This month, we’re welcoming Breniel Lemley, PhD as the CMA Bay Area Chapter’s new president.
Whether you are a longtime CMA member or brand new to our community, this gathering is a wonderful opportunity to connect, celebrate, and get to know Breniel. Come enjoy CMA-hosted snacks while networking with fellow children’s media professionals in a relaxed, casual setting. Non-members are warmly welcome to attend!
Event Details:
Transportation:
Public transit is highly recommended, as the venue is a 10-minute walk from the Powell Street and Montgomery Street stations and just a block from the Yerba Buena/Moscone subway stop.
If you prefer to drive, several public parking structures are available within a few blocks.
“Fix it in post” isn’t a plan—it’s a strategy (sometimes). In our first panel, VFX 101 & Bidding, we unpack how visual effects actually come together and what it costs to make the impossible look real. You’ll learn how to spot potential pitfalls early, speak the language of post, and avoid those uh-oh moments when timelines and budgets collide. Less guesswork, more glow-up
Plus- Live script breakdown by our panelists.
Script pages and Zoom link will be sent to those who RSVP the day before the event.
This may be a CMA LA event, but all are welcome!
Host: Maria Markarian
Guests: Lopsie Schwartz and Meagan Stangel
Meagan Stangel:
Meagan Stangel is a seasoned VFX Producer dedicated to bringing ambitious visual stories to life. With a career spanning top-tier studios like Industrial Light & Magic and Digital Domain, she has successfully steered VFX production for major properties including The Mandalorian, Real Steel and Legends of Tomorrow. Meagan specializes in managing global multi-facility artist teams, building complex shot schedules, and balancing multi-million dollar project budgets. She holds a BA in Film and Television from NYU and most recently managed visual effects for planetarium productions at the California Academy of Sciences.
Lopsie Schwartz:
Lopsie Schwartz is a VFX Supervisor, educator, industry advocate, and global production leader focused on the future of visual effects, animation, and digital visual media. With over 25 years of experience bringing imaginary worlds to life on screen — think Hogwarts, Middle-earth, and the Upside Down — she brings both technical expertise and a strong sense of wonder to stories designed to inspire audiences. She serves on the Visual Effects Society Board of Directors and chairs the VES Awards Committee, helping shape global awards processes, judging standards, and industry recognition for visual effects artists.
Join us for our June Mixer in Santa Monica — an evening to connect with fellow members, catch up with familiar faces, and meet new people in the community. Whether you’re coming to network, collaborate, or just unwind after work, this is the perfect chance to spend a summer evening with CMA. 🌴🍻
Your first beer is on us for CMA Members, Volunteers, and Mentors, and food will be available for purchase throughout the night. Bring a friend, grab a drink, and settle in for good conversation and even better company!
📅 Thursday, June 25th⏰ 6:30pm-9pm PT📍 Santa Monica Brew Works🎟️ RSVP to save your spot!
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 – 5pm PT/8pm ET
Mac Barnett’s Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children is a playful exploration of why storytelling matters—and what children uniquely understand about imagination, truth, and creativity. Together, we’ll discuss Barnett’s ideas through the lens of today’s kids media landscape, exploring how stories shape emotional connection, curiosity, and a child’s sense of possibility. Join fellow writers, producers, researchers, and media leaders for a conversation about the power of make-believe in an age of algorithms, AI, and endless content. Moderated by CMA Book Club Coordinator Cathryn Asip.
RECESS is heading to Griffith Park for a morning of movement and community! Join us for a beginner-friendly 45-minute yoga class at the Mineral Wells Picnic Area, led by Alex, who has been sharing yoga with students of all ages for nearly a decade. Her teaching style focuses on mindful movement, breath, and creating a welcoming space where everyone can feel comfortable showing up exactly as they are.
Bring a yoga mat or blanket if you have one—there will be a few extras available to borrow. After class, stick around to connect with fellow attendees and enjoy a relaxing morning in the park.
📍 Griffith Park – Mineral Wells Picnic Area Put this in your maps app: Mineral Wells Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
📅 Sunday, July 11
⏰ 10:45 AM PT
🎟️ RSVP via the link in bio (limited spots available)
🧘 Bring: a yoga mat for stretching + water for hydrating!
Come move, connect, and spend a Sunday morning outdoors with the CMA LA community. 🌿✨
We love a collab! Join us and our friends from New York Animixer for some great networking and light bites at our July Meetup! RSVP for entry. CMA Members and Animixer followers FREE!
American Whiskey
247 W 30th St
New York, NY 10001
Grab your cereal, throw on your comfiest pajamas, and rewind to the golden age of Saturday mornings! Join us for a cartoon marathon featuring “Action Pack,” and “Monster High.” brought to life by Shea Fontana. Whether you’re a lifelong toon-lover or introducing your little ones to the magic, this event is packed with color, creativity, and your new favorite cartoons! Expect cartoon screenings, and a Q&A with Shea Fontana afterwards as we discuss the importance of visibility in animation!
Shea Fontana is an award-winning writer, story editor, and executive producer with over 500 produced stories in many mediums including animation, live shows, graphic novels, and more. She was the Executive Producer/Showrunner of Mermicorno: Starfall and the Co-Executive Producer/Showrunner of the Monster High series. Additional animation credits include Action Pack, Polly Pocket, DC Super Hero Girls, and Doc McStuffins. She is a New York Times bestselling author with 18 published books including Batman: Overdrive, Kenzie’s Kingdom, and Getting Dizzy.
SheaFontana.com
Ready, set, play! Join CMA for a Board Game Night at Hex & Co. Union Square and connect with fellow children’s media professionals over friendly competition and great conversation. Whether you’re a strategic mastermind, a party game enthusiast, or just looking to mingle, all experience levels are welcome. We’ll have a variety of games available, so come ready to play, laugh, and make new connections.
Location: Hex & Co. Union Square
801 Broadway
New York, NY 10003 United States
CMA Members: $17
Non-Members: $25
Escape the July heat and join the CMA LA members for our summer Mixer at Golden Road (Atwater Village)!
Spend the evening connecting with fellow professionals from across the children’s media industry in a relaxed and welcoming setting. From animation and television to publishing, education, gaming, and digital media, this mixer is designed to bring together creatives, executives, storytellers, and emerging talent for meaningful conversations and new connections. Your first drink is free, and Golden Road’s food menu will be available for purchase throughout the evening!
Whether you’re looking to network, collaborate, catch up with colleagues, or simply enjoy a summer night with the CMA community, we’d love to see you there.
First drink’s on us for CMA members, mentors, and volunteers!
📍Golden Road 📅 Thursday, July 23rd ⏰ 6:30pm-9pm PT
