LETS CONVERSE WITH BYRD

Media and the Children

noreply@blogger.com (Byrd) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:48:00 +0000

Today we associate ourselves on how to live, dress, and act through the media.

“We buy what we are told to be good, after seeing thousands of advertisings we make our buying decisions based on what we was on TV, newspapers or magazines to be a product we can trust and also based on what everyone else that we know is buying and their decision are also base on the media” (Rayuso, 2012).

I believe parents should supervise what their children watch on television. “Kids and teens 8 to 18 years spend nearly 4 hours a day in front of a TV screen and almost 2 additional hours on the computer (outside of schoolwork) and playing video games” (KidsHealth,2012). These influences teach children how to live their daily lives and how to react on certain situations as they view them on television. So how can we make these changes on how to control how our children live a positive life? As you know what the name of my blog…. LETS CONVERSE!!!!

Ladies are viewed in the media as skinny with the perfect shape. There are many females believe that America is skinny and in shape, not realizing that we as America comes in different shapes, size, and color. Do you believe if we allow children to watch this kind of situation on television, that we as parents show also teach that this is not America? Do you believe this help lessen the influence of our children?

Do you believe as a sibling or parent that the media and shows they watch on television influence children? Do you believe that these situations only affect certain children and not all? How can you decide whom it affects and whom it doesn’t?

LETS CONVERSE and tell me what is on your mind!!!

Ms. Houston Drug Reality

noreply@blogger.com (Byrd) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:12:00 +0000

I believe that this past weekend was one of the saddest times in music history. One of the world’s famous singers, Whitney Houston passed away the eve of the Grammy’s awards night. Police discovered prescription drug of Xanax when they found her body in her hotel room (Fox News, 2012). Xanax is a drug used to treat anxiety. The paramedics could not revive her when they entered her room (Fox News, 2012). Ms. Houston was found in her bathtub with her head under water (Fox News, 2012). They cannot say for sure what was the cause of her death until after the autopsy, which will take a few days to weeks for results.

Now you all know that I like to discuss celebrity and the negative influence in the media they have. LET’S CONVERSE on this matter. We all know Ms. Houston background when it comes to drug use. For decades we know that her and Bobby Brown were users of drugs, but of which drug we do not know. Eventually, Ms. Houston left Brown to get her life together. Can you say that when a person who has used drugs for so long clean himself or herself?

My favorite question I like to ask my readers; what caused her to turn to drugs in the first place? Do you believe that Ms. Houston overdosed on her prescription drug from abusing them, or was it just down right depression for her that she comments suicide? This lady has made so much impact in music today. From her life when she had so many eyes on her was that a lot of pressure where it made her turn to abusing drugs?

Let me into your thoughts and tell me how you feel on Ms. Whitney Houston ordeal with depression, anxiety, and drug use. Send a response and LET’S CONVERSE!!!!

Knowing Your Business Standpoint

noreply@blogger.com (Byrd) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:59:00 +0000

By taking Business Plan Development, I have realized that it is important to know your financial standpoint in a business. I have learned so much when it comes to knowing your target market and knowing the area they are located. This comes in handy to make sure that your business is located in the correct area for your business to succeed. An expert said if you have a great idea and you use that idea on a daily base; stick with it becoming a business. It is also important that you know who your employees are going to be and how they going to be involved in your business. What experience do they have to where it will contribute to the business? Money is a big factor when starting a business. You should not want to spend too much, but spend enough to where people will recognize a new business in the world.

Many people believe that it only takes a few bucks to start a company, and that company staying open for many years. That may happen, but not to often you hear of that. Luck is a rare case in the starting business section of life. Knowing how many employees you’re going to have, location, service or product, and how much of each charge for all will help your business before it even starts. This will give you the chance to look at what needs to be fixed or what will not work for your company. I believe the most important section in my business plan for my investors to read is the reason of my business. This is where they will understand the importance of my business and why it will be located in the area I wish to locate it. It’s not so often you hear of a business plan like mines. Especially when it deals with the entertainment industry.

Famous Investors

noreply@blogger.com (Byrd) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:31:00 +0000

The owner of the NBA team the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban is well known businessman. Cuban ventured in theater chains to Internet startups (A+E Television Networks, LLC, 2011). He is well known for the purchase of the Dallas Mavericks from Ross Perot, Jr in 2000 (A+E Television Networks, LLC, 2011). Cuban was born in Pittsburgh, PA into a middle-class family (A+E Television Networks, LLC, 2011). Cuban father was a worker at a car upholstery shop. Mark Cuban has always been a hard worker. At the age of 12 he sold garbage bags for a pair of shoes (A+E Television Networks, LLC, 2011). In high school he sold stamps and coins to make money for his pockets (A+E Television Networks, LLC, 2011).

