Dan Ablan is president of AGA Digital Studios, Inc., a 3D animation and visual effects company in the Chicago area. AGA Digital has produced 3D visuals for broadcast, corporate, and architectural clients since 1994, as well as post-production services in conjunction with Post Meridian, LLC. Recent work includes 3D animation for United Airlines, NASA, Lockheed Martin, as well as Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Dan is the author of  many best selling international books from New Riders Publishing (Peach Pit Publishing Group), LightWave Power Guide (v5.0), Inside LightWave 3D (v5.5), Inside LightWave [6], LightWave 6.5 Effects Magic, Inside LightWave 7, Inside LightWave 8, Inside LightWave v9, and co-author of LightWave 8 Killer Tips. He also is the author of [digital] Cinematography & Directing, and served as technical editor for [digital] Lighting & Rendering. He was also a contributor to After Effects 5.5 Magic, from New Riders Publishing. Dan has also has two books, from for Thomson Course Technology on Luxology's modo 3D modeling software (v201, and v301), and another book from Wiley Publishing entitled "Digital Photography for 3D Animation." His latest book is the revision to Ben Willmore's Photoshop Studio Techniques for version CS4 from New Riders and Adobe Press.

Dan is also the founder of 3D Garage.com (www.3dgarage.com), a website dedicated to LightWave 3D learning and LightWave 3D sales. 3D Garage is owned and operated by AGA Digital Studios, Inc. and offers high quality DVD-ROM based LightWave courseware. AGA Digital Studios, Inc. is a NewTek authorized LightWave training facility and reseller. Dan Ablan has written columns and articles for LightWave Pro magazine, Video Toaster User magazine, 3D Design magazine, 3D World magazine, and NewTek Pro magazine. Currently he regularly reviews software for Macworld. Dan has been teaching LightWave seminars since 1995 across the country, and at AGA Digital Studios, Inc., and now also teaches Luxology modo, Photoshop, and Photography. Some of the companies Dan has trained include Fox Television, ABC-TV New York City, CBS-TV Indianapolis, WTTW-TV PBS Chicago, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Hallmark Cards, and many others.

Additionally, Dan is an avid photographer, having studied photojournalism in college. He and his wife opened a retail portrait studio in June, 2009. 3DGarage.com is also home to DigitalPhotoGarage.com, resources for the up and coming photographer. Over the second quarter of 2010, you'll find more products for sale include Photoshop Actions, and Photoshop Textures. But what's different about these is that you'll learn how to use them and create your own. From there, you'll find Dan Ablan's excellent training skills push forward into the digital photography realm. Dan has been photographing since the age of 13, studying film and darkroom techniques throughout college. He's used photography throughout his professional 3D career and 2010 will see his imagery in the forefront.

Josh Apter, Filmmaker, Editor, Manhattan Edit Workshop Owner

Co-hosted by Steve Hullfish and Bob Sliga

Steve Hullfish has written or co-written four books on editing and color correction, including "The Art and Technique of Color Correction" and "Color Correction for Video, 2nd Edition".  His editing credits span more than 20 years, including editing the Oprah Winfrey Show for which he won a Daytime Emmy. Other broadcast credits include "Investigative Reports" and "Cold Cases" with Bill Kurtis on A&E and numerous PBS documentaries.  He runs his own production company - Verascope Pictures - and his clients include Universal Studios, NBC Television, Turner Broadcasting, HIT Entertainment, Jim Henson Entertainment and VeggieTales. He also writes a color correction and editing blog called CUT.N.COLOR at www.provideocoalition.com.

Bob Sliga, a professional colorist for 30 years, teaches color correction at Columbia College and DePaul University.  Bob’s career spans both commecial and film projects, and he was the Director of Training for Silicon Color’s FinalTouch software.  After Apple purchased Silicon Color, Bob was hired to be the lead QA for Apple’s Color application where he was instrumental in helping design the application and created all of the Color FX Room signature looks.  Bob recently created Scone Looks™ (a collection of presets) for Apple Color.

Nate Caplin currently manages webcasting and streaming media services for American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, and advises its video, web, and graphics departments on technology strategy. He's been crunching video for web delivery since 1995. Nate also consults for clients such as Abercrombie & Fitch, writes for DV Magazine, and teaches video compression and streaming classes at MacWorld Expo and Apple's WWDC.

