Brian Bird is a successful writer/producer, longtime friend
and 168 Board Member. He will be
featured at our Dec. 27th workshop in Columbus, OH: "Create! Actor-Writer-Producer Workshop"
See Short description below. Register Here
Here's a fascinating story on Brian's Hallmark Channel
original series, "When Calls the Heart." It shows the importance and power of social
media for entertainment.
"When Calls the Heart" was seen on TV by Indiana
Congressman Marlon Stutzman and his wife, Christy, and they fell in love with
the show. They joined a Facebook fan group for the show called the Hearties,
which sprang up organically during the first season of the show in 2014.
The Facebook Group "The Hearties" were so
passionate about the show that they helped #WhenCallstheHeart to trend
nationally on Twitter (top 10 topics) during the final three episodes of Season
1.
On Facebook, the Hearties grew from nearly 4,000 at the end
of the Season 1 airings to almost 21,000 members today. All that happened without any marketing
support or paid-ads, instead through word of mouth and "e-Fangelism."
A similar organic groundswell happened with the fans of
Joshua and Rebekah Weigel's "The Butterfly Circus." These phenomenon
are a testament to what happens when artists accomplish their primary job, to
make excellent art.
In June, Brian was invited by Congressman Stutzman and his
wife to join five other Congressmen and their spouses for a visit of the Reagan
Library in Simi Valley, CA.
Brian was asked to make a short presentation about
"When Calls the Heart" and the need for more family-friendly
programming on TV and in films.
Brian's visit with the group led to an invitation in
November 2014 to attend a luncheon on Capitol Hill of the 75-member Republican
Study Committee, along with private meetings with 10 other congressmen and
their legislative staffs, to continue the discussion on family programming.
MIDWEST WORKSHOP:
"Create! Actor-Writer-Producer Workshop": with
Brian Bird, Writer/Producer "When Calls the Heart," "Touched by
an Angel." See more at the link below:
https://www.168film.com/About/News-Press/ctl/ArticleView/mid/529/articleId/28/168-Winter-Schedule--Ohio-Workshop-for-Actors-Writers-Producers
At the workshop, Brian will speak (via Skype) on
"Producing 'Faith' in Hollywood Today." He will answer questions,
including How has the game changed? and How do I Make My Project Irresistible
to Hollywood? For Actors, Brian will discuss being smart about your career and
exploring the other side of the camera. Actors will learn to create memorable
auditions.
Register Here:
https://www.168film.com/Store/Product-Details/168-Create-Workshop-OH
