All posts by rexsikes

Rex Steven Sikes, is the developer of the life changing program Mind Design™. He is a Master Trainer of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Design Human Engineering (DHE). He is a Master Hypnotist and Master Hypnotherapist. Rex is a seminar leader and educator in transformation, personal change, gratitude, attitude and wellness, whole-brain and accelerated learning. His best selling products include The Attitude Activator™, How To Get People To Do What You Want™, and The Ultimate NLP Home Study Program™. As a sought after seminar leader, speaker and presentation coach he conducts programs and workshops in personal and professional development helping people tap into their inner strengths and well being to get their goals. He runs another blog Daily Inspiration & Gratitude and his mentoring website is Idea Seminars. Additionally, he coaches people from all walks of life including actors, public presenters and consults for film and corporate business. Visit: http://www.idea-seminars.com For information about Rex's programs email CreateYouBestLifeWithRex@gmail.com Rex is also a an actor, producer, director, entertainer, radio show host and author. As a producer, director and actor Rex has numerous credits in television and movies. He loves working behind and in front of the camera. He works as a mentor, coach and consultant in personal change and for films and filmmakers For: Producing, Directing, Acting Sari Shapiro Management 310-575-4154 Email Sari Shapiro On Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat here, at http://www.rexsikes.com , on youtube.com and elsewhere he interviews celebrities filmmakers and people making it happen on air radio, television and the web. DISCLAIMER This Publisher has strived to be as accurate and complete as presenting the information within these pages. While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this blog site publication and all individual blog posts and pages, the Publisher assumes no responsibility for errors omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein. Any perceived slights of specific persons, peoples, or organizations are unintentional. There are no guarantees of income made. Readers are cautioned to reply on their own judgment about their individual circumstances to act accordingly. Rex Sikes' Movie Beat, the author, the website, blog, posts and pages are not intended for use as a source of legal, business, accounting or financial advice, medical or psychological advice. All readers are advised to seek the services of competent professionals in the legal, business, accounting, finance, medical and psychological fields. COPYRIGHT NOTICE Rex Sikes' Daily Inspiration And Gratitude Website, AND Rex Sikes' Movie Beat, Blogs and All Blog Posts and All Content are copyright Rex Sikes 2014 -2020. The text of posts may be shared in their entirety as long as copyright accompanies and Rex Sikes is credited as author. Photos copyrighted original owner. No claim to photos is made by Rex Sikes. Honor copyright of photo holders. ADDITIONAL NOTICE All pages and text COPYRIGHT © Rex Steven Sikes & Rex Sikes Entertainment, LLC 2014-2018 in all media. Images used with permission. Individual images, photographers and contributors retain their copyrights. No claims are made for these. Please respect all.
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Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat Updating Site! PLEASE READ

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I want to say welcome to Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat. We are updating the website and the pages. Please be patient while we do. You can visit Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat on youtube as well as RexSikesTV.com for the latest shows. WordPress has made changes we’re not happy about and are attempting to find ways to make posting easier. As soon as we find the work around we will be up and running. So far, it’s been difficult but we continue to pursue it so we can keep you updated on all the new discussions and shows. Currently there are some new shows at this website. https://www.youtube.com/@createyourbestlifewithRex

Also you can visit the older site Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat on youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/@RexSikesMovieBeat

Want to know how movies & TV shows really get made? REX SIKES’ MOVIE BEAT where top celebrities, filmmakers, & industry insiders uncover the magic and madness of film & TV making. Subscribe, listen or download from Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2zoiOvG8US1aiu5efAxNv6

PLUS 4 new shows on video at https://www.youtube.com/@createyourbestlifewithRex

Each episode is a master class in straight from pros. #filmmaking

We encourage you to subscribe to both and hit bell for notifications of new shows. and hopefully we will have everything resolved soon with this site

Also visit https://www.RexSikesTV.com That site is undergoing a big upgrade and we are excited that it will launch soon!

PLUS there are all sorts of exciting changes coming to these sites AND to filmmaking and filmmaking events and community soon. Stay tuned to learn more.

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Wisconsin reboots Film Tax Incentives to compete with Illinois

Wisconsin wants back in the game. More than a decade after ending its film tax incentives, the state has passed a new incentive program aimed at bringing productions north and competing directly with Illinois.

Governor Tony Evers signed the legislation into law on July 3 as part of the state’s 2025–27 budget.

