Message from the Chairman

Welcome to META NEWS. We look forward to publishing at least 4 editions a year to keep you informed of our many exciting activities. You will also receive a "META blast" when a single request or a special event is announced between the regular newsletters.

We are entering into an important time when our energy and influence can shift the world's consciousness toward good. How we as producers, directors, creative artists and promoters choose to utilize our expertise for meaningful projects will literally change the mindset of all toward a more collaborative and caring world perspective. Uplifting and inspiring art transforms everyone in the process of its creation, and META has made an enduring commitment to catalyzing this positive change through media.

I wish, at this time, to express my gratitude to our wonderful volunteer Board of Directors and Advisory Board, to Cynthia Stringer for her many hours of work as Executive Director, helping to craft our new association; to Peter Tjeerdsma who worked tirelessly on the design of our first stage website; to Sharon Hart, web Content Creator and META NEWS Editor; and to Terry Kierzek our site Administrator. Together we have formed a wonderful, loving and harmonious team to lead META into the mainstream media world. I also want to welcome our new META members CHARLES CHUN, DENNIS NOONAN, MITCH SOMMERS,M SIBIO, RITA CONNOR,  NANCY SINGULAR, ROBERT HARTMAN, PAMELA DAVIS,SARAH LARSEN, ANDREW JAY GROSS, KATE LUTE and the 200+ affiliates who have joined us from the former Association of Transformative Media Arts. In the "Who We Are" section, you will find our Board of Directors listed. Registration at different levels is also available to you on site. In the coming months, more and more interesting content will appear, as well as information about our current activities. We invite you to join us in this exciting new adventure. . . .

Grateful to be of service,
Elizabeth Estrada
info@METAassociation.org

                                                                                                                                         Message from The Executive Director

Being a part of something that is harnessing and leveraging talent and energy from around the world for a significant impact is very meaningful for me. As a professional business and career coach, and inspirational speaker, I find that the more mentors and communities of like-minded people we align with, the more likely we are to produce the success we desire in life.

In this time in media and arts development, so many people are creating amazing self- aware content and ideas that we, at META, feel privileged to bring groups together for collaboration. The opportunity to impact these and many more industries is poised to create a tipping point for change. We encourage you to get involved and participate.

As the Executive Director, I am responsible for the day-to-day operations, the infra-structure, fund raising, and systems to allow us to expand our work.  Over the next few months, we will be introducing special member-only opportunities, on-line resources, and in-person events to meet, greet and share ideas. Please send me your thoughts and suggestions as we move into this new, expanded phase of our work.

Warm regards,
Cynthia Stringer
cynthia@METAassociation.org

META's  First Film Festival at ARTS OLYMPUS EVENT!

META co-created and participated in one of the most unique and exciting presentation of arts and conscious media that has ever been created-- aboard the Queen Mary Thursday through Sunday, June 17-21, 2010.

While the META Film Festival was occurring, arts events were launched all over the ship, including dancers, puppet theater presentations, a Russion Video Art Series and "Art in Motion" fashion Shows. Friday was highlighted by the R. A. W. fabulous party and fundraiser for "RAW Across America" which went on until five a.m. and featured well-known hip hop artists for a night of music, art and fashion.

Photos by VL Photography--photographers for the events 

On Saturday The Los Angeles Poetry Festival took place in the various Salons on the ship, while dance companies entertained vistiors on the Promenade Deck, along with the Bulgarian Veselba Band. Art and jewelry were featured in many of the ship's Salons, and fashion designers like the Peruvian designer, Ada Spolopuco, presented their fashion shows. Robert Slaughter poses here with some of the artists on deck.     


Sunday was a featured Children's Day of Culture with displays, films,arts,crafts, storytelling and musical performances for children. Here Cynthia Stringer visits with a children's puppeter.

      Friday Reception and Networking Event

On Friday, META members, guests, Board of Directors an Advisors met in the Observation Bar on the ship for a fun Reception and Networking Event. 
L to R: Marcia Martin, Cynthia Stringer, Andrew Orgel, ELizabeth Estrada, and Sharon Hart

The Observation Bar as well as each room on the ship was exquisitely designed and featured beautiful carved woods and art deco furnishings, with large photographs of such notables as Queen Elizabeth and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Old Hollywood celebs were pictured, like Fred Astaire plus newer stars like Leo DiCaprio. New members mingled with thosewith those attending Board of Directors and Advisors and enjoyed delicious drinks and pupus.
Valuable business connections were made. Film projects were shared as well as other creative ventures--such as member Michael Sibbio's Visions and Voices--an organization which raises social awareness through music, art,apparel and film. A great time was had by all.

