Sami Arpa is the founder and CEO of Largo – a Switzerland-based company that provides data-assisted intelligence to the audio-visual industry. Sami has a background in computer science and film industry. He has got his Ph.D. in computer vision field from the prestigious Swiss university, EPFL. He has directed two short films - “Les bruits des pas”, 2014 and “L’evasion”, 2015. He is also the founder and president of Ouch Film Awards, which is a film festival that takes place in Lausanne. Full Bio »
How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing the Casting Process and Impacting Actors
Learn about the implications of artificial intelligence on the acting and casting industries from Sami Arpa, Ph.D., a leader in the intersection of technology and filmmaking
Get ahead of the curve and learn how the future of AI will play a huge role in casting!
With the recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, every industry is about to get a major overhaul in terms of operations and productivity. The film industry - specifically casting - is no exception.
Have you ever wondered how AI can be used to optimize casting choices? Or create a level playing field for all actors? How about the ethical and moral implications of using AI to recreate actors from the past? All of these questions will be fundamental in the decision making process in casting in the near future, and making yourself an expert on the issues will put you in a stronger position to best position yourself and your career.
In this webinar, we will explore the ways in which artificial intelligence is transforming the casting process and impacting the acting industry. We will discuss how AI can be used to enhance the casting process, including analyzing screenplays to gain a better understanding of characters and building the cinematographic DNAs of actors. By using AI, actors and talent agents can find the best actor choices for each character, resulting in more successful projects and better career planning. Additionally, we will provide examples of how AI can be used to address the diversity problems in casting by designing unbiased algorithms that remove the problem of bias in terms of race and gender.
Additionally, we will also discuss the potential drawbacks and ethical considerations of AI, including concerns over deepfakes and fake actor voices with AI audio synthesis. We will explore how these issues are posing threats to the careers of many working actors.
You will be taught by Sami Arpa, Ph.D., the founder and CEO of Largo – a Switzerland-based company that provides data-assisted intelligence to the audio-visual industry. Sami will share his expertise in the fields of AI, machine learning, and film will provide you with invaluable insight in navigating the future of AI in casting and the film industry at large.
During the webinar, Sami will provide you with practical tips for actors, casting directors, and talent agents on how to update their workflow and incorporate AI into their practices.
PLUS! Sami will provide you with a copy of his presentation in a document you can utilize going forward!
Praise for Sami's Teaching & Knowledge:
“WOW, Sami's insight into AI and how it is and will be used in film is mind blowing. The future is here.” – Thomas M.
"I had the pleasure of learning about the future of AI in Hollywood...and beyond...from Sami and it was worth every penny." - Chris R.
Sami Arpa
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A New Exclusive Stage 32 Webinar! Learn how to take advantage of A.I. (artificial intelligence) to help make your movie-making dreams come true from the founder and CEO of Largo. You’ve probably heard that Artificial Intelligence will “destroy Hollywood” or “steal jobs” from artists. The truth is, A.I. is actually a powerful way to enhance your creative process and help you make your movies. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you’ll learn how to use A.I. through the development and pre-production your film. You’ll discover how A.I. can help you with analyzing scripts, providing feedback, finding the best talent for a role, making informed decisions about budgeting and your distribution strategy, and so much more. You'll learn how A.I. can help you build a film package that excites buyers and distributors to help get your film made. Guiding you through how to se this powerful tool is Sami Arpa, the Founder and CEO of Largo, a Switzerland-based company that provides data-assisted intelligence. He has also directed two short films, LES BRUITS DES PAS and L’EVASION, and is the Founder and President of the Ouch Film Awards in Lausanne. During the webinar, Sami will show you how to apply this innovative technology in a tangible way and he will give a specific case study of how to package a film by working on each decision parameter with A.I. feedback. You’ll also cover the potential challenges and missteps you may face without the right understanding of how to use A.I. as well as it's current limitations. Get ahead of the industry and your competition and find out how artificial intelligence can help you bring your movie to life.
