Former print salesman turned local actor Michael Baker likes to keep things moving. One of Baker's latest projects,
Cincy Entertainment, highlights up-and-coming regional talent in a 60-minute variety show format. The program, also known as Cincy E runs the gamut, featuring (sometimes a little risqué) comedians, musicians and independent filmmakers.
The show broadcasts studio performances, interviews and short films. It's an all-volunteer effort, and most of the show is shot at community access studios
Waycross Community Media in Forest Park and
ICRC in Sharonville. The show has five hosts who serve on a rotating basis with new shows debuting each month.
"I started it two years ago for my actor friends, then I decided to broaden the scope of the show," said Baker who has his own production company Fade to Gray Films.
Baker, 56, got into the entertainment industry about eight years ago. He'd always wanted to get into the industry and got his chance when a person scheduled to do voiceover work didn't show up for a client of the printing company where he worked. Baker was asked to do it, and jumped at the chance. From there he went on to do other commercials, print work, billboards and independent films. Baker still works in independent films and has written and produced some of his own. He's also done volunteer work for public television in Cincinnati and Dayton. Cincy Entertainment is a way for him to give back to the community that has given him so much, Baker said.
"We are trying to highlight the richness of talent, the events and the entertainment that people didn’t even know existed right in the their own backyard," Baker said.
Cincy E can be seen on Time Warner on Monday and Saturday nights at 10 p.m. on Channel 8 or 15, or on 24 at noon. The shows can also been seen
online as well as on Vimeo, Youtube, itunes, BlipTv, and other web sites. The show also has a
Facebook page.
Cincy E continues to expand in the what it features and will cover more entertainment venues and restaurants in the near future. Baker said the show will also do more on site production and get out of the studio. The show has some sponsors including The Web
Extreme Entertainment in West Chester, and is currently seeking more.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Michael Baker, founder Cincy Entertainment
You can follow Feoshia on twitter
@feoshiawrites
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