It’s a return to the incentive space after a long absence. Wisconsin last offered a tax credit between 2008 and 2013. The credit is set to become available in early 2026, giving them time to prepare. The department will need to be built from the ground up in the coming months. The legislation calls for the creation of a state film office, as that office does not exist and they are now looking for someone to head up the office.

Those film productions who qualify for the Wisconsin film tax credit are feature film, short film, scripted or unscripted television series, documentary, and commercial advertising. They must meet certain minimum spending requirements: feature films need to spend at least $100,000, while short films need to spend at least $50,000.

The program offers a 30% refundable tax credit on in-state wages, production costs, and capital investments. It includes a $1 million cap per production and an annual $10 million program limit, which is significantly smaller than what Illinois offers.

Here in Illinois, the industry tells a very different story. The Illinois Film Production Tax Credit, in place since 2009, remains one of the strongest in the country. In 2024 alone, Illinois logged $653 million in production spending, $351 million in wages, and roughly 18,200 crew hires. The Illinois Film Production Tax Credit is uncapped, transferable, and includes a 15% wage bonus for hiring in economically disadvantaged areas. Since 2017, it has generated more than $4.5 billion in economic activity.

That structure hasn’t just attracted shows and features—it’s built a foundation for long-term, year-round work. Crews are busy. Vendors are busy. Talent is staying in-state.

Wisconsin’s new incentive could bring regional competition, especially for smaller productions looking to stretch their budgets. But with spending caps and no film office yet in place, it may take time to gain traction.

Illinois still leads the Midwest in film and television production.

NOTE BY REX: The incentives in WI were offered from Jan 2008 until June 30 2009 when the then governor removed them retroactively back to Jan 1 2009. There were no incentives from that time UNTIL the present when Governor Evers signed them into law recently. Walker became governor in 2010 and said he’d look into the incentives in 2013 but not before. In 2013 he did not approve the incentives but passed on them. Thankfully, the push for incentives in Wisconsin continued and today we have a new pilot program.

Reprinted from Barb-ReelChicago.com Read more at Reel Chicago Website

The only industry publication with 100% Chicago news National news and trends in advertising, film & TV production
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Update New York Film Incentives from Bill Mining

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New York Just Supercharged Its Film and TV Tax Incentives

New York State has officially expanded its film and television tax credit program, making it one of the most generous and competitive in the country. This is great news for producers, post houses, composers, VFX teams, and especially indie filmmakers.

Here’s what you should know

The annual cap has increased to 800 million dollars, including a dedicated 100 million dollar fund for independent productions. That’s 20 million for films under 10 million dollars and 80 million for larger indie projects.

Documentaries are now eligible for the main film production credit.

There are bonus incentives for:

Multiple NY-based productions totaling at least 20 million or 100 million dollars
Hiring five or more musicians for in-state scoring
VFX or animation work where 10 percent of the budget or 500K is spent in New York
Post-production with at least 75 percent of editing or one million dollars spent in-state

The 500K cap on above-the-line wages has been removed.

Best of all, tax credits will now be paid out in the same fiscal year for new applications, and the program is extended through 2036.

This is a big moment for the New York production community. Whether you’re working on a feature film, a limited series, or an animated short, these changes can significantly reduce your costs and make in-state production more attractive than ever.

We post updates like this every morning at 9am Eastern. Follow us to stay informed and ahead of the curve.

Regards,

Bill Milling

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Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat Updating Site! PLEASE READ

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I want to say welcome to Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat. We are updating the website and the pages. Please be patient while we do. You can visit Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat on youtube as well as RexSikesTV.com for the latest shows. WordPress has made changes we’re not happy about and are attempting to find ways to make posting easier. As soon as we find the work around we will be up and running. So far, it’s been difficult but we continue to pursue it so we can keep you updated on all the new discussions and shows. Currently there are some new shows at this website. https://www.youtube.com/@createyourbestlifewithRex

Also you can visit the older site Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat on youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/@RexSikesMovieBeat

We encourage you to subscribe to both and hit bell for notifications of new shows.

Also visit https://www.RexSikesTV.com Enjoy and hopefully we will have everything resolved soon!

film festival, indiefilm, low budget filmmaking, storytelling

Rex Sikes Movie Beat chats with Twisted Dreams Film Fest Founders May 16

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Chris Steve Headshots TW IMG_2691 copy

Twisted Dreams Film Festival  was founded in 2011 by Christopher K House and Stephen Milek, two friends with a passion for the silver screen. Their goal is to provide the Milwaukee, Wisconsin community news, reviews and interviews of local and international films and film makers.

