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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Greetings Everyone!
I hope you all enjoyed our January meeting and that everyone is gearing up for Legislative Day as soon as it gets re-scheduled! Last year, it was a great day for us in Jefferson City and I know it will be again this year. It is so important for us to let our lawmakers and representatives know how important these tax incentives are to our film community. Please go to www.mommaonline.com for more information about how you can get involved. Also, if you need transportation, or you just don't feel like driving there is a bus leaving from St. Louis at 7:30 AM and returning that evening, information is also available on MOMMA's website.
Walking through those halls last year and speaking personally with our elected officials really put a face on our community. This is so crucial for them to be thinking of real people, who have names and faces and need the jobs these tax credits will bring. When our state representatives are casting their votes, we want them thinking about how important these decisions are in our lives. I hope everyone that can be there will let his and her voice be heard!
Our next topic for our February 9th meeting will be the business of Acting. We are bringing in a variety of people to talk to you about it from agents to casting directors and perspectives from voice over professionals and working actors themselves.
Recently, I have jumped into the large pool of Los Angeles and am experiencing firsthand how much there is to learn about the business of acting. In the last decade, many things have changed with the online world of the business. For those of you that don't know, my daughter Marissa has gotten an agent in Los Angeles and I find myself thrust into the role of stage mother, which is becoming a full time job, in addition to my own career pursuits. From my own perspective, as someone who has written, directed and acted primarily in St. Louis, there is a lot to learn out here in Hollywood. While we are out in Burbank, testing the waters, in addition to the lovely weather, we are getting a first class education on the acting business.
Did you know that every child actor needs an entertainment work permit from the Division of Labor in California. It's about the only thing that is free here, but it has to be signed by the school principal and is only valid for six months, so you are required to renew it frequently. A child actor must have satisfactory grades in order to work. So, if your child wants to be an actor, tell him or her to study hard, those grades have to be great!
Lucky for us, people have been very helpful with advice and good will and when we return to St. Louis, we will be coming with a lot of wisdom and experience of our own to share. We are learning networking tools and becoming online savvy on how to market yourself as an actor. It's a whole new world of online submissions, workshops and networking. Still, even in this computer age, we cannot forget how important face to face is in this business. Getting that human contact is the goal so that we can get that face up on the screen.
Happy networking everyone!
Vanessa Roman
MCA-i President, St. Louis Chapter |
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NEXT MCA MEETING - FEBRUARY 9
"Without wonder and insight, acting is just a trade. With it, it becomes creation."
Bette Davis said it, and if you are an actor, you understand it.
This month, the MCA is turning our focus to the other side of the camera, to the Actors! Learn how to BE the best actor for the project -- and, as a filmmaker, learn how to FIND the best actor for the project.
We have assembled a team of professionals to help you through the process of casting, auditioning, rehearsing, and working with the right actor for your project. We will introduce you to the process of hiring a Casting Director, working with a Talent Agent, and you will hear from actors who are making a living at their craft, as well as a photographer who specializes in working with talent to get them the headshots they need.
Actors, please come out and meet the people who need your talents for their projects. Filmmakers, please come out and meet those actors!
The presenters:
Joni Tackette is a St. Louis-based casting director. Casting such films as "Up in the Air", "Hannah Montana", "Saving Grace B. Jones", "John Adams", "Alice Upside Down" and "Meet Bill", Joni has been working and has made a name for herself since 1990. With experience working on big films like these as well as indie films and corporate projects, you can be sure Joni will share great tips with us on what the casting director needs from the production company to help her find you the best fit for your project. (Joni Tackette on IMDB)
Mandi Morris with Azalea Agency: Azalea Agency is a talent provider who knows who we are. We are adorable children. We are pretty girls. We are handsome fellows. We are huggable grandparents. We are crazy characters. We are friendly and outgoing. We are all smiles and convenience. We are willing to go the extra step. Learn from Azalea founder, Mandi Morris why you should use a talent agency, if you are an actor, or if you are looking for an actor. (www.azaleaagency.com)
John Contini - John is a St. Louis native with over 35 years of professional acting and directing experience. He recently received a Kevin Kline Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play for Avalon's production of Barrymore. He was also recognized with two 2006 Kevin Kline Award nominations for Avalon's A Walk in the Woods (Outstanding Lead Actor) and Molly Sweeney (Outstanding Director). He has performed at virtually every professional theatre in St. Louis including The MUNY, New Jewish Theatre, St. Louis Actors' Studio, STAGES St. Louis, the Saint Louis Black Repertory Company, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, and HotCity. He also has extensive film, television, and radio credits and is a member of Actors' Equity Association and AFTRA. John received his BA and MA in Theatre Arts from Saint Louis University and has over 25 years of experience teaching on the high school, college and community level. (John Contini's bio)
Harlan Rector: Because sometimes voice talent gets left out when discussing acting, we wanted to be sure to include that arena of acting in this meeting. Harlan Rector is one of the entertainment industry's best known voice-over artists. His unmistakable voice has introduced some of the most popular movies, commercials and videogames ever made. Additionally, Harlan was the signature voice of The History Channel (now History) during its first four years on the air from 1995 to 1999. Like many voiceover artists, Harlan accidentally discovered his talent while pursuing another career. He will be discussing with us what it takes to be a successful voice talent. (www.harlanrector.com)
This month's meeting will be held in St. Charles, at Limelight Studios where photographer Lance Tilford will also share with us some tips for getting your best headshot. (www.limelightstudio.us)
Special Thank You to our February Meeting Sponsor, Sight & Sound Productions (www.sspsinc.com)!
DATE: Wednesday, February 9, 2011
TIME: Networking begins at 6:30pm and meeting starts at 7pm
PLACE:
Limelight Studios
1125 North Second Street
St. Charles, MO 63301 (google map)
COST: Free for members of the MCA (how to become a member)
$10 for non-members
$ 5 for students
See you there !! |
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SAVE THE DATE FOR NEXT MONTH'S MCA MEETING - MARCH 9
TOPIC: "CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?" (Sound Advice from the Pros)
DATE: Wednesday, March, 9, 2011
TIME: Networking begins at 6:30pm and meeting starts at 7pm
PLACE: TBD |
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JANUARY MEETING IN REVIEW
Film Financing & Organizations:
The discussion revolved around how, when, where and how much is available for fund your film. How ALL phases of the development of the film can be funded. Beginning with just a screenplay, pre-production, production, and what is called "finishing funds". Often(around 90%) of the funding is accessed during this "finishing" time. Local organizations that have funding and other assistance available are CALOP (www.ucitymo.org), RAC (www.art-stl.com), VLAA(www.VLAA.org).
Also discussed, was the importance of setting up an L.L.C.. You can set this up at the Secreatary of Sates website for $55 (www.sos.mo.gov). One suggestion was set-up and L.L.C. specifically for raising the money (ex. Raising Money for my Film, L.L.C.) and a separate L.L.C. for making the film (ex. The Next Oscar Goes to My Movie, L.L.C.).
Tax Incentives:
A Federal Law-Section 181 allows a 100% write-off of the "passive" income of a film investor. Any funding given during the the year that a film is produced is deducted.
Also discussed was that Missouri has a 4.5 million dollars that is available for films produced in Missouri. This Tax-Credit essentially gives an additional 35% of funding in the form of tax incentives. For example if $1 million dollars is spent in Missouri making a film, then $350,000 dollars will be given by the state towards the film. More info at www.mofilm.org
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PRODUCTION NOTES
News from the MO Film Commission... The Kansas City Star's
Bob Butler looks back on the film industry in 2010, Slamdance likes a 1965 Springfield feature, and a Columbia short makes the cut at San Francisco IndieFest... All this and more in this month's Show-Me Show-biz Bulletin.
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INTERN WANTED
We are looking for an intern who can devote about 5-10 hours a week as a post-production intern on our newest feature film. Primarily as assistant editor, this position would be responsible for helping the director/editor with various assistant editor duties. This is an opportunity to gain valuable experience in the post-production phase of feature film production. This is a great hands-on learning opportunity, and chance to work with an up and coming production company on the completion of an exciting new feature-length drama-thriller with an exciting team of filmmakers including an NYU film school graduate director/editor.
Responsibilities will include the following:
- Sound syncing dailies and organizing them in FCP project bins for easy access and use by the editor.
- Media management/logging and labeling of footage
- Coordinating with the sound team to plan for sound effects and other music used in the film including SFX, needle drops, and score.
- Watching and critiquing scenes with the editor, recording notes during screenings.
- Assisting with the integration of visual effects into the picture locked edit.
- Organizing edit and sound reports and liaising with other members of the production team to arrange the workspace and organize footage.
To be considered for this internship applicants must:
- Willing to collaborate, learn and follow directions from the primary editor
- Strong computer skills and experience with digital editing programs (FCP,
- Adobe Photoshop and/or Adobe After Effects) as well as proficiency with Mac/PC to create and edit documents, and spreadsheets.
- Having a Mac computer would be helpful but not necessary
- Have own means of transportation
Hours: Flexible
Length/Availability: 2011
Start Date: Flexible
Compensation: This is currently an unpaid internship position, but a great
apprenticeship opportunity
CORNER FILM PRODUCTIONS is a film production company that envisions St. Louis as a hub for media production; we engage in cooperatives with companies and artists to produce and create provocative motion pictures and photography.
Phone: (314) 270-CFP1
Email: info@CornerFilmProductions.com
Website: www.Facebook.com/CornerFilm |
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