(C) 2013 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may
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The Merge Summit 2013 - Conference
By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist
The 2013 Merge Summit
Is A Resounding Success!
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| Dr. Holly Carter Merge Co-Founder |
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| Robi Reed Co-Founder Merge Summit |
Every year they put together an outstanding event that brings all sectors of the entertainment industry together. Actors, music artists, songwriters, producers, play writes and everything else in between are able to participate and come face to face with the actual power brokers who make it happen.
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| Actress Kym Whitley Awards Luncheon Speaker |
The Thursday Opening night dinner was address by actress Kym E. Whitley. The red carpet was ablaze with celeb talent. The Friday session opened at 7:15 AM for “The Worship Experience At The Merge,” with singer/psalmist Kevin LaVar for praise and worship followed by an inspiring word from Pastor Toure Roberts of the “One Church International.”
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| The Rt. Rev. DeVon Franklin VP Sony Pictures |
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| L-R: Tracee Edmonds & Suzanne dePasse TV/Movie Producers |
Friday and Saturday saw over 60 industry experts and executives including major TV, film and recording stars lead more than 20 dynamic classes and workshops on branding, music, television, radio, film and new media, providing attendees with the opportunity to interface, learn from, and partner with the industry’s best. There were meet and greet sessions with the pros giving the inside skinny and tips on auditioning, pitching songs, scripts to even getting in on the executive side.
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| One of many master classes given by top indy pros |
For those with poetry and musical talents,
the summit offered their annual “The Merge Showcase 2013” where 10 artists
competed for a spot on the “BET Music Matters Showcase.” There was also the
“Freedom” closing night concert that featured Mali Music, Kierra Sheard, Kevin
Levar, Missterious Janette..ikz, Jessica Reedy and gospel rapper Tedashi. The
Merge Summit Awards Luncheon was hosted by Fonzworth Bentley. The honorees
included
Debra
Lee, Chairperson and CEO of the BET Networks; Steve Pemberton, Chief Diversity
Officer and Divisional VP of Walgreens; Pastor Toure Roberts, One Church
International. A Pastor and leaders forum was held and a wellness lounge was
provided that offered treatments in reflexology, massage therapy, ear candling
and antioxidant screening to the V.I.P’s.
The Merge Summit draws participants from
all over the U.S, and those who come leave with a feeling of great
accomplishment because of the industry contacts they have established and the
friendships they have developed that may even last a lifetime. If you don’t
live in the Los Angeles area and would like to attend, go to www.themergesummit.com and get the information you
need to be there next year.
The Merge Summit
Who heard of this event? If you’re trying to break
into Hollywood and haven’t heard of this merging Faith and Entertainment 3 day
event, then something is wrong. If you did not attend this incredible
workshop/program and you knew about it, you are not taking your career
seriously. I could give a line-up of panelist and celebrities that gave
their time and wisdom to everyone who showed up. Why do so many of
us spend more time with what’s going “on our heads”, than putting value “in our
heads”. For those who missed this event, I urge you not to miss it next
year. As with all professions it takes commitment and perseverance.
You cannot just lay back and expect things to happen. It’s not just
about going to auditions either. We need to learn. And what better
way to learn than from those who are doing it. I’ve been fortunate to be
on Modern Family, Family Game Night, Shake it Up, The Young Icons and ABC’s The
View + more. All of these opportunities came because of connecting and
investing the time to learn from
those in the industry. So if you’re
serious about your career, invest in it.
To see Leroya's performance at the Beverly Hils Country Club click on www.youtube.com/watch?v=abb1bBcaDvg or go to youtube and type in "Leroya Poetry & Comedy at the Beverly Hills Country Club."
To see her on ABC-TV's "The View"click on
www.youtube. com/watch?v=wf7y9joqIJI
Like her facebook page
www.LeroyaSanford.com
©
2013 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm
(You
DID Hear It From Me!)
Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook
