Events for the School of Communications

The recently released Unreal Editor Fortnite (UEFN) not only enables game developers to create and publish their own Fortnite Islands, it also opens up a world of opportunity for cross-platform narrative storytelling. In this session, we will explore how UEFN is being used in industry to craft vibrant, immersive narratives across the media and entertainment landscape, and discover how you can begin learning UEFN today.

Presenter Bio: Jamie Hurcomb is an academic advisor on the Unreal Engine Education Team for Epic Games, working with media and entertainment programs across North America. She is passionate about helping students, faculty and practitioners realize their creative potential using real-time workflows. Hurcomb is also an instructor in the RTA School of Media at Toronto Metropolitan University and an experienced documentary filmmaker, producer and film editor.

Landing an entry-level position can be trickier than it used to be — especially with the advent of AI. Agency Matchmaker and Talent Scout Melinda Love will share the three most important things to finding that first stepping stone into the market. This is not your basic workshop on resume writing, portfolios or LinkedIn. She’ll share three stories on how entry-level talent have found positions in St. Louis — and how what they learned can benefit you. Attendees will receive a promo code to download an e-book (for free) and learn of a few important events to attend this Spring. This not-to-miss workshop is relevant for anyone looking to get into a marketing, advertising, digital, creative or PR agency.

Presenter Bio: With a background in visual communications, Melinda Love has spent her career on the agency side of the business. She has played key roles with creative, account and operations in three types of agencies: a start-up in DC, a large, global agency, and a highly specialized boutique. Love is now running her own consulting business, M Consulting Group, where she is known for connecting people, agencies and brands for assignments, full-time positions or large-scale contracts across the country.

VP for Major Accounts and Vertical Markets, Paul Murphy will review how Canon’s corporate philosophy of Kyosei helps them engage communities for meaningful relationships and mutual benefit, while also a world-leading technology firm. He will review new developments in Canon technology in the areas of machine learning, language libraries and human factors, high speed processing, visual computing and imaging, facial recognition and artificial intelligence.

Presenter Bio: With 45 years of industry-related business experience, Paul T. Murphy has worked for Canon Solutions America since July 1987 and effective July 2016 is responsible for the development and growth in key markets health care, government, education, legal and Fortune 1000 corporations as vice president, major accounts and vertical markets. The position includes an intercompany discipline to strengthen the insight and knowledge amongst Canon companies, subsidiaries and divisions.

Could you soon create a feature-length movie or a video that looks just like a network news report — using generative AI? The speed of new AI technology is powering new ways to tell all types of stories that could lead to everyone being a movie maker or looking like a newscast from anywhere in the world. Never before seen entertainment or politically disruptive disinformation — soon all of it will be generated by just typing a few prompts into a keyboard. Attend this session and see what is being created today and what AI-generated video stories could soon appear on your TV, computer and mobile screens.

Embark on a transformative journey into the realm of digital influence with this comprehensive workshop. Explore the dynamic world of influencers and learn essential strategies, from defining your niche and building a compelling personal brand to crafting engaging content and navigating the intricacies of monetization. Join us for invaluable insights and practical strategies that will empower you to thrive in today's competitive influencer landscape.

Presenter Bio: Meet Justin Michael, the visionary brand owner and content creator for @TwoDapperDads. With an unwavering commitment to authenticity, Justin and his husband, Chris, have catapulted their platform from a hobby into a multiple six-figure business, captivating audiences with the heartwarming narrative of two dads navigating the journey of raising three children born through IVF and surrogacy. Boasting a robust LGBTQ+ following, Two Dapper Dads is not just a brand; it's a movement that collaborates seamlessly with both local and global brands. Two Dapper Dads’ impact extends far and wide, having worked with industry giants like Walmart, Gerber, Kraft Heinz, Bayer and Netflix. Currently serving as the 2024 National Brand Ambassadors for Huggies and Pull-ups, Justin and Chris Michael and Two Dapper Dads continue to redefine the narrative, showcasing the power of connection, unity and shared experiences through their dynamic journey of parenthood.

Join Webster University School of Communications faculty and students in a demonstration of the first virtual cinema system in the region and a discussion of how we are using the system in our curriculum and the opportunities it is opening for our students.

Join Carl Reed for a comprehensive session that examines the evolving landscape of animation, highlighting current practices and future innovations that stand to benefit creators, buyers, broadcasters and fans alike.

Presenter Bio: Reed is a writer, director and Academy Award-winning producer who has been in media creation for over 20 years, serving as a co-founder of Lion Forge Comics and Lion Forge Animation and as founder of Composition Media, where he currently serves as CEO.

Generative AI tools raise many intellectual property law concerns. Does the creation or use of AI tools infringe existing copyrights? Who owns the intellectual property rights to works that you create using AI? How should legal considerations inform your use of AI tools? And how can you protect your own creative work from improper exploitation?

Presenter Bio: Mark Sableman is a lawyer and former journalist. He is a partner at Thompson Coburn LLP in St. Louis, where his law practice focuses on intellectual property, media and information technology law. He has taught Media Law at Webster and serves on the School of Communications’ advisory board.

An open Q&A with Academy Award-nominated producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Kimberly Steward. She will share her thoughts and answer questions from the audience on the business of film production, the producer’s role, her approach to identifying and developing stories and the intersection of entertainment and philanthropy. She will also discuss the launch of her Foundation and her work with the Entertainment Industry Foundation, the Sundance Institute, the Academy Museum and more.

Presenter Bio: Kimberly Steward is an Academy Award-nominated producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. In 2013, she formed the media company K Period Media (KPM), with the goal of producing quality content that would launch the careers of the next generation of talent on both sides of the camera. In 2016, Steward and KPM produced the critically acclaimed film, "Manchester By The Sea." The film was nominated for six Academy Awards making Steward the second Black woman, after Oprah Winfrey, to be nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award. "Manchester By The Sea" went on to win Oscars for Best Original Screenplay (Kenneth Lonergan) and Best Actor (Casey Affleck).