Speakers Series #3: Sun. (Sept. 24) 11:00am - 1:00pm
Hilton Garden Inn, 401 S. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, 91502
(free parking in Hotel structure)
Producing and Directing Indie Films in Today’s Market (and during the Strike)
Speakers: Michael Mandeville, Trent Haaga and Michelle Alexandria
Michael Mandaville has worked for 25 years as a Producer, line producer and UPM. The films he has worked on include “Taken”, “Taken 2" and “Taken 3”, written and produced by Luc Besson; “Above Suspicion” starring Emilia Clarke & directed by Philip Noyce; and “Havoc” with Anne Hathaway. He recently directed “Into the Flames” which was sold at Cannes. His other films are “The Kiss” with Terence Stamp, "American History X" with Edward Norton, "Blood and Wine" with Jack Nicholson and Director, Bob Rafelson, "Millenium's Child" (Disney/Miramax) with William Windom and Karen Black, "Sensation" with Eric Roberts and Ron Perlman. "Hail Caesar" with Anthony Michael Hall, Robert Downey, Jr. and Judd Nelson. "Pumpkin Head II" (MPCA). Michael also produced “The Almighty Fred”, an independent film. He has directed a recent feature, commercials, shorts, a documentary and industrial films. He worked on “Manahi” in Cairo, an Arabic language comedy - the first film shown in Saudi Arabia in 35 years. As an executive with Queens Cross Productions, he worked on "Keys to Freedom" with Jane Seymour and Omar Sharif, "The Tunnel" with Jane Seymour and Peter Weller and "Tapeheads" with Tim Robbins and John Cusack. Michael is a bondable line producer with Film Finance. He also worked as a Risk Manager at the Motion Picture Bond Company. Through Transcom Productions, Michael has done Scheduling and Budgeting for clients including Relativity, Intl. Sales Organization, Paramount Pictures, Viacom, Bob Rafelson, Kushner-Locke Company, Disney, 20th Century Fox, Mark Damon Worldwide, Europacorp among many others.
Trent Haaga is an award-winning screenwriter, director, producer, and actor who has been involved in over 100 films in his 20 year career. Trent has written many feature films, from Troma’s THE TOXIC AVENGER PART 4 to Courteney Cox’s directorial debut TALHOTBLOND, to the controversial 2008 Toronto International Film Festival hit DEADGIRL. He is also the screenwriter of the AAA video game THE EVIL WITHIN 2 from Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami. Trent is a two-time SXSW Audience Award-winner with his films CHEAP THRILLS and 68 KILL. He lives in Los Angeles.
Michelle Alexandria, President of Light Year Pictures has been producing feature films for decades, representing investors and producers while producing genre independent movies. Her filmography spans various genres, from romantic comedies to action and thrillers, featuring notable cast members including Denise Richards, Mark Dacascos, Martin Kove, Priscilla Barnes, Mario Cantone, Joyce Dewitt, and Jennifer Taylor. Currently she is producing several films, including a family-oriented horse-themed movie, a dramedy, and a fun sci-fi feature.
Along-side film production Michelle works simultaneously in film distribution attending major film markets and festivals since 2002 including Cannes Film Festival, AFM, Berlin, Buenos Aires, UniFrance, and Sundance. As the Head of Acquisitions and Int Sales Michelle is responsible for acquiring hundreds of films, distributing them worldwide.
While hard at work and enjoying being a mom, Michelle enjoys teaching film courses and consulting with filmmakers helping them accomplish their film goals. Michelle’s extensive knowledge and experience in both film production and distribution make her a highly valuable figure in the entertainment industry.
