Hear from Yana Collins Lehman, Ben Adams, Mike Jackman, and Catherine Farrell on the 2024-2025 forecast for NY. Yana will highlight the most recent changes to the credit so you can explain how it works to your clients, while Mike Jackman and Ben Adams explain why they do or don’t choose NY for Post. Additionally, Catherine Farrell will give her take on what is working in NY and what could be improved.

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Speakers:

Ben Adams - Senior Executive MGM, Amazon

Ben Adams, Head of Film Production Finance for Amazon MGM Studios

Currently responsible to oversee all feature film productions for the studio’s large and ever growing slate. Working closely with the Head of Physical Production and Creative Heads to create the best possible content with the most efficient production plan. He manages financial reporting of film status to CFO and company leaders.

With a collective total of about thirty years of experience in the production finance/accounting field, Ben is about to complete his first year at Amazon. Prior to Amazon, Ben was EVP of Production Finance for MGM Pictures, a long-time Sr. Executive for Sony Pictures and spent about ten years as Production Controller / Accountant.

Ben is happily married and enjoys spending time with his wife and two children in Santa Monica. He prides himself as a dedicated executive and father who after many years has learned to manage a much better home / work balance which enables him to deliver better results at home and at work.

Mike Jackman - EVP, Physical Production and Post for FilmNation Entertainment

Michael A. Jackman is a filmmaker with over 35 years of experience. Michael is in his 11th year as a producer and the EVP of Physical Production for FilmNation Entertainment. Michael began his career in New York getting a hands-on education in production on such films as MISSISSIPPI BURNING, CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS, and CAPE FEAR. In 1996, Michael moved to Los Angeles where he produced independent films and post supervised studio projects including Oliver Stone’s ANY GIVEN SUNDAY. In 2000 Michael partnered with Jason Alexander (SEINFELD) at Twentieth Century Fox, developing and producing the AGENT CODY BANKS films for MGM and the BOB PATTERSON television series for ABC/Fox TV.

Returning to New York in 2002, Michael post supervised a string of Academy Award nominated films including GANGS OF NEW YORK, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, THE AVIATOR and SUPER SIZE ME. In 2005 Michael became SVP of Post-Production for The Weinstein Company/Dimension Films. In 2007 Michael was recruited by Deluxe Entertainment to oversee construction and operations of their New York facility. In 2012, Michael left Deluxe for his current position at FilmNation, where his credits include co-producer on the Academy Award winning ARRIVAL, executive producer on the Tom Hanks WWII naval drama, GREYHOUND, producer on the Jessica Chastain, Eddie Redmayne thriller, THE GOOD NURSE and producer of the upcoming Ralph Fiennes thriller, CONCLAVE directed by Academy Award winner Edward Berger (ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT).

Michael is extremely active in the New York Film community. He is a founding member of the Post New York Alliance and is in his 15th year on the Board of Directors of the New York Production Alliance.

Catherine Farrell - International Post Producer

Catherine Farrell has been working in post production in New York for over twenty years as an independent post supervisor and VFX producer. She's primarily worked on narrative feature films, but has recently also dabbled in limited streaming series.  

Moderator:

Yana Collins Lehman - PNYA Chair

Yana Collins Lehman is the CEO of Trevanna Post, Inc., a leading provider of financial services for feature films and television shows. Yana oversees the strategy and operations of the New York, Los Angeles, and London offices, managing a staff of 50 and ensuring the highest quality of service for clients such as Netflix, Amazon, Focus Features, and Disney. Yana is also a passionate advocate for the New York film industry, serving as the chair of the Post New York Alliance, a trade association that promotes and supports the growth and development of post production in the state. Yana played a key role in lobbying for the 30% film and tv post production incentive, which has created thousands of jobs and boosted the local economy. Yana was recently appointed as Trustee of Montclair Film, a nonprofit organization that celebrates and supports independent filmmaking and education.