Community’s Joel McHale at Biola Conference — Joel McHale, star of NBC comedy series Community and host of E! Channel’s The Soup, will be one of the featured speakers at the annual Biola Media Conference, May 1 in Studio City, California. The conference’s theme, “When Worlds Collide,” will find speakers, panelists and conference-goers exploring how technology and the world’s shaky economy have impacted the entertainment industry—for good or ill. The theme would seem a perfect fit for McHale, whose dual roles as member of the entertainment industry and someone who reports on it offers a unique vantage point. “In periods of dramatic change, often the worst economic times become catalysts for our greatest ideas,” says Peggy Rupple, co-director of the BMC. “Learning how to navigate this period of incredible change will be the focus of this year’s conference. We expect this to be a historic gathering and are assembling voices who feel this moment in time could bring unprecedented opportunities for storytellers.” The conference will be held at the CBS Studio Center. Admission begins at $180 at the door. For more information, go to www.biolamedia.com.
Spreading the Word Via Film — The Advent Film Group will be conducting a new workshop May 21-22 in Purcellville, Va., to help shepherd interested, talented Christians through the often bewildering world of filmmaking. And the group’s approach is distinctly hands on. “Our mission is to train and raise up the next generation of Christian filmmakers,” says AFG founder George Escobar. During the Advent Film Workshop, participants will have the opportunity to take part in a real film project, all while being mentored by industry professionals. Last year, more than 110 people from across the country had the chance to learn from the makers of the film “Come What May,” and many went on to participate in “Hero,” Advent’s most recent movie. “I’ve been through four years of film school and I had never heard the business side of it,” said Kylene Arnold, who attended last year’s workshop, who now works with Advent full time. “That [Escobar] included both the technical and business side of things was very helpful.” The two-day workshop runs $199 per participant and $99 for any accompanying parent or guardian (if the participant, of course, is under 18). For more information, visit www.adventfilmgroup.com/Workshop.html. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
