| Next MCA Meeting... |
| Learn the "Trick" to Improv: A Workshop with SNL Alum Bill Chot
April 11, 2007
Missouri Baptist University
6:30pm
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| 2007
Board of Directors |
PRESIDENT
Yvonne Niemann
myniemann@sbcglobal.net
PAST PRESIDENT
Lou Stemmler
LouStem@silver-streak.com
TREASURER
Jim Trevor
JTrevor@ameren.com
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Tom Barry
Tom_Barry@ssmhc.com
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| In Sync! Editor |
| Please submit all articles, Production Notes, and Members in the Spotlight paragraphs by the 20th of the month for inclusion in the following month's issue. Text should be embedded in the body of your email and pictures should be emailed as J-peg attachments.
See you in the next issue!
Emilie Barta
Newsletter Editor
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| 2007 St. Louis MCA
Calendar of Events |
May 9
Post NAB Wrap-Up
6:30 pm at St. Louis Community College - Florissant Valley
June 13
Monthly Meeting
6:30 pm, Location TBD
August ??
Summer Party
Location TBD
September 12
Monthly Meeting
6:30 pm, Location TBD
October 10
Audio for Production and Post-Production
6:30 pm at Joyce Meyer Ministries
November 14
Monthly Meeting
6:30 pm, Location TBD
December ??
Holiday Party
Location TBD
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Greetings!
Welcome to the new MCA-I Newsletter! 
The St. Louis MCA-I Chapter is here to serve you, so we decided to change our newsletter in order to meet your needs better. We know it's been difficult, if not impossible, for some of you to receive our newsletters and meeting announcements due to firewalls and other security systems. This will always be a problem to a degree (especially with employer provided email), but we're hoping that the new route we're going will increase the likely-hood of our emails going through.
Since we look forward to reaching even more readers, this is a great time to think about submitting an article or announcement. After all, this is your newsletter, so it's a great way to let people know what you've been up to lately - and even to brag a little. And who doesn't love FREE publicity? Submit articles or announcements as text embedded in your email, and pictures as J-peg files to emiliebarta@earthlink.net by the 20th of the month for inclusion.
You may want to think about advertising through our newsletter as well. It's another great way to reach people and let people know what you can do for them, especially since the ads will link to your website. If you're interested in advertising or just have questions about this opportunity, contact JTrevor@ameren.com ASAP.
If you didn't receive this newsletter via email, but instead are reading this on our website, please make sure to sign up for our mailing list by sending your name and email address to stlmca@hotmail.com. We know that email addresses change from time-to-time and we need to make sure we have your most current information in order to reach you.
We're always interested in your input, so let us know what you think about our NEW newsletter. Feel free to send your comments to stlmca@hotmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Yvonne Niemann
President; MCA-I, St. Louis Chapter |
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| Learn the "Trick" to Improv:
A Workshop with SNL Alum Bill Chot
by: Mike Ketcher 
Improv can help spark your creativity, improve your communications skills, and build your confidence. At our next MCA meeting, Saturday Night Live alum, Bill Chott, will show you the "trick" to improv in a fun, hands-on, audience-participation workshop.
Whether you're an actor, writer, producer, director, speaker, presenter -- or just an ordinary person -- you'll learn how you can use improv to get those creative juices flowing and help you connect better with your audience.
Bill is a seasoned actor, stand-up comic, writer, producer, and director -- and is internationally recognized as one of the best in improv. He's worked in 19 episodes of Saturday Night Live, written and performed for The Dana Carvey Show, starred in the Farrelly brothers' film, The Ringer, and has appeared in many other films and TV shows including ER, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Third Rock from the Sun, and Freaks and Geeks. He also does commercials and voiceovers and has performed in and produced special events for several Fortune 100 corporations. In addition, Bill has performed with such acclaimed improv groups as Second City and The Groundlings and was in Clef Notes, the first-ever improvised musical. He's performed improv around-the-world, and he currently teaches improv in New York, LA, and St. Louis.
