WINNIPEG, August 27, 2024 – In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the film Phantom of the Paradise (1974), Film Training Manitoba is partnering with Pressman Film and Winnipeg’s Phantom 50th Anniversary Committee for a special two-hour learning panel and mixer session; “Lights, Camera, Phantom!” on November 1, 2024. During this case study style session, Producer, Actor, and CEO of Pressman Film, Sam Pressman will engage in a conversation with Manitoba Production Manager and Producer Aaron W. Graham about the making of the cult classic.
The son of Hollywood titan Edward R. Pressman and a creative in his own right, Sam Pressman will share the challenges and difficulties of creating large-scale feature films and how film professionals can learn from this project. The session will also host a surprise guest who worked on the Phantom of the Paradise.
“Winnipeggers have an affinity with Brian DePalma’s Phantom of the Paradise and this milestone occasion allows Film Training Manitoba and our wonderful partners to provide an incredible learning experience.” Said FTM’s Executive Director Adam Smoluk. He added, “Working with Pressman Film will serve to share incredible business intelligence to develop the skills of our greater Manitoba film community.”
Pressman Film has fostered the early careers of many filmmakers, including Brian DePalma, Terrence Malick, and Oliver Stone. The company’s founder Edward R. Pressman’s filmography is a variety of high-profile, indie, and international projects, including SISTERS (1973), BADLANDS (1973), DAS BOOT (1981), CONAN THE BARBARIAN (1982), WALL STREET (1987), REVERSAL OF FORTUNE (1990), THE CROW (1994), AMERICAN PSYCHO (2000), THANK YOU FOR SMOKING (2005), and WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS (2010).
In 2009, Pressman Film began depositing their extensive company holdings with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, including paper materials (housed at the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library). The film collection contains over 250 items, consisting of theatrical prints, printing elements and videotapes related to the films produced by Edward R. Pressman or his production company.
Winnipeg is also set to host the 50TH anniversary celebration screenings at the Burton Cummings Theatre on November 2nd.
Speaker’s Bio:
Sam Pressman is combining his long-standing relationships with investors, talent, and industry insiders with his extensive knowledge of independent financing to lead the company into an exciting era of continued growth and success. Immersed in the motion picture business from a young age, he is humbled and emboldened by the responsibility of carrying the mantle of his family’s 50 years in filmmaking. Before assuming the role of CEO of Pressman Film, Sam worked under his father Ed Pressman on Werner Herzog’s BAD LIEUTENANT, Matt Brown’s THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY, Barry Levinson’s PATERNO—and alongside Ed on Keith Maitland’s DEAR MR BRODY, Charlotte Colbert’s SHE WILL, Mary Harron’s DALILAND, Marshmallow Laser Feast’s ground-breaking virtual reality experience EVOLVER, and Rupert Sander’s upcoming reboot of THE CROW. With a deep reverence for his father’s contributions to independent cinema and a firm commitment to carrying on the Pressman penchant for storytelling, Sam approaches his role as producer with a sense of humility and a fierce determination to create films that honor the company’s legacy.
Aaron Graham is a Film Writer and Production Manager based in Canada. He has a freelance film writing background and was selected to the Talent Campus at the Berlin International Film Festival. He is a full member of the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) and serves on the DGC Manitoba District Council’s executive branch. He has worked on productions such as MIDNIGHT SUN, SUNNYSIDE, THE PINKERTONS, CHAMPIONS, and A DOG’S PURPOSE.
Aaron also has an extensive background in freelance film writing, including the publications Scream Magazine and Art Decades. A partial list of his interview subjects includes Terry Gilliam, John Landis, James Gray, Richard Franklin, Charles B. Griffith, Stuart Gordon and Richard Linklater. Graham was also selected to the Berlinale Talent Campus at the 2009 Berlin International Film Festival.
About Film Training Manitoba:
Established in 1999, Film Training Manitoba (FTM) is a member of the Province of Manitoba’s Sector Council program and provides high-calibre workforce development programs to sustain Manitoba’s dynamic film and television industry. Since its conception, it has trained and prepared people to enter Manitoba’s growing film industry. FTM works closely with the industry to identify training needs within Manitoba.
Media are invited to attend this session. Sam Pressmen and Adam Smoluk are available in Winnipeg in person or online interviews from now until the event.
More information on FTM’s Special Phantom of the Paradise Panel Session: https://www.filmtraining.mb.ca/lights-camera-phantom-insiders-view/
More information on Sam Pressman can be found at: https://www.pressman.com/about
For further information or to book an interview, contact:
Jenna Paterson-Coutts
Communications and Programs Coordinator
204 – 245 McDermot Ave
jenna@filmtraining.mb.ca
204-989-9669 Ext.3 / 204-390-2213