recently recognized as one of the industry's top emerging cinematographers by the International Cinematographers Guild and in 2014 was the first individual awarded the Studio Prime Award - a distinction reserved for manufacturers leading technological innovation in the world of film.As an innovating director of Virtual Reality Cinematography at Headcase, Andrew provides world class cinema skill sets in developing, building and operating revolutionary 360° Virtual Reality camera systems.
David Stern is the Founder and CEO of Create Advertising Group located in Culver City, CA and London, UK. Established in January 2005, Create is a postproduction editorial company specializing in the crafting of cutting edge audio-visual promotional material (trailers, TV, branding campaigns, and VR experiences) to support the launch of feature films, DVD's, video games and television series. Create's recent projects include Minions, Hotel Transylvania 2, Get Hard, Southpaw, "Fargo Season 2," and Lawbreakers. CreateVR, a division of the company, works with brands and studios to build virtual reality (VR) experiences to promote movies and other properties. CreateVR's most current project is the "Can You Walk The Walk?," VR experience, created to promote Sony Pictures upcoming feature film, The Walk. "Can You Walk The Walk?" was created for Sony's Morpheus VR headset, and allows users to virtually experience for themselves what it was like to walk a tightrope between the World Trade Center towers in 1974. Stern has a Masters of Business Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelors of Business from Emory University.
Kevin Althans, Director, DP, and VFX Supervisor, Reel FX: Kevin has been working as a director, DP and visual effects supervisor for 20 years, plying his trade in commercials, virtual reality experiences and features. In the course of his career he's kept his feet firmly planted on both the live action and effects sides of the industry. After getting his start shooting classical special effects and miniatures, he easily became an early adopter of digital compositing and visual effects. As a visual effects supervisor and creative director, he has helmed national projects for Disney, NBC, A&E, Showtime, Katy Perry, Pink, Gatorade and Yoplait. As a director and DP, he has made his mark with Sony, Coors, Home Depot, Hasbro and AAA. He uses this blend of experiences to interface with clients at a very high level, guiding the creative and logistics simultaneously to make sure the messages IS both compelling and efficient. Kevin's Virtual Reality experience includes: Porsche Virtual Driving Experience - Porsche, It Can Wait Driving Simulation - AT&T, GE 360 VR - General Electric, Joyrides and My360 with Chris Bosh - Samsung, 360 VR - Dallas Mavericks, Oculus Rift Driving Experience – JEEP. Kevin hails from the rich laissez faire culture of New Orleans where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Computer Science from Loyola University.
Alex Barder, Co-Managing Partner, Beast Media Group: Alex Barder, with over 20 years experience in the Film and Media Businesses is the Co-Managing Partner of Beast Media Group, a multi-platform content distribution, finance and production company focused on innovation in cross-platform content targeted at a global audience. Mr. Barder co-manages several verticals including Film, Television, Digital and Branded Entertainment. Additionally, Mr. Barder co-manages Beast Media Group subsidiary VRwerx, a company focused on creating gaming and other innovative content in the explosive Virtual Reality space. Most recently, Mr. Barder served as President and co-founding Partner of Inception Film Partners, a global film distribution company where he oversaw all aspects of day to day operations, including acquisitions, sales, distribution, business development, finance and strategic planning. Prior to that, he was CEO of Strategic Film Partners, a global film distribution, finance and production company, which he co-founded in 2004. During his tenure, Mr. Barder oversaw the distribution, finance or production of over 100 films or projects structuring deals with partners ranging from Studios, Independent distributors, TV networks and digital platforms. Some of his partners include, but are not limited to Warner Bros., Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, New Line Cinema, Lionsgate, Starz/Anchor Bay, Showtime Networks, MTV Networks, Gaiam Vivendi, Endemol Worldwide and many more. Prior to forming Strategic Film Partners, Mr. Barder amassed a wide array of studio and independent experience ranging from creative development, sales, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and deal experience, having held positions at various leading companies, such as Universal Pictures based Lobell/Bergman Productions, The Gersh Agency, UBS, Merrill Lynch, and MTV Networks. Mr. Barder is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts Film School, and NYU's Stern School of Business.
Stephen Fromkin, Head of Production, 360Heros: Stephen Fromkin currently serves as Head of Production for 360Heros. He joined 360Heros in January of 2015 after the company's growth increased due to the expanded popularity of Virtual Reality. Mr. Fromkin's first foray into immersive production was on Director Chris Milk's breakthrough music video featuring Beck shot with 360-degree camera rigs. Hired by @radical to serve as the Post Producer, Stephen was tasked with creating the technical workflow that combined 360-degree camera configurations, binaural audio and traditional HD format. Milk's final piece won numerous awards including two Webby Awards and three Cannes: Cyber Lion Awards. As a freelance VR Producer Mr. Fromkin has worked with clients such as AT&T, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer and more. Joining 360Heros has provided opportunities to work with Time Magazine, Discovery Communications, Crossfit, HGST, G-Technology, Chevrolet, VICE and Cinemax's BANSHEE. He additionally serves 360Heros as a business strategist and operations manager. Mr. Fromkin is also a Partner and CEO of inMotion Studios, a boutique motion graphics and promotional video production company based in Burbank, California. inMotion's long client list includes NBC Universal, ABC, CBS, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, A&E, OWN, Original Productions, Apple and dozens of film and television producers and directors. Mr. Fromkin has also produced national commercials and hundreds of hours of web and promotional content for the companies such as Jaguar/Land Rover, LA Fitness, AAMCO, Ebay Motors, BP, RE/MAX and Aflac. While fulfilling both of these media production-heavy roles, he remains active in the world of independent feature filmmaking. Mr. Fromkin has produced numerous feature films including DARK TOURIST (with Melanie Griffith and Michael Cudlitz) and ACROSS THE HALL (with Brittany Murphy, Danny Pino and Mike Vogel.) Most recently Stephen wrote the original screenplay for TOTAL FRAT MOVIE, which just completed post-production. Mr. Fromkin's ability to manage the demand for creative, high quality content is based on his physical production expertise, understanding of complex post- production workflows and budgetary efficiency. It is this combination of skills that has made him a sought after asset for many projects. Mr. Fromkin served as a full-time Adjunct Professor of Film Production at Boston University's College of Communications for three years as he began his production career, prior to moving to Los Angeles. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film Studies from Clark University and a Master of Fine Arts in film production from Boston University. He is currently the Board of Director President for both iLead Charter School and Scarlet Foundation and lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.