LOS ANGELES, CALIF. --- The Biola Media Conference will kick off an impressive 2009 speaker roster with a rousing opening performance by the winners of the NBC international dance competition series SuperStars of Dance, the Groovaloos. Individually, their resumes include working with such artists as Justin Timberlake, Will Smith, Gwen Stefani, Beyonce, and others. Biola Media is honored to showcase the talent that has earned them the highest levels of commercial achievement in their craft.

“The Groovaloos are at the pinnacle of hip-hop and pop-culture entertainment,” notes Scott A. Shuford, President of FrontGate Media and BMC Advisory Board member.  “It will be obvious why they are called ‘The Cirque du Soleil’ of the street.  Their performances truly amaze and inspire.”

The Groovaloos performance will be followed by an opening address from Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Group President Mark Zoradi.  

The event’s focus on talent continues with the addition of Michael Van Dyck, TV and Feature Literary Agent with Paradigm Agency; and Christopher Lockhart, Story Editor at the William Morris Agency.  These latest additions further this year’s “Closing the Deal” theme in a panel session focusing on “The Talent Factor,” attracting and attaching talent to sell your script and fund your project.

Talent Factor moderator Kim Dorr, Talent Agent and owner of Defining Artist Agency wonders, “Are stars even necessary in a Slumdog world?” and seeks to demystify the “A-list” pursuit.

On Saturday, April 25th at the renowned CBS Studio Center lot, the Biola Media Conference continues its 14 year tradition of gathering leading experts to help attendees navigate the challenging world of film, TV and digital media.

This year’s workshops will tackle diverse aspects of how attendees can land themselves and their projects past the finish line.  Conference sessions have brought frontline media professionals like producer/writer Brian Bird, Not Easily Broken (Sony), The Last Sin Eater (Fox), and co-executive producer and writer of CBS’s Emmy nominated series, Touched By an Angel, to weigh in on these critical topics and opportunities facing people of faith in the entertainment industry today.

Session topics include:

AMBITION IN HOLLYWOOD: PUSHING ETHICAL BOUNDARIES ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS

  • Ralph Winter, Producer, X-MEN, Fantastic Four, X-Men Origins: Wolverine
  • Terry Botwick, Founder and CEO of 1019 Entertainment

INSIDE THE STUDIO DEALMAKING PROCESS

  • Travis Mann, Entertainment Attorney, Inferno Entertainment
  • Christa Zofkin, Head of Business Affairs for United Artists
  • Todd Burns, Founder and COO of Mpower Pictures

WEBISODES: SPRINGBOARD TO THE BIG SCREEN

  • Dan Rupple, CEO of Seriously Funny Ent.
  • Anita Renfroe, Comedienne, on Good Morning America, Star of ABC sitcom pilot
  • Rajeev Sigamoney, Writer, Jesus People, The Movie

HOW TO PACKAGE AND SELL TO HOLLYWOOD

  • Doug TenNapel, Graphic novelist, video game designer, writer of Nicktoons, Catscratch
  • Brian Bird, Producer/Writer for film and television including Not Easily Broken, and Touched By an Angel

INNOVATIVE FILM AND MEDIA FINANCING

  • Rolfe Auerbach, President, Brand-In Entertainment
  • Doug Schwartz, Producer, Little Hercules 3-D

OPTION AGREEMENTS 101

  • Travis Mann, Entertainment Attorney, Inferno Entertainment
  • Christa Zofkin, Head of Business Affairs for United Artists
  • Todd Burns, Founder and COO of Mpower Pictures

For a detailed conference schedule, go to: http://www.biolamedia.com/schedule.shtml.

The Biola Media Conference will close out the day with a very rare public appearance and Q & A Keynote Session with Joe Eszterhas, acclaimed writer of Basic Instinct, Jagged Edge, Footloose and Showgirls, about his craft and on how his new-found-faith has affected his life and career.

The Biola Media Conference is known for its intimate and practical conversations with leading Hollywood professionals, professional training and instruction from some of the most influential individuals in Film, TV, PR, Media Marketing, Management and Digital Media. Conference topics cover every aspect of media related careers, technologies, and ministries from the creative, to the financial, to the production process.

The Biola Media Conference is sponsored by Biola University’s acclaimed Cinema and Media Arts Department. For more information or to register online, visit www.biolamedia.com and take advantage of the limited $125 admission price until April 16th;  $145 from the 16th – 21st; $160 at the door.  Lunch provided.

About Biola Media Conference

In its 14th year, the Biola Media Conference exists to educate, inspire, and network people of faith working in the media while providing creative inspiration into the spiritual nature of any career in the media industry. Recognized as the premier event for Christians in the entertainment field, BMC attracts participants who will benefit from direct interaction with acclaimed industry pros who are at the top of their craft. From CEOs to students, attendees secure valuable information, insight, and contacts that strengthen their character and their careers.