ECLECTIC HEIGHTS

ACT OF VALOR: FINALLY REAL ACTION HEROES!

2012-02-26T16:10:00.000-08:00

This is fantastic! Finally there is a movie with actors who are capable of performing the action sequences you see in the film in real life. I often am annoyed with the media pumping up soft actors as super-tough heroes. They simply are not but in the film ACT OF VALOR these are true heroes! Act of Valor stars real-life active duty Navy Seals.

The equipment is real, the tactics are real, even the bullets are real! The S.E.A.L.'s insisted on shooting live rounds because that is how they train. The premise of the film is based on actual threats the S.E.A.L's have dealt with and woven into a fictional story about a threat to the USA. The exact type of threat we never hear about because these tremendous men deal with it in private so some of you can be obsessed about Madonna's terrible Super-Bowl half-time show or what some actress wore to an awards show. I believe if these men and their families sacrifice so much then you owe it to them and your country to use your time to educate yourself, be a benefit to your community, help a military family, to improve yourself some how. That is what the Founding Fathers constantly wrote about and did, to strive to improve yourself in every area of your life daily. This is the freedom the Founding Fathers and the U.S. Military has bought for you at such a heavy price.

The Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Department of Defense all maintain liaison offices in Hollywood to guide filmmakers
through the process. The Defense Department's entertainment media
division is from the Pentagon in
Washington, D.C. These liaison's help to maintain accuracy in the
productions they work with. The coordinate the rental of their
equipment and personnel. You have seen their cooperation in many
films and TV shows, Top Gun, all of the Transformers, and numerous
others could not obtain the look and realistic feel without the
cooperation of the military. Once the Pentagon approves a script they
work out how they can assist in the film in advisers, extras, and
equipment. The production companies rent the equipment hourly
and pay for the military personnel, who are all on leave during their
participation in filming. Their participation does not cost the tax-payers
or the government any money. Act of Valor needed to be filmed
around the S.E.A.L.'s deployments.

It does not seem conceivable that a movie could gain this level of cooperation
from the military. Director and Producer Mike "Mouse" McCoy and Director,
Producer, Editor Scott Waugh obviously built an enormous amount of trust
and mutual respect with the military while filming commercials for them.
For the military to expose some of its most valuable assets, the S.E.A.L.'s,
their tactics, and equipment is a amazing. You have to hope that these men
and their families will be kept safe from our Nation's enemies.
McCoy and Waugh deserve a tremendous amount of credit as filmmakers
and relationship builders. The trust they have earned from the military
and S.E.A.L. community is impressive. Their film is equally impressive
in concept and completed project.

Act of Valor had a very impressive opening weekend at the box office.
The Associated Press' Jake Coyle wrote,
"On Oscar weekend, the real-life action stars of "Act of Valor" bested Hollywood's pretend heroes.
The Relativity Media action flick, starring real, active-duty U.S. Navy SEALs, topped the weekend box office, earning $24.7 million according to studio estimates Sunday. That was a strong opening for a unique film made in collaboration with the Navy, which sought to demonstrate the skill and bravery of the SEALs without Hollywood imitation.
"How often can you repeat the same heroes that are big stars pretending to be heroes?" said Kyle Davies, president of worldwide distribution for Relativity. "I think moviegoers are ready for a new, fresh experience."'

Act of Valor also has critics, who claim it is a propaganda film like those during and after World War II, where Hollywood's finest made patriotic films. Those films are some of the most popular and long cherished in Hollywood history for starters. I read one blogger who is not worth mentioning wondering where was the commander who questioned the mission or the soldier who is strung out and barely holding mental sanity together. Are you kidding me? That blogger's opinion of the military is formed solely on anti-military propaganda films and has no idea of the reality of the world except the twisted view she chose to watch and accept as reality. Not everyone in our military is perfect but you'll find much better company and character amongst the military then you will the Hollywood elite or elite's crowd in general. Stars like Tim Tebow and others who are not ashamed to support our military or be patriotic had a wonderful time at the premier. Yet, this film almost never happened, “Nobody from Hollywood wanted us to make it,” says Waugh. “That’s why we ended up funding it ourselves and finding private equity and why we really made a truly independent film with this.”

Act of Valor is a wonderful film that I intend to see again with my Nephews. I encourage you and your family to also support this film by purchasing a ticket. Our country needs a film like this during these troubled times. It is almost your patriotic duty to see this film!

