Schedule

9:30 - 10:00 AM

Registration and Continental Breakfast

10:00 - 10:05 AM

Opening Remarks

Daniel Klein (Director, Industry Engagement, School of Cinematic Arts, DePaul University)

10:05 - 10:50 AM

Keynote: AI and Cinematic Storytelling

Holly Willis (Chair Media Arts + Practice Division & Co-Director AI for Media and Storytelling, University of Southern California)

Description: From script generation to post-production, AI has evolved from a tool to a creative collaborator. This keynote explores AI’s impact on filmmaking, addressing creative possibilities, ethical considerations, and challenges. Holly Willis offers insights into what this shift means for storytellers, educators, and the future of cinema.

11:00 - 11:50 AM

Code, Copyright, and Controversy: AI’s Creative Boundaries

Josh Weigensberg (Litigation Attorney, Pryor Cashman LLP) Aramide Kehinde (Artificial Intelligence Lead, Amazon Web Services)

Moderator: Jonah Zeiger (Former Deputy Commissioner, Chicago Film Office)

Description: Who owns AI-generated content? How do copyright laws apply? How do major companies operate within this new nebulous terrain? This panel explores the legal and ethical considerations of AI in filmmaking.

12:00 - 12:30 PM  

From Prompt to Picture: Oscar Sharp and Dan Willis on AI in Film

Oscar Sharp (Director, Sunspring)

Dan Willis (Director, Grey’s Anatomy, Blacklist)

Description: From AI-generated scripts to machine-assisted visuals, Oscar and Dan explore the evolving role of AI in storytelling, its challenges, and its potential to redefine the filmmaking process.

12:30 - 1:15 PM    

Catered Lunch – Chartwell’s Famous Deli Sandwiches and more

1:15 - 2:00 PM      

Public Eye, Wolf Games Demo

Andrew Adashek (CEO, Wolf Games)

Noah Rosenberg (CTO, Wolf Games)

Description: Explore Public Eye, Wolf Games' new immersive online video game. Presenters Andrew Adashek and Noah Rosenberg will showcase how AI generates dynamic narratives, adapts to user input, and challenges traditional storytelling structures.

2:10 - 2:45 PM

1-on-1 with Erin Sarofsky & Jonah Zeiger

Erin Sarofsky (Executive Creative Director and President, Sarofsky)

Jonah Zeiger (Former Deputy Commissioner, Chicago Film Office)

Description: Erin Sarofsky and Jonah Zeiger explore the intersection of design, storytelling, and emerging technologies with examples from Erin’s client work and original creative ventures.

2:45 - 3:00 PM

Chartwells Coffee Break

3:00 - 3:50 PM   

AI and the Creative Future

Holly Willis (Chair Media Arts + Practice Division Co-Director AI for Media and Storytelling, University of Southern California)

Özge Samanci (Associate Professor Radio/Television/Film, Northwestern University)

Scott Roberts (Associate Professor, Founder and Chair of Animation, DePaul University)

Moderator: Matt Quinn, Associate Dean, College of Computing and Digital Media, DePaul University

Description: As AI reshapes the creative landscape, how will entertainment careers evolve? This panel explores the impact of AI on industry roles, from screenwriting to animation to game design and discusses how film schools can best prepare students for an AI-augmented workforce.

4:00 - 4:50 PM

AUA: Ask Us Anything

Conference Guests

Moderator: Daniel Klein (Associate Director Industry Engagement, School of Cinematic Arts, DePaul University)

Description: Audience Q&A of All of the Speakers

4:50 - 5:00 PM

Closing Remarks

Daniel Klein (Director, Industry Engagement, School of Cinematic Arts, DePaul University)