Second Annual
4500 Digital Video Competition
GoggleWorks Theater, Reading, PA
April 12-15 and April 29, 2007
   
Guest Speakers for April 12, 2007

Darryl Rode: After ten years as a successful news videographer and editor for a top 5 market, Darryl Rode struck out on his own in 1991. His creativity and attention to detail enable him to take the viewer past the lens and into people's lives. Darryl's unique style is what has made him so in demand. As a response to the growing need for his services, Darryl carefully chose two DP's with similar skills and ambitions to form Keystone Pictures. They are Rob Marish and Andy Obeck.

Since the beginning of his career, his talents have brought him much attention including several regional and national Emmy's. You've seen his work on: Trading Spaces (TLC), Unwrapped (Food Network), The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Dateline, just to name a few. Through it all, he counts himself lucky to have a craft he loves even more today than when he began over 20 years ago. Visit Darryl's web site at www.keystonepictures.tv to see their client list and view some of their demos.

• Watch Darryl's informative video on "Visual Storytelling".




Andy Kauffman & Ashley Forlini: Ashley Forlini (8th season), Assistant General Manager (2006), and Andy Kauffman (5th season), Video Director, are both front office personel from the Reading Philllies and they will cover the role of video in promoting the Reading Phillies out of season and its function in adding to the overall atmosphere of the R-Phils game day experience. Also producing videos for TV commercials, our website, sales/promotional pieces and the video board.

Andy has been working in the video field for 10 years since graduating from Kutztown University. He started professionally at WTVE-51 in Reading, shooting and editing video while also running master control during the overnight shift. He was a videographer for Channel 5, Berks County News for three years (1997-99) and eventually had the opportunity to do on-air sports reporting and some anchoring during the show’s nightly 6:00 newscast (2000-01). He has been the Reading Phillies video director since October, 2002.

Ashley's primary responsibilities with the team include managing the team’s sales force, as well as overseeing the group sales department, ticket department, the Reading Phillies Internship Program, the Learning with Baseball School Program, and all of the between inning game entertainment - including writing the daily game script. In the off-season she works quite a bit on creating new between inning entertainment.

Ashley is originally from the Reading area and has actually been an employee of the Reading Phillies since she was 15 years old - having served as a Reading Phillies “Diamond Girl”. Ashley graduated from The University of Delaware in May 2000 where she majored in Fitness Management and minored in Nutrition. In 2000 she decided to return to her hometown team to do an internship from which she was hired.
Ashley is the on the Board of Directors as well as the Membership Chair for the Greater Reading Young Professionals. A native of Exeter, PA and a 1996 graduate of Exeter High School, Forlini currently resides in West Reading, PA.
William Seiders: William Seiders joined the 69 News Team in December of 2001. He is a 2000 graduate of Kutztown University with a bachelors degree in Electronic Media. He is also a 1996 Graduate of Reading High School where his interest in TV got started. During High school he was a member of Reading High's Knight Life where he got the taste of TV News. He also did 3 years of play by play basketball for Knight Life. While taking classes at Kutztown University he took part in Newsbreak, a nightly on campus news cast, as well as many other live productions like Sportscene and Golden Bear Football games. During his summers he works with the Reading Phillies as a member of the in stadium camera crew known as "Fan Cam".

During his time at WFMZ-TV Bill was able to travel to the Gulf Coast in the weeks after Hurricane Katrina following a group from Berks County taking supplies and goods to those affected by the Hurricane. The five part series entitled "Convoy of Hope" won the 2006 AP award for best series. He also was part of the 2005 Emmy Award winning Berks Edition. Apart from the awards, Bill loves to cover all the events in and around Berks County from High School sports to the latest issues facing local communities.

When Bill is not at work you will find him spending his free time with his wife traveling up and down the east coast or catching a NASCAR race in person or on TV. He is also currently pursing a Master's Degree in Electronic Media at Kutztown University.
Michael Matz: Mike is an Apple Systems Manager for the Wyomissing Area School District and certified in Final Cut Pro and more. With his film making background, Mike, an Albright alumni, participated in the 2005 Philadelphia 48 Hour Film Project as the chief editor.

He will share his knowledge of his participation in the 2005 Philly 48 hour project along with his expertise in film making, including tips on production, editing with iMovie, Final Cut Pro and more. A big thanks to Mike for letting us know about the 48 Hour Film Project which led to the creation of this annual High School Video Competition and putting all of the 2006 and 2007 videos on the Wyomissing Area School District web site. Mike also created the 2006 as well as the 2007-4500 DVC DVD's using DVD Studio Pro. Watch Mike's Keynote presentation

Dave Nase: Dave is the owner of Hilltop Productions, Inc., Reading, PA, a video company he started in 2000. He has shot and edited in 3/4 tape, VHS, and now digital. He has recorded multi camera events such as: sporting events, dance recitals, school plays, religious events, and more since the early 1990's.