You may also show your thanks and support for these brave soldiers here:
http://www.navysealfoundation.org/donate.htm

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

2012-02-12T21:29:00.000-08:00

I am a life-long Batman fan! I have loved Batman as far back as I can remember. I always had the toys, watched the shows, and would dress up like Batman. While the 1960's movie was great for my very young mind at the time, the terrible Batman movies starring Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, and George Clooney were a disaster and had no resemblance to the real Batman. They were a nightmare for Batman fans and the public at large.

Christopher Nolan took over the Warner-Brothers franchise and made it very real and very close to what we had all be hoping for. Batman is the best character and lends itself to brilliant films if those in charge do not mess it up. Nolan, David Goyer, and their team have done a spectacular job of bringing a super hero into the real world. It is fascinating to see Batman operating in the real world and not on some fantasy set. I have enjoyed many of Nolan's films like The Prestige, and Inception could have been good without Leonardo DiCaprio. Nolan has tremendous skill as a writer, director, producer and in the Batman films he has managed to speak to ongoing social issues. In Batman Begins he touched on eco-terrorism and a type of misguided vigilante justice. In the Dark Knight the Joker was remodeled into an anarchist, in The Dark Knight Rises he is taking on the Occupy Wall Street and Anarchist again. Those who use the guise of income inequality to gain power, these are usually very powerful people who organize these efforts with only a few knowing the true plans. They want to change things but history tells us it always ends up very bad for normal people with only the few puppet masters benefiting. With todays occupy movements they are funded by billionaire George Soros, who made a fortune collapsing countries economies,
stealing people's pensions, and collaborating with the Nazi's in his youth. The first organizers of the occupy movement were almost all well to do and trust fund babies. You have to ask the question why would they want to destroy the very system that made them so rich? The only answer is to gain more of the wealth and power. What is so sad is the poor misguided people who are not yet capable of seeing they are helping create their own potential demise. The brilliance of using the Bane character to speak of the bane on our society is wonderful!

I admire him for taking these issues head-on in a very subtle way. I have not read the script nor do I know the end of the film. Mr. Nolan has yet to invite me for a private screening. What I do know is that this film is set 8 years after the events in The Dark Knight. Batman is more physically diminished from years of battling super villains and keeping Gotham safe. I read the excellent novels Knightfall and No Man's Land (Nolan indicated the two novels were source material for the film). It appears from the previews that Bane has broken out all the prisoners from Arkham to force Batman to wear himself out rounding them all up. This was a theme from Knightfall. Batman went weeks with little rest while fighting all the released convicts before Bane chose to battle him. You see Occupiers bursting into people's homes, stealing all that they have, and murdering people. It is clear that as in Knightfall Bane breaks Batman's back but unlike in the novel, Bane has the broken Batman as prisoner. Batman must build himself up while in prison and it is clear that Bane and Cat-Woman have captured some of Batman's tools and technology.

The second trailer from the film indicates just how amazing of a film this is going to be! Mr. Nolan has indicated that this is the final Batman film he will do. He has said that he told his story. Christian Bale has indicated he will not play Batman again if Nolan is not involved. This is very sad for those of us who love Batman and these films! It is a terrible error in judgment on Mr. Nolan's part. He fails to understand that Batman has the best source material of any movie franchise and the greatest collection of characters and villains to draw upon. Most villains in Batman's world are grounded in reality and adaptable to the big screen unlike Green Lantern or even Superman. These are also the three best films Nolan has made, suggesting he needs the Batman franchise as much as it needs him. He'll continue to make good films on his own but these are great films! He has left a tremendous blue print to follow if WB studios hands it over to someone who follows the plan but that is not guaranteed. He's also told a story arch that may limit future films to stories immediately after Dark-Knight and immediately before this film. I believe that Bruce Wayne is exposed as Batman in the film and while he does not die and reclaims the mantle of The Dark Knight, he may no longer have the need or ability to be Batman with his identity exposed. Nolan would be giving Bruce Wayne and Batman the happy ending that he almost never receives in other adaptations.

It is my sincere hope that Mr. Nolan continues on with Batman but if not that most of the writers and crew remains in place. I thank him for the three great films and giving the world great films based on perhaps the greatest character ever created but the other side of me wants to shake some sense into him.

Here is part of the 6 minute prologue that was shown during some movie screenings recently.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgZiLBQ0nwU

All photos and artist creations courtesy of WB, DC Comics, and the proper copyright holders.

