SEMINAR SPEAKERS
B.K. COPOSKY (Executive Producer/Producer/Director) BIOGRAPHY
DR. JOHN LIU (Executive Producer/Fund Manager) BIOGRAPHY
Dr John Liu, a graduate from University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School in finance, Hollywood producer,writer, Creator of TV series, Wall Street and Hollywood well known entertainment financing expert, Wall Street well known hedge fund trader and portfolio manager.
He is the founder of HAN Pictures Corp (USA) and HAN Pictures Corp Ltd (China), running film productions in two major entertainment hubs to create and produce movies and dramatic TV series for global audiences, especially with Chinese related contents. Currently, HAN Pictures has a slate of more than 20 films and dramatic TV series projects in her pipeline. One of major
dramatic TV series called <Power and Fire> pitched as Game of Thrones vs Rome is currently in preproduction. HAN Pictures Corp Ltd (China) also runs Agency in China and distribution business in China and globally.
He is also the founder of HAN Capital Management LLC(USA) and HAN Capital Corp Ltd (China), its products including but not only different strategy global funds and private equity funds, such as multi-strategies equity arbitrage funds and Entertainment Investment Funds, specialized in films and TV series production and distribution globally. He has been working with several top major global Well Street Investment banks since 1996 as a senior manager, like investment banks, Citigroup, Credit Suisse Bank, Normura Securities International and famous hedge funds firms, like SAC Capital and Rubicon Capital et al.
He is a frequent keynote speaker at global Film and TV Festivals and Film Financing Summits and at Global Hedge Funds and Economic Research Summits by US Institutional Investors in Bermuda and IGlobal Forum, and many other Chinese financial institutions and regulators.
Dr John Liu, a graduate from University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School in finance, Hollywood producer,writer, Creator of TV series, Wall Street and Hollywood well known entertainment financing expert, Wall Street well known hedge fund trader and portfolio manager.
He is the founder of HAN Pictures Corp (USA) and HAN Pictures Corp Ltd (China), running film productions in two major entertainment hubs to create and produce movies and dramatic TV series for global audiences, especially with Chinese related contents. Currently, HAN Pictures has a slate of more than 20 films and dramatic TV series projects in her pipeline. One of major
dramatic TV series called <Power and Fire> pitched as Game of Thrones vs Rome is currently in preproduction. HAN Pictures Corp Ltd (China) also runs Agency in China and distribution business in China and globally.
He is also the founder of HAN Capital Management LLC(USA) and HAN Capital Corp Ltd (China), its products including but not only different strategy global funds and private equity funds, such as multi-strategies equity arbitrage funds and Entertainment Investment Funds, specialized in films and TV series production and distribution globally. He has been working with several top major global Well Street Investment banks since 1996 as a senior manager, like investment banks, Citigroup, Credit Suisse Bank, Normura Securities International and famous hedge funds firms, like SAC Capital and Rubicon Capital et al.
He is a frequent keynote speaker at global Film and TV Festivals and Film Financing Summits and at Global Hedge Funds and Economic Research Summits by US Institutional Investors in Bermuda and IGlobal Forum, and many other Chinese financial institutions and regulators.
JENNIFER TADLOCK (director/producer) BIOGRAPHY
With over 25 years experience in the film industry, Jennifer started out as a PA in South Florida and worked her way up to Production Coordinating for local and national commercials, studio projects, and low budget indie features. She implemented a film production department for Bossier Parish Community college and wrote a grant enabling her to make her Directing debut with an all Student crew which took a bronze place at the Houston WorldFest in 2003. She worked at the community college for the next 3 summers running the film institute, Producing and Directing each feature teaching the students. The second film "Jeremiah's Secret" won a Gold (2005) in the student film category at World Fest. Her film "Ray of Sunshine" (2008) won a Gold for Best Action Adventure for a theatrical release taking her out of the student category realm competing with star named projects. Jennifer then Co-Produced and Directed a short that was nominated for Best Dramatic short at the Hollywood DV festival in 2006.
