Moderated by BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, who has been instrumental in creating a platform at film festivals for the independent film and creative music communities to interact in a positive and insightful forum, the panel provided a frank discussion about music in film and the ins and outs of film scoring, music supervision and licensing.

"Music for Film" panelists Duncan Sheik, Nic Harcourt and Kevin Bacon, BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, and panelist Michael Bacon

Panelists included Nic Harcourt (music director and host of KCRW-FM's "Morning Becomes Eclectic"/music supervisor: The Dukes of Hazzard), Michael Bacon (composer: Loverboy, Losing Chase, Brother in Arms), Kevin Bacon (director: Loverboy, Losing Chase/actor: The Woodsman, Mystic River, Apollo 13), and Duncan Sheik (composer: Through the Fire, A Home at the End of the World/Atlantic Records artist: Humming, Daylight).

Guitar virtuoso and film composer David Torn, composer and Blondie co-founding guitarist Chris Stein, BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, original Woodstock Festival creator Michael Lang, composer and Lovin' Spoonful founder John Sebastian, (kneeling) Woodstock Film Festival Director Meira Blaustein and songwriter Duncan Sheik

Sheik also headlined the BMI-sponsored "See It Hear First" music showcase that featured acoustic sets by singer/songwriters Brendan James, Jeremy Gregory, Adriano Schiavo and Mieka Pauley. BMI also sponsored an industry dinner during the five-day event.

Every Fall, film and music lovers from around the world gather at the Woodstock Film Festival for an exhilarating variety of films, first class concerts, celebrity-led panels, workshops, a closing-night awards ceremony and superlative parties. Participants and visitors find themselves in a friendly, casual setting conducive to creativity, exciting opportunities and a good time. In just a few years, the Festival has established itself as one of the best independent film events in the country.

Composers Anton Sanko and Bradford Reed, BMI's Ringer Ross, and Apple Records' Jonathan Clyde

BMI sponsors many music panels at film festivals and markets throughout the U.S. each year. These panels are designed to promote greater understanding within the filmmaking community about the aesthetic and business aspects of music in film as well as provide an opportunity for composers, songwriters and filmmakers to learn more about each other's role. Since 2000, BMI's music presence at the Woodstock Film Festival has consistently helped to forge new filmmaker-music industry relationships, which have proven to be mutually beneficial.

BMI's Linda Livingston, original Woodstock Festival creator Michael Lang, BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, animator Bill Plympton and original Woodstock Festival staffer Lee Blumer

Photos by Ben Caswell

As the top winner, Pauley's prizes include a trip and performance slot at the 2006 Kauai Music Festival in Hawaii (provided by BMI), $1,000 in gifts and goods from Starbucks, as well as studio time, local radio play, CD duplication and other valuable merchandise.

The Boston native has also been nominated as Female Singer/Songwriter of the Year for the 18th Annual Boston Music Awards, being held September 28 at the Avalon Ballroom. She will perform that evening during the ceremony, as well as on September 30 at a BMI-sponsored showcase during this year's NEMO Conference.

Pauley, who is currently in the studio with superstar producer John Alagia (John Mayer, Dave Matthews, Lifehouse), also won BMI's Rock Boat Song Contest in 2002.

photo by Josh Rothstein]]> 2005-09-20T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234528 Artists, Schiavo, Adriano, Musical Styles, Singer-Songwriter Adriano Schiavo has been named regional winner of the Northeast Music Expo (NEMO) Emerging Artist Songwriting Contest sponsored by BMI, Starbucks and Gibson.

Schiavo performs his winning song at Starbucks. photos by James Kenly	Contest winner Adriano Schiavo shows off his Gibson Les Paul guitar

Contest judges selected Schiavo's song "All Alright" as the top tune, earning the Summit, NJ-based artist a prize package including a Gibson Les Paul guitar, a $100 Starbucks gift card and other NEMO sponsor benefits. The competition took place at Starbucks Coffee in New Haven, Conn., on August 17 and is one of several regional contests being held at select Starbucks stores throughout New England, including in Amherst, Mass.; Burlington, Vermont.; Portland, Maine; and Providence, RI.

Competition finals will be held at Paradise Lounge in Boston, Mass., on September 14. The Grand Prize winner will receive a trip to the Kauai Music Festival (provided by BMI), a prime showcase slot opening for a significant artist at the 2005 NEMO Music Festival (September 30 - October 1), their winning song played on partner radio stations, studio time with a NEMO studio partner, CD duplication services, website construction and hosting services, and a one year's supply of Starbucks coffee valued at $1,000.

Previously, Schiavo released a five song EP that won him the VH1/Guitar Center Best Unsigned Artist Award; his songs have also appeared on television shows including "Joan of Arcadia," "Passions," "Strong Medicine" and "Dawson's Creek," where he was voted a Season Five Favorite New Artist.

The NEMO Music Festival and Conference is dedicated to giving back to the music community of New England, aiming to provide education and opportunities to independent musicians to help them to advance their careers and fulfill dreams. The organization is involved in a number of charitable events that take place throughout the year to support this mission.]]> 2005-08-23T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/events/entry/500002 Artists, Harris, Jesse, James, Brendan, Schiavo, Adriano, Shafer, Tina, Awards, Musical Styles, Pop, Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Regions, New York, Showcase, Showcase Templated

Photos by David Bills and Michael Boeser