Fess Shelton is a seasoned production veteran with over twenty years of experience working on corporate video, independent films and the occasional studio film. Fess has worked primarily as a key grip, dolly grip, rigging grip and scenic carpenter.

Danielle, the DV Diva, has been a part of the production industry in many capacities including acting, make-up artistry, and assisting producers for productions both big and small. Danielle frequently hosts the DVPA podcasts.

Harry is a designer, animator and training author for Red Giant Software. Harry had orginally studied music and audio engineering and worked in both audio post-production and studio engineering, before entering the motion graphics field 10 years ago. Harry has worked in Detroit, Chicago, and Los Angeles as a freelance motion designer, with clients such as, Blur Studio, Digital Kitchen, NBC, and more. He has authored numerous tutorials and training titles on motion design, After Effects Expressions, Red Giant & Trapcode products, and Cinema 4D. Harry is the author of graymachine.com, and host of the networking site, themotionexchange.com. He currently resides in Los Angeles, with his wife and two-year old son.

Dan Gookin has been writing about technology for over 20 years. Perhaps his most famous title is the original DOS For Dummies, published in 1991. It became the world's fastest-selling computer book. From that book spawned the entire line of For Dummies books, which remains a publishing phenomena to this day. Dan's most recent titles include Word 2007 for Dummies, Laptops for Dummies, 2nd Edition,  and PCs For Dummies, 10th Edition. He also maintains the vast and helpful Web page, www.wambooli.com.

Carl "The Illuminator" Gundestrup has been lighting independent films, television commercials and corporate video for over 30 years. His clients include NBC, ABC, Industrial Light & Magic, Pepsi, Bath and Body Works, America's Most Wanted, Xango and the Utah Jazz. He resides in Utah and is married father of 4 children. For information on Carl's services, visit him at www.theilluminator.biz

Paul Holtz is the President/CEO of Class on Demand. Paul has been a visionary in the creative and media industry for 20 years. Paul is widely recognized as an expert in real-time compositing and 2D/3D effects creation. His wildly successful Plug-ins, HoltzFX I and HoltzFX II made him a highly respected artist on Pinnacle and SGI Hardware. Holtz was also Editor in Chief of "The Lamp Magazine" from 1997-2001, which was the first publication that focused real-time compositing for concert tours IMAG (Image Magnification) and television TD’s. Credits include Art Director, IMAG, for Tina Turner’s “24/7 Tour" and Bette Midler’s “Miss Divine Tour", Technical Consultant at ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, CBC, CNN, The Weather Channel, and a host of others. Paul is currently educating tens of thousands consumers around the world with his popular training DVD "Complete Training for Pinnacle Studio"

Steve Hullfish has written or co-written four books on editing and color correction, including "The Art and Technique of Color Correction" and "Color Correction for Video, 2nd Edition". His editing credits span more than 20 years, including editing the Oprah Winfrey Show for which he won a Daytime Emmy. Other broadcast credits include "Investigative Reports" and "Cold Cases" with Bill Kurtis on A&E and numerous PBS documentaries. He runs his own production company - Verascope Pictures - and his clients include Universal Studios, NBC Television, Turner Broadcasting, HIT Entertainment, Jim Henson Entertainment and VeggieTales. He also writes a color correction and editing blog called CUT.N.COLOR at www.provideocoalition.com.

Sue Jenkins is a web and graphic designer, illustrator, photographer, teacher, and writer, as well as owner and creative director of Luckychair (www.luckychair.com), a full-service web and graphic design studio serving businesses across the U.S. Sue has been a professional designer since 1997, is an Adobe Certified Expert and Adobe Certified Instructor teaching courses in Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Illustrator, and is the author of several books on Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and Web Design.

In today’s world, time and timing are everything.

Deadlines get tighter, budgets lower, client expectations higher, and technology moves on.  It’s a recipe for disaster, unless you can find a fast, yet in-depth way to keep your skills sharp.

That’s where Larry Jordan can help.

Larry Jordan is the most highly sought after Apple-Certified Final Cut trainer in the world.  With over 30 years experience as a television producer, director and editor with national broadcast and corporate credits, Jordan’s informative and entertaining teaching style provides video editors around the world with unique techniques, methods and resources to increase productivity and enhance their skills. He’s been there – he knows the pressure you are under.

