InSync in St. Louis
In This Issue:
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
THIS MONTH'S MCA MEETING
LAST MONTH'S MEETING IN REVIEW
MEET NEW BOARD MEMBER - SUSAN HUNT BRADFORD
CPG + COS MOVES AGENCIES, INVESTS IN DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS
GLENN WOLK OF VIDEO ASSISTANCE COMPANY HOSTING NETWORKING EVENT AND OPEN HOUSE
Facebook
Many Thanks to Our Wonderful Sponsors:

Silver Streak Studios
Bad Dog Pictures 

Data Media Products

Modern Communications

2012 Board of Directors

PRESIDENT

Sandra Olmsted

wryteralways@earthlink.net 

 

 

PAST PRESIDENT

Vanessa Roman 

 

 

TREASURER

Jim Trevor

JTrevor@ameren.com 

 

 

MEMBERS AT LARGE 

Lou Stemmler

ssstudios@aol.com

 

Ray Killebrew

lrkillebrew@aol.com

 

Renee Hirshfield

reneehirshfield@sbcglobal.net

 

Susan Hunt-Bradford

huntbradford@yahoo.com

 

Peter Carlos

pcarlos@lindenwood.edu

 

Denise Ward-Brown

deniseward.brown@mac.com

 

Dan Cross

danjocross@gmail.com

 

Christaan Eayrs

ceayrs@stlcc.edu

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. 
See you in the next issue!

Emilie Barta
Newsletter Editor
MCA-I Links
MCA-I 
 MAY 2012

WANT EXPOSURE?

Place an Ad HERE!! 

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

 

Dear MCAers:   

 

2012 Membership Drive and contest is on, and you could win!

 

The MCA International is having a membership drive this year! While I am sure you've all heard the spiel over the years, there are really good reasons to join the MCA-I: Free local meetings, memberships in professional organization is generally tax deductible, many benefits, and the upcoming MCA LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE in ST. LOUIS.

 

First, as a member, you don't have to pay for any local meetings.

 

Second, as a member, you have the one expenditure to write off because this is a professional organization in ehich a membership is generally tax deductible. Check with your tax professional.

 

Third, as a member, you have access to the many additional perks offered to members. From health, equipment, and production insurance to training and software discounts and general and industry specific business services, there are benefits for everyone to use. There is also the Production Hub where you can list yourself, find jobs, and hire professionals to work on your projects. 

 

Fourth, as a member, you can participate in the MCA Leadership Conference which is happening in St. Louis May 31 - June 2. Network, learn. and have fun at this unique opportunity to meet MCA members from around the country and attend the ProCamp! BUT you need to have your membership paid up before the conference! Join today!

 

The membership cost is half of what it was several years ago, and is only $80 per year. If you are a student, the cost is only $40, and you get all the benefits of the regular membership and access to the student forums design to help you transition from college to the work place. 

 

MCA-I is even having a contest for those recruiting new members, and you can earn a membership or other prizes. Check it out:

 

The MCA St. Louis Chapter and the MCA-I, the international organization, a vibrant and professional organization that keeps media professionals connected. Join today!


Sincerely,
Sandra Olmsted
MCA-i President, St. Louis Chapter

  

NEXT MCA MEETING - MAY 9

  

Didn't go to NAB in Vegas last month, but still want all the information? Looking to transcend traditional broadcasting? Technology is changing rapidly and the MCA is bringing you several people who went to the NAB to share all the latest gadgets and information they learned.

 

The following panel was confirmed at press time:
  • Ed Voss, director of operations at Lindenwood University, will have new info on gadgets.
  • Ben Scholle, Lindenwood University professor, will talk about the RED Camera and digital photography. Does the RED Camera deserve the hype that it often gets?  He will be bringing two REDS.
  • Ken Calcaterra, independent producer and cinematographer, is bringing his Sony FS100 camera, which is for a different level of production than the RED.
  • Tom Petrie of Bad Dog Productions, will be talking about some very interesting equipment including camera, lights, etc.  

DATE: Wednesday, May 9, 2012 

 

TIME: Networking at 6:30pm, meeting starts at 7:00pm  

 

PLACE: Bad Dog Pictures 

1501 S. Kingshighway

St. Louis, MO 63110

314-966-1016

 

DIRECTIONS: http://www.gobaddog.com/contact_us.htm#dir

 

COST:

Free to Members of MCA

$10 for non members

$5 for students with valid ID 

 

Hope to see you there  !!  

 

 

APRIL MEETING WRAP-UP: HOW ANYONE FROM STUDENTS TO SEASONED PROS CAN WORK WITH THE NEW SAG-AFTRA UNION
 
MCA and Lindenwood University in a timely meeting, given that the two largest acting unions -- the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and th American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) have recently merged.  This meeting focused on how low-budget productions -- even student and short film productions -- can work with the unions to hire union talent.
 
The special guest at this panel discussion was Kathy Byrne, Director of TV/Theatrical Contracts, Chicago/Midwest SAG-AFTRA Office.  Other panelists included Michael Ketcher, an independent producer who has worked on several SAG features; Mandi Morris, founder of the Azalea Agency, a local AFTRA-franchised agency; Maureen O'Brien, Freelance Specialist with the local SAG-AFTRA office; and Donna Postel, a local SAG-AFTRA actress.  The meeting was held at Lindenwood University and hosted by Peter Carlos, Associate Professor of School of Digital Cinema Arts, Lindenwood University.
 
