One of the many great benefits of attending the 2015 NAB Show is the opportunity to see big names in the industry that you have only heard or read about. This year’s show has a great line-up of luminaries from all aspects of the industry.
“American Sniper” Cinematographer Tom Stern
Yesterday, it was announced that Tom Stern, cinematographer for “American Sniper” will give the keynote presentation for the Creative Master Series (CMS). His conversation, entitled, “Heroes, Legends and ‘American Sniper’: A Conversation with Tom Stern” is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14th, from 1:45 – 2:45 p.m..
Oscar-nominee Stern has worked with Clint Eastwood to deliver critically acclaimed hits such as “Mystic River,” “Million Dollar Baby,” and “Flags of Our Fathers.” The one-on-one conversation format will explore Stern’s history as a gaffer, insights into working with crews around the world, on-set creative process and his experiences using digital capture.
“Tom Stern is a consummate craftsman, one who has built an incredible body of work over the course of his career, from “Flags of our Fathers” to “The Hunger Games,” said Chris Brown, NAB executive vice president, Conventions and Business Operations. “His vast base of knowledge will be of enormous value to our attendees, and I join our partners at ICG in welcoming Mr. Stern to the lineup at the 2015 NAB Show.”
The Walking Dead
‘The Walking Dead’ will walk onto the stage at the General Session, “More of What You Crave: The World of ‘The Walking Dead,” scheduled for Tuesday, April 14th from 9:00 to 10:00 am. The session will be moderated by Michael Schneider of TV Guide. Key members of “The Walking Dead” team will include cast member Steven Yeun, comic book creator and series executive producer Robert Kirkman and AMC President Charlie Collier.
Steven Yeun |
Robert Kirkman |
Charlie Collier |
“The Walking Dead” is the number one show on television among adults aged 18 to 49 across all broadcast and cable networks.
“The runaway success of ‘The Walking Dead’ exemplifies the power of compelling content,” said Brown. “We are delighted to host some of the show’s key talent at 2015 NAB Show as they take us behind the scenes of one of the most beloved shows on television today.”
After the General Session, 2015 NAB Show attendees will be able to visit with the panelists in a new feature of the program called, “Crave Cave,” a place for speakers to engage with their fans following their sessions. The General Session is open to all NAB Show attendees.
“The Blair Witch Project” – Daniel Myrick
Daniel Myrick, writer, editor and director of “The Blair Witch Project,” will keynote Post | Post Production World. Myrick’s session is scheduled for Sunday, April 12th from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Myrick is currently in post-production on “Under the Bed,” a “Hitchcockian” thriller produced in conjunction with Radar Pictures and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way Productions. Myrick will discuss how film editors can use modern aesthetics and state-of-the-art post-production techniques blended with traditional filmmaking.
“Dan Myrick has a penchant for trailblazing – paving the way for high-quality, low-budget works with ‘The Blair Witch Project,’ and proving that episodic series could succeed on the web with ‘The Strand,’ ” said Dennis Wharton, NAB executive vice president of Communications. “We are pleased that he’s chosen 2015 NAB Show to discuss what’s to come in the rapidly-changing world of film and television.”
‘The Blair Witch Project” is considered a seminal work in low-budget filmmaking and was one of the highest grossing films in history. “The Strand” led the way as an online, episodic series in 2007.
FCC Chairman, The Honorable Tom Wheeler
Federal Communications Chairman (FCC) Tom Wheeler will speak at the NAB Show on Wednesday, April 15 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Wheeler is expected to provide insights into the FCC’s policy and regulatory objectives related to broadcasting, communications and technology law.
“This is a great opportunity for 2015 NAB Show attendees to hear first-hand from the FCC Chairman on the FCC’s progress on the TV spectrum incentive auction and a host of other items currently under consideration at the Commission,” said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith.
Wheeler was appointed by President Obama and became the 31st FCC Chairman on November 4, 2013. Wheeler has been involved with new telecommunications networks and services for over 30 years. He started or helped start several companies offering wireless, cable and video communications services. He is the only person to be elected to both the Cable Television Hall of Fame and The Wireless Hall of Fame. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University and a recipient of its Alumni Medal.
Cybersecurity Expert John McAfee
John McAfee, founder of McAfee, Inc., the world’s largest dedicated security technology company, will speak at the NAB Technology Luncheon on Wednesday, April 15th. McAfee pioneered the commercial antivirus industry in 1987 when he formed McAfee Associates. Intel later acquired the company for $7.68 billion. McAfee will discuss how companies can manage the ever-present security threats in the changing media and information technology world.
“Many companies today are grappling with serious concerns about security and privacy,” said NAB Chief Technology Officer Sam Matheny. “Protecting valuable digital assets will be top of mind for 2015 NAB Show attendees this year, making John McAfee’s luncheon address particularly timely and relevant.”
In 2013, McAfee founded Future Tense Central in an effort to help people manage their security and protect their information. Applications include Chadder, a text message encryption application, DCentral1, an auditing program that detects information leaks in your applications and D-Vasive, which allows various phone features to be enabled or disabled by a finger swipe.
McAfee will also appear on an expert panel at the 2105 NAB Show Super Session, “Protecting our Assets: Cybersecurity and the Media,” held Wednesday, April 15 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. in room S222 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
This is an impressive lineup of speakers, and they will offer something for everyone. And it is a rarity to find such amazing people in one place!
