins and no longer block how you show up to the table, both professionally and personally.
Contact her via www.cinechistudio.com for your individual career consultation.
Jimmie is a location professional from Sanford, North Carolina. He has a degree in Film Studies from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Over ten years in the business he has worked in Louisiana, New York, Ohio, Georgia, and North Carolina. His credits include Creed III, Bad Boys for Life, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Red Notice and Ozark.
Byron, a passionate audiophile and proud SCAD alumnus stands out as a distinguished Sound Designer in Savannah, Georgia. He owns one of only two state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos playback/mixing suites in the city, boasting an impressive 30,000-watt capacity. With a Pro Tools Certification under his belt and an arsenal of top-tier sound recording, mixing, and production equipment, Byron has established a sterling reputation in the realm of sound production, seamlessly marrying impeccable audio craftsmanship with a steadfast commitment to meeting the rigorous deadlines characteristic of feature films. His acumen as a sound designer has been notably demonstrated in projects such as the Dragonville Studios feature film and Al Nuke’s feature, ‘Botch,’ where his auditory expertise played a pivotal role in shaping the sonic landscapes of these productions.
Michael’s recent credits include They Cloned Tyrone, opposite Jamie Foxx, Dark Matter opposite Joel Edgerton and Season 2 of American Rust.
Michael can also be seen as a Chef in The Menu directed by Mark Mylod (Succession) opposite Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor Joy and Nicholas Hoult.
Other credits include: The Trial of the Chicago Seven (*Winner – Screen Actors Guild Award Recipient of Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture), Chicago Fire, Empire, Chicago PD & The Game.
Barbara Divisek started Casting June 7, 1975 and has cast over 4200 projects. Barbara was one of the most sought-after and well-regarded casting directors in LA. Divisek has earned a reputation for efficiency, effectiveness and forthrightness taking her work seriously, but never herself- choosing instead to embrace every new task with passion, integrity, and a profound respect for others.
January 2020 Barbara Divisek joined Jessica Talley as a partner with Aligned Stars Talent Agency. Barbara and Jessica have built an agency that stands as a beacon for exceptionally skilled actors, dancers, choreographers, vocalists, digital creators, and clients who are differently abled. Aligned Stars Agency has five specialized departments. Theatrical (TV/Film), Commercial/VO, Dance, New Media, and Special Abilities.
Barbara’s 45 years in casting has given her an uncanny ability to recognize star quality. Her skills are diverse and effective, which is obvious in her extensive body of work.
Stella’s acting bug came at a young age gathering her brothers to put on skits of I Love Lucy and other shows for her parents. Life took its twists and turns that crushed the bug, so she thought, for the time being. Working the agricultural fields of California into her adult years, she later married a Navy Seal, had 2 wonderful sons and then joined the LAPD where she patrolled the streets of Los Angeles. A stroke of opportunity to work her acting chops came to be as Stella worked on numerous LAPD training videos, including one on the actual set of Star Trek. During her time with LAPD Stella earned her Sergeant’s badge.
The desire to continue with her second career came to fruition, with Stella working on numerous television and film projects opposite A-list talent; The Red Road (Jason Mamoa, Lisa Bonet), Black Lightning, The Conjuring 3, Instant Family (Mark Wahlberg), Powder Blue (Forest Whitaker), Story Ave (Asante Blackk and Luis Gusman) and many others. In addition, she has amassed a long list of credits for commercials, industrials and lifestyle projects.
Stella resides with her larger than life dogs Brooks, Cookie & Skippy. She continues her love of the craft and her journey traveling from New York to Los Angeles and any point in-between.
Adiclere Evans is an accomplished entrepreneur, video producer, live event producer, and business leader with over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry.
She is a Co-Founder of The Funnel Creative, a video production company that has been recognized with several awards for outstanding creativity and innovation in commercial production.
Additionally, she is the Founder of Media Savvy, a strategic creative content agency that is a certified minority-owned and woman-owned business, specializing in content consulting, production and development.
Adiclere is widely known for her dedication to creating, building, and launching initiatives and companies that support the growth of the Black community in the film, TV production, and advertising sectors.
In 2021 she established The Black Entertainment Economic Council (BEEC) out of Atlanta, Georgia, a dynamic 501c3 non-profit organization committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the entertainment industry.
Its mission is to increase representation and opportunities for Black professionals and businesses in the Film, Television, Gaming and Digital Production industries, both in front of and behind the camera.
Darius Evans, a Washington, D.C. native, is a seasoned Producer and veteran film Production Manager. After co-founding and operating a multi-faceted marketing agency for 20 years, he found his passion in film and television.
