’09 Holiday Party Full of Cheer!

Dave & Busters was the scene for camaraderie, libations, dinner, games, prizes and song—all shared by members of five OC media associations. Billed as the Gala Inter-Media-Association Holiday Party, the event jump started the 09 Holiday Season with a cheerful bash.

MCAI and the Media Alliance of OC together hosted professionals hailing from OCMMA, PVN and OC Screenwriters Assoc. Bill Ennis, president of MCAI and Tim Keenan, co-president of the Alliance and also a longtime member of MCAI, were the MCs. They presides over an evening well organized under the leadership of Eva Crabbs. (ecrabbs@gmail.com) While many people knew each other there also were a few new faces. They enjoyed a warm welcoming atmosphere and partied as if among old friends. (Check out the photos)

During cocktails and after dinner some enjoyed friendly card games or cutthroat pool. One highlight of the evening was the arrival of a merry band of talented Carolers. Led by Patricia Shanks, www.studioshanks.biz the all-volunteer warblers entranced the crowd with great arrangements and tight harmony of holiday classics. They even came with percussion and props. Patricia went from Elf to Reindeer with the change of a hat! The much appreciated and talented ad hoc holiday chorale included:

Patricia Shanks-Conductor

Jenni Bump

Samantha Bump

Tom Bychowski

Ann Detsch

Desiree Perez

Cynthia Ryder

Jade Stone

Gary Stone

Grayson Stone

Sponsored by ProMAX, the event featured literally dozens of doorprizes—mostly bottles of fine wine (no $2 Buck Chuck or gag gifts that night!) but also merchandise and gift certificates. Everyone who attended went home with a gift in their hands, not to mention a full stomach and a smile on their face.

Prizes were donated by:
Greg DePetro / www.CorporateVideo&Film.com
Bill Ennis / www.mediamagic.tv
For-A Corporation / www.for-a.com
Tim & Linda Keenan / www.CreativeMediaRecording.com
Art Kirsch / www.OCshowbiz.com
Media Alliance of OC / www.maoc.org
MCAI LA/OC Chapter www.mcai-oc.org
Grace McKay & Emmett Kesel / www.electricpictures.tv
Julie Nagode / Voice Artist (julesisjmn@sbcglobal.net)
Bill O’Neill / Celtfire Productions  (celtfire1@cox.net)
Rick Sherman / www.shermansoundsuite.com
Gary Stone / www.goldstandardproductions.com
Travis / www.VOTalent.com
Tina Wilson / www.TinaWilsonTalent.com

--Submitted by John Coleman, Twin Oaks Communications www.twinoaks.tv

The Media Alliance’s documentary on the 10th annual gathering of the Newport Beach Film Festival came as the Festival hit record attendance this year, attracting a record 51,000 to its screenings, seminars and parties.

Media Alliance Producer-Director Jack Gallagher and "The First Ten" video crew at the Lido Cinema in Newport Beach

"I think we had the perfect combination of different factors," said Gregg Schwenk, CEO and executive director of the festival. "We had our 10th anniversary, which heightened awareness. We had strong media partners."

While the MAOC documentary, “The First Ten,” premiered on broadcast television throughout southern California a week before the Festival’s premiere, it’s still available for viewing. The special is playing on Cox Cable’s Freezone as well as several city channels throughout Orange County.

How do you make a film about ten years of a film festival—with no budget? Jack Gallagher shared his secret when the Media Alliance of Orange County (MAOC) hosted the premiere of his film, "The First Ten," on April 8th, 2009—one week before its debut on KOCE-TV.

The film, Produced and directed by Gallagher and made under the auspices of the MAOC, celebrates a decade of the Newport Beach Film Festival. It was a big hit with the crowd. “The First Ten” features appearances by filmmaker/actor Chad Lowe, NB film festival director, Gregg Schwenk, founding sponsor Leigh Steinberg, Variety executive editor Steve Gaydos and actor Will Ferrell.

The all-volunteer production relied on members of the Orange County professional production community including a number of members of the local chapter of the Media Communications Association International (MCAi). Gallagher acknowledged the valuable efforts of cinematographers Bill Ennis of Media Magic and Bill O’Neill of Celtfire Productions, both Alliance as well as MCAi members. Production manager Nigel Etem, gaffer Brian Bishop and audio operator Linda Ivanov were among other valuable assistance recognized. Gallagher then pointed out to everyone’s amazement that thanks to the generosity of his crew and many others, the entire production had a budget of zero dollars!

Brown Forum on the campus of Orange Coast College was the site of the screening and the audience included a number of OCC film students as well as faculty. The crowd, including students, professionals and cinephiles, enjoyed the 26 minute film and appreciated the speakers that followed the screening. Besides Gallagher, the panel included Todd Quarterero, Co-Founder of NBFF, Erik Forssell, the festival’s Director of Programming and Janice Arrington, Orange County Film Commissioner. Media Alliance of Orange County co-president, Tim Keenan, also a member of MCAi, was the MC.

Gallagher’s film has been the subject of features on the OC Register and premiered on KOCE-TV four nights after the premiere. It will run on Cox Cable, Time-Warner Cable and other systems as well.

Gallagher said his goal was, “to tell the story of a genuine, 10 year local success story showcasing international cinema as well as honoring an event that is one of Orange County’s major social, cultural and educational experiences of the year.” According to the crowd’s enthusiastic response, he was quite successful.

Other Credits on the production include: Makeup by Rachel Hart; Talent Coordinator Dee Berger; Video Transfers courtesy of Harry Ratner and Larry Goldsmith; Video Equipment donated by Brad Hagen of Video Resources; Video Services provided by Eric Anderson; The film was edited by editor Nathan Meade at the post production facilities of Corporate Video and Film courtesy of owner Greg DePetro; Still Photography was provided by Armando Estrada; Music Services by Rick Sherman of Sherman Sound Suite; the Narrator was Travis.

Special Thanks were given to Maria Hall-Brown, Greg Brenner, Todd Quartararo and Marilee Jackson. Archive Footage was Provided by KOCE-TV; Twin Oaks Communications; Media by Design; Newport Pro; Orange County Films; DV Post; City of Newport Beach; Newport Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau; Kelli Alvarado and Travis.