Author: Gary Wimmer

I've been a professional musician and psychic since 1972, have been writing since 1984, and started acting in 2001.

October 9, 2019 ~ Marco Perella

Posted onAuthorGary WimmerLeave a comment

Marco Perella

Marco Perella

 

Many of our attendees are actors, so we will be inviting more highly-credited actors and acting coaches as our guest speakers, continuing with the amazing actor, author, acting teacher, and musician Marco Perella on Wednesday October 9th @ Opal Divine’s Austin Grill! Known well in our industry as a prolific working actor with credits spanning 3 decades, and highly admired and respected, Marco may be best known for his role playing an abusive alcoholic second husband, Professor Bill Welbrock, in Boyhood (2014), as well as for penning his bestselling book, Adventures of A No Name Actor (2001), a humorous autobiography recounting his struggles in the acting arena.

Marco studied at Stanford University, then worked as a construction worker, firefighter, and musician before auditioning for a role in West Side Story. He’s been working steadily in film and television, adding to his professionalism, popularity, and numerous credits, since the mid-1980s.

Marco lives in Onion Creek with his wife, Diane. Besides acting themselves, they offer on-camera acting classes and audition workshops here in Austin at Marco Perella’s Film Actor Workshop. Many actors hire Marco to video their auditions and benefit from his expertise at delivery, covering everything from comedy to intense drama.

The Veteran’s Teddy Bear Project kicks off at this month’s mixer, too, so if you have a stuffed lovie to donate, we’ll be collecting them this night!

 

Last Month

We want to extend our sincerest thanks to the panelists from Austin Film Festival (AFF) for guest speakering in September. The iconic annual Austin Film Festival & Conference known ’round the world transpires here in Austin later this month, and we are extremely grateful that the panel so clearly explained many aspects of AFF, the panels, the films, the screenwriting competition, volunteering, and more. So thanks to all of you!

The annual Austin Film Festival & Conference takes place October 24 – October 31, 2019. Use our special promo code for a $25 discount off any badge:
NAM25

See photos here, and more mixer photos here.

 

Come on the 9th and bring a friend to network and enjoy the show. While there enjoy Opal Divine’s Happy Hour which lasts until 7, then $3 “Three for Texas” beers the rest of the evening. And don’t cook or go anywhere else for a meal or snacks because Opal’s offers a tasty and largely locally-sourced menu of goodies.

Beware both rush hour traffic and any current construction!

Pass along our website and check it for details about each month’s speaker(s)!
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!

Mixing & Networking @ 6:00PM, Announcements @ 6:30, Program @ 6:45
Followed by More Mixing & Mingling and Networking

September 11, 2019 ~ AFF

Posted onAuthorGary WimmerLeave a comment

Austin Film Festival
Panel of Speakers

Our next #NAMixer on Wednesday, September 11th at Opal Divine’s Austin Grill features up to 4 speakers from the staff of the Austin Film Festival (AFF).

Every October something big and wonderful happens here in Austin: AFF’s Annual Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference. Founders Barbara Morgan & Marsha Milam created AFF to celebrate the art of storytelling through film in 1993, bringing writers, filmmakers, and the community together to further the art and craft of filmmaking by inspiring and championing the work of screenwriters, filmmakers, and all artists using the language of film to tell a story. It was the first event of its kind to take the lead in bringing professional and amateur screenwriters — and now filmmakers — together to celebrate the role of the screenplay in filmmaking and discuss the considerable creative possibilities of writing for film and television. Going a step further, it brings producers, agents, and screenwriters together to foster the sale of screenplays and launch long-term successful careers.

And did you know that AFF also offers an array of amenities throughout the year?

Classes Workshops Summer Camps Filmmaker Q&As Networking Events Festival Scholarships Conversations in Film Student Opportunities Audience Award Series Youth Filmmakers Program Podcasts, Radio Programs, Television Series
Membership Program with advance screenings, film premieres, script readings, exclusive parties, discounts around town, and more

So come to Opal Divine’s on September 11th to learn more from our fine panel featuring:

  • Marissa Padden, Theater Operations Manager
  • Brittany Falk, Executive Administrator
  • Corbin Heinchon, Production Manager
  • Samantha Levine, Marketing Director

AFF Badges 2019

Last Month

We want to extend our warmest gratitude to the one and only Bill Kirchenbauer for guest speaking on Wednesday August 14, 2019!

An intensely talented and creative actor, stand-up comedian and much sought-after entertainer, Bill kept our audience mesmerized for over an hour as he delivered his, well, thing: presenting enlightening and informative insights highlighted with tasteful doses of spontaneous humor and brilliant entertainment. Because that’s what he does, and does so well. Thanks again, Bill! You are always a superb speaker and entertainer.

See photos here, and more mixer photos here.

Come on the 11th and bring a friend to network and enjoy the show. While there enjoy Opal Divine’s Happy Hour which lasts until 7, then $3 “Three for Texas” beers the rest of the evening. And don’t cook or go anywhere else for a meal or snacks because Opal’s offers a tasty and largely locally-sourced menu of goodies.

Beware both rush hour traffic and current construction! From IH35,

heading south, slight right with construction cones veers off the frontage road to get to the businesses just north of Oltorf, including Opal Divine’s at the Best Western Plus Hotel

heading north, turn left onto Oltorf, then turn right immediately after crossing over the southbound frontage road of IH35 onto East Live Oak Street, and turn right into the Best Western Plus Hotel parking lot where Opal Divine’s is situated

Pass along our website and check it for details about each month’s speaker(s)!
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!

Mixing & Networking @ 6:00PM, Announcements @ 6:30, Program @ 6:45
Followed by More Mixing & Mingling and Networking