She Directed "Finding Hope Now" now distributed by Cinedigm as STREETS OF HOPE which filmed in Fresno and was inspired by a true story of how the organization here "Hope Now For Youth" got started and has taken gang kids off the streets and been given the chance for a better future and career job which was released in 2013 on DVD and digitally in 2017.
She Produced and Directed LAST CURTAIN CALL, filmed in Los Angeles, CA starring Christopher Maleki, (Passions, Days of Our LIves, Scandal), David Proval, (Shawshank Redemption, Sopranoes), and Billy Wirth ( Red Shoe Diaries, Lost Boys) set to be released July 2018.. She also Produced Victory By Submission, Directed byAlan Autry (In the Heat of the Night) starring Eric Roberts, Lee Majors, Fred Williamson and Rachel Hendrix (October Baby). She is also the Co-Producer of the award winning drama THE DIVIDE Directed by Perry King starring Perry King, Bryan Kaplan, Sara Arrington and Levi Kreis.
She currently runs a SCRIPT TO SCREEN workshop in CA that teaches students how to take a script from development all the way through production to distribution on a Professional level with the student being able to Direct and Produce their own short film.
With over 25 years experience in the film industry, Jennifer started out as a PA in South Florida and worked her way up to Production Coordinating for local and national commercials, studio projects, and low budget indie features. She implemented a film production department for Bossier Parish Community college and wrote a grant enabling her to make her Directing debut with an all Student crew which took a bronze place at the Houston WorldFest in 2003. She worked at the community college for the next 3 summers running the film institute, Producing and Directing each feature teaching the students. The second film "Jeremiah's Secret" won a Gold (2005) in the student film category at World Fest. Her film "Ray of Sunshine" (2008) won a Gold for Best Action Adventure for a theatrical release taking her out of the student category realm competing with star named projects. Jennifer then Co-Produced and Directed a short that was nominated for Best Dramatic short at the Hollywood DV festival in 2006.
She Directed "Finding Hope Now" now distributed by Cinedigm as STREETS OF HOPE which filmed in Fresno and was inspired by a true story of how the organization here "Hope Now For Youth" got started and has taken gang kids off the streets and been given the chance for a better future and career job which was released in 2013 on DVD and digitally in 2017.
She Produced and Directed LAST CURTAIN CALL, filmed in Los Angeles, CA starring Christopher Maleki, (Passions, Days of Our LIves, Scandal), David Proval, (Shawshank Redemption, Sopranoes), and Billy Wirth ( Red Shoe Diaries, Lost Boys) set to be released July 2018.. She also Produced Victory By Submission, Directed byAlan Autry (In the Heat of the Night) starring Eric Roberts, Lee Majors, Fred Williamson and Rachel Hendrix (October Baby). She is also the Co-Producer of the award winning drama THE DIVIDE Directed by Perry King starring Perry King, Bryan Kaplan, Sara Arrington and Levi Kreis.
She currently runs a SCRIPT TO SCREEN workshop in CA that teaches students how to take a script from development all the way through production to distribution on a Professional level with the student being able to Direct and Produce their own short film.
COREY HARNISH (Social Impact Entertainment Specialist) BIOGRAPHY
Corey Harnish is a Social Impact Entertainment Specialist. For the last 5 years, he's been on a journey to make this world a better place and believes that producing socially conscious content is one of the most influential ways to raise awareness about global challenges and activate people to do something about it. As an experienced Life Coach with a background in gamification and motivation psychology, Corey is an effective facilitator overseeing professional teams of developers, fundraisers, and communication specialists. Additionally, Corey advises social entrepreneurs with startups and business development.
Corey Harnish is a Social Impact Entertainment Specialist. For the last 5 years, he's been on a journey to make this world a better place and believes that producing socially conscious content is one of the most influential ways to raise awareness about global challenges and activate people to do something about it. As an experienced Life Coach with a background in gamification and motivation psychology, Corey is an effective facilitator overseeing professional teams of developers, fundraisers, and communication specialists. Additionally, Corey advises social entrepreneurs with startups and business development.
