|
The Panel Speakers:
 |
Dr. E Anthony Collins, filmmaker, teacher, and musician.
Dr. E Anthony Collins (Tony) a filmmaker, teacher, and musician based in the lovely vicinity of Palos Verdes Estates, California. Tony has worked on professional, creative, and scholarly projects in the USA, United Arab Emirates, Philippines, Thailand, India, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and other places worldwide during the past 40 years. Tony has received international acclaim for more than 20 films, videos, and digital media productions. Notable achievements in filmmaking include two Ford Foundation Media Production Grants (1998, 1999), three Fulbright Grants (1998, 2013, 2022), a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant (1986), Al Larvick Community Fund (2021), Missouri State University (2021), and many others. Please see the website of Dr. E Anthony Collins (Tony) to find examples of his creative, scholarly, and professional work as a filmmaker, teacher, and researcher. anthonycolinsfilm.com |
 |
James Ridgley; Writer, Director
James Ridgley, just out of High School started his career performing a Comedy-Juggling act around the world, alongside talents such as Ray Charles; Marilyn McCoo; Penn and Teller, Pee Wee Herman, the late great Bill Hicks and Bob Saget, among others. Turning to writing screenplays his feature script "DC DOG" got him noticed, along with a 2nd Place standing in Kodak's Short Script Film Awards for his original script "WHERE LIFE BEGINS" Two other screenplays placed in top festivals which lead to paid assignments. He also had 2 TV Series Pilots in development and 3 feature scripts in line for funding. Meanwhile he now writes features he can direct himself and has two in post-production, soon to be released: "SIBLINGS" - a dark comedy about family, and "A NATURAL DISORDER OF THINGS" - a coming of age drama about a high school senior with a new Autism diagnosis |
 |
Brian Connors, director, screenwriter, producer
Brian has had a long career as an actor which eventually evolved into writing, directing and producing. Brian appears opposite KEVIN COSTNER in the Disney film MCFARLAND USA. He's been featured on LAW & ORDER, LAW & ORDER SVU, THE RICHES, THE HANDLER and CLOSE TO HOME working in scenes with Eddie Izzard, Minnie Driver, Sam Waterson, Mariska Hargitay, Chris Noth and Jerry Orbach among others.
Brian Connors recently wrote and directed the feature film SENIOR ENTOURAGE starring ED ASNER, HELEN REDDY, CHARLIE ROBINSON, MARION ROSS & MARK RYDELL. SENIOR ENTOURAGE is also being "pitched" as a TV series |
 |
Shane Avila, Screenwriter, Producer
Shane Avila is known for Shovel (2019), The Pick Up and Do It or Die! (2017). He is the CEO/Executive Producer/Screenwriter at Rainman Entertainment LLC, Worked with famed director Jorn H. Winther to write the script based off of the true story of the kidnapping of socialite Elaine Chaddick of 1979. Worked on the set to help the director, crew, and producers working multiple tasks. Played an FBI agent in this feature named "Marcus" the FBI technician. |
|