Cuban attended high school where he took psychology classes at the University of Pittsburgh his junior, which led him to skip senior and enroll at the university full time (A+E Television Networks, LLC, 2011). Cuban paid for his own tuition, so to keep ends meet he gave dance lessons (A+E Television Networks, LLC, 2011). Cuban graduated from college in 1981, then moving back home working for a bank that was switching over to computers. This is not where he wanted to be so then he moved to Dallas, TX were he landed a job selling software (A+E Television Networks, LLC, 2011). He then felt that he could do better with a business of his own, where he then established it and after awhile sold his company to CompuServ for $6 million (A+E Television Networks, LLC, 2011). This was the just the beginning for Mark Cuban career in investing and business ventures.

OprahWinfrey is also another successful investor and businessperson. Winfrey was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi (advameg, Inc. 2012). Her parents soon split once she was born which left her raised by grandmother on a farm (advameg, Inc. 2012). As a child, Winfrey play acted in front of the farm animals. Winfrey learned how to read at the age of 2. Soon after starting school she wrote her teacher a letter stating that she belongs in the first grade where she was later promoted and then skipped second grade and promoted to third (advameg, Inc. 2012). Once she won $500 for a speech. She knew then she wanted to be paid for speeches (advameg, Inc. 2012).

Both businesspeople have passion from when they were born. They found ways to advance their careers. They look to see if the business they are investing in has a future development. They also look for if the business can make money. No matter what they do they will make sure the there is some kind of revenue to the business.

Movie Star To Nude Star

noreply@blogger.com (Byrd) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:11:00 +0000

LETS CONVERSE!!!! Hello everyone… Here were are again and today I will be discussing our favorite celebrity who likes to stay in the media… Lindsey Lohan. The newest look in PLAYBOY. YES I said it PLAYBOY. “Sex and sexuality are a part of nature and I go along with nature. I think Marilyn Monroe said that, and I agree with her” (Krumboltz, 2011). I guess Lohan was tired of being uninsured for movies that she had to pose for Playboy. Lohan was paid $1 million for her photos (Krumboltz, 2011). Lohan feels “knowing your body and being in touch with your body is important because it gives you confidence, and in life, women need confidence” (Krumboltz, 2011).

Are these the images our young celebrity stars will lead to just to receive money? Lindsey Lohan had many successes when she was younger starting as actress and singer (A+E Television Networks, LLC, 1996). She was in more than 60 television spots, 100 print ads, which help led her to landing a role in the hit Disney 1998 The Parent Trap (A+E Television Networks, LLC, 1996). It was her hit role in Mean Girls, a Tina Fey film, which brought her fame (A+E Television Networks, LLC, 1996).

What led this famous well-loved celebrity to the road of nudity? Do you believe that too much fame and stardom can led a young child popular celebrity to drugs and negative image in the media? Lohan was well look upon by her fans. She has let down many people, because who she turned into. Can this young star be helped so far in her career and drug and image abuse? Do you believe that if she was helped when she was younger, that her image would be different now? Tell me what’s on your mind and…. LETS CONVERSE!!!!

15 Minutes of Fame... or Horror

noreply@blogger.com (Byrd) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:57:00 +0000

LETS CONVERSE!!! Here is some more news we can discuss today. This is for all my Justin Bieber fans. There is news that someone is claiming him to be the father of her child. So what’ the deal? Well apparently a young lady by the name of Mariah Yeater is claiming that her and Justin Bieber had unprotected intercourse after a concert back in October 2010 (Rasmussen, 2011). Yeater claims that they were holding a conversation, and he asked her if she wanted to go somewhere alone with him. They then ended up in a bathroom where he became “more aggressive” (Rasmussen, 2011). Now they have a paternity case in order.

There are a lot of Justin Bieber fans out there. How do you feel hearing about your favorite pop star being accused of this kind of situation? First lets discuss the image that has been brought between both Mariah Yeater and Justin Bieber. Justin Bieber is a pop star that almost everyone loves him. His fans are on his side that threat messages have been sent to Yeater (Dillon, 2011). This is a young lady who alleging Bieber is the father of her child, why would his fans send those kind of messages? Lets see maybe because he does no wrong in their eyes. Lets say when the paternity test comes back how would the fans be the? Would they turn on him and no longer be fan?