This will be an entertaining "hands-on" workshop with audience members encouraged (but not forced) to take part. It all takes place in one of the St. Louis' most modern and magnificient fine arts complexes -- Missouri Baptist University's Pillsbury Chapel & Dale Wiliams Fine Arts Center. This architectural gem houses a 960-seat theatre, a 155-seat recital hall, music labs, a studio, and video and audio control rooms.
WHEN:
Wednesday, April 11. Networking starts at 6:30; meeting starts at 7:00
WHERE:
Missouri Baptist University (near I-270 and Highway 40)
Pillsbury Chapel & Dale Williams Fine Arts Center
ADMISSION:
MCA Members = Free
Guests = $10
Students = $5 with ID
DIRECTIONS:
From US-40 Eastbound
Take I-64/US-40/US-61 east to exit 24, Mason Road. Exit sign reads "MO Baptist College." Exit will continue on South Outer 40 Road.
When you reach Mason Road turn left at stoplight.
Now traveling north, you will cross over US-40.
Take a right onto North Outer 40 just beyond the overpass.
Follow the outer road eastbound for approximately 1 mile.
Turn left before the MBU entrance sign.
From US-40 Westbound
Take I-64/US-40/US-41 west to exit 24, Mason Road.
Take a right onto Mason and another immediate right onto North Outer 40 Road
Follow the outer road traveling eastbound for approximately 1 mile.
Turn left before the MBU entrance sign.
See you there!! |
March Meeting in Review
The three panelists at our March meeting gave a fascinating inside look at a fast-growing segment of the production industry: events and business theatre. It was held in the spacious warehouse of Production Support Services, a provider of equipment, expertise, and special effects for events. The meeting took us through every step of the event production process, as we heard from a planner, a producer, and a provider.
The planner was Marilyn Cox, Conference Department Manager for Joyce Meyer Ministries. Marilyn books events in venues ranging from hotel ballrooms to major sports arenas. Some of her tips: Book venues two to three years in advance in order to make sure you get the best space available. This is especially true if you're booking in a popular destination city. Also, work closely with local Convention and Visitors Bureaus, as they can help smooth over some of the difficulties you might face when working directly with large arenas. Before going to Joyce Meyers Ministries, Marilyn worked for Maritz, where she also planned events. The main difference between working for Joyce Meyer and Maritz: "I don't curse anymore."
Cursing is probably common in event production, as the there are many frustrations and problems you'll have to solve -- and often on a tight deadline. As a producer, Adam Crosley, whose firm, Reel Impact, produces events for major government agencies and Fortune 100 corporations, had several suggestions for minimizing he problems. "Whether you're creating an event for 50 people or 50,000, you need to have good staging. When positioning a stage," he said, "make sure you plan for a backstage." Also, pacing is important in these shows, "You want to start on time and finish early," he said. If it's an awards show, for example, you want to make sure that a lot of time isn't wasted while a recipient walks to the stage. "Center steps are good," he said. You also want to position the podium so that recipients will have to take the least amount of steps to get there. Also, use music cues when the award recipients approach the stage, but make sure the cues fit the event.
He also recommends that you build an element of surprise into your events and use a professional emcee to help keep the show moving and the energy level high. Having a rehearsal for the presenters is also important so you may have to negotiate with the venue to assure that there will be adequate time for both a presenter rehearsal and a tech rehearsal. When dealing with clients, Adam prefers to avoid having decisions made by a committee. Adam's approach has been quite successful. His award-winning video production firm began producing events six years ago. Now, it's become a major profit center, with about 40% of his firm's business being in event production.
Robin Nunn, president of Production Support Services, is living proof that a theatre degree can lead to a successful career. His firm, one of the top providers in the country, has much of the equipment and technical expertise needed to insure that events run smoothly. His warehouse contains a wide range of lights, sound equipment, staging, curtains, props, smoke machines, pyrotechnics, and other items. One of the firm's specialties is political events. "We can turn an empty hotel ballroom, a parking lot, or an airplane hanger into a theatre," he said. Even so, he said, he can't provide everything. "There are a half-dozen event production companies in St. Louis. No one company carries everything. We subcontract with others to provide what we don't have." Robin stresses preparation in making sure you have a successful event. "Preparation eliminates problems," he said.