(HSBC Private Client Banker) BIOGRAPHY
HAL "CORKY" KESSLER (Entertainment Attorney) BIOGRAPHY
Corky has extensive entertainment law, corporate and worldwide entertainment industry experience and regularly speaks on the business and legal aspects of feature film development and tax incentives in connection with the entertainment industry, and he has authored a reference book covering such federal and state tax incentives. The industry trades have written that what Corky has set up through Deutsch, Levy & Engel, Chartered is a “one stop shop” firm for the entertainment industry. In 2016, Corky was named the top entertainment lawyer in the United States.
Corky has successfully worked with Governors and US Congressmen in several states to implement new laws and federal tax incentives for investment in qualifying film and television projects, which led to Section 181 and Section 199 of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. Corky has also been actively involved in the application of Section 168 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which was signed into law December 2017 and became active in January 2018. Section 168 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act outlined the new incentives for film, television and theater which are valid for a five year period.
Corky is active in establishing and advising various film funds and film funding sources in North America, and is expanding internationally. In October 2012, Corky signed a Memorandum of Understanding with private investors from China for a $200 million co-production deal with the US.
Corky has represented several authors and negotiated publishing deals with several major publishers, including Random House and Doubleday. He has assembled and built winning teams for more than 30 entertainment and other business ventures. Corky has also developed, packaged and executive produced feature films, theater and television projects, including The Sum of Us starring Russell Crowe, which won the Australian Academy Award for Best Film; and Certifiably Jonathan, starring Jonathan Winters, Robin Williams, Howie Mandel, Rob Reiner, Jim Carrey, Sara Silverman and others.
As an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern Law School and John Marshall Law School, Corky teaches an entertainment, transactional and law course. He previously developed a syllabus for, and taught, a similar course at Columbia College’s film department.
Corky has written several articles for Screen Magazine, and other film entertainment magazines and periodicals. He has been active and instrumental in conducting ‘”Biz Sessions,” a seminar dealing with the business and legal aspects of feature film development.
Corky is admitted to practice in Illinois, US District Court for the Northern District; Member of the Trial Bar of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois; US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; Member of the American Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association.
Speaking engagements, panel discussions and seminars throughout North America and China include:
•2014 - 2018: Sundance Film Festival, Park City, UT: Speaking engagements; moderated panel discussions on women’s issues in film.
•2015 – 2017: Cannes Film Festival, France: Moderated six industry panels livestreamed worldwide.
•2013 – 2016: Toronto Film Festival, Canada: Moderated six industry panels livestreamed worldwide.
•April 2015: Speaker on panel at China US Summit, Los Angeles, CA.
•September 2014: Toronto Film Festival, Canada: Legal Finance; moderated panel discussion filmed and livestreamed worldwide.
•April 28, 2014: Featured speaker at the China US Summit at the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel.
•October 13-20, 2012: Professionals Abroad, Beijing, China: Lead a small delegation of entertainment industry professionals to meet with members of the Chinese entertainment industry, including funding sources, production and distribution companies, casting directors, producers, screenwriters, talent agents and members of government film departments.
•September 8-9, 2012: Toronto Film Festival, Canada: Legal Film Finance. Moderated panel discussion filmed and livestreamed worldwide by Toronto ECO, in partnership with The Hollywood Reporter. Panel participants included: Martin Katz (Prospero Picts.), Gil Aguare (Koan International), Ping Jiang (China Film Animation, Ltd.), and Prashant Shah (Bollywood Hollywood Productions, Inc.)
•April 2011: Beijing International Film Festival, China: Invited by the Chinese government to be a participant in multiple film panels throughout the festival.
•November 11, 2010: Los Angeles, CA: Financing You Film: Writers’ Boot Camp. Panel discussion on avoiding pitfalls, development to distribution.
•October 2, 2010: Austin, TX: Financing Your Film; panel discussion on avoiding pitfalls, development to distribution.
•April 23-24, 2010: Brit Week Film & TV Summit, Los Angeles, CA: Panel member for discussion of financing and dealmakers’ sessions. The panel was moderated by Peter Caranicas, editor of Variety.