Mariah Yeater is 20 years of age and is claiming Bieber as the father of her four-month-old son. Supposedly these are all lies according to the real baby’s father (Chen, 2011). Yeater sent test messages to a friend stating that she wants Robbie Powell (“the real baby father) to be apart of his son’s life (Chen, 2011). Apparently Yeater is looking for her 15 minutes of fame and money to go with it. One question I have to ask: Why do young adults do almost anything to receive fame and money? Where are the parents when situations occur like this?

These are situations that one must think about when becoming a teen pop star. A person can build an image “overnight” and it can also be destroyed overnight. Being that Bieber is only 17 years of age, where are his parents? What do they have to say with this incident? Do you believe that Bieber is the father of this young lady son? If he is how do you believe his image will be looked upon after? If he is not, what do you believe should be done about what he was taking through just so a young lady can have fame? Let me know what’s on your mind and LETS CONVERSE!!!

Behind the Scenes of the Industry

noreply@blogger.com (Byrd) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:39:00 +0000

LETS CONVERSE!!! Here today I’m going to talk about something different. Of course as you all know I’m focusing on a career path in the industry. Basically I want to deal with young adults only in the industry. Here I would like to discuss behind the scenes of the industry, and what the business side does that may affect our young adults in the industry.

I watched three podcast the other day discussing artist contracts and concentrating on certain areas in the industry. In one podcast by Mr. Stanton Stein he discuss how the most studios are owned by television station and how they have control over almost every aspect how things are handled in the media. Not only do they have control over the recording studios, but also newspapers, radio stations etc. With this information is there a possibility for a young adult new to the industry with no knowledge of how the industry work to come in sign a deal with a company that has control over so much? Could this be a bad option also? Think about it, if they where to sign a non- compete would this limit the young adult from branching out to get more exposure? This could lead to demanding more attention from the media for exposure if the company they signed with doesn’t give the exposure they are looking for.

Some studios are requesting in contracts that a person cannot sue, but arbitration (Stein, 2008). When it comes to recording contracts it breaks down to many levels of rights. A person deals with literary work, musical works, sound recording etc (Friedman, 2011). Young adults have to make sure they have the correct rights for their works so the studios or managers won’t get over on them. When it comes to visual works a person could deal with their image used as a different for what it was made for (Vanderbilt University, 2009). These are only a few aspects that we must look at behind the scenes to protect the young adults in the industry who are excited and know nothing of entertainment business. Parents must get involved even if they do trust their child’s manager. LETS CONVERSE… and tell me what do you believe!!!

Liabilities in the Industry

noreply@blogger.com (Byrd) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 23:37:00 +0000

LET’S CONVERSE… Here today I will be discussing three different cases that affect our community. Some are old and some are new. My three cases are about Lindsey Lohan. O yes… I love discussing her and the “entertainment” she brings to the media, Michael Jackson case with his doctor, and Brooke Mueller… yes Charlie Sheen ex. These three cases are different but similar at the same time. Let me explain the three and of course I will give my opinion on the matter then I will let you have the chance to comment. So LET’S CONVERSE….

In the case with Lindsey Lohan of the state is suing her for the damages she has brought. One she has two D.U.I. chargers, two she had drugs in her possession, three she assault someone, and last but not least she “allegedly” stole jewelry from a store. “Experts estimate that the former actress' legal foibles are costing cash-strapped California millions of dollars” (McMaster, 2011). It was estimated that her first D.U.I. only cost Lohan 10,000 dollars.

“It has been four years, and we’re talking about quite a few county law enforcement professionals, so it is probably safe to say several million dollars,” says a trial attorney. Should her latest case, in which she allegedly stole a necklace from a Venice Beach jewelry store, go to trial, it could cost California more than $100,000 a day” (McMaster, 2011).

With this is it worth her going to trial? Because it is costing the state so much for this one person will she be of what she done? If so what does this message send to the young adults who is watching her and maybe still a fan of hers? This brings me to my next case: The Michael Jackson Doctor Trial. Here is this trial it been said that Michael Jackson doctor was the cause of his death. Given medication for sleep, the doctor gave Mr. Jackson a prescription to strong for him. With this being someone’s doctor it is important to let you patient know the pros and cons of something. Here I do still not understand just why the doctor did what he did. Now my question is isn’t that information confidential between doctors and patients? Shouldn’t this be a closed case and not allowed to the public? Which leads me to my last case I would like to discuss.

