Panelists

The Transition from College to Career in Film

Luke Boyce is a young but experienced filmmaker, having been involved with the process since he was 14 years old working on a Roger Corman film in Los Angeles. In 2006, he co-founded the award-winning production company, Shatterglass Studios. Through his skills as a director and creative leader, Luke has gone on to direct over 100 productions through Shatterglass, including films, commercials and documentaries, having won numerous awards for many of them, including a regional EMMY award for a documentary showcasing the 14th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival. Through Shatterglass and his partnership with producer, Brett Hays, he has gone on to play important roles in several award-winning narrative projects including the 2007 short film “Sugar” which won “Best Short Film” at the Bend Film Festival and the feature length “Leading Ladies” which won the “Best of the Fest” award at Newfest in 2010, as well as recent features like “The Drunk” which starred Tom Sizemore, and “The Origins of Wit and Humor” starring Steve Lemme. Luke’s intense passion for cinema and the art of motion pictures not only led him to develop Shatterglass, but to bring it to the forefront of independent filmmaking in Illinois. Through his initial vision, Shatterglass was one of the very first beta testers of the original Red One camera in 2008, and he has helped to build the company’s reputation to that of being one of the premiere independent producers in the midwest.

Anthony Cabral graduated from Missouri State University with a BS in Mass Media: Film Studies and Production. He has worked on several dozen projects in over a half dozen different states, serving primarily as an Assistant Director. In 2013, Mr. Cabral became a member of the Directors Guild of America.

While working on projects around the country, he continues as a Volunteer Manager for the Sundance and St. Louis International Film Festivals. Currently, Mr. Cabral is developing several projects of his own, which he intends to produce and direct.

Aside from working behind the scenes, Mr. Cabral has worked as on-air talent on several radio programs. He continues to be a guest on various radio shows and podcasts, while also occasionally acting and doing voice-over work. He is currently developing his own film related podcast and blog.

Brett Hays is the co-owner of Shatterglass and has been the lead producer since their formation in 2005. Brett has been producing films for nearly ten years and is an active member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) as a Unit Production Manager. Brett is known for his work as a Producer, Line Producer and Unit Production Manager (DGA) on productions that starred the likes of Danny Glover, Taylor Kinney, Anthony Edwards, Victor Garber, Zoe Lister Jones, Griffin Dunne, and Tom Sizemore. Brett has been a producer on numerous films that include “Consumed”; “Thrill Ride” (filmed 2014), “The Origins of Wit and Humor” (filmed 2013),  “Dead Draw” (filmed 2013), “Searching for Venice” (filmed 2012), “The Drunk” (filmed 2011), “Finding Virginia” (filmed 2009) and “Leading Ladies” (filmed 2009). Brett is also a co-founder and member of the Board of directors for the CU Film Society, which is known for their Pens to Lens K-12 screenwriting competition. Brett has been recognized for his work with awards ranging from the Champaign County Small Business of the Year, to a Champaign County 40 Under 40 honoree to a Regional Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Brett’s proudest professional accomplishment is his involvement in the creation of and success of the Pens to Lens K-12 screenwriting competition and the impact it’s already made on young kids In the community.

He graduated from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Graphic Design and a minor in Information Technology and currently lives in Champaign with his wife and 3 daughters.

Jon Santiago grew up outside the city of Chicago, graduated from Columbia College Chicago, and from a very young age made films with his toys, one day dreaming to use real people. He also has a big appetite. Here is his work – Jon is currently directing his first feature-length film BLAME, due in 2015.

Ilyssa Fradin is an American actress born in Chicago, Illinois. As a professional actress based in Chicago, Ilyssa has been seen on a variety of off loop stages and has worked successfully as a full time Voice Over artist as well as appearing in a variety of TV and film projects and commercials.

 

Diversity in Cinema

Hong-An Wu is a Taiwanese doctoral student in Art Education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Wu’s research investigates the intersection of art education and new media, with an emphasis on video gaming, through the lens of cultural studies, feminist studies, and critical Internet studies. Her dissertation examines the potential of transforming systems and structures with youth through prosumer development and critical play in community-based settings. As part of her research practice, she is also a digital artist, filmmaker, and game designer.

Megan Condis is an Assistant Professor in the English Department at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.  Her dissertation project, “The Politics of Gamers: Bodies and Identity in the Age of Digital Media,” explores gendered performances in online gaming culture.  An original video game based on her dissertation research is free to download on her website at https://megancondis.wordpress.com

Brian Hagy is a Artistic Director at the Prompting Theater in Urbana-Champaign. He recently worked on the short film “Who Stole My Hoo-to Foo-to Boo-to Bah: The Movie” whose cast was mostly comprised of actors with developmental and intellectual disabilities.