In very little time, drone photography has become widely—perhaps too widely—used in countless films, television shows, commercials, and other media projects. And along with this wide adoption of drones has come a demand for those who can successfully and artfully operate them. This presents a potentially lucrative and rewarding opportunity for cinematographers looking to expand their reach and build their skill set. Yet with the clear overuse of drone photography in media today, each to varying effects, it’s evident that not all drone shots are created equal, and standing out requires a deeper level of skills. Adding drone cinematography to your film, TV or new media project can breathe new life into shots that may, in the past, have cost your budget heavily. But finding success with drones requires more than knowing simply how to pilot one; a cinematographer needs to understand how to properly use the tool and work with clients and artists to get those perfect shots. The truth is, for as often as drone camerawork is used in film, television and new media today, you can still stand out as a cinematographer in a big way by using drones smartly, artfully, and effectively. But what turns drone photography from mediocre to great? And how can you use this tool to stand out and not only enhance your current project but also help you get more work in the future? Chris Tangey is one of the most sought after drone cinematographers in the world. His impressive career as a cinematographer has him working for Netflix, Warner Bros. Columbia Tristar, BBC, National Geographic, Discovery, Lonely Plant and more. He recently won "Best Aerial Cinematography" in the European Cinematography Awards, and both "Best Drone" and "Best Scenography" In the New York International Film Awards. He was also awarded a Jury Commendation in the World Drone Awards in Siena Italy and has 2 Gold and 4 silver awards from the Australian Cinematographers Society. Chris has quickly become a leader in the field of aerial imagery and is ready to share what he knows exclusively with the Stage 32 community. Chris will continue his drone cinematography education by expanding into the more intermediate and advanced elements of creating a great drone shot and using your work to help you get work. He will begin by going over the nuts and bolts of operating a drone, including preparation and safety checks, proper thumb and finger placement, and what the 180 degree shutter rule is. He’ll also explain how to maintain the shutter rule with ND and PL filters and teach you how to properly take off and land. He will also give you tips of how to eliminate variables and trip points when planning your flight and will show you how to continue to improve. Next Chris will break down the anatomy of a good drone shot. He will explain when drones are useful and when they should actually replace a jib or dolly shot. He’ll talk about the importance of getting the shot you’re after and how to tell if you’re overshooting. Next Chris will discuss different types of cinematic drone shots, including landscape shots, dolly shots, and lift shots. Then he’ll go more in depth of when you SHOULD use a drone and when you SHOULDN’T, including questions you should ask yourself before using the drone, how best to plan your shot, and what situations are most effective for drones. Finally, Chris will go over how drones work in the industry and how this particular skill set fits in. He’ll teach you the best ways to show off your talent and get noticed and give you tips on pathways to find work, including networks and communities, forums and drones for hire databases, and how that intersects with representation. Chris will leave you with a lot more context, skills, strategies, and knowledge to start using drones for your project and stand out from the pack while doing it. This is Part 2 of Chris Tangey's Drone Cinematography Webinar Series. To check out Part 1, now available on demand, click here. "My career as a cinematographer has been “elevated" greatly by incorporating drones and knowing how to use them properly to get the best possible shot. I'm so excited to share my experiences with the Stage 32 community and give everyone the knowledge to use this powerful tool to their creative and financial advantage" -Chris Tangey
Every filmmaker wants to tell a story that matters. But, how do you do that when you don’t have the full story? This is the root of every documentary filmmaker’s mission and it’s not a skill that comes easily. Learn how to find your story, adapt to its needs, and tell it in a way that touches viewers. Do you have a real-life world or story that you’re dying to tell? Do you know how to get the sources you need to tell that story? Do you have the skills to adapt when the truth changes before your eyes? Have you ever shaped a story without a script, knowing that a misstep could cost you your message and audience? Every documentary filmmaker faces these challenges while shaping a story with a script. In this Stage 32 exclusive webinar, you’ll learn from an expert documentary producer who made a career of bringing to light stories that few people know. Your host, Ilan Arboleda, is the Co-Founder and Co-President of CreativeChaos vmg, a full-service finance and production company where he serves as a producer on all company projects. Ilan and CreativeChaos are currently producing the four-part series surrounding the murder of “God’s Banker” Robert Calvi and its relationship to the Vatican, Italian culture and politics, and global money laundering. Their other credits include THE GREAT DIVIDE, THIS IS PLANET Z, KING OF COOL (TCM), THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING (Starz, Netflix), BLEED OUT (HBO), LOS TIGRES DEL BORTE AT FOLSOM PRISON (Netflix), THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE (Hulu), and CASTING BY (HBO). Ilan’s films have nabbed two honorary Oscars, an honorary Emmy, an Emmy nomination, a Latin Grammy win, National Board of Review awards, two Critics Choice Awards, three LA Press Club awards, and two Gracie Awards. Most importantly, his films have inspired industry change, policy overhaul, and legislation at the state and national levels. In 2019, he co-wrote legislation with Congressman Seth Moulton that became part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Using his years of experience as your guide, Ilan shows you how to: Establish your story before you start filming Build your network Define your style and what you need to achieve it Identify the main players in your story Create a framework while you’re shooting Manage production Create a post-production workflow And more Ilan and his proven experience are just what you need if you’re looking to produce a story that makes a lasting impact on viewers.
