Working Smart in 2009:
TOMORROW
Women in Film and Television Atlanta
Proudly Presents our February Program
Working Smart in 2009:?
Protecting Your Business, Your Production & Yourself in a Tough Economy
Wednesday, February 18th, 2009?
6:30 – 7:00 PM Registration & Networking Reception ?
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Program
Please RSVP to: wifta.rsvp@gmail.com
FREE for WIFTA Members, $10 for Non-Members, $5 for Students with a valid ID?
(Cash, check or credit card payments accepted)
OakCliff Studios
3440 Oakcliff Road, Suite 106
Atlanta, GA 30340
(located near the I-285 & I-85 interchange; north of downtown)
Click here for map and directions
Everyone is feeling the economic crunch, with lay-offs and downsizing on the rise.?How can you protect yourself and minimize the impact on your business?
Whether you own a production company or work for one as a freelancer; work as an actor or a writer providing creative services; there are key steps you should be taking to minimize the effect on your business.
Join Women in Film and Television Atlanta (WIFTA) for their February program, with top industry professionals discussing how you can better prepare yourself during volatile economic conditions. Topics include: understanding insurance and determining when you need it; understanding your small business/production company classification and whether you should be incorporated, form an LLC or remain a sole proprietor; understanding when you need to merely consult an attorney or actually hire one to act on your behalf?
GUEST SPEAKERS UPDATED:
Lynn W. Mathis, CPCU – Williams, Turner Mathis Inc.
Williams, Turner & Mathis, Inc is a full line agency writing all lines of insurance for both personal and business needs. Lynn has focused much of her attention over the last twenty years in serving the needs of the Georgia film industry on a local basis. A graduate of the University of Georgia, she began her insurance career in 1978 with Raymond S. Williams Agency, Inc and became a principle in 1983. In 1995 the firm merged with another agency & became Williams, Turner & Mathis, Inc. Lynn has been an active volunteer with the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia, serving as the first female chair of the Georgia Young Agents in 1991; and was the first female President of the 100 year old Association in 2000. She is a graduate of Leadership DeKalb and a member of Women in Film and Television Atlanta.
Michell L. Davis, Partner – Register | Lett, LLP
As an entertainment and Intellectual Property lawyer, Michell’s passion is reflected in her work. She is committed to the promotion of the independent artist and has established herself in the community as a strong supporter of the arts and the creative process. She represents a variety of artists, including directors, music and film producers and writers and has served as general counsel for several independent music and film companies. In addition to her work in the area of film and television, Michell also has a significant practice in trademark, copyright and licensing transactions.
A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Michell holds a MBA and JD from Duke University and The University of Alabama, respectively. She began her legal career as a member of the Intellectual Property group in Kilpatrick Stockton’s Atlanta office and continues to build a practice dedicated to and focused on the artist. She is licensed to practice law in Georgia.
Candace Long, Owner, Creativity Training Institute
(New Addition)In 1983 she founded Creative Concepts Advertising and for over 25 years has been responsible for helping countless businesses throughout the region, winning awards as both a radio and television writer & producer. In 1992, the northeast Georgia Advertising Federation awarded her the coveted Silver Medal Award for her commitment to community service. She wrote a 2-hour musical, A TIME TO DANCE, which has won 11 musical awards and been staged throughout the Southeast. Her creative abilities continued to grow, and in 1994 she founded an entertainment development company to make a positive difference in that industry.
She wrote several screenplays, developed a marketing plan, and began to pitch herself and her projects to Hollywood. Since then, her writing has attracted the attention of such companies as ABC, NBC, Hearst Entertainment, Universal, Disney, BBC and 20th Century Fox. She has served as President of Georgia’s Women In Film, Vice-Chairman of Women In Film & Television International and the Georgia Film, Video & Music Advisory Board. Currently she is President of the Georgia branch of the National League of American Pen Women, the nation’s oldest organization for creative women.
In 2001, she ventured out again creatively…this time as a theatrical producer, premiering the re-staged version of A TIME TO DANCE starring Francine Reed. Unfortunately, her premiere date was the ill-fated September 11, 2001, which left her personally and financially devastated. After a three-year period in what she calls “the wilderness,” she emerged to write a ground-breaking book, Wired For Creativity and founded Creativity Training Institute to empower others to discover, develop, and use their God-given gifts and make a positive impact on the world. This past May she received the Executive MBA degree from Kennesaw State University’s Coles College of Business. Her book, Wired For Creativity, will be available for sale at the program.
Moderator:
Lisa Wright, CPA, Owner, L. A. Wright & Associates
(New Addition)
Lisa has always worked or volunteered in some form of the entertainment industry. She has worked with independent artists and has worked in event planning and management. For the past several years she has volunteered for numerous organizations on various committees including the Trumpet Award Guest Services Committee, the “Salute To Greatness Dinner Committee” , a major fundraising event to benefit The King Center, the Apex Museum, an African American Museum in Atlanta, GA and The Stellar Awards, where she was contracted to manage the receptions and volunteers for over 5 years while the event was held in Atlanta, GA and Houston, Texas. She worked with various artists such as Take 6 and Edwin Hawkins-selling promotional products or managing conferences.
She has also served as the Personal Financial Manager for Mr. Herman J. Russell, Sr., a Director of Accounting for New Birth Missionary Baptist Church where Bishop Eddie L. Long is Senior Pastor, worked at Deloitte Touché & Ross- an international accounting firm and she is currently a Certified Public Accountant with licenses in Georgia and Pennsylvania.