Brooke Mueller, a person who is trying to get help. Here she is suing the rehabilitation center for exposing her information for getting help for substance abuse. Here I do not understand how someone wants help you leak their information to the public as if they are a bad person. Then, here it is against the law to report someone’s information in a hospital of that sort to family, friends, AND THE MEDIA. These different liabilities that are being faced in these cases are major. Many companies/businesses face with this on a daily, monthly, yearly basis. Is it safe to say having a contract with your employers is safe enough? If it does go to court, is safe to say that justice will serve if it’s in the price range or not? LET’S CONVERSE so I can know your opinion.

Young Celebs and Drugs

noreply@blogger.com (Byrd) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:48:00 +0000

http://www.songonlyrics.com/category/lyrics/s/soulja-boy

LET’S CONVERSE… Another story I have successfully found in the news. It’s the famous Soulja Boy. Soulja Boy started out making dance music for the young. He is now a success producer for a few celebrities. He has a few pop songs out, but this story isn’t so successful. Soulja Boy was arrested for gun and illegal drugs found in his SUV.

“The 21-year-old rapper and four other men were arrested in Temple, Ga., after cops pulled over their Escalade because one of the lights on the car was out” (Britney, 2011).

http://www.realtown.com/articles/view/what-do-we-do-when-the-tenant-is-dealing-drugs

Even though this successful artist was on his way on promoting his new movie the affects of illegal drugs was still in the mist. The question that has to be asked; what is the deal with young celebrity and dealing with illegal drugs? Does this outlook affect the children that look up to him? Will this make the children want to start illegal drugs or will this stop them from doing illegal drugs?

Where are the parents of this young celebrity? I believe parents or guardians should be more involved in the industry now days. This may end many of the arrest and death that goes on in the industry. Maybe more of artist would have a more positive look to the children that do idolize them. My question to the parents with children in the industry; how do you feel with the outlook with the young adults are giving in the media today?

Let’s come together and work on the outlooks that the young celebrities are putting in the media that are having affects on the people who are watching them in the news and reading them in magazines. We as a community can come together and change the affects of celebrities dealing with issues and are coming out in the media. Let’s get together and… LET’S CONVERSE!!!

Young Celebs Suffering From the Industry

noreply@blogger.com (Byrd) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:08:00 +0000

http://www.newsviewschannel.com/tag/amy-winehouse-checks-back-into-rehab

LET’S CONVERSE… There have been deaths in the entertainment industry, which our young adults pay attention to everyday. The big death that has been roaming around in the entertainment news has been Amy Winehouse.

“The 27-year-old singer was caught on tape falling apart on stage in Belgrade. She took the stage an hour late in the Serbian capital, appeared to be wobbling around while she mostly spoke to the audience, and couldn't really sing along with her own songs” said Nina Mendall (Mendall, N 2011).

http://www.kazaa.com/#!/Rehab/Graffiti-The-World/Walk-Away

With her hit single “Rehab” this was not only just a hit single, but also the truth. “Chip Somers, the head of a rehabilitation Centre, said he had been in regular contact with Mitch Winehouse before the 27-year-old singer was found dead in her north London home on Saturday afternoon”(Telegraph Media 2011).

These are the concerns that many people have for our younger children idolizing celebrities as such. Is this impression that we want our children of the future taking on? With helping children before this stage comes we should have a better result on non-positive images in the media. Yes there is a saying don’t fix it if it’s not broken, but if we can prevent it before it brakes wouldn’t that be a better outcome!

One thing I can say that I am not mad that the media is covering this sad incident. The younger generation needs to know the affects of drugs and alcohol. Not only does it show the young adults these affects, but also informing the older generation that our children need help and more guidance from people with wisdom and knowledge.

Coming together and informing everyone that this is a serious issue will help prevent future tragedies of young celebrities caught in the world of fame and pressure. This is not an industry that can be taken lightly. Let’s come together and…LET’S CONVERSE!!!!

Legal Issues and Psychology

noreply@blogger.com (Byrd) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:46:00 +0000

When in the industry of celebrity counseling there are many liabilities that comes along that a person must be informed about. Here I have 3 articles discussing several different issues faced, not so much directly with counseling but indirectly. My first article is about Charlie Sheen. O how we love hearing and reading about Charlie Sheen. We have heard different situations dealing Charlie Sheen from being let go from Two and a Half Men, drugs issues, and violence against his wife. Sheen allegedly threatened to kill his wife with a knife Christmas of 2009. I also took notice to the Lindsay Lohan cases with her dealing with DUI and theft charges back earlier in the mid 2000, but not all cases are against the celebrity. Kim Kardashian has taken Old Navy to court for having a female impersonate her in a commercial.

