Great presentation last time Ezekiel Drews. He gave a detailed presentation about making his movies AND led a lively discussion Q & A afterwards. It was chock full of great tips and useful advice! He included a lot of information about piloting drones and FAA requirements too.

I’d like to thank him, those who braved the inclement weather that evening AND those who share these events and invite others to join us online in the FB group and live during our monthly event and networking meetings. Thanks everyone!

If you remember the storms that evening were fierce! BUT we all had a great time and I’m sorry if you missed it.

Active participation is wonderful and many are taking the initiative to help us grow into something incredible for ourselves, the state, and the charities we want to contribute to. It is good to get to know area filmmakers, actors, musicians and other talented creators. THANKS everyone for your support and participation!!

Any time you can help steer people to Mission 1 Billion you are helping filmmakers and us serve each other better.

OUR NEXT meeting is Wednesday May 13 at Schmidty’s Bar & Grill 16755 W. Lisbon Ave Brookfield, WI 53005 at 7pm and it’s a GUEST SPEAKER EVENT. So come early so we can begin on time. 6:30 doors ar open (enter under the white claw sign). Stay late networking and getting to know each other.

People connecting on projects and helping each other out is what we are all about. We endeavor to be a useful resource to you!

OUR SPEAKER IS KATHY BYRNE WHO RETURNS TO SHARE MORE.

Many members wanted to attend her presentation last December but could not make it. SO we are bringing her back, but she will not only cover some of what she presented last time but will speak on something special. To know what that is you must attend live. It is free and open to public so invite you filmmaker and actor friends to come along union and nonunion.

Kathy Byrne has been the Director of TV/Theatrical for SAG-AFTRA Chicago since May, 2010.  In addition to running the TV/Theatrical Department, she also is the head of Agency Relations for the Chicago local.  This entails working with Franchised Agents in the Chicago market.

Kathy is a firm believer in outreach to both actors and filmmakers who are beginning their careers, or who have worked on several film projects without realizing how easy it is to work with SAG-AFTRA actors and contracts.

Kathy oversees TV/Theatrical contracts in 11 states in the Midwest (including WI).  

Prior to her position at SAG-AFTRA, Kathy was the Project Coordinator for Film and Television for the Chicago Film Office for nearly 20 years.  She also was the Program Coordinator for the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival for 3 years.  Kathy is a proud graduate of Illinois State University!

You’ll enjoy Kathy. She is a fount of knowledge and wisdom.

This is an important meeting regarding the business of making movies and content creation. One of the great benefits of working with SAG/Aftra and the other department unions is learning the business of how to spend money productively.

Show BUSINESS is first and foremost a business that creates entertainment product. The business world entrusts professionals who know how to wisely budget and spend investors’ money. Working with SAG is a fantastic way to gain that experience. You have a protocol to work and make work during your production.

Be creative and learn your skills as a filmmaker to wow your audiences and move them as you want to do with your project. AND learn the business of filmmaking so you can do it more often professionally while making money and building your reputation not only as a creative but as a savvy business filmmaker.

THIS is valuable to the filmmaker especially when so many do no or low budget projects in their spare time. Making a SAG project helps add your value to those who might hire you. It is all about experience, being a pro and knowing how to work within THE industry as well as outside of it. Some think it is too hard or they can’t do this, but remember diamonds are fashioned under pressure. The skills you gain are worth everything it takes to get there.

Kathy will speak on the benefits and opportunities we might not realize. JOIN US! Mark your calendar today and make it a point to be there Wed. Evening May 13. PLEASE BE ON TIME

We’ll have more Mission 1 Billion (official website) project discussions, film events, speakers and class sessions coming up live and in person and will report on it here.

Also be sure to subscribe for free to Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat on spotify to listen to professional filmmakers share their expertise with you. More than 600 hours of pros telling us what to do and what not to do to be more successful. Click the link above to listen and subscribe.

Want to join Mission 1 Billion on Facebook OR SHARE IT WITH FRIENDS?

Use this QR code

OR USE THIS LINK https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18cUQaFSXL/

Request to join. BE SURE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS if you want to be approved for membership.

PLUS YOU CAN SHARE BOTH WITH OTHERS SO THEY TOO CAN JOIN US.  Follow the sign in instructions and rules and become one of us.

It IS that simple! JOIN US!

June 10th Meeting Film Wisconsin CEO Veronica Pope Joins us and speaks on the new film office and the new Wisconsin Film Incentives. Be there to learn how this benefits all of us.

LINK TO ARTICLE from Los Angeles Tribune about Dan & Rex Heartspire & Mission 1 Billion vision, mission and action. What will we do and what can you do to help! Become a part of something wonderful and helpful to filmmakers and others.

See ya next blog!