Theatrical Plays:
The Nerd, Hauptman, Jump for Joy, The Good Times are Killing Me, Driving Miss Daisy, Shirley Valentine, I’m Not Rappaport, Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune, Steel Magnolias, Don’t Dress for Dinner, Hoops.
Executive Producer and/or Attorney - Feature Films:
Certifiably Jonathan: Jonathan Winters, Robin Williams, Howie Mandel, Sara Silverman, Tim Conway, Rob Reiner
The Sum of Us: Russell Crowe, Jack Thompson; Distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Co.; Australian Academy Award
Finding North: Wendy McKenna, John Benjamin Hickey; Screenplay by Kim Powers; Distributed by Cowboy Booking
Wild Things: Directed by John McNaughton, written by Stephen Peters; w/ Kevin Bacon, Matt Dillon, Neve Campbell
Legend of Bloody Mary: Screenplay by Joseph Domingo; currently in distribution phase
Teary Sockets: Screenplay by Scott Anderson; currently in distribution phase
Burning Bodhi: Kaley Cuoco, Sasha Pieterse, Virginia Madsen
Return to Zero: Minnie Driver, Paul Adelstein, Alfred Molina
Natural Selection: Screenplay by Robbie Pickering
Osso Bucco: Mike Starr, Illeana Douglas, Christian Stolte
Greater: Written by Brian Reindl, life story of Arkansas football player Brandon Burlsworth
Broken Hill: Written/Directed by Dagen Merrill; distributed by Porchlight Entertainment;
starring Luke Arnold, Alexa Vega, Timothy Hutton
Heart Strings: Screenplay by FireFly Film & Video, co-producers Firefly and Jim Pasternak
Abelar: Tales of an Ancient Empire: Screenplay by Yancy Butler & Victoria Maurette; produced by Nick Celozzi
Films Currently in Development and Pre-Production:
Stray Hearts: Screenwriter Keri Roebuck Fitzgerald, revisions by Jenny Wingfield, co-producers Dorothea Petrie,
William S. Gilmore and Shari Rhodes
Deaf Ghost: producer Beverly Nero
Bronzeville: produced by Think Differently Company
A Gringo Walks into a Cantina: Screenwriter/Co-producer Jeff Kehe
Brooklyn: Screenwriter/Producer Denis McKeown
Wanted: producer Linda Bridgen
Angels in the Sky: producer Mike Flint, a feature film about Israel’s first Air Force
The Best of All Worlds: producer Marshall Bear
Stella by Starlight: Screenwriter Clarissa Jacobson, producer John Most
Headshop: Screenwriter/Producer Kim Bass
Miles and Me: biopic on Miles Davis, producer Rudy Langlais
Bob Marley: biopic, producer Rudy Langlais
Captain Blood (remake): producer Rudy Langlais
Shades of Grace: producer Jennifer Tadlock
We Know Not What We Do: producers Aaron Taylor and Elizabeth Baker
Sweet Water: producer Josi Konski
The Devine Mistake: producer Lucy Rice
Seven Days to Live: producer Lucy Rice
MegaBall$: producers Marc Baron (screenplay) and Joe Cirillo
WALLACE COLLINS (Entertainment Attorney) BIOGRAPHY
Wallace is an entertainment lawyer and intellectual property attorney located in New York concentrating in entertainment law and copyright and trademark matters. The transactional work focuses primarily on negotiating film and television business deals and structuring financing arrangements for his entertainment clients. Wallace has represented actors, directors, producers, screenwriters and production companies for over 30 years. His litigation matters encompass representation of both plaintiffs and defendants in copyright and trademark infringement cases as well as general entertainment contract disputes.
Wallace is an entertainment lawyer and intellectual property attorney located in New York concentrating in entertainment law and copyright and trademark matters. The transactional work focuses primarily on negotiating film and television business deals and structuring financing arrangements for his entertainment clients. Wallace has represented actors, directors, producers, screenwriters and production companies for over 30 years. His litigation matters encompass representation of both plaintiffs and defendants in copyright and trademark infringement cases as well as general entertainment contract disputes.