2015 – Network Austin Mixer

Brian Gannon, Director of the
Austin Film Commission

We are extremely proud to have Brian Gannon as our guest speaker on Wednesday, December 9^th! Brian has worked as the Film & Marketing Manager at the Austin Film Commission for 3 years prior to becoming the Commission’s Director. Prior to his time at the Austin Film Commission, Brian gained production experience working in different capacities on numerous film projects including working on productions at Detour and Troublemaker Studios. Over the years Brian has also worked at the Texas Film Commission as a Production Liaison.

The Austin Film Commission offers information about permits and regulations, incentives and grants, filmmaker resources, professional crews, facilities and vendors, infrastructure for production (including studio space and equipment), film festivals, diverse locations available—Austin is surrounded by small towns time has forgotten, perfect for a period piece—and more! We are very fortunate to have the Austin Film Commission as a source of support and information about so many aspects of the video/film/production business, and even more fortunate to have such a passionate and knowledgeable person as Brian Gannon for its director.

Moviemaker Magazine says Austin is the #1 city to live & make films, and the industry has taken notice. Austin is a leading destination for independent and large-budget films as well as television and commercial productions. And Austin’s talented crew base gives producers more value per dollar spent.

So join us on Wednesday, December 9, 2015. Plan to arrive early for a cold margarita (Happy Hour ends at 6PM!), network and meet new friends with like minds, enjoy a fun-filled evening with other guests, and get the info you need to know about the Austin Film Commission and its new director.

We want to extend our deepest thanks to all the actors, singers, and other artists who showcased their talents at our Wednesday, November 11, 2015 Network Austin Mixer’s 2^nd Annual Talent Showcase. Yes, we had a blast watching these “soon to be discovered” gems of wit, dancing, monologues, comedy, and song that had us mesmerized for the entire evening. Move over America’s Got Talent, the Network Austin Mixer’s performers got our votes!

Missed it or would like another looksee? We’ve got photos & videos for that.

Got a great act? Prepare it for the 2016 Network Austin Mixer’s 3^rd Annual Talent Showcase!

Pass along our website and check it for details about each month’s speaker(s)!
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NOTICE: We all know rush hour traffic is horrendous, so.… Please carpool and leave in time to arrive early. If Baby Acapulco’s parking lot is full:

You may park at the Super 8 Motel (just south of Baby A’s) for $8. Be sure to pay the desk person at Super 8 Motel when you park there so your vehicle doesn’t get towed and DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF DUMPSTERS!

If you drive south another 2 blocks, there is on-the-street parking available.

Mixing & Networking begin @ 5:30PM, then the Speaker starts @ 6:45.

Thanks to ALL the Talent & Agents!

So much talent, so little time, so the show swiftly got under way.

This year’s Talent Showcase fell on Veterans‘ Day, so we began by honoring the veterans among the talent, agents, and in the audience, of which there were many. L. Renée Hall, a veteran herself, spoke a few beautiful words of gratitude, and Kenny Peters graced us with an especially heartfelt rendition of our United States of America’s National Anthem.

Before getting on with the show-after-the-show, the Network Austin Mixer would like to express appreciation for others who stepped up such as Brandi Brown who made timekeeping for the event fun, as well as L. Renée Hall who arrived extra early to set up tables and then some.

Where would all that talent be without representation? The night presented immense opportunity for top talent agents to see what our local talent is made of. Thanks so much to these guests for attending:
Jason Lee of Acclaim Talent Agency
Carleen Lucas of Tory Christopher Group
Romie Szal & David Brown of K Hall Agency
Laura Maxwell-Scott & Jessica Sloan of Collier Talent Agency
Liz Lyons Atherton & Jorge Elizondo of The Atherton Group-TAG Talent Agency

And thanks to our regular volunteers, Forrest Walls who collected & distributed headshots & resumés and Judith Ruder who emceed. Thank goodness, too, for our core members: Donise Hardy who plans every detail precisely & exquisitely and Gary Wimmer who deftly deals with audio amid a myriad of challenges, all the while warmly greeting guests.

Of course, what’s the use of performing if nobody’s watching? It wouldn’t be a showcase without our amazing, enthusiastic audience comprised of newbies and old-timers and everyone in between, and so many loaded with talent themselves. Thanks for coming, and do please come back on December 9^th, when we get to meet the City of Austin’s new Film Commissioner, and then again the 2^nd Wednesday in January, then February, skip March (SXSW), and then so on.

For those who missed the show or just wish to reminisce, here’s a taste of videos to whet your appetite, maybe more to come. So keep checking back here and on our Talent Showcase 2015 playlist and subscribe to our YouTube Channel to keep up! Beneath the videos take a stroll through our slideshows. Many thanks to Joe H. Lee of Studio J. Star, L. Renée Hall, Bill E. Mixon, and Myrna Hawkins for shooting these stills and moving footage so we wouldn’t have to rely on mere memory to re-experience the joy and excitement of that evening.

Now onto our after-show.… Enjoy!