Film and Media Exchange to Be Presented Oct. 19

SPRINGFIELD — The Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative will present the third annual Western MA Film and Media Exchange on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel. This year’s exchange, titled “How To Tell Your Story Using Video,” is a one-day conference dedicated to helping nonprofits and small businesses de-mystify the video-production process.

“In today’s world, effective videos are key to a company’s ability to tell their story in their digital marketing, branding, and social-media campaigns,” said Diane Pearlman, executive director of the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative. “Workshops at the exchange will cover a variety of topics, including an explanation of the video-production process, how to write a creative brief (i.e. what’s the message of your video), how to make a video to fit your budget, and how to effectively send your video message into the world.”

Workshops will be led by area filmmakers and video professionals who will share their expertise and answer specific questions from attendees. Local filmmakers will have the opportunity to display their reels and make potential business connections. Attendees will leave with an expanded knowledge of video production as well as access to area resources that can help them create their own videos.

The keynote speaker at this year’s exchange is Michael Hoffman, CEO of See3 Communications, a digital marketing agency for nonprofits based in Chicago. He is a leading authority on online video for nonprofits and a long-time consultant to nonprofit leaders on digital fund-raising, advocacy, and community-engagement strategies. Hoffman founded See3 to bring together his belief in the power of the web and his passion and experience with nonprofit fundraising, advocacy, and education.

Pearlman and Jonathan Barkan, executive producer/director and founder of Communications for Learning, a full-service communications firm in Arlington, Mass., will present a morning session, “Video Production: An Overview.” The workshop will explain all aspects of production (pre-production through post-production) as well as discuss legal issues, insurance, and local resources.

Darcy Fortune and James Garvey of Garvey Communication Associates in Springfield will present a workshop on “Innovative Video Best Practices for Social-media Marketing and Digital Branding.” They will talk about the best way to utilize video in today’s digital marketplace.

A panel featuring local professionals working in the industry will focus on local resources for making videos. Panelists include Tony Dunne, executive director of WGBY’s Connecting Point, P. Al Williams, executive director of Northampton Community Television, and Chris Landry of Landry Communications. The panel will be moderated by Patrick Berry, president of Westfield News Group.

The exchange includes breakfast and lunch, and will culminate with a networking cocktail party.

Tickets are on sale through Eventbrite at this link. Group and student rates are available. For information on programs, tickets, and more, visit www.berkshirefilm.org or call (413) 528-4223.

Sponsors to date include Baystate Health, Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Economic Development Council of Western MA, MassLive, WGBY Public Television for Western New England, New England Public Radio, Westfield News Group, Vitec Videocom, PeoplesBank, Springfield Business Improvement District, Mark G. Auerbach Public Relations, Maureen Sullivan Media Group, Imagine magazine, and Jx2 Productions.