Natalie Kim and the Asian American Film Lab Team Up for an Industry Spotlight Focusing on Social Media: "There Are No Gatekeepers: How to Make Kick-ass Web Content (That Takes You To The Next Level)"

New York, NY, February 14, 2012 – The Asian American Film Lab (Film Lab) is pleased to announce that actor, writer, and creative entrepreneur Natalie Kim will be providing a gratis workshop teaching creative people how to best utilize social media/technology to support their creative efforts in a special Film Lab Industry Spotlight on March 14, 2013, in New York City.

In this panel discussion: "There Are No Gatekeepers: How to Make Kick-ass Web Content (That Takes You To The Next Level)" Natalie Kim will moderate a discussion about current web series and web content creators. 
By the time this panel is over you will have a better understanding of what kind of content audiences want to see, how you can do it without going broke and how to use your content to build relationships and [potentially] make money.

The Industry Spotlight, “There Are No Gatekeepers: How to Make Kick-ass Web Content (That Takes You To the Next Level)” will take place on Thursday, March 14, 2013, 6 – 8pm. This event will be free and open to the public although RSVPs to industryspotlight@film-lab.org are required.

About Natalie Kim

Natalie Kim (www.NatalieKim.com) is a comedic actress and writer and loves the intersection of creativity and business. She wrote her comedic solo show, YO GIRL! about growing up a Korean adoptee which, she performed in the Midtown Theatre Festival (Producer's Award), HERE Arts Center and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She also produced in and starred in the comedy web series SuperTwins! (www.SuperTwins.TV), which she co-wrote with 2 time Emmy winning comedian, Josiah Madigan (with Trevor Zhou).

About Asian American Film Lab and Industry Spotlight The Asian American Film Lab (Film Lab) began as collaborative of New York-based filmmakers whose goals were to hone their craft and to share their knowledge, experience and resources. The membership has grown to comprise professionals, artists and other talented individuals who all share the common goal of creating great film and promoting Asian American filmmakers and the visibility of their stories and characters in film and television.

The Film Lab's Industry Spotlight program features industry professionals who wish to promote and encourage diversity in film and television and includes filmmaking how-to seminars on everything from cinematography to sound, casting workshops, film screenings, and more. The Film Lab is run under the direction of President Jennifer Betit Yen. Board members include screenwriter and director, Aaron Woolfolk, actor James Kyson Lee, actress and director Bea Soong, producer Erik Lu, attorney Peyton Worley, and advisors cinematographer, Eric Lin, and Director of Asian CineVision, John Woo. Industry professionals interested in providing a seminar, class, screening, or other Industry Spotlight should contact Perry Tsao at IndustrySpotlight@film-lab.org.

The Film Lab’s programming includes filmmaking workshops with industry professionals, screenwriting contests, and film competitions including the annual 72 Hour Film Shootout. This annual competition has inspired hundreds of filmmakers by helping nascent talent take brave steps towards a filmmaking career.

The Asian American Film Lab is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Membership and all contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

http://www.asianamericanfilmlab.org info@film-lab.org

Cinematography in its Infinite Possibilities

As Conrad Hall famously said, cinematography is "infinite in its possibilities." Join the Asian American Film Lab as we host the first Industry Spotlight of 2013. On January 17th, we are inviting acclaimed director and cinematographer and AsAmFilmLab Board member Eric Lin for a not-to-be missed Industry Spotlight panel discussion, where he will be sharing his work and providing insight as a cinematographer working in the industry. The event is free and open to the public. Special guest Erik Lu, producer, director and founder of Descendant Films and AsAmFilmLab Board member, will moderate the event.

Eric Lin studied film criticism and sociology as an undergraduate at UC Berkeley. He went on to pursue his passion for visual storytelling and earned his MFA at New York University's Graduate Film Program. He has shot numerous short films, including: “Missing” by director Kit Hui, which premiered in competition at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival; and “Franklin and Matilda” by Paul Dano, starring Eddie Redmayne and Zoe Kazan. His feature film work includes Hui’s feature debut, “Fog”, which premiered at the 2010 Edinburgh Film Festival; and Bradley Rust Gray’s “The Exploding Girl”, which premiered at the 2009 Berlin Film Festival and was released theatrically by Oscilloscope Laboratories. His most recent production, Olivia Silver’s “Arcadia” featuring Academy Award Nominee John Hawkes, premiered at the 2012 Berlin Film Festival, where it was awarded the Crystal Bear for Best Film. Lin’s other features have taken him abroad to Hong Kong, Cuba, and Haiti. Other works of Lin include music videos for Gaslight Anthem, Asobi Seksu, a concert video for Madonna’s 2012 World Tour, as well as projects for Nickelodeon, Google and SAP. Eric is also a member of the Board of Advisors for the Asian American Film Lab.

Erik Lu is a graduate of the film production program at University of Southern California where he studied writing/directing under faculty such as Michael W. Watkins (The X-Files, Monk), Nina Foch (Spartacus, An American in Paris), and Gordy Hoffman (Love Liza). He has a natural eye and extensive training in cinematography under Earl Rath, ASC, (Raid on Rommel) and John Tarver, CSC, (Mothman, Seance). He has also done videography for Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, CA. Erik has made over 50 films in the last few years that have been distributed both domestically and internationally. Recent collaborations also include work with director/cinematographer Daniel Zhao (Far East Movement/Cali Swag District) and Emmy Award winner DP Dan Wills. Since moving back to the east coast, Erik has directed/shot several music videos and commercials and is currently writing a feature to direct in 2013. Erik is also a member of the Board of Advisors for the Asian American Film Lab.