InSync in St. Louis
In This Issue:
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
MAY MCA MEETING
APRIL MEETING IN REVIEW
Award-Winning Movie Producer Unveils Debut Novel in St. Louis June 4th
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Silver Streak Studios
Bad Dog Pictures 

Data Media Products

2014 Board of Directors

PRESIDENT 

Peter Carlos

pcarlos@lindenwood.edu

 

VICE PRESIDENT

Jennifer Salci

jjsalci@yahoo.com

 

PAST PRESIDENT

Michael Ketcher

michael_ketcher@yahoo.com 

 

TREASURER

Jim Trevor

JTrevor@ameren.com 

 

 

MEMBERS AT LARGE 

Sandra Olmsted

wryteralways@earthlink.net 

 

Lou Stemmler

ssstudios@aol.com

 

Ray Killebrew

lrkillebrew@aol.com

 

Renee Hirshfield

reneehirshfield@sbcglobal.net

 

Susan Hunt-Bradford

huntbradford@yahoo.com 

 

Denise Ward-Brown

deniseward.brown@mac.com

 

Christaan Eayrs

ceayrs@stlcc.edu

 

Marla Stoker

marla@marqueemediaandmarketing.com

 

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 2014

AD SPACE

AVAILABLE HERE!

Contact us today  to find out more
  
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
  
Dear ,
 
One of the topics we discussed at the April meeting, and keeps coming up time and time again, is the ins and outs of networking. Few of us do it well. Some of us could be better at it. Some people are uncomfortable in crowds, and others hate one-on-one situations. We tend to sell too damn hard before we create a lasting, meaningful relationship. We're (I mean mostly guys) are always trying to break into a conversation to get our points across (hand up, I'm guilty). We're looking for a point of entry instead of listening. Women, I've learned, are much better listeners than we men are. At least they hear more of a conversation than we do. Something we need to work on. 

As with any presentation, there's an objective or goal, a defined audience, and a beginning, middle, and end to it all. 
 
Before going to an event or presentation, do your homework and find out as much as you can about the organization putting on the event (objective) and the people involved (audience). Internet searches are a quick way to get what you need. That will give you something to talk about and make you interesting because you're interested in someone else's business. Leave your ego at home. Relax and see this networking opportunity as another lesson in life. Your goal is to network, not get a job.

Get there early when things are relaxed and non-threatening. Introduce yourself (the beginning), shake hands firmly (not like real hard or so soft), make good eye contact, ask the person you're talking to their name (repeat it back to them to help you remember it), and then ask them what they do (the middle, Part I). 

Here's the important part: Listen (really listen hard) to what they say. Show interest in the story you're hearing. Don't try to one-upmanship them or cut them off or cut in. Use listening cues so they know you're there in the flesh ("Yes," "I know," "Uh Huh," etc.). 

When they finish, they might ask you what you do. Don't oversell yourself or pound your chest or Alpha Dog it. Keep it short and sweet (the middle, Part 2). One of the things I learned from a past ex-father-in-law who worked for the IRS is "don't talk too much or offer too much information." That person is listening to you and might hear something that could hurt or defame or embarrass you. Criminals get in the back of cop cars (handcuffed, naturally), and blab away. That spontaneity can be used against them in court. So less is more. You're building here, one brick at a time, so take your time. 

Finally ask them for a business card, and they will probably ask you for one (the end). That's it. If it's right, maybe ask if they know someone you know, but be careful with that ploy. The way you know someone is not necessarily the way that person knows your friend or family member. Unless you're positive about the credibility of your connection, then save it for another day, another time. If you don't have a card, then you've missed out, and it gets a little awkward at this point. You have their card and they have nothing in hand. Always have simple, clean business cards to close the deal; it makes you look like a professional. 

Do not, I repeat, don't ask for work; let them ask you if it's going to happen at all. Keep everything minimalistic. You can tell them you might be interested in talking further over coffee or lunch if they have time, and on you, of course. Don't pressure anyone to give you a job right then and there. You're building relationships, not interviewing for a job. But you really are (kind of zen-like-yin/yang). If you're pushy and obnoxious in this informal gathering, then you might be hell to work with, might turn a positive into a negative. Think soft sell. You're trying to get that person relaxed around you, to like you. If they don't have anything right now, they might recommend you to a friend in the business because they like you. 