With over a decade of film and television show production, his portfolio highlights his industry influence.
As Co-President of the Georgia Production Partnership (GPP), Darius showcases his commitment to shaping Georgia’s entertainment industry. In addition, he is an instructor at the Georgia Film Academy, nurturing emerging filmmakers.
Jen Farris is a native of Atlanta, GA and has served as a film and television location scout for more than a decade with credits on a multitude of projects including ATLANTA,
Game Night, Genius: Aretha, BMF, Average Joe, Dear Evan Hansen, Lovecraft Country, Sleepy Hollow, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. She is an active and proud member of Teamsters Local Union 728 and in 2021 was elected Secretary for the Location Managers Guild International’s Board of Directors. She believes that storytelling, in any format, is something held in high regard, and building the foundation of stories through location exploration and scouting is invigorating.
From the vibrant valleys of central California, through the sunny expanses of Florida, to the world’s expansive vistas, my camera has been my compass.
Now, nestled at the base of the gentle foothills that ascend to The Blue Ridge Mountains, my home in Canton, Georgia, just outside Atlanta, boasts views that captivate and inspire. With nearly 25 years in film and television, I’ve captured fleeting moments, turning them into lasting narratives.
Starting in Madera, California, my path took me to Hollywood’s dazzling spectacle and further afield, nurturing a diverse career that spans across gripping unscripted series, captivating branded content, and engaging immersive behind-the-scenes featurettes. This eclectic journey is highlighted by an Emmy nomination for our cinematography on CBS’s ‘The Amazing Race,’ a nod that underscores a body of work not solely defined by accolades but by countless moments of authenticity and allure. Each project, each frame, serves as a testament to my unwavering commitment to storytelling, capturing the essence of our shared human experience.
The journey I embark upon transcends mere profession; it embodies a profound commitment to delve into the intricacies of human emotion and connection, territories that can only be navigated through the refined craft of visual storytelling. Each frame I seize is part of a relentless search, not solely for the
perfect light or moment, but for the pulse of a captivating narrative. It’s about capturing the essence of a tale that resonates in the quiet moments, in the exchanges left unspoken, echoing long after the screen dims.
Away from the bustle of sets and the scrutiny of camera/lens slinging, my world is beautifully anchored by the joys of family life. With my wife and two sons, our adventures lead us to the serene embrace of tropical getaways, where we weave our own tapestry of memories, as vibrant and textured as the stories I tell on screen.
Looking forward, I have ambitious plans for my production company, Southpaw Films. I aim to blend my passion for luxury travel and immersive storytelling, elevating the narratives of resorts, hotels, tourism boards, and adventure outfitters across the globe. By showcasing a kaleidoscope of destinations and
experiences, I hope to transport viewers to idyllic landscapes and cultures, offering a feast for the senses that goes beyond the ordinary.
In every story, at the heart of every pursuit for that elusive perfect light or moment, is the unyielding power of storytelling. For me, capturing these moments is not just about the visual feast but about touching the core of our shared human experience, one frame at a time. For me, this isn’t just a profession; it’s a profound commitment to uncovering and sharing the essence of each story. Every frame I capture seeks to connect deeply, and every illumination serves to highlight the underlying truths of our collective human journey.
Eric Goins (@the_eric_goins) is a father, husband, improviser, and actor. He is the owner of Compass Actor Services (@compassactorservices), which is an audition taping service providing classes and actor coaching in Atlanta, GA since 2015. Currently, he is serving as the SAG-AFTRA Atlanta Local President and was a member of the 2023 TV/Theatrical/Streaming Negotiating Committee.
After spending years in the corporate world, Eric found himself at Whole World Improv Theatre on his birthday in 1998. The players on stage left him stunned. Without any hesitation, he decided to audition for their classes. Thus began his journey to become a storyteller. Eric fell in love with improv, which resulted in 20+ years of teaching and performing improvisation.
Eric has appeared in numerous television shows, including The Originals, Army Wives, Meet The Browns, One Tree Hill, Drop Dead Diva, Insatiable, Black Lightning, and as LARRY on AMC’s Halt & Catch Fire (Season 1 & 2) and The Gambler/Steven Sharpe on DC’s STARGIRL for DC Entertainment and The CW.
He has also acted in several movies, including Ride Along and Ride Along 2, The Watch, The Family That Preys, The Accountant, Dirty Grandpa, and Boss Level. Eric could not be more optimistic about the future of our Atlanta Local as it continues to be an important leader in the entertainment industry. His belief in the intrinsic value of the workers within our industry and the work they provide will continue to be the foundation of his commitment to the Atlanta Local community.
You can find more information about him at www.ericgoins.com.
