Sayles never sought assistance from Hollywood to create his films. His first film, produced for $60,000, helped to write the textbook of how to make a film in the contemporary age when big ideas combine with a shoe string budget. This panel of friends, cohorts and collaborators of Sayles share how their collective careers began and how the industry has changed and changed them in the process.

Mason Daring, Composer;
Maggie Renzi, Producer;
David Strathairn, Actor;
and Daniel Herbert, U-M Associate Professor of Screen Arts & Cultures (Moderator).

The John Sayles Symposium is sponsored by the University of Michigan Department of Screen Arts & Cultures, University of Michigan Library, the Michigan Theater, and Cinetopia International Film Festival.