Future Media Concepts, the nation’s leading producer of education-rich conferences for content creators, announced today that it is now accepting applications for the Editors Retreat 2008, an exclusive five-day summit for selected video, TV and film editors to immerse themselves in the craft and community of professional editing. The Retreat will be held January 9th ‘ 13th in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It is produced by Future Media Concepts (FMC) in association with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), and sponsored in part by Avid, Apple and Adobe, Participation is limited to approximately 75 qualified editors. Five years of professional experience is required to apply, and applications are reviewed by a peer committee.

Skill-Building, Creative Exploration, Career Development and Networking
The Editors Retreat features more than thirty workshops, instruction classes, discussions, and networking events ‘ everything from expert presentations on HD and 24p workflows and “Smokin’ Photoshop Secrets” to panel discussions on “Color Correction as a Story-telling Tool,” “Your Professional Future: What To Do in The Next Year to Stay Ahead,” and “Battle Scars: War Tales From the Edit Room” to Salsa dancing and Texas Hold ‘Em ‘ all under the warm Mexican sun. Presenters include award-winning editors and icons who both share their techniques and attend sessions and networking events alongside their peer attendees. Featured keynote speakers are:
– Sally Menke, Oscar-nominated editor of Pulp Fiction, the Kill Bill series, and other films of director Quentin Tarantino
-David Helfand, Emmy-nominated editor of Weeds, Friends, That 70s Show, and other TV series

Keynotes are moderated by Ken McGorry, Editor of Post Magazine. Other featured speakers include representatives from Avid, Apple and Adobe, who will give attendees insight into the focus and direction of future capabilities for their editing product lines.

In addition to technical and hands-on sessions, the Retreat includes daily peer reel critiques and peer presentations to enable editors to compare notes and approaches. There are also a number of structured social events and ample free time set aside solely for networking, against the relaxing backdrop of the 4-star-rated Crown Paradise Club Resort and Spa and Puerto Vallarta nightlife.

“I can’t think of a better experience than this for working editors,” said Mike Chapman, senior editor at Boston’s DigiNovations, who attended Retreat ’07. “As an editor you work mostly by yourself in a dark room, and over the course of a career you assemble your own problem solving toolset. When you get in sessions at the Retreat where everyone’s cutting the same footage you see people come up with solutions that really peel your eyelids back. Every session gives you a fantastic opportunity to cross-pollinate with other editors, refresh your approach to the craft, and bring back new ideas and a new mindset.”

Future Media Concepts President and Conference Chair Ben Kozuch noted, “Learning new techniques and tools, focusing on creativity, preparing for technology changes, managing a career, learning from mentors and peers ‘ all of these are important elements of the editing landscape. The Editors Retreat is the only place where all of this comes together to serve the craft, and to serve working editors.”

For a full schedule, detailed information, and an application, interested attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors can visit www.EditorsRetreat.com or call 212.233.3500.