UPCOMING: Thursday May 19, 2016 11am EST, 10am CST, 8amPST To Listen Click The Bolded Link Below

Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat Chats with Twisted Dreams Film Fest Founders

About Christopher Kai House

A true film junkie from birth, can thank his parent’s for his obsession with horror and the macabre. Both being horror fans, Chris grew up watching old horror films, specifically the Universal Monsters collection of fright films. He was born into a family of magicians and was weaned on sideshows and carnivals bringing a unique perspective to the festival.

Chris say’s he was lucky his mother was as huge into horror as he was, he was able to see almost every major and indie horror film of the 1980’s on the big screen. Like his father before him, prides himself a showman and wants that to echo with each year the Twisted Dreams Film Festival runs. is a member of the Online Film and Television Critic Association.

Chris Steve front scree TW IMG_9422 copy

About Stephen Milek

A lover of all movies, Steve will watch anything from classic silent films to modern big budget action films. He got bit by the horror bug when in fourth grade at a sleepover he saw A Nightmare on Elm St. for the first time. To his mom’s dismay he watched more horror films than Disney films growing up.

After attending the Sundance Film Festival a few times he always wondered what it would be like to start his own film festival. Over time he became obsessed with the Oscars and for his first blog he watched every Oscar Best Picture winner in chronological order.

About The Twisted Dreams Film Festival

The Twisted Dreams Film Festival has been a project in the works for almost 5 years. Since the inception of the web page Milwaukeemovietalk.com where Chris and Steve cover the film industry and review films.

What started out as a simple blog about movies, it grew to have an emphasis on local films and filmmakers.They wanted a true horror film festival in Milwaukee that showcased the best in not only local but also international horror, dark comedy and sci-fi films.

The first year was a major hit with filmmakers and guests coming from all over the country and Canada.

The duo plan on having the fest a yearly event and hope it grows each year.

Chris & Steve Red TD IMG_3469 copy

Visit Chris and Steve’s Website:
Milwaukee Movie Talk Link

Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat – The Official Website (currently under construction). New content posted here since December 2014.

You can go to RSMB and listen to the archives. It has over 500 hours of professional filmmaker discussions with Rex. Visit Official Site to listen:

Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat

directing, film producing, film production, independent film production, screenwriting

Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat Chats With William Lu Director

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Will Lu - Headshot copy

Director, William Lu, a native of Northern California, received his BA in anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles. During his studies, he also served as an intern and development assistant for David Madden and Robert Cort at the Cort/Madden Company on the Paramount Pictures lot.

Use the link below to listen to the archived show.

Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat chats with Director William Lu

Subsequently, William attended the graduate film conservatory at Florida State University where he received his MFA in film and television production. While there, he produced the 35mm thesis film “Two-Bit,” which was a 2003 Student Academy Award finalist.

Upon graduation, he returned to Southern California where he was hired as an assistant at the SyFy Channel. Joining several FSU alumni, William then spent three years at Herzog & Company where he worked in various capacities in their television, web and entertainment marketing departments producing content for clients such as Disney, Paramount, Dreamworks and Sony Pictures.

Check Out Comfort The Movie directed by William Lu

In 2005, he was the recipient of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Armed with a Camera Fellowship; the grant recognized emerging media artists and funded his short film Spy Moms, which was shot over the course of one weekend. Spy Moms later screened at all the major Asian American festivals and made its cable broadcast debut later that year.

In 2006, he wrote and directed Asian Task Force, a half-hour mock pilot that paid homage to many of his favorite 80’s television series. The film was awarded “Best Action Short” at the 2007 Los Angeles Digital Video Film Festival and screened at the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con.

In 2009, William made the transition into new media and worked as post production supervisor at Machinima on their Terminator: Salvation original web series. He was subsequently hired at Maker Studios where he produced content for their gaming vertical. He also created and hosted the show “Retro Hardware” for the company.

In 2012, he switched to freelance producing, serving as a co-producer for Rosanna Pansino’s “Nerdy Nummies” blockbuster YouTube series, while simultaneously developing feature content that he could later direct.

In 2015, he directed the feature drama Comfort from his own original screenplay. The storyline and characters were inspired by the John Hughes movies of the 80’s, while Michael Mann’s LA nightscapes served as a stylistic inspiration.

Shortly after completing Comfort, he returned to Maker Studios, producing for clients such as SlingTV and Verizon Go90.

Stay tuned to Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat for other great interviews and more.