Like Adam, he recommends having sufficient set-up and rehearsal time.
Make sure it's guaranteed in writing. "I'm always angling for more set-up time," he said. He also tries to make sure that his clients have booked time for load-in and load-out. Otherwise, the venue may book the room too soon before or after your event. He prefers venues that have high ceilings, rigging points, and good acoustics. One potential pitfall is coordinating the food service. "I always make friends with the head waiter," he said. An audience member suggested bringing a $50 cash tip for him. What's served, though, isn't as important as providing the audience with an entertaining and memorable event. "I don't think anyone ever remembers food," said Adam, "but they do remember what they saw, heard, and felt." |
Arts for Life and Limelight Studio Announce "Headshot Slam" Benefit Event April 14
by: Lance Tilford, Limelight Studio
ST CHARLES MO-Actors, performers, and anyone in the public eye who needs a good updated headshot will, for one Saturday in April, be able to get one at a steep discount-with the added benefit of helping the nonprofit organization Arts for Life. 
Limelight Studio, a photography and image/styling studio in St. Charles which specializes in working with professional and amateur talent, is partnering with Arts for Life, a charitable fundraising and educational organization that supports community theatre, to raise money for AFL's many supported charities, including those for breast cancer, AIDS, and the Red Cross. Fifty percent of the proceeds of the Headshot Slam will go to Arts for Life.
"This is the perfect opportunity for actors who've contemplated getting a professionally done headshot but couldn't justify the higher cost," explains Lance Tilford, Limelight's creative director/photographer. "College students in performing arts programs, community theater groups, or business professionals who need a good image for portfolios-anyone who is in the business of self-promotion needs a good headshot."
The event is open to both equity/union and nonequity performers, corporate spokespersons, and anyone needing an image for professional use.
A one-look $150 package (which would include app 24-40 images) includes the studio session fee, styling, and retouching/correction for one selected headshot print (retouched, bordered with name and ready for reproducing) and contact sheets. The normal fee for a one-look session starts at $250. Limelight Studio can reproduce headshots as well.
Anyone interested in participating should call Limelight Studio at 636-925-1662 to book an appointment. Signup for a slot on Saturday April 14th is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Limelight Studio is located at 501 N. Kingshighway in St. Charles, 3 blocks north of Lindenwood University. The studio is open by appointment only. To book a photo session or makeup consultation, call Limelight at 636-925-1662 or go online to www.limelightstudio.us.
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Call or Write Legislators NOW to Pass Film Credit Bill
by: Mike Ketcher
PLEASE NOTE: This is a member's look at this issue; his opinion does not necessarily reflect the consensus of the group as a whole. Please direct any comments or questions to ketcher@ix.netcom.com.
The Missouri film industry is at a crossroads. State legislators are preparing to vote on a landmark bill (HB360 and SB400) that could eventually turn Missouri into a major location for feature films and big-budget, national TV commercials. If passed, it could provide substantial opportunities and additional income for hundreds of Missourians, including electricians, cinematographers, camera operators, make-up artists, actors, set designers, photographers, production assistants, interns, and other support staff.
States with similar tax incentives have seen dramatic increases in film production. In Louisiana in 2002, for example, film companies spent some $20 million in the state. After its tax incentive law was passed, production shot up and last year, even in the post-Katrina environment, in-state expenditures rose to $189 million. Film productions in New Mexico spent $9 million in the state in 2002. A year later, after passing a film tax credit, it rose to $79 million, and last year the total reached $271 million. Missouri is losing out on hundreds of millions of dollars in easy money.