Dave will talk about basics of videography and how to improve your camera work. He will also discuss his career in the field and give tips to those pursuing this field. Dave will also give tips on lighting.

Helping Dave will be two of his associates: Dave Speace (DZP Video 610-913-1553 or 610 524-1580) and Alray Johnson (4CTV Chester County Community Cable 610-306-9492)
 

Matthew Garrison: Matthew Garrison is an artist and professor of Digital Media at Albright College. He has exhibited at the Waterfront Center for the Arts, Belfast, Ireland; Video_DIVA, Miami; the Roger Smith Lab Gallery, Manhattan; and the University of Wisconsin's Foster Gallery. Garrison’s work will be shown at the Minnesota Museum of American Art April 14 - July 1, 2007. His work also can be seen on his website, www.garrisonarts.com.


Mr. Garrison will discuss the application of special effects and experimentation in video and digital media from the perspective of a fine artist and educator.
  Nick Leinbach: Nick is a 1996 graduate of Wyomissing High School. He attended The University of the Arts in Philadelphia where he studied theatre. Nick has been working professionally for the last 7 years acting in movies, TV, and on stage.

Currently Nick is in rehearsals for “Little Women”, the musical. He will be leaving the area for Los Angeles following the musical.

Nick will be talking about what he has experienced on sets, on stage, and when performing stunts.
  Hayden Craddolph: In 2001, Hayden Craddolph, President and Founder of Haydenfilms, and a group of his colleagues conceived a new way to enhance artistic vitality of collaborative film projects. The result was the structure of Haydenfilms LLC, dedicated to the support and development of emerging independent and student film producers of vision.

In October of 2004, the First Annual Haydenfilms Online Film Festival was launched online at www.haydenfilms.com. The $10,000 grand prize was awarded in January of 2006 during the awards ceremony held at the prestigious Director’s Guild Theater in New York City.

In addition to the annual film festival, the Haydenfilms.com web site contains production boards, an international crew database, and current news and features from the film industry.

A native of Philadelphia, Pa., Craddolph received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Kutztown University and is completing his Master of Science in Electronic Media from Kutztown University.
  Kevin Gratz: Currently Multimedia Producer for Penske Truck Leasing in Reading PA. Manages the production of media for Training, Marketing & Employee Communications for distribution via DVD, CD and web streaming. Also manages live event audio/visual integration and meeting/conference room A/V systems consultation.

Corporate video production for over 20 years. AT&T, Lucent Technologies, Agere Systems and Independent business owner. Coordinated live satellite production for Lucent/Agere world-wide corporate broadcasts.

Avid video editor. Steadicam operator. Home theatre specialist.
Reading PA native. Douglassville resident.
Wilson High School Graduate - 1979. Learned a great deal of what I know through my experience in TV production at Wilson.
Penn State University Graduate - 1983. Broadcast Communications.
  Sean Gaston: Sean D. Gaston was born and raised in Reading, PA. He is a 1995 graduate of Central Catholic High School and received a communications degree from Millersville University in 1999. Sean's a 13 year veteran of the motion picture exhibition business, getting his start with Fox Theatres in Wyomissing, PA in 1993. Today he works for the largest movie exhibitor in the world, The Regal Entertainment Group.

Sean published his first book on the subject of moviegoing, "Would You Like Butter On That?" in 2002. In that same year he auditioned and got a role in the independent horror film "Through Hike: A Ghost Story".
His involvement in that film and the tragic circumstances revolving around the making of that movie, lead him to Co Producing and Co Writing credits on the soon to be released feature length documentary "Rough Cut".

Recently Sean has appeared in newspapers and on television for local and national news affiliates for ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, Comcast and NBC. Some of you may have seen him this past January when he was a featured interview on "Dateline NBC" when they covered the story of the murder documented in "Rough Cut". For more information on "Rough Cut" please visit roughcutmovie.com.

Currently Sean is traveling the film festival circuit, having just returned from the Phoenix Film Festival and is working on a book about " Rough Cut". He resides in Central Pennsylvania with his beautiful wife Jamye, two children, and Chocolate Lab, Tucker. Sean will also be one of the judges to view and select the top videos.
  Marty Bonk: Marty Bonk is a Berks County native and Central Catholic graduate. He also graduated with a BS from City University of New York. Marty, who plays guitar and bass, also writes, arranges, and records music using Sibelius and Pro Tools (Digidesign) on Apple computers. Marty composed and recorded music for Rob Diener's group Anomaly. The CD's "Some Assembly Required" and "Batteries Not Included" are available at radtrumpet.com.

