2024 MediaSphere Workshops

2024 MediaSphere

MediaSphere by ICVM brought together our international community of storytellers, producers, distributors, and investors for a day filled with learning, innovation, and meaningful connections. Learn more about our workshops speakers who shared from their professional experience while giving important insights into the future of on a variety of topics related to film and media. Workshops included: Scriptwriting, Virtual Production, Streaming & Funding, Media + Gaming, AI, & Israel Storytelling

"Thank you all for donating time, talent and treasure to support Christian Filmmakers! I am going to invite many others to join ICVM as I feel it is getting better and better!"

"Excellent conference - the technology, pace, and professionalism was unparallelled. Everything ran so smoothly. The level of speakers and topics were exceptional.

"I really appreciate what you guys do in helping all of us to better understand the industry and advance in our careers as filmmakers. Thank you!"

"I am so very proud to be a part of this community. From my first encounter with ICVM to now... what growth... in quality, in quantity, in impact, and in excellence."

"This event was well worth it. I stayed - and participated when appropriate - to the very end!"

"The execution of the event and how smoothly it ran was appreciated. All the hosts and speakers were prepared and engaging. Great variety of topics. I will be rewatching some topics."

Scriptwriting Workshop

Learn from Chris Dowling about the art and craft of Scriptwriting. Based on years of experience as a writer, producer, and director, Chris has insights to help you grow wherever you are in your career. This workshop is an engaging and collaborative learning experience where seasoned or aspiring writers can delve into the art of crafting compelling scripts. At the end, we will have a Q&A session where you can feel free to ask any specific questions or dive deeper into Chris Dowling’s talk on scriptwriting

Chris Dowling is an award-winning writer/director known for his work on LGF/Roadside Attraction’s films such as “Run The Race, Heartland Film Festival Audience Award winner “Where Hope Grows” and Dove awarded Inspirational Film of the Year “Priceless”. Amongst other films, Chris also penned “Blue Miracle ” starring Dennis Quaid which won Movieguide’s prestigious Epiphany Award and was the #1 most liked film on the Netflix platform for two weeks upon release. His film “Acidman” (co-wrote and co-produced) premiered at Tribeca and went on to win Audience and Grand Jury awards at multiple festivals. His Karaoke comedy “Roll With It” won the Audience Award at the 2022 Dallas International Film Festival and released theatrically last April.

Chris Dowling, Writer, Producer and Director

Virtual Production Workshop

Hear from Allen Brown as he shares insights with us about the art of Virtual Production and how we can utilize it within our own companies. Virtual production is a revolutionary technique that seamlessly integrates real-time rendering, virtual filmmaking, and digital production tools. It allows filmmakers to blend physical and digital elements during the production process, creating dynamic and immersive environments that were previously unimaginable. Through the use of sophisticated software, hardware, and motion capture technology, filmmakers can make creative decisions on the spot, enhancing their ability to bring their vision to life.

For the last 30 years, Allen has been at the forefront of innovation in technology and digital media, holding senior leadership roles at AT&T Bell Labs, General Dynamics, Electrosonic and Gensler Architecture. He has also held technical and creative roles at Walt Disney Burbank, and Blizzard Entertainment – Heroes of the Storm. As a Producer, Allen has created and distributed 13 Teenage Music Television shows, and content for three Internet Radio Stations, while producing and distributing Christian Hip Hop. Today, as the President and CEO of Apples of Gold Productions and AOG Studios, technology, innovation and storytelling has converged in his life to Produce Uplifting Content that Impacts Humanity using Virtual Production and AI Technology. He is regarded as an Expert in Virtual Production Technology and is currently establishing two Virtual Production Studios.

Allen Brown Jr., CEO AOG Studios

Streaming & Funding Workshop

This session will dive into exploring the future of streaming platforms and funding and how they can and will be one and the same. The convergence of streaming and capabilities like equity crowdfunding can lead to exciting opportunities for both investors and audiences seeking to invest in their favorite film projects. In this session, you will learn from both Craig Fryar and Ben Wiener as they share their professional experience on this very topic.

Craig Fryar is an ops and data specialist. He translates founder’s vision into strategic action. As a Venture Partner, crowdfunding portal COO and Angel, he has reviewed and advised over 3,000 Startups in tech, data, gaming, XR, and biotech. He started as Technology Evangelist at Apple where he launched the consumer and gaming software markets. He’s been pursuing a vision Jesus gave him 40 years ago!

Craig Fryar, Angel Investor and Data-Driven Tech Leader

Ben (Benoit) Wiener is an entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry. As a French C-level executive with an entrepreneurial mindset, Ben has a passion for creating engaging concepts and stories that captivate audiences. His expertise in film and video content production, digital and interactive media, and team management has earned him a reputation as a creative leader in the industry. Ben’s ability to conceptualize multi-context content and experiences has led to the successful completion of over 50 different products, including TV series, feature-length films, and animation projects. He has honed his skills in multiple facets of the industry, including theater, opera, cinema, animation, and script writing, while traveling extensively throughout France and England.

Ben Wiener, Co-Founder of Hyperseries

Gaming + Media Workshop

Learn from professionals Steve McBeth and Neil Sauvageau as they share about the convergence of media and gaming industries and how it is reshaping the digital landscape and creating exciting immersive opportunities. Combined with our faith, we can utilize technologies like AR, VR, and AI to redefine engagement with both social platforms and gaming experiences. At the end of the session, we will open up for audience Q&A.

