In keeping with the inclusiveness that MCA has embraced this year, June will offer two unique opportunities to network with professional in related fields and areas of work and creative endeavors.

First, we are having an informal Happy Hour with the IABC, International Association of Business Communicators on June 4th. Their members represent the corporate side of the communication business, so we will have the opportunity to see how other half lives and works. For those who do not know about this group, the International Association of Business Communicators, according to their website, is a group of professional communicators who are dedicated to advancing the profession. The organization, whose members work in corporations and not-for profits, in external and internal communications, and in every conceivable discipline, provides professionals with opportunities for career growth and leadership development, within dynamic local and global communities. Locally, IABC/St. Louis is a network of about 170 professionals including students, consultants, and communicators across non-profit organizations, employee communications, marketing communications, public relations and public affairs.

While the MCA and the IABC will not be buying food, I plan to buy some appetizers to share.  The joint Happy Hour will be June 4, 5:45pm -- 7:30pm at Llywelyn's Pub in Historic Webster Groves, MO; 17 Moody; Webster Groves, MO 63119. This is where we have had our December Holiday Party that last several years.

The June meeting will be at the regular time, the second Wednesday of the month, June 10th at 6:30pm and will be held in the ArtSpace at Crestwood Court. According to the ArtSpace website: The ownership and management of Crestwood Court, in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis, have transformed this once powerful retail destination into the epicenter of arts and culture in St. Louis by offering the mall's resources, namely space, to local artists and arts groups. ArtSpace was conceived as a means of nurturing artists and cultural organization and allowing them to prosper by offering unique and affordable location options for artists. The ownership and management of Crestwood Court hope that, with so many varied and talented people under one roof, the creative sparks will fly and the arts community will have new opportunities to collaborate with each other, to share resources, and to engage the community in a breadth of cultural activities.

With hope that MCAers can participate in and benefit from the intention set forth by the ownership and management of Crestwood Court, we are having our June Chapter meeting at the ArtSpace at Crestwood Court. With hope that meeting the artists and organizations in ArtSpace with encourage new partnerships and creative endeavors for the film and media people associated with the MCA, we are inviting the ArtSpace occupants to join us at the meeting. With hope of serving not only our members and regular attendees but also the artists and organizations of ArtSpace, we are planning a meeting about grant writing, fundraising, and venture capital, which will provide basic information about what can be done to raise funds for a variety of art projects, including film, theater, dance, and more. While the information will not and cannot be comprehensive because of the vastness of the field, the meeting is intended to provide attendees with some basic information and hopefully point individuals and groups in the appropriate directions when they are in search of funding.

The meeting will also provide MCAers with an opportunity to network grant writers and development professionals, such as Anne Borman and Lisa Roth, and Robert Wilcox, a member of CALOP's board, who can offer some information on the approval side of grants. Other panelists are still being confirmed. Please mark your calendars for June 10th and come to this unique meeting and network our fellow artists in other fields.
 
MCAers have two great opportunities to network in June, so come and have fun and meet new people! Business opportunities may await you! Inclusiveness and outreach are the best way to thrive in any economy.

Sandra Olmsted, President

 

At your Chapter's May meeting, Technisonic Studios hosted our annual Post-NAB Wrap-up.  Three presenters demonstrated the latest and greatest in camcorder technology.

First came Tom Petrie of Bad Dog Pictures.  The Kirkwood-based vendor offers a full line-up of rental gear for professional film and video production  Tom brought along Bad Dog's recently acquired Red One camcorder, along with a full complement of attachments and accessories.  The Red One records raw image data at 2K, 3K, or 4K resolutions, which can be down-scaled by the RedCine desktop software. Since Bad Dog also provides their own production services, Tom was able to provide a useful perspective on the benefits and costs of using the Red One versus other video and/or film choices.

 

Keith Tomiser, District Sales Manager for JVC, displayed two of the manufacturer's latest digital camcorders.  The GY-HM700 camera comes with a removable lens and shoots in 1080p to Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) Memory Cards.  The smaller GY-HM100U has a fixed lens and shoots 35Mbps MPEG-2 Format (1080p / 24p) to SDHC Memory Cards.  Keith noted that both models can shoot in native Final Cut Pro format; rather than needing to digitize all footage into an edit system, the memory cards could serve directly as an external drive with the available footage.

Our third presenter was Donovan Lloyd of Eye 2 Eye Productions.  Donovan works as a freelance video shooter and producer.  In fact, he had to leave immediately after his presentation, as he'd taken an urgent call from ABC to get footage of tornado damage in outstate Missouri for the next morning's newscast.  Donovan displayed the camcorder he uses for most of his production work, the Sony PDW-700. The PDW-700 provides multi-format recording flexibility including 1080i and 720p, and comes with HD/SD conversion and cross-conversion between 1080i and 720p.  It records to Sony's dual-layer Professional Disc Media.  The single-layer disc is also supported.  Donovan mentioned the value and convenience of being able to hand his clients a disc on-site.

In addition to a generous offering of food and beverages, Bob Miano and the friendly folks at Technisonic provided guided tours of their top-level production facilities.  Camcorder evaluation, networking, and a chance to see one of St. Louis' top production facilities made for an informative and memorable meeting.

Spencer Evans: has done many commercial including a national Honda spot and numerous independent films since moving to Los Angeles.

Chase Carlisle: is pursuing a professional music career.

Space is limited to 40 actors. There will be two groups of 20. One group ages 13-19 the other ages 20 and up.  RSVP's are on a first come basis. Spaces are going fast. We will have a waiting list in case of a cancellation.