If you are not a member in our Facebook groupMission 1 Billion you’ll want to join that too for announcement, important updates and get to know all the fine people in our growing group.
Our mission is to help educate filmmakers and actors, through classes, events, networking events, speaker events and more. BUT not just that our purpose is to support production and help people monetize their efforts while also supporting charities. Our purpose is to help each other help each other and all do better as a result while helping people in need too. You can join us and become a part of something grand.
Come join with the others. We look forward to meeting you and seeing you there. PLUS, there are more events I will share soon. Together we can go further than we can alone.
Join us on Aug 6th. Schmidty’s Bar & Grill 16755 W.Lisbon Rd Brookfield, WI 53005 7-9 pm Arrive 6:30. Stay Late!
Get a Pizza and get a free pitcher of soda or beer.
Here is a mission and vision you might want to join with.
How Heartspire and Mission: 1 Billion Are Turning Creative Media Into Real-World Miracles for Families in Crisis
By Editorial Group on July 31, 2025
In a world flooded with content, what if every view, like, or share could actually change a life?
That’s the radical vision behind Heartspire Foundation and its global storytelling movement,Mission: 1 Billion—a movement turning cameras into compassion, and creative media into a financial engine for families navigating the hardest chapters of their lives.
But this isn’t just a campaign for awareness. It’s a fundraising force. And at the center of its launch is one of the most trusted names in child advocacy: Make-A-Wish.
Make-A-Wish: The Legacy of Turning Hope Into Reality
For over 40 years, Make-A-Wish® has been transforming the lives of children facing life-threatening illnesses and critical medical conditions. By granting heartfelt wishes—whether it’s meeting a favorite hero, taking a dream trip, or receiving a special gift—Make-A-Wish gives families something they often lose during treatment: hope, joy, and a break from the battle.
It’s more than magic. It’s medicine. Studies show that wish fulfillment can actually improve a child’s emotional and physical health.
And now, through their partnership with Heartspire Foundation and Mission: 1 Billion, that impact is expanding.
Raising Funds, Granting Wishes: Two Local Children Will Receive Direct Support
As part of its global launch, Heartspire Foundation is producing the Fo Art Festival (Festival of Artists)—a live fundraising event on Saturday, August 16th in Brookfield, Wisconsin that marks the official debut of the Mission: 1 Billion YouTube channel.
At the core of the launch—Fo Art Festival (Festival of Artists)—is a powerful pledge:
Heartspire has elected two local children selected by Make‑A‑Wish Wisconsin to receive direct support from this festival’s fundraising. These aren’t abstract beneficiaries—they’re specific kids with names, stories, and wishes waiting to be granted.
Through live ticket sales, raffles, sponsorships, and YouTube monetization, every dollar raised on August 16th is earmarked for these two wishes. That level of transparency turns participation into partnership—and viewers into stakeholders in real transformation.
A Movement Built on Lived Experience
Heartspire co-founders Dan Brezgel and Rex Sikes didn’t start this mission from a boardroom—they started it from the trenches of real life. Dan’s son Calvin, born with severe disabilities, became a Make-A-Wish child himself. That one moment of grace—when the world gave something back—planted the seed for Heartspire.
Together, Dan and Rex have built a nonprofit model where storytelling isn’t just creative—it’s critical. Every piece of content educates, activates, and funds real families in crisis.Make-A-Wish didn’t just inspire this movement. They validated it. And now, with two children selected for support and thousands of eyes set to watch the livestream, this partnership is set to change lives in real time.
The Fo Art Festival: Entertainment Meets Altruism
The Festival of Artists at Schmidty’s Bar & Grill in Brookfield, WI runs from noon to 10 PM CST, transforming live entertainment into a live giving platform:
Arilya, the dynamic heavy‑pop duo from Green Bay, will electrify the stage with raw guitar energy and haunting vocals.
Gary Albano (Mr. Pogo), a one‑legged guitarist, defies expectations with soulful melodies and stage grit.
Davey Wester, a blue‑collar comedian known across the country, turns everyday life into uproarious, relatable comedy.
Chastity Washington, featured in HBO, BET, and Just for Laughs, blends sharp wit and heart.
Marshall Loether, comedian and disability advocate with cerebral palsy, showcases how pain becomes power when told truthfully.
The festival extends beyond the stage to food trucks, raffles, face painting, balloon art, and immersive family zones. Everywhere you look, it’s storytelling in action—and fundraising by design.
And for global audiences, the entire event will be livestreamed worldwide via the Mission: 1 Billion YouTube channel, so no matter where you are, you can help two children walk closer to their dreams.
Why This Partnership Is Unique
Fundraising through events isn’t new. Nor is creating viral videos. What makes Heartspire + Make‑A‑Wish groundbreaking is the seamless integration of impact-driven storytelling and trusted granting-based giving.
Co‑founders Dan Brezgel and Rex Sikes didn’t build Heartspire in boardrooms. They built it through experience. Dan’s son Calvin became a Make‑A‑Wish child—and that gift of hope in the middle of hardship became the seed for a global vision. Similarly, Rex’s own life, molded by transformation, drives the creative engine behind Heartspire today.
This is not charity rebranded. It’s transformative storytelling backed by emotional authenticity and operational clarity. The fact that two children have already been designated to receive the funds makes the event more than symbolic—it’s strategic, tangible, human.
