ICVM connecting for people like ME

I have been working on networking via the social networks, but now it's time to grow my network face to face. I've joined ICVM (International Christian Visual Media) who will be having their yearly conference here in Orlando Fl. The Catalyst Conference will be here July 2012. Membership is $99 for individuals and $199 for organizations.

“ "ICVM's Annual Catalyst Conference "is a place where those committed to ministry in video and film can meet others with the same goal for mutual encouragement, learning, and fellowship."

- The late Ken Curtis, Former President - Vision Video, Worcester, PA

"In my many years of involvement with ICVM, I've found the organization to be committed to two things: terrific filmmaking and communicating Christian ideals."

- David Balsiger - Balsiger Enterprises/Grizzly Adams Productions

"ICVM has "a well established annual conference. If you are looking for international talent, crew, distribution, or just to make contacts on an international level, this conference is for you."

-       Eric Highland, Albuquerque, NM ”

-       From www.icvm.com

Eric Highland is already part of my network and it will be nice to meet him face to face. And I am very excited about the speakers who will be coming to the conference. One of those people is Phil Vischer, the creator of the Veggie Tales. My kids, well at least my daughter, still love to watch them, Also Anna Graham Lotz, daughter of Reverend Billy Graham.

Despite the cost of the conference, I totally believe it to be worth it. You can’t get anywhere in life without investing in your future. Members pay $395 for early registration and $495 after May 31, Non-members $495 early and $595 after May 31, and College Students are $275 early and $345 after May 31. I guess I lucked out because I’m still in school working on my Masters.

The ICVM follows right along with what my company, Holy Ghost Productions, stands for "Communicating Christ To The World Through Visual Media". Mine is through film, but maybe it should be visual media, I’ll think about it. I also agree with the mission statement.

“ "To be a supportive Christian community for those involved in the production and distribution of visual media; encouraging and networking to communicate Christ to the world."

ICVM is an organization that started with the advent of the Christian film industry.  Churches used to rent 16mm film prints of the latest evangelistic movies and have big 'outreach' movie nights for the community.  Many companies formed to meet the demand of more and better quality dramatic movies with a spiritual emphasis.  As the eighties became the nineties, there was a shift in the market as fewer churches turned to this form of outreach in favor of small group Bible studies and more teaching oriented programming.  Children's videos started to proliferate as more and more parents became frustrated with what was coming out of Hollywood.

Today ICVM is a consortium of producers and distributors trying to make a difference in the world through visual media.  The group includes organizations as large as World Wide Pictures, (Billy Graham film division) to tiny missions oriented video producers, independent writers, directors, actors and even individuals who are simply interested in Christian films.

Whatever your niche, we encourage you to prayerfully consider joining this group who will encourage you to fulfill God's call for your life. ” From www.icvm.com

I look forward to July 10, 2012 and day one of the conference, building my network in the Christian film industry can only help. I have a lot of projects coming in, and having a larger network to pull from will be such a blessing.