Cheryl Wicker - Coach at Amplify with PR

Cheryl Wicker, PR expert, speaker, agency owner and entertainment professional has branched out to use her expertise and knowledge gained in the industry to launch a new coaching program for professionals who want to learn to effectively do their own publicity. This “hands-on” solution is perfect for those on a tight budget, or for people who simply prefer to do their own marketing. Using virtual workshops and coaching calls to walk clients through the process, Wicker created “Amplify: How to Get Your Message HeardThrough Free Media Exposure” to teach them how to do their own PR during a 6 week program. A free educational webinar based on the program is currently available to those wanting to learn more: FreeMediaExposure.com.

Equally comfortable both in front of and behind the camera (‘Flag of My Father,’ ‘Finding Normal,’ and ‘God’s Not Dead.’), plus with additional experience as a multi-media journalist and working at Howard Publishing (now Howard Books with Simon & Schuster), Wicker is a multi-talented creative freelancer, utilizing communication, promotion, organizational and networking skills in a variety of roles: TV/film producer, casting director, actress, publicist, host of “Christian Movie Connect” and Media Correspondent for several events and conferences. As she has become more in demand as a speaker due to her experience in PR, people turned to her for advice with increasing frequency.  “My life mission is to help people of purpose impact the culture through media. However, I have to combine the practicalities of running a business with my mission to help others reach the world with a message that matters,” explains Wicker. “My solution is to help equip and empower people with the necessary tools and knowledge required to do their own PR at a fraction of the cost.”

The Amplify virtual coaching program created by Wicker teaches the ABC’s of DIY PR for both those new to marketing, as well as those who have experience.  Wicker teaches “journalist-focused PR” to help those enrolled in her program to craft a press release that is more likely to capture the interest of journalists who receive numerous pitches daily. Participants in the Amplify program will have access to downloadable material and videos that are used during the training. 

Wicker will be speaking next at the Churches Making Movies Film Festival, a three day event of movie screenings, insightful workshops, and family-friendlyactivities in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Wicker will be leading a workshop on Oct 8^th at 10:15am. Her topic, “The Indie's Guide to DIY Film Marketing,” will include teaching you some of the tricks of the trade she uses in her own agency. She will also show you how to hire and manage your own freelance team.

Other workshop leaders include screenwriter Sean Paul Murphy and Isaac Hernandez, Vice President of Parables TV. However, the festivities start Oct 7 with a Red Carpet event with host actress Jenn Gotzon when director Dallas Jenkins will present a Sneak Peek Red Carpet Screening of his eagerly anticipated film, “The Resurrection of Gavin Stone.” Keynote Speaker for the evening will be Mrs. Austen Williams. To learn more about speakers and films, visit ChurchesMakingMovies.com

Contact Info For Cheryl Wicker:
Cheryl Wicker - PR Expert & Coach
Free Media Exposure.com
Cheryl Wicker.com
Premier1 Studios - Facebook
Christian Movie Connect - Facebook
ChristianMovieConnect.com
Follow @CherylAWicker
Cheryl Wicker - LinkedIn
Cheryl Ariaz Wicker - IMDb
Cafe Connect - Facebook

The Identical

The Identical

Identical twin brothers (Blake Rayne), born during the Great Depression, are separated shortly after birth. Their parents (Brian Geraghty, Amanda Crew) simply cannot afford 2 babies, so the dad sees it as Divine Providence when a passing evangelist asks for prayer for his own wife's (Ashley Judd) infertility. The brothers, unaware of each other, have very different upbringings, but share a passion for music. One of the boys, Drexel Hemsley,  becomes a rock ‘n' roll superstar, nicknamed "The Dream". Ryan Wade is torn between his love for music and not wanting to disappoint his father (Ray Liotta), who expects his son to become a minister. Ryan is encouraged by his wife Jenny (Erin Cottrell) and lifelong friends Dino and Avi (Seth Green, Joe Pantoliano) to follow his musical dreams and enters a Drexel Hemsley Impersonator contest. Ryan easily wins and becomes known as "The Identical"!!
 
This is a story of love, hope, forgiveness, redemption, restoration, and family. It is directed by Dustin Marcellino and written by Howard Klausner for City of Peace Films and Identical Production Company. Yochanan Marcellino is the executive producer and was the composer and musical supervisor.

Buy Advanced Tickets & Take a Group on Opening Weekend -Sept 5th, 6th & 7th! CLICK HERE!!



My Review: All in all, this is a good film. I love Ray Liotta, and he is the stand out performer for me, but everyone did well. This is Blake Rayne's first acting gig, but what he lacked in experience was fine for his character (or characters, in this case). As a musician, his performance, naturally, came to life during the performances. The music was, for the most part, excellent. To be honest, it was just my personal taste when I did not enjoy it as much. Each piece went well for the time period it represented. Speaking of music, the story really pulled me in with a fantastic performance by Noah Urrea (Ryan as a child) during a church scene. It's also the first film directed by Dustin Marcellino, but he surrounded himself with professional cast and crew, and it is a high quality film.

The story seemed more of a "What If?" tale based on the life of Elvis Presley, but it was interesting speculation. I thought it seemed odd that there was not a bit more curiosity about the fact that the 2 performers looked and sounded the same, but I may be looking at it through more modern eyes. I know adoptions were much more secretive years ago, and people seemed a bit more respecting of the privacy of others. (Again, that may just be me. I have never understood the 'Celebrity Worship' culture.) I honestly think I would have preferred the film as a mini-series to delve more deeply into BOTH brothers and to each era, especially the music, but it is a satisfying film. It is great for the whole family to watch, and while it is listed as a faith-based film, it is not a proselytising film. I enjoyed it. 

The Identical website
 
The Identical on IMDb

The Identical on Facebook


Blake Rayne on Christian Movie Connect
Erin Cottrell on Christian Movie Connect 
Yochanan Marcellino on Christian Movie Connect 
Examiner Article

Disclaimer: I was provided with a link to see this film for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review, or to review it at all. All opinions are my own. 

Win A Date contest

Marriage Retreat "Special Edition" was released on dvd this week, and in honor of that, they are sponsoring a "Win A Date" contest for their fans. Three winners will be chosen to win a $50 gift certificate of their choice to one of these national chains:  Applebee's, Chili's, The Cheesecake Factory, T.G.I. Friday's, Olive Garden or Outback Steakhouse. Each winner will also receive a DVD or Bluray of Marriage Retreat "Special Edition".

A brief synopsis of the movie (from the FB page): When a group of best friends decide to go to a marriage retreat in the mountains for no deeper reasons than to relax and have a little fun, they discover the true state of their marriages and how far apart they have drifted. When it seems like all hope is lost for them, true love is revealed and they soon discover it's not what they are missing in their relationships but who. Ultimately, they begin their journey finding their way back to the ONE they love.

Watch this video with producer/actor Anna Zielinski and her husband Matthew Florida about "date nights":

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Anna & Matthew

Annelie Rudlaff of Christian Film Database (CFDb) recently interviewed both Anna and Matthew. I encourage you to read them both!

•  Matthew Florida interview

• Anna Zielinski interview

**************************************************************** Some reviews of the film can be found at  Cindy's Random Thoughts, Annelie's Christian Film World Blog, and Cheryl Ariaz Wicker.

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• Marriage Retreat Special Edition on Facebook
• Win A Date contest 
• Christian Movie Connect (CMC) on Facebook 
• Christian Film Database (CFDb) on Facebook  
• Pure Flix on Facebook