- This event has passed.
Institute Intensive | Creative Collaboration in the Gift Economy // Film with Stephen Bailey
December 12 @ 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
Facilitated by Stephen Bailey, dive into an industry conversation in New York City, where filmmakers, writers, and cultural innovators come together to explore the art of Creative Collaboration in the Gift Economy. We draw inspiration from Lewis Hyde’s seminal work The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World, where he introduces the concept of the “gift economy.” Unlike the traditional market economy, which is driven by exchange and profit, the gift economy thrives on principles of generosity, reciprocity, and the creation of community through shared resources.
Hyde’s idea of the gift economy suggests that true creativity flourishes when art is seen not merely as a commodity, but as a gift to be shared—a catalyst for building relationships and fostering a sense of collective purpose. In this spirit, this intensive explores how these principles can be applied within the film industry.
This intensive will offer a unique opportunity to engage in an industry conversation through the lens of generosity, shared purpose, and the profound impact of collaboration.
Over the course of the day, you’ll participate in exclusive film screenings, intimate discussions with directors and writers, and opportunities for connection designed to foster creativity and collaboration. Discover how the principles of the gift economy can breathe new life into your creative projects, and learn from others who are also navigating the challenges of collaborative filmmaking.
Whether you’re an emerging artist or a seasoned professional, this intensive is designed to deepen your understanding of how art and generosity intersect, creating powerful and meaningful work. Join us to connect with like-minded creatives, gain valuable insights, and leave inspired to bring your own creative visions to life.
Space is limited for this intensive; secure your spot today!
________
Details:
Schedule: Kicking off at 9:30a and wrapping by 5:30p, with an optional happy hour and evening activity.
Location: The Hub NYC: 109 E 31st St. New York, NY 10016
Cost: $250 [Financial assistance available; email info@goldenwoodnyc.org to request!]
Your registration fee includes all Intensive sessions and materials, lunch, and optional evening activity.
Our Guest Speakers & Collaborators Include:
Jonathan T. Coleman | Filmmaker
Jonathan has been EVP at Guy Walks Into A Bar Productions (ELF) since 2015. There, he’s developed TV projects for ABC with Jessica Chastain; the feature film SULLY for Warner Brothers, starring Tom Hanks and directed by Clint Eastwood; and upcoming TV series EARTH ABIDES for Amazon/MGM Studios. He is most recently a co-producer of the film BONHOEFFER, opening nationally in theaters this month.
He also owns a Commercial Production company, specializing in Voiceovers. Some notable clients include IMAX, Porsche, Motorola, Chevrolet, and the U.S. Government.
Jonathan lives in Manhattan with his wife, Karis Danish.
Karis Danish | Actor, Filmmaker
She resides in Manhattan with her husband, Jonathan Coleman.
Todd Komarnicki | Writer, Producer, Director
Todd Komarnicki is a prolific writer and producer of film and television as well as an acclaimed novelist.
Komarnicki’s screenplays include Sully, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks, which opened at #1 in the box office to rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. The film went on to earn over $240 million worldwide, and was a 2016 AFI Top Ten Film. Komarnicki has also written The Professor and the Madman, starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn; Perfect Stranger starring Bruce Willis and Halle Berry; God’s Spy, the true life story of pastor-turned-spy Dietrich Bonhoeffer; Heart, the true story of the only professional athlete to ever play with a transplanted heart, which Todd is set to direct.
In television, Komarnicki has written pilots for ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, TNT, and Netflix.
Komarnicki is also the president and founder of the production and management company Guy Walks Into A Bar. Komarnicki and Guy Walks partner Jon Berg produced the Christmas blockbuster Elf, starring Will Ferrell and directed by Jon Favreau. The film amassed over $220 million worldwide, and has become a perennial favorite every Christmas season.
Komarnicki lives in New York City with his wife, Jane, and their daughter, Remy, and son, Dashiell.
Debra Monk | Actor
Debra Monk is an Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and writer. She has appeared on film in Standing Up, Falling Down, This is Where I Leave You, Center Stage, The Devil’s Advocate and The Bridges of Madison County. Upcoming: Summerhouse opposite Malcolm McDowell. Movies for television include Good Luck Charlie, It’s Christmas!, The Music Man, Eloise at the Plaza, and Redwood Curtain (reprising her Tony winning performance). She has played recurring characters on The Gilded Age, New Amsterdam, American Horror Story, and Grey’s Anatomy with guest stars on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Bull and Girls. She won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress as Katie Sipowicz in NYPD Blue.
Matthew Perkins | Filmmaker
Matthew is an award-winning filmmaker and co-founder of Play to Win Entertainment, a production company based in Athens, Georgia, specializing in crafting smart stories for the screen with heart, soul and broad commercial appeal. Known for his critically acclaimed debut feature, The Little Tin Man, Perkins blends humor with emotional depth, creating narratives that resonate with authenticity.
A Georgia native, his early experience performing as Hairy Dawg, the University of Georgia’s beloved mascot, shaped his skill for connecting with audiences—a talent that shines in his filmmaking. Perkins’ work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times, USA Today, and ESPN, and for over a decade, he has helped brands and non-profits tell their stories in impactful, creative ways.
His latest project, Fortune, has seen a successful festival run in 2024, earning multiple awards. He is currently developing a feature-length adaptation of Fortune, with plans to shoot in and around Athens, GA, in 2025.
Josiah Junqueira Spencer | Director
Josiah is a Brazilian-American filmmaker who produces, directs, and edits a wide range of projects, spanning from documentary to narrative films. With a unique multicultural background and a diverse set of influences and skills, Josiah brings a distinctive artistic perspective and a focused approach to every project. His work is characterized by a deep understanding of character, storytelling, and visual composition, which is evident in his recent film, Hold. Josiah’s dedication to exploring complex themes and his ability to capture the subtleties of human experiences make him a compelling voice in the industry.
Kelly Strandemo | Writer, Actor
Kelly is a Brooklyn-based actor and writer. As an actor, Kelly has appeared on stages from off-Broadway to LA to London. She can currently be seen on screen in Zander Kirby’s THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, and in Phillip Guttmann and Sarah Smith’s award-winning short, CARDIFF. Her plays, including PRIMARY and THE CONGRESSWOMEN, have been produced regionally and in NYC.
Kelly holds a Master’s Degree in Classical Acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). HOLD is her first narrative short film.
About your Guide:
Stephen Bailey (BURDEN, STRANGE NEGOTIATIONS, LOCKED DOWN) is a producer and mentor whose work bridges the worlds of art, faith, and community. With a career spanning over two decades, Stephen has been instrumental in fostering creative collaborations that emphasize the power of storytelling to inspire and transform.
Stephen’s passion for film and storytelling is rooted in his belief that art is a profound vehicle for exploring the complexities of the human experience. His work often focuses on themes of redemption, doubt, and the intersections of culture and spirituality. Through his leadership, Stephen has guided numerous creatives in discovering and honing their voices, helping them to navigate the challenges of the creative process with authenticity and purpose.
Stephen’s approach to filmmaking and mentorship is deeply relational, encouraging artists and entrepreneurs to see their work as part of a larger tapestry of human connection and cultural renewal. This philosophy underpins much of Stephen’s work, as he seeks to build creative communities where generosity, collaboration, and shared purpose take precedence over competition and profit. His commitment to nurturing a new generation of innovative leaders who are attuned to both the beauty and the brokenness of the world has made him a respected and influential figure in the arts community.