KEY ASPECTS OF A BUSINESS PLAN

2012-01-29T23:40:00.000-08:00

Imagine yourself squaring off against potential investors to your business, what are they really after? What sections of your business plan do they go to first and which sections will make them invest or walk away?

I began asking myself these same questions while preparing my own business plan. While there are some elements that all investors look for, certain sections are going to be more important to specific investors. Here are the sections that if written well will help to attract all of the operating capitol that I need.

1) Marketing Plan & Sales Strategy: I am launching an e-commerce website. It is not designed to compete with the industry giants but it is designed to earn substantial revenue. Investors will want to know how a company with no store front and zero name recognition is going to attract enough customers to repay their investment. How will the company earn the money? An investor needs to know that our marketing plan is excellent and will help to make the company profitable. If the marketing plan and sales strategy is poor then the investor will know that they have little chance of receiving their investment and profit back. Many people have great ideas but cannot earn a profit.

2) Operations: Can the company navigate, fulfill its commitments, keep cost reasonable, satisfy customers, and manage profits? If not this may be a red flag the company will fail. It may also indicate that the company will need additional funding in the future to fix a crisis or bring the company up to snuff. The operations section will show that there is a solid plan in place to deliver on what we say we will.

3) The Financials: This is probably the first section that 9.5-out-of-ten turn to first. This is ultimately what it is all about for an investor and provides many clues to the chances of success for a business. Many investors have rules on what they will invest in based on this section. Even if they see the company is solid and can earn a profit it does not guarantee they are going to invest. Many investors will only lend their money out if they see the potential to hit their minimum returns. This section will make them want to learn more about your business until the point where they decide to invest or will make them lose all interest. It is vital this section be accurate and easy to understand.

4) Company Description: Who are you, what do you do, and how can I earn money from it? Investors want to see you have a solid idea and the potential to be successful. This section will tell them if you can be competitive and if it is something they want to invest in. Some investors invest in anything that they believe will earn a profit but others invest only in certain fields or businesses that agree with their beliefs and values.

5) Industry Analysis and Trends: Have you done your homework? Do you know what you are doing or are you a pie-in-the-sky dreamer who fails to see the real picture? This section will notify them if your research is accurate and they may verify your analysis. Is this a market that is growing or shrinking? Does your data indicate that your company has a chance to earn market share and is it a good market to invest in?

I have decided to complete several detailed reviews of my plan before asking experts to offer their notes. When they have returned their notes I will review them and incorporate what is useful. I will then adjust it and review and ask the same experts for a final review. My goals are to make sure that my information is 100% accurate, concise, and easy to understand. I want my review committee to challenge me on everything because if I can successfully explain it to them and reach consensus then I can do the same with an investor. It is a great opportunity to ensure that I am explaining clearly before seeing a potential investor. I want to reach agreement with as many investors as I need as quickly as I can. It is too hard to regain interest after a failed presentation.

I am in the process of rewriting the company description and editing my financial section so that investors can easily understand the figures based on the data that I listed.

Thank you for reading!

http://www.rhondaonline.com/

http://bpexpertviews.blogspot.com/

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/38308

http://books.google.com/books/about/The_Entrepreneur_and_Small_Business_Prob.html?id=xYRX0FAFM0YC

THE KEY ELEMENTS: EXPERT ADVICE IN CREATING A BUSINESS PLAN

2012-01-08T23:53:00.000-08:00

In my time, as a business consultant, I rarely met a business owner who enjoyed writing a business plan. It isn't a fun process, the research can be tedious and it can create anxiety. Writing a business plan forces you to answer questions that you may not have the answers to. You may not even know where to find the answers. Would you be surprised to know that several times when working with a client I was met with a blank stare and a dropped jaw when I asked to review their business plan? They simply never did it, didn't view it as necessary, and several of them had long-standing and successful businesses. I am not indicating you do not need a business plan, I am tell you that you absolutely do. Had some of my clients had them and practiced them they may not have needed my services to fix the problems they hired me for. They had gone off course and/or failed to plan for events both positive & negative and then had no idea how to fix it. Create a quality business plan, take your time, make sure your information is accurate and make sure every key player in your business knows your plan intimately.

William A. Cohen "is a Professor of Marketing, former Department Chairman, and Director of the Small Business Institute at California State University, Los Angeles. He has held various positions in industry from marketing manager for a $3 billion firm through company president and operator of his own small business." His more then 19 books have been translated into seven languages.

