SCAD Announces Programming Line-Up For 2nd Annual aTVfest

ATLANTA, Jan. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Savannah College of Art and Design is pleased to announce the return of aTVfest: a Digital Media Experience, taking place Feb. 6-8, 2014 in Atlanta, GA.  Now in its second year, the event celebrates design, creativity and innovation in television and media production. This year's festival showcases the best work in each field including broadcast, cable, Web, social media, music videos and advertising. Award-winning producers, directors, writers and industry executives will participate in a series of informative and entertaining panels, discussions and workshops. 

"We're excited to present a very diverse program of topics and panelists for the second year of aTVfest," said Christina Routhier, Director of Programming and Operations, aTVfest.  "Our enriching programming aims to further equip SCAD students with the tools to develop sophisticated visual aesthetics and advanced narrative components in an unparalleled collaborative and immersive atmosphere."

Panel and Q&A discussion participants include CeeLo Green (CeeLo Green's The Good Life); Uzo Aduba, Danielle Brooks, Samira Wiley, and Matt McGorry(Orange is the New Black); Carson Kressley (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy); Murray Bartlett, Raul Castillo, and O.T. Fagbenele (Looking); Colin Ferguson (Eureka); Sarah Condon (Executive Producer, The Red Road and Looking); Tim Gibbons (Executive Producer, Curb Your Enthusiasm); Allie Gonino, Kiowa Gordon, and Tamara Tunie (The Red Road); Keahu Kahuanui (Teen Wolf); Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead); and many others.

The festival will also welcome prominent producers, directors and industry representatives from ABC Entertainment, AMC Networks, Cartoon Network, Definition 6, Discovery Channel, Freemantle Media, The Gersh Agency, HGTV, National Geographic Television, Nickelodeon, TBS, TNT, UP! Network and The Weather Channel.  Panels will include topics on the second screen model, virtual and augmented reality, co-production deals, web series, reality and lifestyle television, pitching and the development process, branding and promotions, acting and casting.

Daily highlights include the following:

Thursday, February 6
Panel discussion topics include "Beyond Passive Entertainment: The Second Screen Experience," and "That's Not Real! Virtual Augmented Reality with (n+1) Design Studio" will lean our attention toward immersive virtual sets and real-time augmented reality graphics and the increase of on-demand programming.  Festival attendees will also participate in panel discussions focused on "Deconstructing the Co-Production Deal," and "The Rise of the Webseries."  Award Winning Producer Tim Gibbons (Curb Your Enthusiasm) will participate in an in-depth discussion followed by insight into the "World of the Cartoon Network" along with a special Q&A session with Animator, Producer and Network Creator Fred Seibert, Channel Frederator.

Friday, February 7
The second day of aTVfest programming begins with a panel discussion aimed at "Demystifying the Development Process".  Other conversation topics include "It's Unscripted! Reality TV Today," "Inside Acting – Acting for TV," "Sci-Fi on TV," the lighthearted "Instant Classics: Lifestyle Television Series We'll Never Forget," and the practically minded "Big Vision Empty Wallet: Strategies to Get Your Foot in the Door Without Breaking the Bank."  CeeLo Green will answer audience questions about his new reality breakout show CeeLo Green's The Good Life chronicling Green and his three childhood friends.  Primetime Series screenings include Sundance Channel presents The Red Road and HBO presents Looking.

Saturday, Feb. 8
Saturday panel discussions include "Promoting the Product," "The Pitch," "Casting for TV," "Network Branding in the Age of Digital Media" and a panel discussion with cast and crew from Orange is the New Black. Nickelodeon presents: What's Your Big Idea! with Emmy Award winning creator and producer, Eric Robles. In addition to screenings of CW's The Vampire Diaries and AMC's The Walking Dead, other Primetime Series screening include TNT's Dallas (Season 3 Premiere), and HBO Presents Happy Birthday to a Beautiful Woman and One Last Hug (…and a few smooches) Three Days at Grief Camp.

aTVfest Event Details
Open to the general public and industry leaders, the 2014 aTVfest will take place at the SCAD-Atlanta campus, the recently acquired 14^th Street Playhouse, the Digital Media Center (DMC) and other midtown Atlanta venues.  To purchase advanced tickets and for a complete list of programming please visit: www.atvfest.com

The inaugural year of aTVfest was attended by more than 3,000 people and honored Phylicia Rashad, who received the Outstanding Achievement in Television Award from SCAD, Bravo senior producer John Hill, executive director of the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship Karen Kirkland, CEO of FreemantleMedia Thom Beers and "BONES" executive producer Stephen Nathan.

About SCAD Atlanta
At SCAD Atlanta, students have access to industry standard production and postproduction equipment. With access to SCAD Atlanta's 60,000-square-foot Digital Media Center, a multi-use theater, and a high-definition TV studio, graduate film and television students create music videos, commercials, branded entertainment, Web series, talk shows, sitcoms and other content for their studio projects.

Conveniently located in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, students are afforded immediate access to industry contacts, field assignments and events such as aTVfest that supplement their coursework and enrich their educational experience.

In addition, SCAD Atlanta's M.F.A. and M.A. film and television programs provide students access to complementary programs like motion media design, advertising, animation and visual effects. Top careers in the industry include positions such as documentary filmmaker, editor, post-production supervisor, director of photography, production designer, location manager, art director, producer and more. Learn more about SCAD's comprehensive film and television program.

SCAD: The University for Creative Careers
The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution conferring bachelor's and master's degrees at distinctive locations and online to prepare talented students for professional careers. SCAD offers degrees in more than 40 majors. Visit scad.edu.

SOURCE SCAD