Industry Exchange
Panels, Workshops & Masterclasses 

From film and music to social media and public leadership, a new generation is reshaping how voices are heard and how change takes hold. This timely conversation explores the intersection of storytelling, culture, civic engagement and influence. Prominent changemakers will discuss what it means to speak with courage when the stakes are high, use creative platforms responsibly and turn visibility into meaningful impact. The panel invites audiences to consider not only who has the microphone, but how each of us can use our voice to move culture forward.

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Who Should Attend:

• Filmmakers, Producers, Directors, Actors, Writers, Musicians, Artists, Content Creators, Influencers, Photographers, Designers, Marketers, Entrepreneurs, Educators, Community Leaders, Advocates, Civic Leaders, Emerging Professionals and anyone interested in using their voice, platform or influence to create meaningful change. All industries.

• Open to the public.

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Date: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026​

Time: TBA

Location: TBA

Led by Emmy Award-winning director Bobby Yan, this hands-on workshop takes actors inside the director’s process, from casting and callbacks through rehearsal and performance on set. Participants will explore how directors evaluate actors, what callbacks are really designed to reveal, and how actors and directors build trust and creative shorthand. Using a scene from Yan’s upcoming feature film, attendees will make their own performance choices, compare them with the director’s notes, and leave with practical tools for script preparation, collaboration and stronger on-camera work.​

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Who Should Attend:

• Actors, Directors, Acting Students, Film Students, Emerging Performers, Filmmakers, Writers, Casting Professionals, Acting Coaches and creatives interested in strengthening the actor-director relationship and understanding the journey from audition to on-camera performance.

• All experience levels welcome.

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Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026​

Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm

Location: Scarritt Bennett Center

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Everyone dreams of receiving the call from a studio or streamer that changes everything overnight. The myth is that a great project sells itself. The reality is that successful deals require time, preparation, strategy and the right relationships, all built long before anyone reaches the negotiating table.

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This panel separates the facts from the myth. Producers, investors, and industry professionals will share what it takes to get a project deal-ready, from building a strong foundation and understanding your own value to knowing what to expect once real conversations begin.

Come ready to learn the funding facts, invest in yourself along the way, and approach any negotiation with confidence and realistic expectations.

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Who Should Attend:

• Producers, Directors, Writers, Filmmakers, Actors, Content Creators, Entrepreneurs, Investors, Financiers, Entertainment Attorneys, Business Affairs Professionals, Development Executives, Emerging Creatives and anyone looking to better understand how projects are funded, packaged, valued and positioned for real industry opportunities. 

• All industries. Open to the public.

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Date: Friday, October 2, 2026​

Time: 5:15pm - 6:30pm

Location: TBA

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The line between traditional Hollywood and the creator economy is disappearing. Digital creators are moving onto sets and screens, while actors, filmmakers and industry veterans are adopting creator-led strategies to build audiences and expand opportunities. This high-energy conversation examines what Hollywood can learn from creators about speed, ownership and audience connection, and what creators can learn from Hollywood about craft, production and longevity. Together, these worlds are not simply crossing paths, they are rewriting the rules of entertainment.​​

 

Who Should Attend:

• Producers, Directors, Actors, Writers, Filmmakers, Content Creators, Influencers, Musicians, Artists, Journalists, Photographers, Marketers, Digital Strategists, Entrepreneurs, Media Professionals, Emerging Creatives and anyone interested in how technology, audience-building and new business models are reshaping entertainment. All industries.

• Open to the public.

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Date: Thursday,, Oct. 1, 2026​

Time: 10:00am - 11:15 am

Location: Laskey Hall, Scarritt Bennett Center

Vertical drama is rapidly becoming a global entertainment phenomenon, drawing millions of viewers and attracting significant interest from producers, platforms and investors. Designed for mobile viewing, these fast-paced serialized stories are creating new opportunities for writers, actors, directors and producers to enter the market, build audiences and monetize original content.

This panel explores what fuels the growth of vertical drama and how creators can get into space. Industry professionals will break down story structure, short-form production, casting, budgeting, distribution, audience growth and monetization, along with what platforms are looking for right now.

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Join us and learn how to develop, package and position a vertical series that captures attention, keeps viewers watching and competes in this expanding market.

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Who Should Attend:

• Writers, Producers, Directors, Actors, Filmmakers, Content Creators, Influencers, Showrunners, Development Executives, Casting Professionals, Digital Media Professionals, Marketers, Entrepreneurs, Emerging Creatives and anyone interested in creating, producing, distributing or monetizing mobile-first entertainment.

• All industries. Open to the public.

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Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026​

Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm

Location: R. Milton and Denice Johnson Center

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