Steve McBeth is a senior executive with extensive business experience in entertainment, business development, and new technology for both Fortune 100 and early-stage companies. He is currently CEO and co-founder of Exceleration Studio LLC, a new entertainment content and data company headquartered in Charleston, SC. He is also Chairman and co-founder of Infinite Kingdom, a start-up video game company focused on AAA-quality games and interactive entertainment.

Steve began his 20-year career as a senior executive with The Walt Disney Company. He became a protégé of Disney president Frank Wells, serving as part of the core senior team for the highly successful Michael Eisner/Frank Wells turnaround effort. The culmination of his Disney career was his founding of Disney Interactive, putting Disney into an industry leading position for children’s video games, CD-ROMs, educational software and Disney Online.

Steve McBeth, CEO, Co-Founder of Exceleration Studio
Chairman & Co-Founder, Infinite Kingdom

Producer at Soma Games with a 10 year history of working in the film and gaming industries. His career has focused on excellence in storytelling in all media, user experience, and he has a talent for connecting creative visionaries together. Neil has a history in tabletop game design, theater production, theme park experiences, and worldbuilding for video games and film. He has been crew on 2 feature films, over 20 tv shows and has shipped 8 video games which have launched on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and mobile. He was also in missions with YWAM for 10 years with a focus on bringing biblical value-based media projects to the world through The Film Institute and Global Virtual Studios. He is passionate about creating experiences which inspire, challenge, and instill wonder in the imaginations of all, and he is called to help bring an era of kingdom-based content to this generation and beyond.

Neil Sauvageau, Producer & Game Designer for Soma Games

AI in Film & Media Workshop

AI’s recent developments have had a profound impact on film and media industry. With the new capabilities that lie before us, there are opportunities to utilize our faith and biblical foundations. AI is revolutionizing all aspects of filmmaking, from scriptwriting to translation capabilities, to post-production, and more. Franklin Mayfield and Chase Cappo will be sharing with us how they utilize AI for good and the opportunities available to storytellers to expand our impact through film and media. At the end of the session, we will open up for Q&A.

Franklin Mayfield – Franklin has 40 years of entrepreneurial experience ; as CEO, or VP of 5 technology based businesses, spanning advertising, TV broadcasting, and marketing. With two decades dedicated to web and media translations, he blends his early start in computer programming with extensive experience in media networks and Fortune 100/500 company service, ensuring unparalleled excellence in media translation services. With 14 years of Natural language Processing, Machine Translations, AI and AGI production expertise, he leads Tongues Translation Services LLC – a AI-API first Media-Translation Services firm, producing AI enhanced media solutions, dubbing, translations and inventory production for TV and Movies.

Franklin Mayfield, Tongues Translation Services

Co-founder of Bible Chat AI & Faith-Assistant, Chase earned a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point where he was a four-year letter as an Army boxer. He then served six years as an officer in the South Pacific, completing the Army’s Reconnaissance, Ranger, and Jungle training programs. After completing a Master’s in Economics from the University of Oklahoma, Chase joined the Goldman Sachs Sales and Trading division and left as a Vice President in the Interest Rate Products business before joining Russell Reynolds’ Executive Advisory and Selection practice.

Chase Cappo, BibleChat.ai

Israel Storytelling Workshop

Storytelling has deep roots in the biblical land of Israel and stories of the bible. Israel’s identity is intricately connected to its stories. Here are some insights on the significance of storytelling in the context of Israel by Stephen Briggs, who had both lived and experiences the power of producing films based on the historical and biblical truths of Israel and the bible.

Originally from the UK, Stephen Briggs is the director of operations for Hatikvah Films and the executive producer of the award-winning documentary films Cyrus Nations? UK and America and the Israel Effect. He met his wife, Melissa, while living in Jerusalem, and they now live in Tennessee. As foster parents they serve as ambassadors for Christian Friends of Emunah Israel, a charity that serves the neediest children in the Holy Land.

Stephen Briggs, Founder of Hatikvah Films

Agenda

See our full agenda including keynote speakers, workshops topics, a venture capital pitch session, exhibits, and more.

Register

Join our virtual event to learn & network with storytellers, distributors, and investors. Free for current members.

Sponsor

Sponsorship packages are available as an opportunity to showcase your company before our virtual audience.

Exhibit

Host an Exhibit to share your work to a community of Christian storytellers, distributors, and investors.

ICVM

Partners and Sponsors

Upcoming Events

Crown Awards

February 24-27, 2025

The longest-running faith-based film awards ceremony celebrates its 52nd annual year recognizing and promoting the very best in Christian production. We award 21 categories for every type of production with our awards ceremony held at NRB.

mediaSphere

July 25, 2025

MediaSphere is an online summit by ICVM bringing together our international community of storytellers, producers, distributors, and investors for a day filled with learning, innovation, and meaningful connections.

Storytellers Conference

October 1-4, 2025

Our next 53rd annual Storytellers Conference will take place Fall 2025. The event includes our Christian Film Market, Storyteller Pitch-A-Thon, Investor Pitch Showcase, Crown Awards finalist celebration, and more.

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