In his book "The Entrepreneur & Small Business Problem Solver", Mr Cohen talks about using your own money, a loan against your savings account, your life insurance, capitol equipment loans, borrowing from family and friends and many others. You must complete the Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Plan and Qualifications Resume to obtain an SBA loan. It is impossible to gain investors without a business plan. Many business owners only create a business plan after they have attempted to gain investors without one.

A summary of Cohen's writing on what investors are looking for is:
1) Describe in detail the type of business (business plan).
2) Experience and management capabilities.
3) A estimate of how much you and others have to invest in the business ("Skin in the game") and how much you will need to borrow.
4) Current financial statement balance sheet listing all personal assets and all liabilities.
5) A detailed projection of earnings for the business.
6) "List collateral to be offered as security for the loan, indicating your estimate of the present market value of each item."
7) What are you willing to pay (interest, assets, shares in business) for the loan?
8) How and when will you pay the loan back?
9) "Special Assets": Is your concept valuable and do you have any designs, copyright, intellectual property, patent rights manufacturing and processing techniques? What is the value of each?
10) How will you use the funds given to you?
11) Plan of action.

Investors want to know that your business is sound, is being operated well, has a wise plan for the money borrowed, you have the ability and plan to pay the loan back, and you are making good use of the money.

www.go4funding.com offers advice on borrowing from Angel Investors. What is an Angel Investor? The Wall Street Journal reports "An angel is a wealthy individual willing to invest in a company at its earlier stages in exchange for an ownership stake, often in the form of preferred stock or convertible debt. Angels are considered one of the oldest sources of capital for start-up entrepreneurs; the term itself, by most accounts, comes from the affluent patrons who used to finance Broadway plays in the early twentieth century. In 2007, angels invested $26 billion in 57,120 ventures, which breaks down to about $450,000 a deal, according to the Center for Venture Research at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. That makes angels a potentially powerful resource for newbie entrepreneurs with promising young companies."

go4funding.com says that, "Often times, entrepreneurs are rejected for needed capital because their venture does not match the investor’s criteria, standards, or investment preferences. Some important fundamentals to consider when selecting an investor is the type of industry involved, the company’s stage of development, the amount of capital that needs to be raised, and the geographic location of the enterprise. Business owners can save ample time and frustration from investor rejection simply by conducting a substantial amount of research on potential investors and making sure that their company complements their investors’ requirements."

To prepare to seek angel investment consider the following:
Geography
"Most angels prefer to invest locally for a variety of reasons. First, the convenience of proximity will allow them to frequently visit the companies they have invested in, so they can regularly convene with the management team and be present to witness their investment progress. Second, being closer to their investment enables them to “source” deals through referrals whom they know and trust. In order to accomplish this, they rely greatly on other locally situated angels, accountants, attorneys, business associates, etc."

Size of the investment
"Angels are interested in building small start-up companies into moderately-sized businesses or large valuable corporations with a high ROI. These types of start-ups may require capital of tens of thousands of dollars minimum to launch, with subsequent rounds of investments throughout the company’s development."

Management team
"The management team appointed by the company’s founders must be solid, balanced, and experienced. Some businesses have management teams located in different cities and come together solely through telecommunications or videoconferencing. This kind of “scheduled” organization puts the whole team at a disadvantage because they are not physically working together or know how to properly collaborate in the business.
On the other hand, if all the individuals of a management team are situated in one location, the individuals have the opportunity to work with each other and learn from each others’ strengths and weaknesses. Even if a team has never worked with each other in the past, when they come together during the start of a company, they should demonstrate the “ability to execute,” that is, work together in harmony with a proven track record and show their company is establishing revenue and a quick ROI."

Market/industry influence
"Angel investors usually invest in industries they have experience in. In addition, they always evaluate the market’s needs for different products or services. "

Improving technology
"Technology products and services have always demonstrated popularity among consumers. Since many technologies exist, the entrepreneur should convince the angel investor that their particular technologies are not only one-of-a-kind, but that they address any flaws that their competitor’s products may have and as a result consumers will purchase their products and services."

Competitive advantage
"Every investor determines a company’s worth by trying to identify the reasons behind why customers are inclined to use their products or services. Young business owners should convey the extraordinary, distinctive qualities of their company to their investors and why their enterprise possesses a competitive edge."