Jordan reveals the hidden tips and tricks you never hear about, and may never find on your own.  His presentation style is well organized, succinct and practical.  Jordan’s training can save you time, save you money, save your client, and save your sanity, during production and post-production.

Jordan, based in Los Angeles, writes and edits the monthly free Larry Jordan Final Cut Studio Newsletter, with essential information on Final Cut Studio. He is the author of hundreds of hours of online training and five books on Final Cut Studio. He also hosts the weekly interactive internet radio show and podcast, Digital Production BuZZ (http://www.digitalproductionbuZZ.com). 

For more information about Larry Jordan, please visit http://www.larryjordan.biz.

Tim Kolb, an Adobe® Certified Expert, is an experienced director and post production pro for television commercials and corporate video productions. Over his career spanning 22 years, his vast knowledge of Adobe® software has helped him develop successful productions on Video, CD,  DVD, and the Web for a variety of clients large and small. Tim has earned merits that include 3 Emmy nominations, an Emmy and was named to AV Video Multimedia Producer Magazine's ‘Top 100 Producers of 2002.’

David Lombardi originally studied Industrial Design at the University of Cincinnati, giving him a broad base and understanding of practical aspects of the creative process. After school he moved to California and began work in the digital effects industry just at the beginning of the “boutique” boom of the mid 90’s. These smaller companies were a new concept in the entertainment industry and required artists to take on more extensive rolls for projects. This foundation gave him a knowledge of all aspects of CG effects work. During his 5 year stint working in television, he led his team to two Emmy nominations working on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine", and "Star Trek: Voyager" as well as contribution for a win on "Enterprise". He moved on to commercial work for clients such as Sony, SFR, United Airlines, Jeep, Honda, Nissan and British Telecom.

Fortunately, his position as a Digital Effects Supervisor at the post production house known as the Syndicate gave him opportunities to work with the parent company’s film division, Cafe FX. During that time he helped create effects for films such as Gothika, Peter Pan, Master and Commander, Sin City, and Underworld 2.

Trish and Chris Meyer are the principals of Crish Design, an award-winning motion graphic design studio. They were two of the original testers for After Effects 1.0, and have used every version of the program ever since for a wide variety of real-world tasks including video, film, and special venue design. They give talks around the world on After Effects and motion graphics, and are the authors of the books Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects and After Effects Apprentice (Focal Press).

Todd Prives is the Sr. Business Development and Marketing Manager at GenArts with over 8 years of industry experience in production, post-production and visual effects software.  At GenArts, he is responsible for effects development, training, and product demonstrations for customers worldwide.

Bob Sliga, a professional colorist for 30 years, teaches color correction at Columbia College and DePaul University.  Bob’s career spans both commecial and film projects, and he was the Director of Training for Silicon Color’s FinalTouch software.  After Apple purchased Silicon Color, Bob was hired to be the lead QA for Apple’s Color application where he was instrumental in helping design the application and created all of the Color FX Room signature looks.  Bob recently created Scone Looks™ (a collection of presets) for Apple Color.

Echo Swinford’s book, The Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit, co-authored with Geetesh Bajaj, was released by Que in early November 2007. In addition, Echo has a string of technical editing credits for various publishers. She has been a featured speaker for the PowerPoint Live user conference since its inception. Echo is a self-employed PowerPoint consultant and trainer; she has been a Microsoft PowerPoint MVP since early 2000. You can find PowerPoint tips and tricks on her website at www.echosvoice.com.

Tom Wolsky is the Senior Instructor for the Digital Media Academy. He is a certified instructor in Final Cut Pro, which he teaches at DMA. Tom is the author of several Final Cut and video production instructional books as well as DVDs for FCP, Final Cut Studio, and Mac OS X for Class on Demand (http://www.classondemand.net). His Class On Demand training has won multiple Telly and Horizon Interactive awards. He trains and consults with teachers, students, and companies around the country. He is an active presence on a number of online forums, 2-pop, Creative Cow, and the Apple support forums.

Before teaching he worked in the film and television industry for more than 40 years. He worked in London as a writer, producer, and technician before joining ABC News, where he was an operations manager and producer. He later moved to ABC News in New York for Good Morning America and World News Now.