Finding Success on Streaming Platforms: A Joint Panel with Independent Filmmaker Day

Wednesday, February 3, 2021, 7pm ET / 4pm PT

Streaming has created numerous new opportunities for actors, filmmakers, writers and all individuals who work in on-camera entertainment. 

Join us for a unique partnered panel event with the Independent Filmmaker Day organization and learn more about how to break into the major streaming platforms to share your artistry and skillset.

PANEL OF GUESTS INCLUDE:

RYAN DONNELL SMITH – Producer and Entrepreneur Ryan Donnell Smith has emerged as a leader in the entertainment industry over the last few years, lending his expertise in line production and tax equity structure to some of the most critically acclaimed films in the business today. As Partner and President of Production and Development at Streamline Global and Co-owner of Thomasville Pictures (based in the burgeoning area of Thomasville, Georgia), Smith has successfully financed and produced a slew of A-list independent projects, garnering Executive Producer credits along the way. Smith’s most recent films include Executive Producing Netflix’s award winning historical drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and “The Tax Collector,” which was also released in 2020 and stars Shia LaBeouf, Jimmy Smits, and Lana Parrilla. His upcoming feature, “The Tiger Rising” starring Oscar nominee Queen Latifah and Dennis Quaid is paving the way for Thomasville Pictures. 

Ryan on Instagram

DAN MIRVISH- Dan Mirvish is a director, screenwriter, producer and author. He's currently making his new feature, 18 1/2, which had production paused for the pandemic, but has now wrapped and is in post-production. Prior to that, he directed the award-winning, critically-acclaimed feature Bernard and Huey, scripted by Oscar/Pulitzer-winner Jules Feiffer, and starring Oscar-winner Jim Rash and David Koechner which screened in over 30 film festivals on 5 continents and had a 20-city US theatrical release, and has sold to over 49 countries. The film won several festival and end-of-year awards and nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay. Dan is the author of the bestselling non-fiction book The Cheerful Subversive's Guide to Independent Filmmaking from Focal Press/Routledge. His film Between Us, an award-winning feature starring Julia Stiles and Taye Diggs, played in 23 festivals in 7 countries, and got a 50+ city theatrical release in the US, and sold to 144 countries, plus screening on Netflix, Showtime, Starz and all digital outlets. Dan was mentored by Robert Altman on his first film, Omaha (the movie), which led him to co-found the upstart Slamdance Film Festival. His film Open House prompted the Academy Awards to controversially rewrite their rules on the Best Original Musical category. Mirvish also co-wrote his bestselling, critically-acclaimed novel I Am Martin Eisenstadt based on the fake McCain advisor who took credit for Sarah Palin not knowing Africa was a continent. A former speechwriter for U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, Dan has a master's degree from USC film school, is a member of the Directors Guild of America and has guest lectured at more than 40 film schools and universities.

JOANNA LEVINGER - Joanna Levinger is a Freelance Casting Associate and Teaching Artist. She has previously worked for Bowling Miscia, Rosalie Joseph Casting among many others. Some of her previous credits include Emergence (pilot), Marvel's Iron Fist, Luke Cage, The Defenders, Jessica Jones, David Fincher's Mindhunter and the upcoming Billy Crystal project Here Today. 

Prior to working in TV and film she worked at Binder Casting on over 40 different theatre projects including Broadway productions of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, The Lion King, and Dames at Sea, as well as productions at City Center Encores, Hartford Stage, Shakespeare Theatre of DC and many more.

MIA CUSUMANO - Mia began her career as the Casting Coordinator for ABC's Primetime Casting Office, where she worked alongside Rosalie Joseph, Marci Phillips, Janet Murphy and Geoff Soffer. Her credits range from primetime television pilots and series to studio feature films.

Mia is currently casting TWO feature films. Her most recent project includes the HULU series RAMY. Recent feature films include: LEZ BOMB, AMERICAN.ISH, ANTARCTICA (for which she also served as a producer), BANG BANG, I DON'T LIVE FOR TODAY, BOHEMIANS, LOST GIRLS: ANGIE'S STORY, CENTIGRADE, TEAM MARCO, and I FEEL PRETTY starring Amy Schumer. Other recent TV credits include work on a new TNT series entitled SNOWPIERCER.  She also cast season one of the USA TV series FALLING WATER (produced by The Walking Dead's producer Gale Anne Hurd), along with films like PATERSON, directed by Jim Jarmusch. Mia has worked on huge sports campaigns such as MARGOT vs LILY for NIKE (featuring 8 episodes). She's worked on several pilots including Mamma Dallas for HBO, FOR JUSTICE for CBS and the pilot SOUTH OF HELL for WE. She also cast alongside Meghan Rafferty for the first season of the hit HBO series THE LEFTOVERS. Past projects include the feature film RUN ALL NIGHT starring Liam Neeson, the pilot THE TOMORROW PEOPLE for the CW as well as casting for the CBS TV series GOLDEN BOY.

Other projects include Woody Harrelson's Off-Broadway play BULLETS FOR ADOLF. She was the associate casting director on pilots: FOX's GUILTY and CBS's GOLDEN BOY with Rosalie Joseph Casting. She was the associate casting director on HBO's Untitled Phil Spector movie with casting director Sharon Bialy, the associate casting director on the first season of ABC's hit series "BODY OF PROOF" with casting director Rosalie Joseph. Mia worked with Julie Tucker and Ross Meyerson on season 3 of "IN TREATMENT" and on "SHERRI" with Rosalie Joseph. Other features she has worked on include "THE SMURFS" with Richard Hicks and David Rudin and ANNIE with Kathleen Chopin.

ABOUT INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER DAY:

With over 400,000 members, we are a community that helps independent creators from around the world develop new projects, connect within the industry, and champion collaborative and impactful storytelling at all stages. We are a community of directors, producers, actors, and film buffs. We host events held alongside premier film festivals ~ such as Cannes, Sundance, and TIFF ~ that foster the development, production and promotion of projects in film, media and beyond.  To learn more find us on facebook or visit our website.
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PLEASE FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES LISTED BELOW:

• Instructions and the ZOOM link for access to this online event will be emailed to you in advance. If you have not received the link by 12pm (EST) the day-of the event, please reach out to registration@actorsconnection.com at least one hour PRIOR to the start of class.

**No recording of any kind is permitted by participants during class.**

**Please keep in mind that all programs at Actors Connection are for educational and professional development purposes. Participating in any class or event is not a promise of employment.**