Laura Karpman

A composer who brings to her music feverish imagination, impeccable musicianship, complexity, versatility, unbridled joy, and fearlessness, Laura Karpman is, in the words of George Manahan, music director of New York City Opera, “a rare combination of heart and groin.” With four Emmys, a GANG award and numerous nominations, Karpman’s credits include scores such as Steven Spielberg’s 20-hour miniseries Taken, Odyssey 5, Masters of Science Fiction, The Tournament, Craft in America, Man in the Chair, The Annihilation of Fish, and The Living Edens, video games like Microsoft’s new Disneyland Adventure, Everquest 2, Kung Fu Panda 2: The Kaboom of Doom, Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom, Field Commander, additional music for Halo 3 and Jericho, among others. Commissioned by Carnegie Hall, Karpman’s multimedia opera ASK YOUR MAMA, written for Jessye Norman, The Roots, jazz singer, and orchestra, on a text by Langston Hughes, premiered to critical acclaim. Karpman was named one of the most important women in Hollywood by Variety Magazine. She received her doctorate from The Juilliard School where she studied music composition with Milton Babbitt, and is currently a professor at UCLA in the School of Theater, Film and Television.

Michelle Knudsen

She is a manager and producer at MXN Entertainment. After graduating from Columbia University she got her start working for agent Sarah Self at Gersh NY before moving with Sarah to LA.  She then went to work for manager/producer Mason Novick, jumping immediately into production on 500 DAYS OF SUMMER. Since then she has established herself as a manager of feature and TV writers.  In addition, with Mason Novick she has a myriad of feature and TV projects at various stages of development. Soon to be in production is Diablo Cody’s directorial debut, LAMB OF GOD.