The Digital Indie Producer - Crowd Funding, Alternative Distribution, Community Building and Social Marketing
Moderator: David Straus, imdb
David Fenkel, Co-Founder, Oscilloscope Laboratories
Gary Delfiner, SVP Digital Distribution, Screen Media Ventures
Slava Rubin, Partner, IndieGoGo
Erick Opeka, VP VOD and Digital Distribution, New Video
Brad Carroll, VP of Business Development & Sales, Cinedigm
Peter Orlowsky, VP of Sales, Getty Images
Stephanie Sharis, Executive Vice President, SnagFilms
Click here for photos from this panel at the fall summit.
Gary Delfiner, SVP Digital Distribution, Screen Media Ventures
Gary Delfiner, Senior Vice President, Digital Distribution, Screen Media Ventures, LLC. Gary’s key responsibility is identifying and developing direct relationships with the major worldwide digital platforms for the purpose of exploiting Screen Media’s library of over 1000 films. In addition, Gary works closely with those platforms to develop promotional and marketing opportunities to focus consumer attention on the company’s assets. Screen Media’s digital distribution division also actively aggregates film content from independent producers and suppliers specifically for digital exploitation. As a twenty year veteran of the home entertainment business, Gary held several executive positions in the industry. At Spelling Entertainment, Gary was one of the key executives who created the home entertainment division called Worldvison Home Video. As head of acquisition and marketing, Gary distributed hundreds of films including exploiting Aaron Spelling’s library of programming. At Spelling, Gary helped pioneer distribution of television shows on video. The release of Beverly Hills 90210 and Twin Peaks were among the first ever releases of that genre. When Spelling Entertainment acquired Republic Pictures, Gary became the head of original film production for Republic. During his tenure, he developed and executive produced 15 films. Gary also developed and managed international co-productions deals. After leaving Spelling, Gary continued to produce television and movies under his own banner of Gemini Releasing. Gary was honored with the Parents Choice Award for his Showtime Original film Wildcat Canyon, as well as two Gemini Awards for the kid’s series I Was A Sixth Grade Alien the CBS television film Borrowed Hearts. Wanting to return to his distribution roots, Gary joined Screen Media Ventures in 2008. Gary is a graduate of Temple University with a degree in Film and Television.
Brad Carroll, VP of Business Development & Sales, Cinedigm
Brad Carroll is a long time theatrical distribution executive currently working with content owners to develop innovative ways to exploit their product that take advantage of the disruptive technology of Digital Cinema. At Cinedigm, the world leader in theatrical distribution of targeted entertainment, Brad has distributed; independent feature films, feature length documentaries, operas, Kidtoons, 3D concert films from Dave Mathews and Phish, and 3D live sporting events including the BCS Championship Game, NBA All Star Saturday Night, NCAA Final Four Basketball and FIFA World Cup Soccer. Brad is a 20 year veteran of theatrical distribution, and has been involved with thousands of titles. His tenure includes stints with Miramax Films, Savoy Pictures, AMC Theatres in film buying, Technicolor and Fandango. Brad is currently VP of Sales and Business Development at Cinedigm Entertainment.
Stephanie Sharis, Executive Vice President, SnagFilms
Stephanie Sharis has over ten years experience in New Media and Entertainment. From 2004 through 2007, she worked at AOL in Premium Services and then Original Programming. Her last role was as Director of Creative Development where she developed episodic web-based series sponsored by major clients like GM and P&G. She also built and managed AOL True Stories, a broadband channel for documentaries, which was the precursor for SnagFilms.
Before joining AOL, Stephanie co-founded and served as Co-President of Transmission Films, an online distributor of independent and foreign films. She has also worked as a project consultant for New York Office, Walden Media, Content Film, Urbanworld Films, JP Morgan and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
In addition to working as a business executive in the industry, Stephanie has also been involved in the creative side: she co-produced THE PROMISE, a short film starring Saundra Santiago and Kevin Conway, MUSIC INN, a documentary which premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival, and THE PARTY’S OVER, a feature documentary starring Philip Seymour Hoffman that was released in theaters internationally and aired on the BBC.
Stephanie graduated summa cum laude from Wesleyan University in 1994 and received her graduate degree in public policy from Harvard University in 1999.
Photos from the fall panel