Official Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat Website

acting, acting coach, actors, add agencies, audition, casting, casting directors, commercials, directing, entertainment, film production, filmmakers, filmmaking, on camera, producer, script breakdown, storytelling, television, Uncategorized, voice over acting

Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat chats with David Murphy Casting Director

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murphy headshot

David Murphy, casting director and acting coach, is co-founder of the Chicago  acting school known as The Green Room. Murphy, as he goes by, brings multiple areas of expertise to his teaching.

He’s worked in the acting field for 20 years. He joined the staff at O’Connor Casting Company in 2001. He splits time between casting commercials and teaching.

Around the casting office, there are two “David’s” (David O’Connor is the owner), so this David is often known as “Murphy”. He has conducted well over 50,000 individual actor’s auditions.

To Listen Live Or Archived Click The Bold Link Below:

Rex Sikes Movie Beat chats with David Murphy Casting Director

For 16 year Murphy taught at the Players’ Workshop of the Second City. He’s directed over a hundred shows ranging from improv reviews to children’s shows. He has created several touring groups performing for such clients as GE and Novis.

Murphy has worked as an artistic director for Bedlam Productions, has worked in casting for Toast productions and has been a consultant to several fledgling theatre companies.

murphy class shot

Beyond his acting and voice over credits, he has been a casting director, theatre director and instructor. What is not as widely is that he is a Reiki Master.

Reiki is a healing modality using energy. Often, unfocused energy can be at the root of an uncreative and uninteresting performance.

Have you ever had a poor audition and wrote it off as having been nervous, or simply not “on” without exploring further what was at the root of the problem?

He helps actors, through self-reflection, energy work and discovery of higher creative self, to gain better control of their instrument so they can be present during the audition and bring their best self to the room.

To Learn More about David, acting and commercial on camera classes Visit The Green Room Studio’s Website.

The Green Room Studio

PS I have been a student of The Green Room. Murphy and others have been my instructors. I highly recommend their offerings. I am enrolling in another class this week.

The official website of Rex Sikes Movie Beat can be accessed through the link below. Be sure to visit!

Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat Official Website

directing, directors, Documentary, editor, entertainment, film education, film festival, film financing, film production, film school, filmmaker, filmmakers, filmmaking, indiefilm, low budget filmmaking, movies

Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat chats with Craig Knitt & WildWood Film Festival 2/17

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Criag Knitt WildWood Festival Co-Founder

Join Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat guest Craig Knitt Wednesday morning 2/17 at 10:30am ET, 9:30am CT 7:30am PT. Craig will discuss movies, movie making and the upcoming WildWood Film Festival held in Appleton, this Friday 2/19 and Sat. 2/20. Be sure to attend!
Be sure to listen to Craig. We may even get his to talk about graphic novels and his art.

Join Us As We Broadcast Live Wednesday Feb 17, 2016 10:30 am EST, 9:30 am CST, 7:30 am PST: To Listen Live OR To Listen to the recorded archived show click the bolded link below:

Craig A. Knitt is an award winning artist, filmmaker, teacher, performer, writer and creator who is currently employed with a national Arts-based pilot between the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Green Bay and the Wallace Foundation.

Craig is a founder of the Wildwood Film Festival, a festival dedicated to Wisconsin film talent. The past three years Craig has also been a volunteer for the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival.

When Craig is not busy teaching visual art, he is busy creating film projects or performing Improvisational Comedy with ComedyCity – DePere and DinnerTime Comedy.

He has many short and feature length concepts in the works and he hopes to develop a TV series that will be completely created using the resources of our fine state. 

Craig was the male lead in last year’s “Secrets of the Dead” which was premiered at the Gerold Theater in Weyauwega.

Wildwood Information:

The Wildwood Film Festival’s purpose is to promote Wisconsin film talent (actors, directors, writers, composers, editors, etc.). The festival strives to educate high school students and adults in film basics – script writing, story boarding, filming, lighting, sound, editing and marketing.

History

From its humble beginnings, the Wildwood Film Festival has been consistently dedicated to Wisconsin film talent. With its fifteenth event it will have showcased over 500 films that all have connections to the state.

The very first Wildwood Film Festival was held at the Historic West Theatre in Green Bay in 2001. The three-day event showcased ten films (including “The Hunt”, a full-length dark comedy created by the festival’s founders).

The weekend was a great success and sparked a second event that played for a sold-out crowd at the Crescent Theatre in downtown Shawano. 

Aspirations grew from there, and the festival found its roots in Appleton. Events have been held at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) and the Big Picture Theatre.

