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'Frasier' co-creator Peter Casey hosts 'Changing Channels: Braving the New World of Byte-Sized Media,' presented by the Broadcast & Electronic Communication Arts Department, March 22-23, 2006

 

College of Creative Arts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS
Ariane Bicho, Publicist
College of Creative Arts
San Francisco State University
(415) 338-1442
(415) 338-0520 fax
abicho@sfsu.edu

Press Release published by the Office of Public Affairs

 


Two-day media symposium marks the SFSU Broadcasting Department's 60th Anniversary inviting media professionals and students to weigh in with high-profile panelists on the currents of a swiftly moving industry

SAN FRANCISCO, January 27, 2006 -- Tackling everything from iPods to blogging, "Changing Channels: Braving the New World of Byte-Sized Media" is a professional conversation on the future of the media and entertainment industries. The two-day symposium will be hosted by Peter Casey, executive producer and co-creator of "Frasier" and 2002 SFSU alumnus of the year. Featuring four distinguished panels, the event marks the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts (BECA) Department at San Francisco State University, and welcomes students, faculty and media professionals from throughout California to weigh in with high-profile panelists on the currents of a swiftly moving industry. Panelists will include Brent Stranathan, Vice President, Broadcast Distribution, CBS, Inc., David Sacks, Vice President Current Television Programs, Warner Bros. Television, Jack Angel, noted voice of animated films and television ("Toy Story," "Finding Nemo"), Marlon Quintero, Director of Programming Development Univision Networks, and Charles Stockley, sound designer Electronic Arts ("Lord of the Rings," the game).

Panels are as follows:

The Distribution Revolution: From iPods to High Definition. A panel of top industry executives and technology experts explore the implications for producers and consumers of new ways of sending and viewing everything from television programs and music videos to feature films.

The Newscast of 2015: Will Technology Change the Definition of News? News on demand, blogs, and VJ's (video journalists) are just some of the new terms being heard in newsrooms across the country. A distinguished panel of broadcast news media professionals respond to this question: Will technology save broadcast news or render it meaningless?

Making a Game of It: Are Broadcasting and Electronic Games Converging into a New Entertainment Medium? Digital gamers develop concepts based on popular entertainment content, television producers develop concepts based on popular digital games, and some innovators even develop games you can play as you watch the program on television. Panelists from the digital games and entertainment industries share their visions about worlds in convergence.

Changing Media, Changing Careers: Reflections on the Art of Success. Prominent media professionals, including Peter Casey, David Sacks and Jack Angel, reflect on what worked and what went wrong as they pursued their ambitions and dreams.

Peter Casey, a native San Franciscan, began his television career in 1979 as a staff writer for "The Jeffersons." In 1985, he became a writer and producer for the highly acclaimed comedy series "Cheers." In 1989, he formed Grub Street Productions with partners David Lee and David Angell. Their first created show was the popular NBC comedy, "Wings," followed by "Frasier," which premiered on NBC in 1993. It was an instant popular and critical success, running for 11 seasons. "Frasier" earned a television series record total of 31 Emmys, including three for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Grammer) and two for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (David Hyde Pierce). In addition, the series garnered the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award; three People's Choice Awards for Favorite Television Comedy, Favorite New Television Comedy Series and Best Actor (Grammer); a Humanitas Prize; Golden Globes for Best Musical or Comedy Series and Best Actor (Grammer), and the TV Guide Award as Favorite Comedy Series, along with many other accolades.

The Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts (BECA) Department
The Broadcast & Electronic Communication Arts Department (BECA) is one of the top programs in electronic media in the country, as judged by the success of its alumni, the record of scholarship and creative work of its faculty, and the rigor and comprehensiveness of its curriculum. Graduates of the department's BA and MA programs provide the essential employee base for the large Bay Area media industry. They have also made their mark at the national and international levels as media executives, producers, newscasters, reporters, documentarians, and content creators. The BECA curriculum is a demanding educational program that requires students to demonstrate knowledge of mass communica-tion theory, history and social science. Students must also achieve competency in research and writing and demonstrate professional-level media production skills. Areas of focus in the program include television and video production, broadcast journalism, recording arts, and media business. The aim of the program is to graduate well-rounded media practitioners, who are socially aware and who are equipped with the abilities to be positive contributors to society. For information: www.sfsu.edu/~beca/.

The SFSU College of Creative Arts
Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts is a department of the College of Creative Arts, which has the only academic program primarily devoted to the creative arts in northern California. Under the direction of interim Dean Wan-Lee Cheng, an internationally acclaimed faculty directs more than 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students in seven disciplines: art, cinema, broadcasting, music, dance, theatre arts, and design. The College of Creative Arts is part of San Francisco State University, one of the 23 member universities comprising the California State University, the largest system of higher education in the nation. For more information: www.collegeofcreativearts.org.

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Calendar Editors, Please Note:

Media Symposium!
Changing Channels: Braving the New World of Byte-Sized Media

Creative Arts Building, SFSU campus, 1600 Holloway at 19th Ave, SF
Hosted by Peter Casey, co-creator of Frasier and SFSU alumnus of the year 2002

Information: 415/338-1787
Box Office: 415/338-2467
Wed & Thu, March 22 & 23, 2006
One Day Admission: $20 Media Professionals/$8 Students
Two Day Admission: $25 Media Professionals/$10 Students

Changing Channels is a professional conversation on the future of the media and entertainment industries. Featuring four distinguished panels, the event celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Department. Students, faculty and media professionals from throughout California are welcome. Panels are as follows:

Wednesday, March 22, 2-4 p.m.

McKenna Theatre, Creative Arts bldg
Welcome and Opening remarks
Keynote Address
The Distribution Revolution: What's the Impact of New Ways of Sending and Viewing Content?

Thursday, March 23, 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Studio One, Creative Arts bldg
The Newscast of 2015: Will Technology Change the Definition of News?

Thursday, March 23, 11:10 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
Concurrent Panels

Studio One, Creative Arts bldg
Making a Game of It: Are Broadcasting and Electronic Games Converging into a New Entertainment Medium?

Studio Two, Creative Arts bldg
Changing Media, Changing Careers: Reflections on the Art of Success with Peter Casey, Jack Angel and David Sacks.

 

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