Potential rate of return
"When compared to venture capitalists, monetary gain tends to be a secondary motive for most angel investors. While many angels invest for reasons that are not purely financial, their overall goal is still profitability. They recognize that start-up companies are high-risk investments and will want to justify that risk by seeking commensurate (very high) rate of returns.
For example, some angels require a 25% rate of return each year, while others may desire much more, such as ten times their investment in a specific time frame. This given period of time may span from a couple of years to several years. Many of these angel investors do not expect a rate of return for at least 5-7 years. Their average return on investments expected is about 34%."

Exit strategies
"This is a company’s approach for providing investors with a liquidity event, an occasion or time during the company’s development at which the investor can obtain their rate of return. The exit strategy is often included in the entrepreneur’s presentation, which should provide the best estimate of time for exit and liquidity for all potential investors. Acquisition of a company or a company merger is the most probable exit strategy made unless the company revenues and market sector strongly suggests an IPO opportunity."

Maverick Investor (pun intended) came up with an idea for investing his money. He created a site where people can post their ideas in an open forum. If he likes it he will invest in it. I would not post my concept there because I do not want it stolen. His criteria basically breaks down what our other sources indicate. I wanted to share it to show you how a potential investor may speak to you and if any of you were interested in attempting to attract Mark's interest and money.

"I will invest money in businesses presented here on this blog. No minimum, no maximum, but a very specific set of rules. Here they are:
1. It can be an existing business or a start up.
2. It can not be a business that generates any revenue from advertising. Why ? Because I want this to be a business where you sell something and get paid for it. Thats the only way to get and stay profitable in such a short period of time.
3. It MUST BE CASH FLOW BREAK EVEN within 60 days
4. It must be profitable within 90 days.
5. Funding will be on a monthly basis. If you don't make your numbers, the funding stops
6. You must demonstrate as part of your plan that you sell your product or service for more than what it costs you to produce, fully encumbered
7. Everyone must work. The organization is completely flat. There are no employees reporting to managers. There is the founder/owners and everyone else
8. You must post your business plan here, or you can post it on slideshare.com , scribd.com or google docs, all completely public for anyone to see and/or download
9. I make no promises that if your business is profitable, that I will invest more money. Once you get the initial funding you are on your own
10. I will make no promises that I will be available to offer help. If I want to, I will. If not, I won't.
11. If you do get money, it goes into a bank that I specify, and I have the ability to watch the funds flow and the opportunity to require that I cosign any outflows.
12. In your business plan , make sure to specify how much equity I will receive or how I will get a return on my money.
13. No multi-level marketing programs (added 2/10/09 1pm)
I'm sure I will come up with more rules as I see what comes along, if anything."

No matter what type of investor you seek, they are all basically looking for the same key factors in your business plan. Make sure they can easily find these key factors in your plan and dramatically increase your odds of attracting financing. There are many great ideas and businesses that go unfunded because the owners have no idea how to properly entice an investor. You may never get a meeting if they do not find the information they seek in your plan.

http://books.google.com/books/about/The_Entrepreneur_and_Small_Business_Prob.html?id=xYRX0FAFM0YC

http://www.go4funding.com/Articles/Angel-Investors/The-Essential-Components-That-Appeal-To-Angel-Investors.aspx

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303491304575188420191459904.html

Angel Investor Photo@ Getty Images

http://blogmaverick.com/2009/02/09/the-mark-cuban-stimulus-plan-open-source-funding/

Mark Cuban Photo@ Pulse2.com

Money Tree @ Madamenoire.com

MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE THROUGH YOUR CAREER IN THE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS

2011-12-11T22:59:00.000-08:00

The influence of music, news, film, and television on the mood and behavior of our society is enormous. Numerous studies and common sense tell us that people mimic the behavior that they see repeatedly. What they see often becomes socially acceptable behavior. Is this a good thing? Yes and no, it depends on if the underlying message of the media is positive or negative. If you are currently working in the entertainment industry or planning a career in it you must consider the effect of your creation on society as a whole. You must understand the power you posses to influence people. Media is not just "mindless", or "fun", or "doesn't influence me". People often make those statements when what they are watching or listening to is called into question. Opinions, beliefs, knowledge etc. are formed through what we read, listen to, and watch. This is true of what we see in the real world and the entertainment industry. The question you need to ask yourself is "do I desire to make the world a better or worse place by my creation?"