META Film Festival Events

META presented, along with The International Social Action FIlm Festival (ISAFF), produced by META Board member, RON SCHULTZ, an ongoing Film Festival throughout the entire ARTS OLYMPUS weekend of events.

The Film Festival Short Documentary Series began on Thursday, June 17th with the 10 minute documentary films, "Fish for Tomorrow," "Moving the Mountain of Poverty," "Root Capital," "Climate Matters," "South Central Farm," and" Detecting Danger."

Friday featured, "War Zone," the multi-award winning documentary, a powerful film about children who not only have survived living in the Northern Ugandan war zone, where parents and family members are brutally tortured and murdered by roving bandits, but use music and dance to transform and heal their lives. Some memorable moments from the film included these statements from the children, after winning many categories of Uganda's National Music and Dance Competition, "If there is music, life becomes good....Even if we live in the war zone, we can do good things in life." This was a film about children showing us how to go through the darkest places--even zones of annhilation-- to create art, beauty and healing.

You can contact Ron Schultz at: creativesg@aol.com for more information about the film and where it may be screening or available to purchase.

 Saturday morning, saw the screening of new META Affiliate, CHRIS TOUSSAINT's film, "Full Potential Community," about people making a positive difference in their communitites. Chris's film was chosen from the Call for Submission Entries for the Film Festival. META is currently building a library of films and will continue to accept submissions for future screenings in both Northern and Southern California.                                        

                                             Saturday Night Gala

A star-studded fundraising Gala with guests like BO DEREK and JANE RUSSELL, here on the red carpet, was held on Saturday evening, including a Reception and a posh, Formal Dinner.

Bo Derek, Jane Russell, Robert Slaughter, and Lisa Schniderman-
Photos by VL  Photography

Humanitarian Awards were given to adults, as well as children from REVOLUTION 9, a group mentored by META Board Member, LISA SCHNEIDERMAN. The Theme of the Gala was "Women, Children and the Environment." The event was broadcast live over the internet and hosted by ROBERT SLAUGHTER, Founder and President of ARTS OLYMPUS.

Some other META members found their way to red carpet. Pictured here are Executive Director, CYNTHIA STRINGER, Board Chairman, ELIZABETH ESTRADA and Advisor, SHARON HART.

Entertainment included Italy's acclaimed pop singer, ROMINA ARINA, as well as music, dancers and other gifted performers.
                                

Hollywood legend JANE RUSSELL was awarded a Golden Orb for helping orphans worldwide. ROMINA ARENA received an award for raising money for countless charities.

SOHEIR KHASHOGGI, best selling author, and one of the founders of "Women for Women" which helps destitute women globally was also awarded a Golden Orb. Others receiving awards, but who could not attend, were: Linda Gray, Ed Begley, Jr. and Dr.Robert Muller. Presenters included Sandy Jackson Berger and Faye Feller, President and Executive Director of the National Association of Women in the Arts, and Darlene Grant, the current President of Operation Children.

The next large event for ARTS OLYMPUS is a cruise to the Bahamas in May of 2011, launching the ARTS on their world tour. If you are interested in signing on or participating in any way, let us know!

Thanks to the META Board and members who assisted in the production of the META Reception, Film Festival, publicity and Red Carpet, and also to VL Photography who shared some of these photos with us. They may be reached at: www.VLShots.com

John Ray produces trailers for books which are shown on the web and at many bookstores. He cast new META member, DON SCHWARTZ, for his most recent trailer for the powerful book China Doll. He intends to produce a short film and to follow that with a feature based on the book. Watch and hear Don at the trailer link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi4tUdU0aLA






RANDY PEYSER is a terrifc editor and seeker of book agents. 
This just came in from her:  Great Publisher Seeking Manuscripts!
"A great publisher I've sold books to before is actively seeking manuscripts on relationships, parenting, memoirs, gift books, study aids, college guides, calendars, childrens books (all ages and formats), historical fiction, commercial women's fiction, Jane Austen sequels, and romance fiction."

Contact me if you're ready to have your book brought to the big time!  Info for members only in the Resource section of the site.