The meeting began with some discussion of the recent merger, which had been overwhelmingly approved by members of both unions.  Then the discussion got down to the nitty-gritty of working with the union.
 
SAG has several  simple, low-budget contracts the Short Film Agreement and Student Film Agreement, Ultra Low-Budget, Modified Low Budget, and Low Budget, to meet every budget-level from from the Zero-Budget short film to a $2.5 million feature.  It was recommended that all filmmakers consider using one of these contracts, as it can allow the use of professional, union actors for a modest fee -- and sometimes for free.  Union rules are spelled out simply in the contracts and SAG's specialists are readily available to answer any questions regarding the paperwork.  By getting experience with the union student and beginning independent filmmakers can add a new level of professionalism to their work.
The contracts -- and much useful information -- is available to filmmakers by going to sagindie.org.
 
The meeting was sent via Internet to film and communications students throughout the St. Louis area. 

Here is a link to the meeting:

When the page loads, click on "LUTV MCA/SAG-AFTRA."  To watch the program, you need MicroSoft Silverlight, which is available to download.

MEET NEW BOARD MEMBER - SUSAN HUNT BRADFORD

  

Susan Hunt-Bradford is an Associate Professor in the Mass Communications program at St. Louis Community College at Meramec. She has an M.A. in Advertising from Webster University and is currently earning another M.A. from Lindenwood University in digital/multi media. She currently teaches advertising, public relations and mass media classes. Susan also has an online TV show called Media Minds OnLine on www.iWatchRadio.com. On her show she interviews local and national media professionals and media students. You can see her archived shows by going to the iWatchRadio.com website and clicking on archives and searching Media Minds OnLine.

 

Contact Susan at huntbradford@yahoo.com

  

 
Creative Producers Group + Companies Moves Agencies, Invests in Downtown St. Louis

 

St. Louis-based Creative Producers Group, and its agency holding company, Creative Producers Group + Companies (CPG + Cos) has moved its headquarters to downtown St. Louis after spending 25 years in the Central West End.

 

Comprised of experiential marketing and event production company Creative Producers Group,brand strategy and creative agency UPBrand Collaborative, and online digital and video production agency Vidzu, CPG + Cos moved into the newly renovated Park Pacific building, located at 1220 Olive Street.

 

"As each of our agencies continue to grow, so did our need for a larger space," said Keith Alper, CEO of CPG + Cos. "We're committed to the City of St. Louis and thrilled to be in such a beautiful, historic building and being part of the downtown community."

 

CPG + Cos signed a multi-year lease for approximately 23,000 square feet of office space in the newly renovated Park Pacific building, leased by St. Louis-based architecture and development firm Lawrence Group, who also designed the art-deco historic renovation. The $109 million redevelopment opened last year and houses all three agencies, who each contributed to the space's design. CPG + Cos is the first office tenant and has the option to expand to a second floor. The agencies have installed state-of-the-art technology systems, and share a new TV/production studio, edit suites, photo studio and audio production suite.

 

"We are excited about our partnership with CPG + Cos, and excited for them to make Park Pacific their home," said Steve Smith, CEO of Lawrence Group. "Keith and his team have been doing great things in their industry and are growing, and we're happy to accommodate their growth."

 

CPG was founded by Alper with President Steve Friedman more than 25 years ago, and have since grown the company from a two-man shop creating corporate videos to an enterprise across three agencies. Major national clients include Sam's Club, Sherwin-Williams, UniGroup, Panera Bread, as well as leading regional organizations such as Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children's Hospital and Peabody Opera House.

 

About Creative Producers Group + Companies

Since 1985, Creative Producers Group + Companies (CPG + Cos) has been helping the world's top companies and fast-growing entrepreneurial companies articulate their vision, provide direction and inspire people to act. Built on a strong foundation of award-winning event production, CPG + Cos has evolved into a comprehensive marketing communications enterprise with worldwide capabilities through its agencies Creative Producers Group (www.getcreative.com) , UPBrand Collaborative (www.UPBrand.com), and Vidzu (www.vidzu.tv). Based in St. Louis with both national and international clients, CPG + Cos maintains a closely knit team that is dedicated to understanding the unique business goals and communication challenges of each client and works closely with them to develop a targeted, creative strategy focused on getting results. These results are perhaps best demonstrated by its long-term clients of category leaders, Fortune 500 companies and global organizations. For more information, visit www.getcreative.com

Glenn Wolk of Video Assistance Company Hosting a Networking Event and Open House!

 

WHAT: Spring Showcase EXPO - File Based Work-flows

 

WHEN: May 3, 2012 at 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

 

WHERE: Holiday Inn - South County Center in the Monticello Ballroom,

6921 South Lindbergh Blvd

St Louis, Missouri 63125

 

RSVP: glenn@glennwolk.com 

Office: 636-467-2428

Mobile: 314-809-9952

 

TOPICS:

File Based Work-flows, JVC Pro HD Cameras, Sony, NewTek TriCaster, Speed Edit / Encoding Workstation with Adobe After - Creative Suite Premium Production Bundle, Asset Management with File Proxy and Back-up / Archive Solutions, Keywest Technology Digital Play out Server - Media Extreme Broadcast, Watchfire LED Panels, and Other Manufactures that we provide solutions for.

 

Network with Professionals and see some old friends as well. Learn why MTV, Fox Sports, Major League Baseball, VH1, NHL, NBA D-League, Miss Universe and others use TriCaster as the industry standard in portable live production. Broadcast, live stream, project and record. All at once.