Theater closures brought on by the global pandemic are now leading exhibition and distribution communities to work together and think outside-the-box in order to preserve the arthouse theatrical landscape. Imagine a world without arthouse theaters. It’s a bleak concept for cinephiles and filmmakers alike. In a world where landing a traditional, theatrical commitment from a distributor is like winning the golden cup, what are our options when none of those theaters are open? More so, how do we keep independent theaters, already operating on thin margins, alive to fight another day and provide filmmakers, producers and financiers viable options to make profits on their films? Thankfully, there's a new an exciting option to explore. Navigating a successful theatrical release is an enormous challenge, in and of itself, when exhibition is operating normally. Add in a global pandemic and those challenges rise even higher. What are the options? Does your distributor simply claim force majeure and rush you into the home entertainment landscape? Will the home entertainment revenues be hurt by the lack of theatrical exposure? How do theaters survive and make money when they can’t have patrons at their physical locations? In times of crisis, it’s always impressive to see innovation born of necessity. Behold the birth of the "virtual theatrical" release, which has emerged and become a key player in these virtual times. But what is that exactly? How does it work? Can you make money and are other digital platforms willing to accept theaters playing in their sandbox? It’s the new Wild West. Kristin Harris is a seasoned entertainment executive who has spent the past 15 years in the independent distribution space. She has held key acquisition, development, and production roles at Starz Media, Overture Films, and Cinedigm Entertainment Group. Kristin currently serves as VP, Distribution and Acquisitions at Good Deed Entertainment, where she oversees all aspects of the company's distribution arm and manages the release slate, which includes EXTRA ORDINARY, JOURNEY’S END, Spirit Award Nominee, TO DUST, and the Academy Award nominated, LOVING VINCENT. Kristin has been at the forefront of this emerging distribution option "virtual theatrical" and will bring her experience to the Stage 32 community for you to understand what it is, how you can make money for your film from it and if it's right for you. Kristin will go over the current theatrical distribution landscape which has been affected by the COVID19 pandemic and discuss current available options for your film's distribution. She will introduce a brand new type of distribution, virtual theatrical, and break down the players, how it works from a macro and micro level and how it makes money. She'll go over how to navigate this new reality and how virtual theatrical folds into traditional and non-traditional release plans, reporting and logistics. She'll go over the pros and cons of a virtual theatrical release and help you decide if it's the right thing for your film. She'll also discuss what the future holds for distribution and buying habits in the current environment. These are challenging, yet exciting times for the industry and especially for those working in independent film. Kristin will give you all the current information and guide you through all scenarios including virtual theatrical to assure that your film has the best chance at profitability. Praise for Kristin's Stage 32 Webinar "Very informative and have learned a great deal. Will definitely put to use for our Feature Film Projects. Thank you!" -Haskell A. "The webinar was cutting edge and valuable information" -Angela G. "Very good practical information detailed enough to get the lay of the land on this topic." -James P. "Great info in a new age." -Mary M.
Working in the entertainment industry means you’ll inevitably come across all different types of people – most of whom are passionate, opinionated and sometimes very stubborn. This will inevitably produce confusion, tension, drama, and tough choices all along the way. But, what do you do when faced with the notorious “difficult” personality, especially when they are crucial to getting your project to the finish line? In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, you’ll learn how to spot the troublesome ones, be less troublesome yourself, and generally learn some important tools of the trade when faced with the difficult personality. Your teacher, Adrienne Biddle, has worked as a studio executive and independent producer producing dozens of movies, most recently Stephanie with Blumhouse Productions and He's Out There with Screen Gems. The goal is to teach all different types of creative people how to work better together so your project doesn’t fall apart in these moments of crisis.
Founded in 2011 by Richard "RB" Botto, Stage 32 is the world's largest online platform connecting and educating film, TV and new media creatives and professionals worldwide. Stage 32 works with over five hundred industry professionals and executives who provide education, instruction and professional opportunities for members of the platform. Stage 32 currently has over 1,200 hours of exclusive film, television and digital craft and business education in its library. Stage 32 members use the platform daily to build their network, take online webinars, classes and labs, find work and cast and crew their projects. Stage 32 members range from students to Emmy, BAFTA and Academy Award Winners. Over the last few weeks, we have been working tirelessly to ensure that you know that Stage 32 is your online home to stay connected with over 600,000 creatives and professionals from across the globe. Now, we are looking forward to bringing you another virtual event to help you stay up-to-date about the state of the entertainment industry featuring some of the top professionals in the business. In this special event webcast we presented a virtual panel featuring some of the top minds in the Stage 32 community to discuss the current state of the entertainment industry as we are all faced with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Stage 32 Managing Director, Amanda Toney, hosted this incredible lineup, where you will hear the point of view of a production company (Andrew Fried of Boardwalk Pictures), a lender (Viviana Zarragoitia of Three Point Capital), lender counsel (Carolyn Hunt of Barnes & Thornburg LLP), a talent representative (Tracy Christian of TCA Management), all moderated by producer and production company counsel (Elsa Ramo of Ramo Law PC). Stage 32 is proud to be putting the "social" in #SocialDistancing. Please share this event on your social media and tag @stage32 on Twitter and @stage32online on Instagram.