Episode #140 – Chris Hennessy is a Full-time Filmmaker, Author, and Speaker and Shares His Unique Method of Finding Speaking Gigs

Chris Hennessy is an award-winning, full-time independent filmmaker, author, and speaker who serves on the board of directors of CA Writers Club, Sacramento.

Chris has recently been a featured speaker at the Elk Grove, Kern County, and Sonoma County Writers Conferences.

Chris was able to retire in 2018 after 28 years being a full-time corporate and social filmmaker to pursue his dreams of producing his own creative projects.

"Looking back, working my butt off on those 1500+ professional gigs made me the producer/director I am today."

Chris recently wrote, produced, and directed four national award-winning films that won awards in NYC, San Jose, Houston and Yuba City, CA.

His Yolo YoYo's cable TV show took Best New TV Series, Sacramento Access TV 2019. The twelve episodes reached 125,000 fans on Facebook (TV stats not available).

Yolo YoYo's also aired four segments on GoodDay Sacramento (CBS).

Hennessy created Yolo YoYo's to spend time with his daughter Hannah and provide an enriching experience for her and friends

Yolo YoYo's season 2 finale episode, 'The Stage; Following our Wildest Dreams!' won, 'Best Narrative Episode West Coast,' at the 2022 ACM Western Region WAVE Cable TV Awards.

"Driving to Silicon Valley, having dinner, and then walking the red carpet with Hannah, winning, and accepting that award was priceless.

Yolo YoYo's season 2 premiere episode, Miracles on College Street, a 13-minute promotional/trailer film produced for his upcoming memoir, 'Touched by Hannah,' was a top-five documentary finalist and 'Film Heals' award winner (most inspirational) at the 2022 Manhattan Film Festival, New York City.

Chris's upcoming memoir, Touched by Hannah—A Man with Cancer (Hennessy), his one-pound newborn, Hannah, and their fight for life, has reached tens of thousands on social and news media. (currently being proofread for traditional publishing) .

Hennessy's music video, Yuba Twenty-Twenty, was awarded 'Best Film' at the 2021 Yuba City arts & culture Film Festival.

"By July 2020 the pandemic, riots, politics, hate and disgust on social media all had me feeling pretty down in the dumps.

I fell in love with the 45-minute drive through infinity farms and orchards, surrounded by their scenery of brilliant mid-summer greenery, to a small independent coffee shop in Yuba City.

Feeling that I was away from the tumultuous times - sipping great coffee and writing my book brought me much joy and comfort.

Yuba Twenty-Twenty was conceived and created in honor of those medicinal get-aways."

Hennessy's 'Comedy Club Anniversary Roast' was a top-five finalist, 'Best Film,' at the 2022 Houston Comedy Film Festival.

"Performing ad lib comedy - making folks laugh, whether on or off set - it's not only I want to do. I must do it!"

"After grinding and passionately creating those films, I thoroughly enjoyed the thrilling, successful aftermath. It felt like I had four songs in the top 10."

Hennessy's monthly Substack newsletter, HennSchtick https://hennschtick.substack.com, receives commendations from his readers and is an important part of his writer's platform.

Instead of sitting around worrying, I'm busy achieving my potential and having a blast." (Chris battles stage 4 prostate cancer in the lungs)

"The Prostate Cancer was diagnosed in 2009 and invaded my lungs in 2020. I'm living life as usual with stage four cancer, achieving my best work."