How Your View, Share, and Donation Make a Real Difference
Every view isn’t just an analytics point—it’s a potential punch of compassion. When you watch a Mission: 1 Billion film, subscribe, or donate:
You fund education for aspiring storytellers from under‑served communities.
You directly contribute to Make‑A‑Wish Wisconsin, supporting two confirmed child wish recipients.
You help Heartspire prove a new kind of scale: one where emotional resonance meets measurable outcomes.
How You Can Be One in a Billion
Becoming part of this movement is easier—and far more powerful—than you think:
Donate now: Every cent raised from tickets, livestream, and channel support is directed to Make‑A‑Wish Wisconsin—designated entirely for two children selected to receive life‑changing wishes.
Subscribe: Join the campaign on YouTube at @Mission1BillionOfficialto ensure you’re part of every next chapter.
Attend or tune in on August 16: Whether live in Brookfield or watching around the globe, you’re part of granting real wishes through real stories.
This isn’t content. It’s compassion. Not a channel, but a catalyst. Not a broadcast, but a benefit.
By supporting this launch, you’re helping turn two children’s wishes into realities. That’s the true power of partnership. That’s the heartbeat of Make‑A‑Wish. That’s Mission: 1 Billion in action.
As you may have read, we’ve been busy helping people help people.
If you read about the foundation we’ve created to help change lives then you know we are working to make a real difference in the everyday lives of everyday people.
Here’s s bit from the recent article I shared with you
“In a world flooded with content, what if every view, like, or share could actually change a life?
That’s the radical vision behind Heartspire Foundation and its global storytelling movement, Mission: 1 Billion—a movement turning cameras into compassion, and creative media into a financial engine for families navigating the hardest chapters of their lives.
But this isn’t just a campaign for awareness. It’s a fundraising force. And at the center of its launch is one of the most trusted names in child advocacy: Make-A-Wish.”
The world seems a turbulent place for so many and we’d like to help in ways we know we can and reach more and more people each day.
You’re invited to watch us OR to join us in this mission.
I’m excited by the difference we’re already making
AND how much more we can accomplish when good people act in unison and collaborate to do good and make things better for all.
We started with a big ambition and a small local event. We have more coming up and an important Make-A-Wish event August 16.
It’s all growing. And the people joining us are excited and eager to be involved. Why? Because we are helping each other, collaborating together for each other WHILE helping others too.
So, read the article, visit our official website and decide how you will be a part of this global movement for positive change.
If you are not a member in our Facebook groupMission 1 Billion you’ll want to join that too for announcement, important updates and get to know all the fine people in our growing group.
We’re setting one up in Linkedin too! Announcements for events, speakers, educational opportunities; acting, writing, stand-up classes, production classes and more in the official groups.
Our mission is to help educate filmmakers and actors, through classes, events, networking events, speaker events and more. BUT not just that our purpose is to support production and help people monetize their efforts while also supporting charities. Our purpose is to help each other help each other and all do better as a result while helping people in need too. You can join us and become a part of something grand.
Come on out. Join with the others. We look forward to meeting you and seeing you there. PLUS, there are more events I will share soon. Together we can go further than we can alone.
Here are a few pics from our evening. Join us on Aug 6th. Address on graphics
Looking forward to seeing and meeting you AT our next meeting!
Thanks to all who participated this evening! By all accounts it was a wonderful success. Lot’s of busy filmmakers gathered. Some drove hours to join us. We had a great time. Some had to leave early. Some stayed late. See you next time too and am looking forward to it.
Dan Brezgel and I are glad to meet you in person. Old and new friends showed up. Shared their work. We viewed reels. Members poke on the projects they were engaged in. We networked to collaborate, cooperate and help each other begin or complete their productions.
It was a good evening for productive and friendly networking was awesome. I got to catch up, as did others, with some friends and colleagues I’ve not seen in some time and meet some fascinating new ones. Producers, directors, writers, sound engineers, actors, singers, comedians are some who participated last evening.
Participants exchanged information, discussed how they could work together on features, documentaries, shorts, series and streaming content. It is great to be a part of people connecting and finding the ways and the resources to move forward. Our greatest resource is each other.
So again thanks to all those who came out. We didn’t get pictures of all who showed up and that was unfortunate. We will to do better that next time.
Speaking of next time:
Wednesday August 6, 7-9 pm at Schmidty’s in Brookfield! We are in the side barroom. Put it on your calendar and make it a point to join us. To send reel link please email Mission1billionus@gmail.com
If you are not a member in our Facebook groupMission 1 Billion you’ll want to join that too for announcement, important updates and get to know all the fine people in our growing group. Here is the official website https://missiononebillion.org/
Our mission is to help educate filmmakers and actors, through classes, events, networking events, speaker events and more. BUT not just that our purpose is to support production and help people monetize their efforts while also supporting charities. Our purpose is to help each other help each other and all do better as a result while helping people in need too. You can join us and become a part of something grand.
Come on out. Join with the others. We look forward to meeting you and seeing you there. PLUS, there are more events I will share soon. Together we can go further than we can alone.
Here are a few pics from our evening. Join us on Aug 6th. Address on graphics
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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:
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.
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.
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!
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Rex Sikes' Movie Beat 