The Wildwood Film Festival continues to grow each year and the commitment to Wisconsin filmmakers and film talent is just as strong.

2016 The WildWood Film Festival is held in Appleton, Wisconsin. Coming up this Friday 2/19 and Sat. 2/20. Be sure to attend! For more information use the link below:

For More Information WildWood Film Festival

Remember to visit the official Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat at

Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat

Hope to see you all at the festival! Help Spread the word!

independent film production, indiefilm, low budget filmmaking, motion picture business, movie business, screenwriter, screenwriting, script breakdown, script development, storytelling

Script Consultant James Breckenridge on Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat 12/10

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James Breckenridge has worked in the entertainment industry for over 25 years. In 1995, his years of professional training and experience culminated in the founding of The PlayCrafters Group.

As its Director, he specializes in helping writers from all over the country develop producible scripts for motion pictures, television and theatre. Through creative counseling and objective feedback, he encourages writers to focus in on the essential elements of their stories in viably dramatic ways.

JOIN US LIVE: Thursday, Dec 10, 2015 11am ET, 10am CT, 8am PT Click the bolded link below. Chatroom open during discussion.

Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat chats with James Breckenridge, Script Consultant

His script development service has been rated in the Top Ten and recommended as the Best of the Best Buys in Creative Screenwriting Magazine’s review of leading script consultants from all around the country.

In addition to private coachings and consultations, Mr. Breckenridge has created a number of Courses and Workshops for the beginning as well as the advanced screenwriter.

Some of the most popular include Screenwriting Essentials, First Steps: Dramatic Steps to a Dynamic Screenplay and Pitching: Five Minutes to Fame. He has taught for The Bryn Mawr Film Institute, the Bucks County Writer’s Room,

The Writers Corner USA and the Lehigh Valley Writer’s Academy. For more information we invite you to visit http://www.playcraftersgroup.com or email us at HBCraft@att.net

As a featured speaker he has been invited to present at The Philadelphia Writers’ Conference, The Algonquin Film Festival, The Bucks Fever FilmFest, the Weyauwega International Film Festival and has also presented a number of seminars at the SCREENWRITING EXPO in Los Angeles, California where he was named “Star Speaker.”

Mr. Breckenridge served as Juror for the Theatrical Motion Pictures Nominating Committee for the Screen Actors Guild Awards, The Philadelphia Film Festival’s Feature Film Competition, The American Independents category for the Philadelphia Film Festival/Cinefest as well as the Bucks Fever FilmFest.

As a director and creative writing consultant, he has helped in the staging and conceptualizing of well over 200 dramatic scripts.

Mr. Breckenridge credits much his creative consulting instincts to his acting background. Trained for the professional theatre, Mr. Breckenridge received his undergraduate degree in Theatre at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point and his Master of Fine Arts degree from Temple University in Philadelphia.

Over the years, he has performed professionally on radio, television, film and on stage. Most of his acting credits came from New York City.  This work has also taken him to Europe twice, once touring Germany and Italy, and a second time, appearing at The Edinburgh Festival in Scotland and in London.

Though working fulltime for The PlayCrafters Group, he currently maintains active memberships with The Actors’ Equity Association and the SAG-AFTRA Union.

Past affiliations have included The Charles Maryan Workshop for Playwrights and Directors, Ron Roston’s Playwrights Lab/Writer’s Circle, Stella Adler’s Scene Interpretation Class and The Freestyle Repertory Theatre in New York City where he judged improvisations for structure, content and story development.

Mr. Breckenridge created and served as Director of The Breckenridge Workshops from 1983 – 1988. He was also a founding member of PlayMarket, an organization whose purpose was to assist dramatic writers in focusing and shaping their scripts towards production.

Presently, he is a member and/or supporter of The Drama League, The Dramatists Guild, The Theatre Communications Group and LMDA – the Literary Managers & Dramaturgs of the Americas.

One of James’ students summed up his experience with him this way: “ I have an MA in TV/Film, took several master’s level screenwriting courses. None as good as this! ”

Official website: Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat

distribution, Documentary, entertainment, film directing, film education, film festival, film financing, film marketing, film producing, film production, film school, filmmaker, filmmakers, filmmaking, independent film production, indiefilm, low budget filmmaking, movie business, movies, screenwriter, screenwriting, storytelling

Weyauwega International Film Fest Aftermath: Movies, Director And Class

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casting call clap board

It was a great festival. Nov 11-14. Ian Teal and Kathy Fehl, Holly Martin and staff and volunteers put on another great film festival. Number 5. If you missed it you missed another one you should have attended.