Tyler Grow is a composer and sound designer with a passion for music and sound. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sound Design from the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
Despite his formal education in sound design and music mixing, Tyler is predominantly known as a music composer for film. A self-taught musician, he has invested countless hours into mastering the creation of realistic-sounding orchestral music by utilizing advanced sound libraries and computer software. Additionally, his compositions stand out for their epic, bold style and originality, with unique melodies that feature rich emotional depth.
Tyler’s portfolio boasts collaborations with notable brands such as Coca-Cola, Goodwill, and Brainfuel, alongside scoring for several animated short films and an independent feature. One of Tyler’s most distinguished projects is the score for a fan film, CLONE WARS: BATTLE OF THE HEROES – A Star Wars Fan Animation which achieved viral success with 2.9 million views on YouTube.
Since relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, Tyler has taken on key roles as sound supervisor and sound designer for two feature films and a television show. Continuously embracing both roles as a composer and sound designer, Tyler eagerly anticipates embarking on his next creative project.
You can find Tyler’s original orchestral music tracks on his website https://tylergrowmusic.com/.
Stephanie is the Atlanta Chapter president for The Greenhouse and is an Emmy-winning producer with over 15 years’ experience working in television, film and live events. She is also a proud member of the Producer’s Guild of America.
Her credits include work on two Emmy winning documentaries: The Inaugural Ride to Freedom with Barack Obama and Madagascar: Conservation vs. Survival. She then went on to produce and direct her own documentary and passion project, To Love & Support: The American Military Spouse. It aired on PBS and won awards in the categories of Producing and Feature at the Hollywood International Independent Documentary Awards.
Her most recent credits include feature producer for the Beijing Olympics on NBC, story producer for The One, a dating show on TVONE, design producer for Hack My Home on Netflix and field producer for several shows including Modern Marvels on A&E and Teen Felon on Vice.
When not working on award winning TV and films projects, she can also be found producing international events like the The New Yorker Festival in NYC, European Championships in Glasgow, Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, and Artistic Gymnastic World Championships in Doha.
Brent Lambert-Zaffino is a filmmaker and Executive Director of the Peaberry Film Festival in Canton, GA. In 2021, he wrote and directed the feature film Lost Cause, a Southern Gothic thriller filmed entirely in Canton. In 2022, he directed and produced the documentary “Cooking Inside: from Prison to Home” and is currently working on expanding the project to a series. In 2023, he served as Festival Manager for Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival in Washington, D.C, where he will return this fall. He is currently enmeshed in the 2024 Peaberry Film Festival — taking place April 26-28 at the Canton Theatre — and he hopes to see you there.
Cheryl McKay is the Chief Creative Officer, Writer and the creative force behind Stone Impact Media and the These Stones TV Series.
Since 1997, Cheryl’s inspirational screenplays for television, cable TV, new media, and feature films have attracted multiple awards, nominations, as well as top star talent like James Garner, Brian Dennehy, and Abigail Breslin.
Among her credits includes writing the screenplay for The Ultimate Gift and co-writing the feature films, Indivisible and Extraordinary. McKay’s most recent writings include a screen adaptation and an eight-episode series (both for PureFlix) and a children’s animated series for CBN.
Additionally, she has authored numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including co-authoring the Carol Award Winner for Best Women’s Fiction novel, Never the Bride, which Cheryl has adapted into a multiple movie screenplay franchise and slated for future development by Stone Impact Media.
Cheryl is excited to helm the creative development, producing, and writing of projects as a co-founder and executive for Stone Impact Media and These Stones, LLC. Cheryl’s heart from the beginning of her writing journey has been to impact others in positive ways through the telling of inspirational stories.
Cheryl and her husband reside in Woodstock, GA and enjoy disc golf, kayaking, and taking day trips to small mountain towns.
Mitch Olson has worked professionally as a Writer/Producer in both Los Angeles and Atlanta for over a decade. He’s worked on and/or sold projects to NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, Sony, and Netflix. In 2018, he started Point South Productions, a company based in Cherokee County that focuses on Film and TV development and production. The company produced its first feature in 2020, which premiers this Easter, and just wrapped production on its second feature, SIGNING DAY (starring Michael Mosley, Mira Sorvino, and Rob Morgan), which has an anticipated theatrical release this fall. In addition, he’s a tenured professor of Screen and TV Writing at Kennesaw State University and helped develop curriculum for the Georgia Film Academy’s Dramatic Writing program, which has trained and certified over 400 instructors to teach Screen and TV Writing in high schools across the state of Georgia.
