Our Holiday Sync Up on Tuesday, December 10 had such a great turnout, and we loved seeing all of you: peers, friends, and partners. The energy was fantastic, and we know existing relationships were strengthened and new collaborations were initiated. 

Quite a few of you showed interest in getting more involved with our vision for 2025 and beyond. Thank you! Our organization depends on volunteers for our great programming and for the other initiatives we are rolling out to build the production industry in San Diego county. Becoming part of the Board of Directors or one of our ongoing volunteers is a great way to connect with leaders outside your circle. Please let us know how you would like to contribute via the feedback form below. And of course we would love your feedback on the Holiday Sync Up and welcome your ideas for programing you would like to see in 2025.

Thanks to Novo Brazil Brewing in the heart of Mission Valley for hosting us!

Thanks for all who donated a toy for Toys for Tots.

Reserve Your Space Before October 17

San Diego is lucky to have one of the Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) studios here in town. We have arranged for our members to get a tour of the facility on October 26th.

SIE has studios located around the world that oversee video game development. The San Diego studio on Scranton Rd in Sorrento Mesa is known primarily for the development and annual release of the hit series MLB: THE SHOW.

It is also responsible for a number of other releases including The Mark of Kri, PAIN, High Velocity Bowling, ModNation Racers, Sports Champions 1 & 2, Little Big Planet Karting, and GUNS UP!, just to name a few. Talk about a workplace full of fun and games!

The tour is expected to include:

• MLB – San Diego Studios Dev Team

• QA – Quality Assurance game testing

• Sound – Sound booth and Foley room

• Datacenter – Server Room

• Mocap Stage – Motion capture stage

• UEX – User Experience rooms

• IT Department

• Creative Department

The Foley room is where Jules Rascon and Joanna Fang, our presenters at last April’s “Set to Soundtrack” event, work their audio magic!

Lunch after the tour is an option for those that want to take a short 100-yard walk over to Karl Straus Brewing. Here we can socialize and talk about the tour.

Note that Sony security will need a list of attendees a week in advance. So be sure to register before October 17th. Space is limited.

Any audio professional will tell you that sound is more than half the project! That's why we are devoting a full day to our next educational workshop called From Set to Soundtrack: The Art and Science of Sound at Studio West.

On Saturday, April 27, 2024, we will talk about how great audio is a combination of solid location sound, foley, sound design, and music. This will be followed by a panel conversation about what film directors need to know to best communicate with their sound teams.

Our speakers include Joanna Fang (Foley Artist - Sony), Jules Rascon (Sound Designer - Sony), M.G. Espar (San Diego City College - Film Composer) and Alexandra Parral (Sound Recordist - freelance).  

This event is being produced in conjunction with the San Diego Section of the Audio Engineering Society (AES).  Thank you to the AES! 

Important! This event is separate from the Friday documentary screening. If you would like to attend Friday and Saturday, you must register for both events. 

Join us for Screenwriters: The Creators of Story on Tuesday, October 10.

Learn about screenwriting for features, television, streaming and digital media from two writers who have successfully made it their profession. Screenwriters John Wierick (Hallmark, made-for-TV) and Michael A. Ross (Netflix, CBS, ABC) will join us for a discussion of their craft.  We plan to cover: 

• How has the TV writing landscape changed over the years?

• What’s it like in a writer’s room? 

• Why is it important that writers have experience working on set? 

• How do you know when you have a real concept for a film, and not just a fun idea for a scene?

• What does the newly settled Writers Guild of America strike mean for screenwriters?

Come with your questions.

Something's Brewing!

This month we find ourselves returning to a favorite haunt that has welcomed us with open arms twice in the past: Alesmith Brewing Company.

Besides ample parking and a cool vibe, Alesmith also boosts three new award-winning brews from the 2023 Brewers Cup of California: Nut Brown English Ale (Gold), a non-alcoholic IPA (Bronze), and a Wee Heavy Scottish Ale (Bronze.)

So join us on Tuesday, July 25th, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, to meet and mingle with new friends and old and toast to a summer that has FINALLY arrived!

Cost

No charge for members or non-members.  This event is a No Host bar.   Students are welcome, but you must be 21 or older to purchase and consume alcohol.

Please register so that we can let our host know how many folks to expect.

Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your production to new heights. During our four-hour Drones workshop on Sunday, July 9 at Kit Carson Park in Escondido, we will cover:

• Previsualization & Safety

• Noise & Downdraft Mitigation

• Camera Matching and Options 

• Drone Use in Establishing and Action Shots

• Selecting a Drone Operator and Cost Estimation 

• Plus – Drone demonstrations to show you what is possible and lots of time for Q and A. 

We developed our Drones workshop for producers, directors, production managers, actors, and anyone who works on set interested in using drones in production. Our topics are more about the value of aerial photography and how to plan for drone production and less about the drone operation. If you are a drone operator, please join us too! 

When and Where

Date: Sunday, July 9th 10am to 2pm 

Location: Kit Carson Park in Escondido, Tree Lake 1 Picnic Pavilion, 3333 Bear Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025

Tree Lake 1 Picnic Pavilion is a covered pavilion with picnic tables for seating. It’s located on the south end of the park near the adult softball fields. 

Google Map

 Feel free to bring your own chair if you’d like.

Our Schedule 

• 9:30am          Doors open - mix and mingle

• 10:00am        Event begins   

• 10:15am          Desi Ekstein – Drone administration and safety

• 10:45am         Greg Lefevre - Cinemagraphics

• 11:15am           Cooper Groves and Shayn Mitchell – Mechanics you should know 

• 12:00pm         Lunch is ON US!  

• 1:00pm           Small group demonstrations

• 1:45pm            Final Q and A 

• 2:00pm          Wrap

Pricing

• Members: Free

• Non-Members: $25 in advance, $30 at the door

• Students: Free if student status has been validated

Click here for more information and to register.

Thanks to all who ventured out to East County for our mixer at BNS Brewery and Distillery in Santee! We love seeing new and old colleagues gather for collaboration and conversation!

Phot credit - Jeffrey Lehman

We had our 2023 Kickoff Mixer and Industry Sync-Up in the heart of Sorrento Valley at New English Brewing. About 50 film, video, TV and other media professionals gathered to connect and collaborate. Were you able to join us?

Phot credit - Jeffrey Lehman