So here it is, my first "Letter from the President" which begins my year as the President of the St. Louis MCA.

 

The board members joke that when they asked for a volunteer to take on the role of President for 2010, everyone stepped backwards,  leaving me out front as the 'volunteer.' Although this might be partially true,  I am actually quite excited about the opportunity that lies ahead.

 

For those of you who do not know me (yet!) my name is Gayle Gallagher and I am a Producer at Pirate Pictures.  With Pirate Pictures, I have produced a feature film, short films, music videos,  corporate pieces, live satellite feeds, and promotional spots for not-for-profits.  Beyond that, my background includes graphic design, managing and being on-air talent at a local radio station, producing nationwide radio programs for different clients, and running two different corporate video departments.  Looking back at that list, I don't feel old enough to have accomplished all of that!

 

Having been very active in the ITVA (who remembers when it was called that?) and more recently having been a board member of the MCA this past year, there are changes that I have observed,  and changes I  would like to make.

 

This coming year, we want to make the MCA the go-to organization for media professionals, and not just the independent filmmakers or the corporate video departments. Yes, we love both of those groups, but this year, we really want to reach out to the other folks in media who may have been overlooked in the past. There are a lot of churches out there doing some amazing stuff with video and audio, schools who are teaching the stuff I learned in college to kids who aren't old enough to drive,  local,  community television stations who used to be a staple member of the ITVA and we'd like to reintroduce them to the MCA and radio stations that we haven't really even touched.  And what about all the New Media people out there... the internet has opened up a whole new realm of media that is beyond what some of us ever imagined.  The new blood in the media world is going to be welcomed into the MCA this year.

 

We want our monthly meetings to reflect that openness. So, if you have any suggestions for topics that you would like to see us present, please feel free to email me - gayle@piratepictures.net - or if you are a school or a church who would like to show off the toys and technology you have and would like to host a meeting, please let me know that as well.

 

Also this year, we'd like to see more people get involved.  Help us out by writing a review of the monthly meeting; get your name out there to the community by submitting an article to the newsletter about your company; past-president Sandy Olmstead will be contacting many of you to interview you for the newsletter; you can offer to be a meeting sponsor and get your company name plastered all over the meeting, website and newsletter.  Let us know if there are any other ways you would like to be involved and help to improve the MCA.

 

I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of new people this year, and to working more closely with those who have been long-time supporters of the Media Communications Association.

 

Gayle Gallagher

 

Join the MCA on Wednesday, January 13, to find out (and to share with the group) the latest in what is going on with the local media industry.
 
This year our January meeting will be "(How to Change) The State of the Union."  The first part of the meeting will focus on Film Tax Credits and the upcoming Legislative Day happening in Jefferson City in February. Brent Jaimes will help to explain what tax credits are, how they work and how we as the media community and as individuals will be able to make changes in the state laws.  A representative from MOMMA (Missouri Multi-Media Association) will be in attendance to explain how the Legislative Day will work and how we as a community can make a difference.
 
We will also hear from members of the union, the Missouri Film Commission, corporate video departments, and other media professionals on how they feel things have gone this past year.
 
We also want to hear from you -- this is your opportunity to share ideas you have on how to make things better this coming year, what you are currently working on, and observations about things that have caught your attention this past year.
 
Please join us at IT Enterprises (ITe) at the University of Missouri - St. Louis for the first MCA meeting of the new decade. Please note that the ITe is NOT on the main UMSL campus. See below for the address and a link to Google Maps.
 

Date: Wednesday, January 13  
 
Time: Networking begins at 6:30 pm and meeting begins at 7:00 pm
 
Location: 
IT Enterprises 
4633 World Parkway Circle 
St. Louis, MO 63134
 
Directions:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=4633+World+Parkway+Circle++St.+Louis,+MO+63134&sll=38.727372,-90.33813&sspn=0.017342,0.025535&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=4633+World+Pkwy+Cir,+St+Louis,+Missouri+63134&z=16

Cost:
Free for Members of the MCA
$10 for non-Members
$  5 for students

 

Our 2009 grand finalé event, the Annual MCA Holiday Party, proved to be a great way to celebrate the year's successes and connect with a broad cross-section of our peers in the production industry.  Co-sponsored by our friends at IATSE Local 493, the December 9th event drew over 100 celebrants to Llywelyn's in Webster Groves.  

Directors, cinematographers, and grips mingled with writers, video producers, students, talent, and wanna-be talent as they enjoyed free hors d'oeuvres, priceless conversations, and a wide variety of holiday spirits.  Revelers made connections, plans, and excuses as they looked back at the closing year and forward to a whole new set of possibilities, problems, and opportunities.

At one point, a gathering of former Chapter Presidents toasted their having survived the office (thus far, at least).  Shortly thereafter, in a low-key and informal ceremony, the virtual baton was passed from outgoing Chapter President, Sandy Olmstead, to incoming President, Gayle Gallagher, each of whom resisted the urge to give a lengthy, albeit inspirational, speech.  This peaceful transition of power inspired several more toasts and at least one avowal that the coming year will be even better for our Chapter and its proud members.  

Here's wishing you a peaceful and prosperous 2010 from your St. Louis MCA!

 

EmilieBarta recently hosted a video for Boeing entitled "Adventures in Space." It is being shown at the James S. McDonnell Prologue Room in St. Louis to grade schoolers as they tour the Boeing Museum on field trips.  Many thanks to Producer John Mosbacher for this opportunity to educate children in a fun and creative way.  See how Emilie gets "beamed up" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU7gboyWDi4.

 

 

Mike Ketcher produced a web commercial for Orignal Gift Card. 

You can see it on the company's web site: www.originalgiftcard.com  The talent in the film was Angella Sharpe.  Bart Elfrink shot it and did the editing.

 

According to Missouri's Film Commissioner, Jerry Jones, the state of Missouri needs the raise its cap on the production tax credit to $30 million -- from $4.5 million at present -- for the state to build a robust production industry. A $30 million cap would boost film, commercial, music video, and other media production to a point where permanent soundstages and other substantial infrastructure development would be feasible.  It would provide full employment  -- and job growth -- to the state's currently under-employed production industry.

 

Mr. Jones spoke at a Missouri Film Commission meeting that was held in St. Louis in early November, to coincide with the St. Louis Whittaker International Film Festival and the local premier of "Up In the Air," starring George Clooney.

 

Last year alone, according to Mr. Jones, the state lost two studio feature films, because of the lack of production tax incentives.  Hallmark, based in Kansas City, would have shot their holiday show in Missouri, had a sufficient tax credits been available.  "Others may have been lost that we don't know about," he said.

 

The Missouri Motion Media Association (MOMMA) is encouraging legislation that would raise the cap to $30 million.  Unfortuantely, it will be a tough.sell to the legislature in a year where tax revenues are down some 10% and the state is threatened with a budget shortfall.

 

Clearly, though, the future of the state's production industry hinges on tax incentives. Missouri faces serioius competition from many other nearby states.  The hope is that the success of "Up In The Air," -- and some possible Oscar nominations for the film -- will help convince legislators that Missouri could be a big player in the film industry, just as other mid-western states, including Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, have proven to be.

 

Mark Your Calendars: February 2!!

 

The Missouri Motion Media Association MOMMA), the statewide trade association for film, video, and related industries, is planning a Legislative Day at the state capitol in Jefferson City on February 2.  Everyone in the industry, whether a member of MOMMA or not, is encouraged to take part.  Details will be available on MOMMA's web site: www.mommaonline.com or on the group's Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/MOmotionMediaAssoc.  They are seeking at least 500 people who work in the production industry to be there. 

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