After graduating from The Univ. of Georgia (where he also played on the Bulldogs S.E.C. Championship basketball team), Owen moved to Atlanta to pursue his filmmaking dreams. He soon began working at Turner Broadcasting, where he climbed the ranks to the role of Associate Creative Director for TNT Sports Promotion. At Turner, Owen wrote and directed award winning campaigns for the NFL and NBA, coining the phrase “Win. Or Go Home” for the NBA playoffs.
Owen left Turner to start his own company and focus on directing national commercial and branded content projects for ad agencies and networks. Since then, he’s worked with brands like Mercedes-Benz, Mastercard, Dodge, Geico, Wild Turkey, M64, Delta Airlines, Home Depot, Johnson & Johnson, Coors, French’s, Comcast and many more. His network clients include NBC, ESPN, TNT, Discovery, Disney Channel and numerous others.
Owen directed and Exec. Produced “My Manny” (starring Elise Neal & Allana Ubach), a 40 episode Micro-Series that aired on TBS, and “Gillian in Georgia” (starring Jill Marie Jones), which aired 10 episodes on TBS.
For the past several years, Owen has been working diligently to transition from commercials into the feature and episodic worlds. He has penned several screenplays that are in development as well as numerous television series.
He recently directed the feature film STALKED WITHIN (co-written with his wife, Meredyth) which premiered in October of ’22 on BET & Amazon.
He was Co-Producer on the comedy GOLDEN ARM, which was purchased by HBO in late ‘21.
His film, SIGNING DAY– a comedy about the crazy world of college football recruiting–is slated to begin filming in late Summer/early Fall of ’23 and has NFL Hall of Famer Champ Bailey attached as Exec. Producer and Warren Ostergard & Don Mandrik on board to produce.
Owen is based in Atlanta.
Nicholas Pawlenko, a certified Pro Tools operator and member of the Audio Engineering Society, brings a wealth of experience to his role as a Sound Designer, with notable expertise in Post-Production and Location Sound. His contributions have enhanced various projects, including “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing,” “To You,” “Bathwater,” “Girl of My Dreams,” and “What We See in the Shadows,” as well as feature films for Dragonsville Studios and Al Nuke’s “Botch.” Nicholas, who holds a B.F.A. in Sound Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design, also dedicates his time to volunteer initiatives, such as Feed the Children and the CRN Stuff the Bus Event, reflecting a balanced commitment to his craft and community.
Jaye Pniewski is a film and TV director who brings a unique style and inspiration to every project, telling stories that entertain and engage the audience.
A 30 year veteran of the film industry, she has been a producer and director for multiple productions including two award
winning short films; Mend in 2019, and Bound in 2023. Jaye was recently named Best Director at the 2023 Southern Shorts Awards for her work on Bound.
As the owner of BlueJaye Films, her commercial production company, and BuddyBoy Films, her TV & Film production company, she has told many award winning stories that have made a difference, one project at a time.
After raising three beautiful daughters, Jaye and her wonderfully talented husband, Mike, live in Woodstock, GA.
You can see Jaye’s work at:
BuddyBoyFilms.com and BlueJayeFilms.com.
Mike Pniewski has been one of the busiest working actors in movies and TV for 40 years. You’ve seen him as Ed Murphy in the STARZ TV series Hightown and in Madam Secretary, The Good Fight, The Resident, NCIS: New Orleans and Blue Bloods. You’ll see him soon in the film Reptile with Benicio Del Toro and Justin Timberlake on Netflix. Mike is also an award winning filmmaker having written two popular short films – Mend and Bound. You can view more about him at www.mikepniewski.com.
Briel is a location scout from Atlanta, Georgia. She earned a BS in Biology from Georgia State University and after years of working as a zookeeper, educational presenter, and animal trainer at Zoo Atlanta, she left the animal world to work in the film industry. She started as a location scout in 2021 and worked on projects throughout the entire state of Georgia. She takes pride in her job and loves the daily challenges, considering her work to be adventurous and educational. Her credits include Hulu’s original series Tell Me Lies (seasons 1 & 2), Disney/National Geographic’s Genius – MLK/X, and Nickelodeon’s movie, A Loud House Christmas. Briel is currently working with 101 Studios, Balboa Productions and Paramount+ on Season 2 of Tulsa King.
Robyn Watson is the principal owner and CEO of Watson Media Ventures (WMV), an entertainment consulting firm that advises on film, television, digital media productions and entertainment events. She has spent over 25 years as an entertainment strategist and corporate communications executive, most recently as Vice President of Corporate Communications for Gannett/USA Today with additional time spent at WarnerMedia, Time Warner and Verizon. Robyn provided strategic guidance and communications/PR on launches and distribution of major cable and entertainment services such as FiOS, WarnerMedia Podcast Network and HBO Max.