According to an estimate by the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, 22 full-time jobs are created, directly and indirectly, for every $1 million in production dollars spent in the state. It's likely that Missouri would experience similar results.
Last year, the Missouri film industry had its best year ever. At least eight feature films, with budgets ranging from $350,000 to $5 million, shot in the state. Already this year, at least four feature films of comparable size are slated to shoot. Most of these films would not shoot in Missouri if it were not for the film tax credit. Last year, the entire $1.5 million MO film tax credit was used up. This year, after only three months, all but $50,000 worth of tax credits have been reserved.
The new law would raise the amount of available tax credits from $1.5 million per year to $10.5 million per year. It would remove the $1 million cap per film, so that bigger-budget films -- or even a television series -- could come to Missouri. It would lower the qualifying in-state expenditure from $300,000 per film to $50,000 for projects of less than 30 minutes and $100,000 for films of 30 minutes or more. This would allow large-budget commercials and smaller-budget indie films to qualify for the tax credit.
Most important, it would allow Missouri to compete with Illinois, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Michigan, Louisiana, and many other states which are aggressively marketing their themselves to filmmakers.
Missouri has the most-generous tax credit in the country, offering film producers up to a 50% tax credit for in-state spending. Other states offer only 20% to 30%. Producers can sell these tax credits or use them as collateral for a loan. It takes no money directly out of state coffers; the tax credit simply allows the holder to reduce their tax liability. It creates economic activity in the state which would likely make up for any lost tax revenue. The most conservative estimate is that for every dollar spent on making a film, $2.00 in economic activity is generated.
Most important, though, is that passing this bill will allow Missouri to snatch substantial film business away from other states in this highly-competitive industry. It's a win-win for everybody: taxpayers, film industry workers, film production companies, and the state economy.
The new film tax credit bill has broad-based support. It's being pushed by liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats, and both rural and urban legislators. Yet, there are pockets of resistance. Some legislators don't understand the economics of the film industry. Others have a narrow focus and believe that the film tax credit won't help their constituents. Others have the misconception that it mostly benefits Hollywood producers and not Missouri residents. Others have a bias against tax credits in general. For others, it's off their radar screen entirely.
That's why it's important to write your legislators on these bills right now. They need to hear from everyone who wants to see a more vibrant film industry in Missouri. Unlike many other industries, the film industry in Missouri has no high-paid lobbyists in Jefferson City. It's a cottage industry comprised of freelance workers, small business owners, and mom-and-pop operations. If you don't push your legislator to vote for this bill, nobody else will.
Don't know who your state legislators are? Go to http://www.moga.mo.gov/, and click on "Legislature Lookup." Type in your nine-digit zip code, click on the legislator's name, and you'll find out how to call, e-mail, or write to them in Jefferson City. |
What Would You Like to See from NAB? 
by: Ginger Routh, Roscor Corporation
We really want to know!
For those of you who are not able to attend the National Association of Broadcasters Convention in Las Vegas, and even for those of you who do get to go, the St. Louis MCA plans to give you the hottest scoop on the new products being rolled out at our May meeting. But first we want to know - what matters to you most?! Is it the new Panasonic AG-HPX500 P2 HD Shoulder-Mount Camcorder? The latest Boris FX release? Or the newest member of the Digidesign family - the 003 Factory? No, we're not going debut an iPhone! But we WILL try our best to tailor the May meeting to our members keenest curiosities.
On Wednesday, May 9th, the MCA meeting will be hosted by Roscor Corporation, and the topic is a Post NAB Wrap-Up. So save the date and email grouth@roscor.com ASAP with your priority must-see technology suggestions! |
Production Notes
Ghost Image, which lensed in St. Louis last summer, now has its trailer online. Two MCA board members were connected with the film -- Lou Stemmler and Mike Ketcher played small roles, and Mike was an associate producer and St. Louis casting director. You can see the trailer at: www.aghostmovie.com.
