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Last Meeting Kathy Byrne SAG NEXT MEETING Jan 14 Director Daniel Pico

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Hey there filmmakers and fans!

Kathy Bryne (Head of Film & TV SAG/Aftra Chicago) spoke LIVE at Mission 1 Billion in Dec 25 and was a huge hit. So much so she will be back in the spring with a lot more. Two reasons. 1 there is more to talk about. 2. She is returning for all those people who wanted to be there but couldn’t. SO, here is your 2nd opportunity. Don’t miss it. She will be with us again Wed May 13 so mark your calendar NOW and we’ll keep you updated. UNTIL THEN we’ve other fantastic meetings to enjoy.

(Actress musician Elizabeth Clare, Film Producer Jeffrey Kurz, Voice Actor Curt Campanga, Kathy Byrne of SAG, Rex Sikes and Director and film producer Ezekiel Drews)

Kathy showed filmmakers how nonunion filmmakers could utilize SAG talent and provided reasons why you want to do this in a professional industry. If you are serious about filmmaking this is something you want to and need to know. Why and how and the benefits to you in making your project a SAG project. She also address what investors and distributors are interested in and require.

(Some of the members who remained for a group photo) 

Kathy is sooooo coool and explains the process and answers questions you might have.

A few pics of members (click to see) enjoying Kathy Byrne’s engaging talk. Who do you recognize? SFX Wizard Dieter Sturm, Actor & Coach Adam Christopher Weisman, Mauren Cashin Bolog of Actor’s Craft, Voice over actor Curt Campagna & Producer Peter Galente. Producer/Director Ezekiel Drews & Derek Pfister of Chair On Stairs films PLUS so many not pictured here or credited.

NEXT UP JAN 14 is Director Daniel j Pico. 

He will address our members and friends. THIS is open to the public so invite your talented filmmaker and performer friends. Spread the word. Encourage people to join our exclusive Facebook group using this QR code.

They use QR code to get an invite to join. THEY MUST answer two questions to be approved. There are other qualifying considerations BUT the questions ARE an important part of the joining process! Spread the word about meetings and about joining our FB group!

(Use this QR code to invite your friends to join Mission 1 Billion FB group.)

Wed Jan 14 is Mr Pico. Here is a little bit about him and why you might want to join us live.

Daniel J. Pico is a Columbia College Chicago graduate with a BA in directing and screenwriting. Having created his first film at the age of 8, Daniel has dedicated his life to filmmaking.

He co-wrote, co-produced the Primetime Emmy® Nominated Series “RZR” starring David Bianchi, Emmy® nominee Mena Suvari, and Emmy® nominee Richard Cabral.

He also directed episode 6 and was integral to its success. He co-wrote the screenplay for “Whispers in the Walls” a horror thriller that will be going into production in March of 2026.

As the founder of Pico Blvd Entertainment, Daniel specializes in independent cinema. His diverse career spans directing, editing, and producing, having worked on numerous feature films, including multi-million-dollar productions around the world.

His short film “Reasonable Doubt” premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Corner. Daniel has directed three feature films, “Common Senses” and “Farewell Darkness”, which won three Best Feature Film awardson the international festival circuit. “The Withering” his most recent feature is being released in 2026 by Cleopatra Entertainment.

He has also directed over 85 short films, music videos, commercials, documentaries, and 11 episodes of popular TV and web series.

JOIN US Wed January 14! Enter through the door under the White Claw sign.

Daniel is a prolific filmmaker and has a lot to share.

Make it a point to attend our meetings. They include speaker event, project planning, classes free and paid, seminars, and productions and support for productions.

Wednesday nights are PIZZA night at Schmidty’s – Get a large pizza and receive a free pitcher of soda or beer. 

Mark Your Calendar Today! Commit to joining us! Share and invite others! See you Jan 14 7pm at Shcmidty’s

16755 W. Lisbon Road, Brookfield, WI 53005

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? Use that QR code to let us know. Follow the sign in instructions and rules and become one of us.

See ya then!

Engage with group member posts in Mission 1 Billion on Facebook!

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Mission 1 Billion: 1st Collaborative Film Shoot Cast and Crew

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I’d like to  thank everyone who participated in the collaborative film shoot. Cast and crew was exemplary. Thank you so much for showing up being on time and doing your part. Thank you. We have wrapped the production and from here it goes into post. PLUS read about our special upcoming event below.

A Great Big Thanks to Cast & Crew:

Producers: Dan Brezgel Shad roberts, Thomas Beach Josh Hall Rex Sikes

Writer: Shad Roberts idea & script with additions from Dan and Josh.

Director: Josh Hall

Cinematographer/Editor: Dan Brezgel

Sound: Thomas Beach

Scripty: Paul Brezgel

Locations: Nealy Roberts

1st AD: Rex Sikes

Cast:

Al Brezgel, Paul Brezgel, Shad Roberts, Mike Eauslin, Laurie Amstadt, Troy Sparks, Richard Faulkner, Maynard Hebert.

Short Film tentatively titled ‘Cottage Cheese’

Maynard drove in from Fond Du Lac and Richard came in from Elkhorn. Kudos to all. And kudos to those who made a lengthier trip to and from the location.

Everyone was wonderful. Dedicated and helpful. It was a really nice time with all. That’s the kind of film projects I enjoy. Don’t you?

Production is complete and now in post.

We will let you know as we have updates when and when and where we will debut it. Perhaps, our next meeting if completed by then.

This IS and was Mission 1 Billion’s first collaborative, short film project. At last month’s meeting Mack Heath suggested doing a project. We all thought it a great idea and voted on projects. Cottage Cheese was selected.

Some people were available and got to help. Some people didn’t and would like to. We will do other projects and we want to support you with your project as well.

This was our first pilot program and we’re so grateful to all who have supported us in making it happen. As far as a delightful, cooperative filmmaking session it was an outstanding success. Eager to see this one completed and get another project going soon. Happily we will accept suggestions by email in the FB group or messenger or at the live meetings. Feel free to share your ideas for us to consider.

PLUS Be sure to come out to our next meeting on the 24th of this month to see our Director guest, Michael Sajbel and to learn more about what’s going on with the club and what we’re doing.

Sept 24. 7pm An evening with Hollywood Director Michael Sajbel! 7pm Please Be Early so we can begin on time. Michael will speak on his filmmaking journey, provide tips and suggestions for directing, filmmaking and more. He will answer your questions. 

Schmidty’s Bar & Grill 16755 W Lisbon Rd, Brookfield, WI 53005 

Filmmakers and Actors Welcome. We are making this a NO Charge event. Invite your colleagues. Get a pizza and get a free pitcher of beer or soda. Enter door under White Claw sign.

THANKS everyone! Nealy took the group shots and this selfie.

Nealy in foreground. Left to right front row: Dan, Paul, Josh,

Back row: Mike, Rex, Maynard, Troy, Shad, Laurie, Richard, Al and Tom in back.

See you at next meeting and here on line. Stay tuned and subscribe, like and share Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat blog AND also the podcast. Over 600 hours of professional filmmakers sharing their expertise with you.

Listen, like and subscribe to Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat podcast: if link isn’t working copy and paste
https://open.spotify.com/show/2zoiOvG8US1aiu5efAxNv6 or search for it.

PS if you are not a member of Mission 1 Billion: Official Creator Network leave a comment here, or reach out to us on FaceBook and we’ll send you an invite so you can join this exclusive, private group.