Great films and great people. Good hanging out, good conversations, good food and drink. All in all – a time well worth it.

We left, after the closing night party. I drove Jacob, Marie and Louis back to the Green Fountain Inn B & B in Waupaca. We were all pretty beat. Said good night and went to our rooms.

Sunday 11-15. I wrote my, daily inspiration and gratitude blog, as always starting about 3 am. Finishing up I went down for breakfast and to work on computer at table around 6:30. At this time I also loaded my car. I discover my tire looks a bit flat. Hmmmm

I had to leave by by 7:30 to make it back for a morning event. Later, I would film my role in, ‘Two Sides Of The Street’, a SAG short subject I was asked to appear in. Barb delivers breakfast around 7 for Jacob, Marie and I. After finishing a delicious meal Marie and I say goodbye to Barb, one of the owners of the B & B, and to Jacob. Louis slept in.

I drove Marie to Milwaukee’s General Mitchell Airport where she caught a plane back to Los Angeles. It was an enjoyable time talking all the way. I did stop and buy an emergency tire inflation canister and put that into the tire. We made it.

I left her at airport went to my morning meeting. From there my friend Jill accompanied me to the location for filming. My darling daughter dropped by, briefly, too. We finished filming some hours later. When I got to my car I discover a lovely note, my daughter left, on my windshield. Awesome girl!

Filming was fun, lighthearted, fast and easy. It was a very nice time. Special thanks to director Scott Covelli, Brian and Mike Hendricks and Matt Hudson. They were a lot of fun and made things easy. When completed Jill and I dined on delicious Mexican food. I felt as if I had consumed a small child when finished. It was tasty.

Recently, the Pro Cinema Society and I sponsored a SAG/Aftra workshop presented by Kathy Byrne of Chicago SAG/Aftra. During our time together she addressed how easy it is to utilize professional SAG/Aftra talent in student films, shorts and Ultra Low Budget contracts. It was a good session.

I asked the film crew on ‘Two Sides Of The Street’ the SAG short I appear in how easy it was to make it union so I could be in it. They stated they were amazed and delighted how easy and pain free it was. Paperwork was nothing and they were glad they did. I am glad they did too.

POINT- investigate, find out and you too can go SAG/Aftra. It isn’t worth it. Even some filmmaker friends of mine have been skittish because of contracts or paperwork. Don’t be. Read it and make your movie or short.

I arrived home early evening but it seemed late, after midnight. I relaxed, said hello to those I had left behind and enjoyed the company.

7:25am (present) Monday 11-16: I got some sleep. Woke at 3am and began writing blog again.  I will leave shortly for the university.

I have a guest coming to class. Director Michael O. Sajbel. Michael worked Visual Effects in movies, ‘Hot Shots’, ‘Lawnmower Man’, ‘Broken Arrow’ and others.

He writes and has directed, ‘The Ride’, ‘One Night With The Kind’, and ‘The Ultimate Gift’ and others. I am looking forward to his talk with my students.

Class was great. Michael come accompanied by his daughter Anastasia, and his assistant Sean. He spoke about how he got his start writing in Hollywood. He encouraged students to follow their passion.

He reminded them to remember basic survival skils while pursuing a career. Discover where you want to live, rent don’t buy a house, the need for a car, where to meet people and emphasized networking.

He told stories of working with actors and the importance of good communication skills. This is a must. Then, he shared some stories of working with difficult stars. He was candid and fun and added value to the class. This continued later.

When finished, he offered to stay and continue to speak with students who could stay. A group of students and the four of us went to the Student Union and chatted for hour or more. More tales and more sound advice.

From there the four of us went to Soup Bros for lunch. Enjoyed more conversation and good food. After another hour or so we parted ways. I returned to the computer to publish this post.

So that wraps up Weyauwega time and a short while after. Life returns to normal for a time being. I am so glad I had the opportunity to again make this festival. It was my forth year and it gets better each time. Next year, perhaps, I’ll meet you there.

Meanwhile, make your movies and complete your projects. Join me on my Inet radio show and podcast Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat – Visit INTERVIEW at the official website: Rex Sikes Movie Beat . There are over 400n hundred hours of pro filmmakers sharing their expertise. Listen and learn.

Also join me at ‘Inside The Film Business’ at  my Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat channel on Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat. I am video recording, via skype, my professional filmmakers who address my class. Watch, listen and learn and in both shows, RSMB & Inside The Film Business.

Enjoy!