Panel of Stunt People
The Network Austin Mixer is back with a bang after a 20-month absence, this time online so all may attend from the comfort of their homes or wherever else they may happen to be!
We’re pleased to present our very first Virtual NAMixer featuring a subject that’s a first for us: a Stunt Panel. Set safety has always mattered, but attention has been drawn to it yet again due to another recent, high-profile tragedy, so it’s a hot topic, too.
The NAMixer will be held on Zoom this month, so see the link and other details to join us online, below.
As for our guest speakers, how’s this for a panel on fire?
Benjamin N. Redic II, aka The Violence Conductor, was born a military brat in Italy, and has lived an action-packed life since that auspicious beginning.
He stays active as a stunt person & coordinator, fight coordinator, as well as an actor, cinematographer, writer, filmmaker, and Co-founder & Festival Director of the Austin Action Fest and CEO of Ballistic Blade Entertainment LLC.
Benjamin just wrapped as the stunt coordinator on “The Great Escape” produced by South Indian US Films in Texas, to be released in January 2022.
Christian Stokes grew up in Athens, a small East Texas town, where a career in stunts and acting were not on the menu. However, a summer job at a Wild West stunt show at Six Flags over Texas led to what would become a prolific career traveling the globe, falling off buildings, and trading dialogue in film, television, and live show productions for the past 25 years. Due to these varied experiences, Christian has become a highly respected and sought after stunt actor, recently appearing in popular television shows “Leverage: Redemption” and “Doom Patrol”, as well as the feature films “Demigod” and “South of Heaven”.
Mark Anthony Baca is an actor/ stunt performer and stunt coordinator with almost 30 years in the film business. Former US team member World Cup, 6th degree Black Belt, and nominated 3 times into the Black Belt Hall of Fame, Mark founded Xtreme Force USA, as well as the Guardian Anti-Bullying Program, among several other organizations for film, action, and charitable causes he’s passionate about.
Steve Wolf has been in the news a lot lately, having just finished 22 interviews over about 2 weeks because of his expertise in set safety. A graduate of Columbia University, and with his extensive experience in the film business, Steve takes his traveling show to schools, “Science in the Movies”, to teach students how special effects & movie stunts are created using science.
Steve has earned more than a few notable awards, including “Key Science Teacher in the US” & “Best Science Presenter of the Year”.
Having begun early on as a medic, and having honed his many skills with fire in film and other seemingly uncontrollable acts of nature or manmade, now owner of Wolf Stuntworks. Steve developed a method for extinguishing wildfires, PyroNemesis, that is expected to take off like, well, wildfire.
While the primary topic will be stunt work, there will also be discussion of current events, special effects, safety on the set, and some cool new stuff. So be sure to join us for our First Virtual Mixer on Wednesday the 10th, and invite your friends, too!
Zoom Room
Events in cyberspace come across differently from in-person get-togethers. So with that in mind, please:
- Arrive with your name (not a random handle) and either live on camera or with your profile photo (not a random avatar) to be let in the “door” from the “waiting room” to assure others present that you’re likely a “real person”.
- Avoid over-talking one another when more than one attendee is on the mic, and mute your mic unless it’s your turn to talk.
- Don’t misbehave! While there’ll be some time before and after for mixing & networking among ourselves, the panel program will be recorded for posterity.
- Use the chat feature for your questions. Post your questions for the host to the host, and your questions for the guest speakers to “everyone” ahead of time to help us know who’s up next and plans to ask what of which speaker or all of them during the Q & A.
Hosted by Tootie Hall and co-hosted by Barry Rogers & Judith Ruder, the Zoom Room will be open between 6:30-8:30PM, beginning with any announcements and getting situated. Then the program starts at 7PM.
Here’s where to virtually attend our NAMixer on Wednesday the 10th:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4738715617?pwd=d05oZnlnN0NLVmVDaEN5MWlyU3pLQT09
Meeting ID: 473 871 5617 & Passcode: 556202
Last
MonthYear
We were fortunate to get together just before the lockdowns began last year for another first: Teasers, Trailers, and Sizzle Reels Screening Showcase at which an amazing array of local filmmakers featured shorts for their films, and Lisa Belcher treated us to a viewing of her award-winning movie: Guest of Honor. We’re so grateful for heading out with such talented people right here in our Central Texas film community, and hope to hold another someday. Thanks to all who work so hard so that we may enjoy your productions!
See photos here, and more mixer photos here.
Pass along our website and check it for details about each month’s program!
Find this month’s mixer on Facebook and invite your friends.
Get on our mailing list and keep up with us on social media:
Like our page & join our group on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!