We enjoyed a great November meeting. Some of our usual wonderful members showed up and quite a few new people. It is wonderful to have people looking to connect up with other content creators to network and collaborate and contribute to each other. I’d like to thank all who attend and help move our mission forward.

I’d like to thank those who share the events and invite others. Active participation is wonderful and so 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!!!

One of these days we will remember to take group photo before people leave so we get all those who attended in the shot. Maybe, next time. What do you think?

NEXT meeting Wednesday Dec 17 at Schmidty’s Bar & Grill 16755 W. Lisbon Ave Brookfield, WI 53005 at 7pm is 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

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 fountain of information and wisdom. So come to learn something new you might not have known.

This is an important meeting regarding the business of filmmaking 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 enlighten us to many benefits and opportunities we might otherwise not realize. JOIN US! Mark your calendar today and make it a point to be there Wed. Evening Dec. 17th.

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

It IS that simple! JOIN 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!