Marty will demonstrate how music can change the feel of a movie using Pro Tools and Sibelius.
  Virginia Dodge: Virginia L. Dodge is President of VA Productions, Inc. As the executive producer of video and film projects, Virginia is responsible for project development, creative design and management of all production aspects. With more than twelve years of production experience, Virginia specializes in corporate videos, with special emphasis on marketing, training, sales, education and informational programs.

Virginia also heads the company's meeting planning division. She oversees the meeting planning process, including client relations, site and logistical issues, coordination and implementation of audio/visual and video services, speakers and speaker support needs.
Virginia is a member of Meeting Professionals International and is a lifetime member of Media Communications Association International (formerly the International Television Association).
 

Matt Ruhe: Matt Ruhe is a graduate of the Ithaca College Park School of Communications and is currently working at ESPN in Bristol CT, as a production assistant working on motor sports, specifically in NASCAR. In the last 6 years he has worked on several projects in New York and Los Angeles including: ABC Primetime Series: Houston Medical (associate editor), and WABC TV Channel 7 New York (marketing producer), the contestant coordinator for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, and also is the writer/ producer for a series of Golf Tip segments for the Weather Channel.

Matt was unable to make the trip from ESPN, but was gracious and gave an interview. Watch Matt's interview.
4500
Committee
  

Mike Farrara (Wyomissing Area Jr/Sr High School), Patty Spleen (Twin Valley High School), are Co-Chairman of the 4500 Digital Video Competition and Conference and both teach video classes at their schools along with directing their student run TV studios.

  Michael Farrara: Mike Farrara is an avid Three Stooges and Seinfeld fan. His love of movies ("The Searchers", "The Green Berets" and "The Great Escape") propelled him in 7th grade to make "The Battle at Vivion", an epic 10 minute silent war movie, with an 8mm film camera and many of his friends and family.

He has enjoyed every minute of the 28 years he has been teaching at the Wyomissing Area Jr/Sr High School and has enjoyed the change from traditional Industrial Arts to Technology Education. He's gone from "Dittos to Digital". The 4500 Digital Video Competition and Conference is the next best thing, other than going to Hollywood and making it big. He wants to help young people reach their future film making goals, using the technology, resources, and professionals available today. Putting together this festival has been a thrill of a lifetime. Mike wishes to thank all parties who have made this possible...A Big Thank You. Best of Luck to all the teams!
  Patricia Spleen: Patty Spleen grew up in Northern New Jersey and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelors of Science, from Kutztown University. A 14 year veteran teacher from Twin Valley, began her career in English contemplating Romeo and Juliet’s star crossed love and Lady MacBeth’s guilt stained hands. Her love of storytelling, passion for journalism, eye for photography, knowledge of computers and desire to create led her to take on the daunting task of creating the television studio. Now in its 6th year, offers classes in animation, video production and television communications.

Last year, she jumped at the opportunity to help create the film festival and she has enjoyed working with other teachers and giving students an opportunity to showcase their work and learn from the professionals.
  Patricia Hahn: Patty Hahn was raised in Pittsburgh, PA and attended Upper St. Clair High School. She studied journalism and literature at Penn State University and student-taught in the Panama Canal Zone with the last group from Penn State to take advantage of the program. She began her teaching career in Takoma Park, Maryland at Sligo Creek Park Junior High School. She has been teaching at Exeter Township SHS for 17 years. A recent graduate of Kutztown’s Electronic Media Graduate Program, Mrs. Hahn is excited about the creative possibilities for her students in the area of video.

Words of Wisdom: Having a good script is key to producing a good movie. Have vision and drive to tell the story the way you imagine. Motivate your people. Let them know you are counting on them to do the job no matter how much it takes. You should have thought out a story for each genre before you arrive April 12th. This will give your team an advantage. We look forward to meeting each of you personally. Enjoy the upcoming break!
 

Margaret Castellano and Dave Fake: Margaret Castellano and Dave Fake, Tulpehocken High School teachers extraordinaire, bring their flair and flamboyance to the 4500 seminar to give students advice on how to be excellent….(drum roll, please)…..thespians! They will coach students through a short, improvised skit that will put their acting talents to the test. Is the next Will Ferrell or Reese Witherspoon among us? A big thanks to Margaret and Dave for their help with the 4500.

Margaret Castellano’s background in theater and penchant for drama make her an excellent choice to lead this seminar. After graduating from Temple University, Margaret decided to dip her toes into the treacherous waters of rural Berks County because “If you can make it in Tulpehocken, you can make it anywhere.”

Dave Fake is an English teacher at Tulpehocken High School. He enjoys reading, sports, traveling, and the sublime cinematic incompetence showcased on MST 3000. He wishes everyone a glitch-free weekend, but since that probably won’t happen, he offers a simple “Good luck!”
     
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