News from the Missouri FIlm Office...Cameras are ready to roll everywhere in KC; Springfield and Warrensburg will keep the cameras down on the "farm;" and a legendary star's birthday bash in Slater. Find all of this and more in the latest Weekly Wrap-Up! |
| Members in the Spotlight
 Emilie Barta just wrapped a sales training video for Anheuser-Busch where she portrayed an On-Premise Sales Rep. This is the 7th time AB has hired Emilie to help in their employee training programs. Busch Satellite Network was the Producer of this project. Emilie also just started working on projects for IMTS 2008 as she is the Host of IMTS-TV. IMTS-TV is produced by Creative Concepts Studios for the Association for Manufacturing Technology and Emilie was selected for this role in May of 2006. She recently recorded a voiceover narration for a promo video that will be featured on the IMTS website. For more information on Emilie's background and experience or to view her demos, please visit www.emiliebarta.com.
 John Burkley was featured as the March 2007 MCA-I Member profile. In it he states, "...the people who got the most out of the MCA are the people who put the most into it. The people who went to the meetings, volunteered for committees, worked with other members, developed a rapport with other members - the nature of that kind of networking is probably what opened more doors than anything else...My whole business is built on personal relationships and networking, not advertising. Whether it's with MCA-I or just out there in the community, building relationships with Directors of Photography in St. Louis is how I was able to work all over the world making movies. That shocks people. How do you live outside Hollywood and make movies? Well because the Directors of Photography wanted me, because of our relationship." Be sure to check out the rest of his interview and Congratulations John!!
 Mike Ketcher was recently on Channel 5, in a Show-Me St. Louis segment on the Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Theatre. He also coordinated casting for five television commercials for a St. Louis hospital. Mike also will be performing in An Evening With Harold Pinter, a staged reading of several short works by the famed British playwright. Produced by Soundstage Productions, a professional readers theatre, the readings will take place on May 3,4,5,6 at Minion's Cafe, 7322 Manchester, in Maplewood. Tickets are $10.00 each and more infomation can be found at www.soundstageproductions.net. |
 Your Mission, If You Choose to Accept It...
by: Terry Thomas, Caption & Subtitle Services
...is to get captions or subtitles on a video and/or a DVD. You may ask, "How do I do that?" First, let me say that the process involves little time on your part and is quite painless and economical.
The first question is, "Do you need captions for a video or subtitles for a DVD or do you need captions for both a video and a DVD?" If you determine that you need captions for a video or a DVD, ask yourself these questions. What kind of caption style do I need? What is the caption video master format needed? What DVD authoring system is being used to produce the DVD?
Basically, there are two kinds of caption styles to choose from, scroll-up or pop-on. Scroll-up style of captions is lines of text that continually scroll across the screen, line by line, so that the viewer is reading left to right. The typical productions for this style include documentaries, narrated videos, sports and news, media with minimal characters.
Pop-on style of captions is text broken into phrases and sentences that are strategically placed over the character that is speaking. The productions for this style include feature films, animated cartoons, sit-coms, and media with multiple characters. DVD subtitles are represented in a way that is similar to the pop-on style of captions, however they are usually at the bottom center of the screen.
The primary difference between captions and subtitles are captions are all capital white letters with a black box behind the words. Subtitles can be produced with various fonts, sizes and colors with no black box behind the words.
There are three elements that are needed for video captions. 1) A verbatim script, 2) the video master or a digital file, 3) a VHS with time code recorded on channel 2 or digital file uploaded to our FTP site. Once these three elements are received, a caption file is produced. A caption master will be produced with this file and an encoder in a duplication-like process. However, with new technology, we can now export a digital file for NLE systems. (Read the article on new technology on the website!)
If it's DVD captions or subtitles that are needed, only two elements are needed: a script and a digital file uploaded to our FTP site. Once the caption/subtitle file is produced, it is exported to a specific file type that will accommodate the DVD authoring system. These exported files for captions include .cc or .scc, txt, and for subtitles, .stl, .son, tiff and others. Captions are activated on a DVD the same way as a video, through the TV remote. |
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