Robyn is also the President of Women In Film and Television Atlanta (WIFTA). Robyn has been involved in the Women In Film organization for over 14 years having also served on the board of New York Women In Film & Television (NYWIFT). In addition, she has served on the board of Women In Film & Television International (WIFTI) where she was on the Knowledge, Advocacy, and Activism Committee.
Harvee White is the education and programs manager at History Cherokee in Cherokee County, Georgia. Naturally gregarious, Harvee loves bringing diverse and inclusive stories to the forefront of the community, and her work emphasizes the importance of shared authority and engagement. Harvee’s upbringing in Bossier City, Louisiana and the Atlanta, Ga area has informed her love of Black Southern culture and history. She holds a BA in Art History from Georgia State University and an MA in Public History and Museum Studies from the University of West Georgia. The Way it Was, (in conjunction with History Cherokee and Scrapbook Video Productions) was her introduction into filmmaking.
breakout session descriptions
celebrating 50 years of the georgia film office
Lee Thomas | Greg Torre | Misti Martin
This is a year of milestones. The Georgia Film Office just celebrated its 50th Anniversary and tonight we are celebrating our 5th Annual Cherokee Film Summit.
To kick off our night of celebrating successes, examining challenges and connecting with tomorrow, we’ll learn how two of Georgia’s most prominent visionaries laid a statewide foundation. COED President & CEO Misti Martin will chat with Keynote Panelists Lee Thomas and Greg Torre about their role in acknowledging Georgia’s film industry challenges and the bold initiatives they created that boosted economic impact, cultivated our ecosystem of creatives and catapulted the Georgia Peach logo into worldwide stardom.
revolutionizing entertainment through cutting edge technologies
Billy Gabor | Todd Harris | John Swartz | Grant Wainscott
Moderated by Metro Atlanta Chamber VP of Ecosystem Expansion Grant Wainscott, hear Feature Panelists Billy Gabor (President, Post-Production, Company 3), Todd Harris (CEO, Skillshot Media and Ghost Gaming), and John Swartz (Co-Producer, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story; 2nd Unit Director, Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Mandalorian) discuss how emerging technologies are changing the landscape of their respective fields and enhancing content creation across all modes of entertainment.
tools of the trade: acting in georgia's film industry
Selena Anduze | Michael A. Dean | Barbara Divisek | Stella Doyle | Mike Pniewski | Jaye Pniewski
It takes more than just talent, a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work to succeed as an actor. You also need the right mindset, team, training and tools to compete at the highest level. Your career and brand are in your hands. This session gets specific and creative to help you take charge of your acting career with advice, insights and stories from the trenches.
screenwriting and Development in georgia
Cheryl McKay-Price | Mitch Olson | Glen Owen
The development of Georgia-based independent film projects has grown exponentially. Hear from Screenwriter/Producers Cheryl McKay-Price (These Stones), Glen Owen (Signing Day) and Mitch Olson (Crosspoint) as they share expert advice for developing your projects close to home.
you can handle the truth: entering the world of documentary filmmaking
Chris Flores | Stephanie Hearn Purcell | Brent Lambert-Zaffino | Harvee White
Telling the truth can be hard work – but so rewarding. Peaberry Film Festival Executive Director Brent Lambert-Zaffino sits down with Cinematographer Chris Flores, Emmy Award-winning Producer Stephanie Hearn Purcell and Public Historian Harvee White to dive into this truth-telling art form.
lend your voice: find your role in georgia's film organizations
Adiclere Evans | Darius Evans | Eric Goins | Robyn Watson
Spend time learning how you can use your voice to support initiatives in Georgia’s film production industry through an informal panel discussion featuring BEEC Founder Adiclere Evans, GPP Co-President Darius Evans, Atlanta Chapter SAG President Eric Goins and WIFTA President Robyn Watson.
Now that's sound advice!
Byron Childs | Tyler Grow | Nicholas Pawlenko
It’s never a good idea to wait until the budget is gone to decide you need professional help on your sound design! SCAD grads Byron Childs, Tyler Grow and Nicholas Pawlenko (who teamed up to design sound for Clone Wars: Battle of the Heroes fan film) share their infectious enthusiasm for great sound design and how it amplifies the world you seek to create.
location managers Q&A: creating impact in georgia's communities
Jimmie Bullis | Kevin Dowling | Jen Farris | Briel Ritter
When film productions come to town, the location team often leads the way. In a conversation with location professionals Jimmie Bullis, Kevin Dowling, Jen Farris and Briel Ritter, learn about how all Georgians can be positively impacted by the presence of this industry, and how hosting film teams can benefit you.