How does this relate to psychology? I plan to develop a book later in my career and impersonating someone can cause issues. The best way to illuminate this problem is making a deal with the person you really want. This will help when wanting to help others using celebrity situations with another person face. When it comes to the Lindsey Lohan with her cases she has become an uninsured actress. She has destroyed her image so horrible that it’s hard for her to get any movie deals. Also when it comes to Kim Kardashian with misrepresentation with Old Navy clothing. A psychologist cannot cause any of these problems for client because it will be against the law to let out any information based on their client. Many of these issues should be watched upon when dealing with different clients. Make sure contracts are met on both ends. Avoiding what the contract says can end badly. A person can lose their counseling license for good.

Young Celebs being Bullied

noreply@blogger.com (Byrd) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 02:02:00 +0000

As adolescents and young adults enter or is already in the entertainment industry they deal with many emotions, peer pressure, personal issues etc. I am a huge Harry Potter fan, and reading this article was a must to discuss in my blog. Emma Watson is one aspiring actress who became famous through her famous role as Hermione Granger from Harry Potter. This is one actress who has faced adversities but overcame those issues. Emma Watson “enrolled at Brown University in Rhode Island in 2009, turned her focus to her degree in a desperate attempt to escape the spotlight and the Potter franchise”(teenhollywood, 2011). Many children just want to be “normal” when living their daily lives. They are sometimes faced with pressure from those who isn’t in the industry. Some celebrities deal with jealousy, which may be able to lead to bullying.

“I was in denial. I wanted to pretend I wasn’t as famous as I was. I was trying to seek out normality, but I kind of have to accept who I am, the position I’m in and what happened” –Emma Watson (teenhollywood, 2011).

Many children will hide who they really are for those who aren’t in the limelight so they can have some kind of acceptance from their peers. Dealing with these issues it is up to the people around them to help understand and deal with the matter at hand. Slipping into a stage of denying who they really are can cause internal problems in their future. When dealing with peers that haven’t had the experience it can be hard on a celebrity at a young age.

It is important for adults to help guide adolescents and young adults in the industry to stay focus and understand whom they really are. Acceptance of what is of them from others. When they accept who they are then others will also.

BEAUTY OR BOTOX?!... FOR TEEN PAGEANTS

noreply@blogger.com (Byrd) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 20:50:00 +0000

When you think of a beauty teen pageant, you think of pretty little girls dressed up for perfection to win, and later face another competition. You have your proud parents there supporting and keeping them out of harms way. This is normal for a mother to do with her daughter. The mothers make sure their daughter is dress to impress the judges. For this lady, she goes the extra mile to make sure her daughter is right for the cause. She gives her 8-year-old daughter Botox injections to reduce wrinkles around her frown lines.

This mother states not only does she inject her daughter with Botox, but also other mothers who has daughters in the pageant. Now for me, I don’t believe this is right especially for an 8-year-old girl. The media has caused so much controversy on how females should look, that it have came to mothers giving their young daughter Botox to fit the “American” look.

Aside from this being totally wrong for a young lady, this is also a liability and not an asset. She’s a nurse, which she may make $50,000 a year. She pays for her daughter to be in pageants which can range from $50-$500 per pageant (A. Hermitt, 2006). This can decrease by a individual seliing program ads. These ads ranges from $100-$600 per page or $25-$60 per ad (A. Hermitt 2006). Not only is this mother paying for pageants, clothes, make-up etc, but also Botox for her 8-year-old daughter. Botox is priced $300-$400 per syringe (Botox Forum 2009).

“To maintain results, Botox patients will have to pay somewhere in that general range every 4-6 months.” (Botox Forum, 2009).

A few side affects from getting Botox in the frown lines are: headaches, respiratory infection, flu-like symptoms, droopy eyelids, and nausea (Botox Forum, 2009). This mother is spending money more on liabilities than assets. If her daughter were to suffer from any of these symptomsshe will have to spend more money to make these symptoms better, or even more if she misses a pageant then it’s money gone to waste.

QOTD (QUESTION OF THE DAY): How do you feel about Botox being injected in an adolescent or young adults?