The MEME Team
NICK C. GOINS JR
Executive Director & Founder
As the president of Makeshift Film Group and founder of MEME, Nick oversees the planning and execution of programming to support entertainment professionals. He is also the owner of MMH, The Scholomance VFX, Ronin Computer Services, and NOCOVA, a professional networking group for visual artists.
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With years of experience in the industry and leadership positions in the restaurant and consulting industries, Nick has worked in various capacities in the film industry since creating his first feature at the age of 16.
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He brings a wealth of knowledge as a film critic, writer, director, producer, and graphic artist. When not working on film, Nick enjoys cooking and exploring culinary arts.
AMBER MACPHERSON
Board Chair
Meet Amber, our board president and VP of Makeshift Film Group. With a diverse background that spans from academic bioscience to data science, Amber brings a unique perspective to the world of film and television.
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Amber is deeply committed to giving back to her community. She has volunteered with multiple nonprofits, using her skills and knowledge to help others and make a positive impact on the world around her.
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With her passion for creativity and her dedication to excellence, Amber is a valuable asset to the Makeshift team, helping to guide the company towards success and supporting fellow creatives in achieving their dreams.
MATTHEW FORCELLA
Board member
Matt is a multi-talented individual who brings a wealth of creativity and expertise to the MEME team. With experience as a screenwriter, novelist, D&D Dungeonmaster, brewer, and the creator of the ONE DIE SHORT webcomic and webseries, he has a proven track record of success in various creative industries.
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As a valuable member of the team, Matt lends his considerable creative talent and focus to ensure that the MEME mission is as effective as possible. He is also skilled in grant writing, bringing in valuable resources to support our programs and initiatives.
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With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, Matt plays a key role in developing and implementing MEME's various programs and events. He is committed to empowering creatives with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in the entertainment industry.
ADAM SMESTAD
Board member
Adam Smestad is the founder of production company Smoose Entertainment, a Writer, Director, and Producer.
After taking screenwriting classes at the famous Second City in Chicago, Adam found a talent for writing screenplays. He co-created two web series, "Chicago HR" and "The Quarantine Files", where he developed a love and skill for filmmaking. He has written, produced, and directed two short films, the award winning short "6 Months in 2063" and the audience favorite "Stairs".
In addition to pursuing a career in film, Adam serves as a successful commercial and personal injury litigator.
In his spare time, he enjoys playing guitar, hiking, the Cubs, the Hawkeyes, the Packers, and spending time with friends and family.
ANTONIO COLON
Board member
When Antonio Colon isn't striving to better than Steven Spielberg and hunkier than Chris Hemsworth, he is an actor, writer, and independent filmmaker with a background in game & interactive media and digital marketing.
Whether Antonio is working in front of the camera, behind the camera, or in pre-production, he strives to make everyone laugh, smile, and feel valued for their contribution towards creating great art.
Antonio brings a professional creative and technical skill set to the MEME organization.
In his free time, Antonio enjoys reading, playing his library of board games with friends, crafting D&D adventures, as well as watching and critiquing an obscene amount of television shows and films.