You closed the deal of the first round of networking. Then, send the people who gave you cards a thank you note for taking the time to talk to you. They will remember that simple gesture. And your name.

Remember, that you usually get hired because you fit in with the group, not by being a know-it-all or show-off. You don't get a second chance to make a first impression.

Networking is at the heart of who we are and our connection with others, our communities, our tribes. So it matters that we try to get better at it.

Peter Carlos, President

MCA-i, St. Louis Chapter
NEXT MCA MEETING: MAY 14

  

The latest and greatest products and stories from NAB...

  

The MCA-I St. Louis Chapter will take a look back at the 2014 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Convention that was held last month in Las Vegas. St. Louis media icon owner and operator, Tom Petrie, will host the meeting at his dog compound, Bad Dog Pictures. 

 

Petrie and other guests will share their thoughts on NAB and talk about the latest and greatest products and stories they can legally bring back from Vegas -- from camera drones to the latest RED camera updates. Come early to network with others in the St. Louis production community!


For more information, please contact Peter Carlos, MCA-I President, at 636.949.4513 or Bad Dog Pictures at 314.966.1016 or info@gobaddog.com.    

 

DATE:

Wednesday, May 14

 

TIME:

6:30pm networking, 7:00pm meeting 

 

PLACE:

Bad Dog Pictures

1501 South Kingshighway

St. Louis, MO 63110

 

COST:

Members: free

Non-members: $10

Students with valid ID: $5   


Looking forward to seeing you on May 14,  !!!

APRIL MEETING IN REVIEW

The MCA April meeting, "Life as a Freelancer," at Lindenwood's Young Auditorium Theatre in St. Charles, highlighted three people from the community who work as and with freelancers. Striking out on your own can be troublesome AND rewarding. 

Account Executive Maria Wagner from Creatives on Call, the first creative staffing company in St. Louis, discussed how her company will set up jobs and do the dreadful paperwork that many freelancers hate to do. Her contacts as a freelance Graphic Artist helped her start her Clayton-based company.

Producer/Writer Jacqui Poor, who transitioned from a full-time employee of Charter Communications to a gainful and productive freelancer, added her sage advice on how to work with clients and look for work.

Producer/Actor Kerry Luster has been on both sides of the camera, and now he hires freelancers to shoot and edit programming for Florissant Government Channel.

In the audience were freelance writers, photographers, editors, and filmmakers, who asked about how to charge for jobs, how to collect fees, and how to network to get future jobs. 

Award-Winning Movie Producer Unveils Debut Novel in St. Louis June 4th

 

Terry Hayes to be "Interrogated" by Crime Novelist Scott Phillips in Police Station Interview...

 

On Wednesday, June 4th, 7:00pm at the Mad Art Gallery (#2727 South 12th Street, St. Louis, 63118), book lovers will be treated to an arresting evening of espionage, murder and mystery writers.  Movie producer, screenwriter and novelist, Terry Hayes joins St. Louis crime novelist Scott Phillips for an on-stage discussion of Hayes' debut novel I AM PILGRIM followed by an audience Q&A and book-signing.  Attendees will also be treated to free gifts, door prizes and free parking while supporting The BackStoppers.

 

Doors open at 6pm at Mad Art Gallery, the 1930's Art Deco designed Third District Police Station, in historic Soulard.  Guests will get the full station house experience with drinks served from behind the bars of the Sergeant's desk and special seating in jail cells! Delicious BBQ dining by advance order** is available from Capitalist Pig Handcrafted BBQ.

 

Hayes is the award-winning writer and producer of numerous big screen films, including Dead Calm, Payback, Flightplan, Road Warrior, and Bangkok Hilton; as well as Emmy-nominated television movies and mini-series. He will be interviewed on stage by St. Louis crime novelist Scott Phillips, author of nine books, including The Ice Harvest,  also a feature film, directed by Harold Ramis and starring John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton. Phillips' newest novel, Hop Alley, will be published in May and available for purchase at the event.

 

A portion of proceeds from all tickets to be donated to The BackStoppers.
 
 

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