Emerging artists and industry creatives came together on November 9 for the Global Mixx Music and Film Forum. The forum, which kicked off its 15th annual three-day conference event at the Chicago Midway Marriott Hotel, featured panels, workshops, keynote speakers, and artist showcases. Founded by Mary L. Datcher, the Global Mixx Music and Film Forum seeks to connect new talent with professional mentors in the entertainment industry.
The panels and workshops began with discussions led by industry veterans. The first event was an Actor’s Workshop hosted by actor Harold Dennis. Dennis, who has over 200 IMDB credits, began by discussing how he became interested in acting after seeing his high school band teacher in a film with Harrison Ford. After becoming an extra and enrolling in acting classes, Dennis broke into the industry with purpose.
“I jumped in with both hands and feet,” said Dennis. “I was so nervous and excited. I said, ‘I’m going to do this for the rest of my life,’ and 27 years later I’m still here. I still have that same enthusiasm, and that’s the secret.”
Dennis then had actress Rebecca Burr perform a gripping monologue to demonstrate how to evoke emotion from an audience. After the performance, they invited feedback, and the audience members described how Burr’s facial expressions and body language enhanced the emotional impact of the piece. She then performed other monologues and was instructed to do them with differing directions to garner different reactions.
Dennis finds teaching just as rewarding as acting. Through teaching, he is able to further practice acting, allowing him to attack the task from a different perspective. Whether sharing his artfulness in the form of acting or teaching, his goal is defined and his efforts are determined.
“When they ask, ‘Who is Harold Dennis?’ He’s an actor. I am in film and I want to be recognized as a film actor. Teaching is an ends to the means of acting,” explained Dennis.
Next was The Writer’s Room panel, moderated by David Leonard, which featured speakers Shahari Moore, Vick Lee, Kimberly Michelle Vaughn, and Charles Borg. The panelists discussed advice and recommendations for aspiring writers in film and television. During the discussion, a member of the audience brought up the increasing problem of AI’s impact on the industry.
“I think when we talk about AI, there’s so many different uses and there are things that can support your process in terms of production and moving things along that do not have to impact your writing,” said Moore.
The forum also featured a panel on Sync Licensing Deals, which discussed music copyright, ownership, and fair use in visual media. Martin Atkins moderated the panel, which featured speakers Vince Lawrence, recording artist Psychosis, Rob Diggy, and Jeff Dillon. The panel, which consisted of experienced music producers, artists and even an attorney, made for an informative discussion that offered useful advice on avoiding copyright infringement for emerging musicians.
Next on the agenda: a Q&A with director and storyteller Christine Swanson, moderated by the founder of the Global Mixx and Film Forum, Mary Datcher. While listing the director’s accolades and credentials, Datcher explained the significance of inviting Swanson and others to speak at this year’s forum, as she believed it was important to give women a platform and highlight their success within the industry.
Swanson’s much anticipated arrival came with an influx of knowledge. She walked the audience through her journey; growing up in Detroit, she never saw anyone film a movie. Her education moved her all the way to New York to study at NYU Film School. In Swanson’s senior year, she enrolled in a directing class taught by Spike Lee.
Swanson said biggest take away from Lee’s teaching was, “how to use the tools that I learn to specifically tell stories from my voice, my heart, and my point of view.”
Her workshop discussed the benefits of starting with a small feature film and growing your skill set as a director from that point. Swanson is proof of this method, reminiscing over her feature film directing days at TV1 in 1991 and then marveling at the outcome of creating her seventh independent feature film, financed by herself and her husband, a fellow film buff.
Her influence, her teaching, and her passion in the world of film is simple.
“I just want Black people to laugh and feel joy,” said Swanson.
The afternoon portion kicked off with a selection of panels tailored to the interests of the creatives attending the event. A music panel, podcast panel, and social media influencer panel all held informative discussions on how to succeed in the craft. Even with different areas of focus, there was a common narrative threaded throughout each discussion—the key to turning a passion project from a hobby to a career lies in authenticity, consistency, and tenacity. The panelists also offered great advice on audience retention and content creation. Traci S. Campbell, CEO of BeSpire TV, eased doubts and stress for those starting up their social media career: “Building a real community and real fan base takes time. Focus on quality,” said Campbell.
The grand finale to wrap up a great event was a fireside chat, facilitated by our very own Nekia Nichelle, with keynote speaker and Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Syleena Johnson. Two Chicagoans together: the energy was electric.
Johnson was introduced to music by her father, Syl Johnson, and her uncle, Jimmy Johnson, at a young age. The pair came to Chicago looking to become the city’s next blues stars. Syleena Johnson fondly remembers the studio rehearsals in her basement, watching in awe as her father skillfully played the scales.
At just 15 years old, Johnson was ready to spread her wings and fly. She produced her first album with the help of her father. The rest was history.
The “I Am Your Woman” singer moved on to study and identify her sound with soul music. Even though she had doubts about aligning her career with a particular sound, it’s what she was called to do.
“College couldn’t teach me what God had already given me,” said Johnson.
Her sound is unique to her, only elevated by the collaborations and projects she has involved herself with throughout her career–namely a significant collaboration with Kayne West to create the hit single, “All Falls Down,” on The College Dropout album. Through experience, trial and error, and belief in herself, Johnson created her legacy.
“I was already shaped [before doing being introduced to and collaborating with several artists within the industry] but it helped increase my experience and exposure. It taught me that I can really do it all… I’m really as good as I say I am,” affirmed Johnson.
As an independent artist, she has found much fulfillment and success in her work. Releasing the track “Black Balloon” in honor of her father’s passing in 2022, Johnson is raising her talent to new heights. To pay homage to her father’s influence in music, she sampled his voice onto every single song on her 2024 Legacy album.
The Global Mixx Music and Film Forum represented the convergence of creativity and culture. The event is anticipated annually, not just for its educational and networking opportunities, but also as a way to celebrate the emerging Black talent of the entertainment industry.
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