Authors C. Barbour, N.H. Barbour, and P.A. Scully write that "today, the visual and auditory stimuli of the new media bombard most homes and communities. Some of this exposure is educational, positive, and directed at an appropriate level for young children. A considerable amount of current fare, however, is violent in nature, is provocative, and is presented in ways unsuitable for children’s level of maturity (DeGaetano, 2005; Levin, 2005). With the rapid expansion of electronic transmission devices, young people are exposed more than ever to both good and bad influences.Producers and advertisers expand successful films and television shows by flooding sales counters with associated toys, clothing, and DVDs. Similar marketing comes from developers of video and computer games. These games influence individuals’ values, compete for children’s attention, and certainly reduce the amount of reflection and interaction time children have with both adults and peers (Singer & Singer, 2001). Although some maintain that such games are opportunities for children to “let off steam,” others insist that there are better ways of achieving this goal."

There has never been a period of history where entertainment creations were available so easily to so many. This indicates the ability to influence people has never been greater but influence them how? When I was growing up the majority of programming on television was positive in nature. Bad guys were clearly defined and negative behavior was shown to be undesirable. There was usually a positive message in the content of the programming. Time marched on and characters and messages became more blurred. Heroes on TV and in the movies today are often extremely flawed characters but are shown in the highest possible light and rarely suffer consequences for their negative actions. It is simply not a realistic portrayal. Entertainers who were adulterers, addicts, or became a criminal had their careers ended if the behavior became public knowledge. Is there any behavior that would end the career of an entertainer today? Drug use won't do it? Beating a woman will not do it? Having a criminal record is only going to increase your album sales. Where are the consequences for individuals negative behavior? What is the impact on our society when we constantly see entertainers escape serious consequences for their behavior?

What would happen if music, movies, television, and film portrayed people in better fashion and showed serious consequences for on screen drug use, criminal activity, adultery etc.? What would happen if the pernicious ladies of film and screen were constantly impacted by STD's, abusive men, and other real life consequences of living that life style? The high school girl who has grown up in a world of The Jersey Shore and pornography certainly acts differently then the generations who did not grow up watching that style of programming. The girls of The Jersey Shore often date men with rage, drug, alcohol, and other issues. The actors of the show have been richly rewarded for this negative behavior. What about all the shows where getting pregnant as as teacher leads or being a self-centered, mean-spirited, and demanding spoiled brat leads to you being featured on MTV? Check out the allegedly serious journalist of ABC News covering MTV's most watched show.

When you create a song, show, book, or movie try to influence people in a positive manner and watch how the world's issues become just a little bit smaller.

I've decided to add a song for every new blog post. Here is The Gorillaz with their version of Crystalised.

IS INTERNET TV NOW YOUR BEST OPTION?

2011-11-28T19:42:00.001-08:00

All of you have probably watched a segment of or an entire episode of one of your favorite shows on Hulu.com or the networks own web site. You most likely have watched an on demand movie from Netflix or Blockbuster video If you are a sports fan you have watched some of your teams events and special coverage online. Why do you still pay for cable? Is it the convenience, habit, or not realizing there are options?

I've been researching the best ways to reduce my cable bill without losing the programming I care most about. It is not possible to do this via the cable company. I began speaking with friends and researching my options. I watched a segment of my local news that gave tips for eliminating the monthly cable bill and saving a significant amount of money annually. The video and tips the show offered is from http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2010/06/30/you-dont-have-to-pay-for-cable-tv/.

I spend an average of $1,768.00 with my cable company. That includes high-speed Internet, multiple-levels of cable channels, NHL Center Ice, and the HBO channels. I assure you that I do not come close to watching all of the channels and 75% I never watch but I am forced to pay for them to have the channels that I do desire. I believe cable should be like a menu. You order the channels you want to watch and do not pay for the ones you have no desire to watch. Money Talks News estimates the average annual US cable bill is $900.00 (not including Internet). I obviously pay much more above the national average. My Internet is $552.00 annually, leaving my cable bill at $1,216.00. If I can save the $1,216.00 and invest it in a Roth IRA or other compound interest earning vehicle it will provide for a nice retirement. The money will be much more valuable to me during my retirement then any shows I will watch.

Money Talks News recommends starting with an antenna to get your local stations directly on your television set. This is 100% free and will provide your local news and many of your favorite shows. You even get HD programming during prime time. If you read the article above you'll find useful information concerning how to best utilize an antenna.

AntennaWeb, a site provided by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), will show you exactly where to point your antenna for the best reception at your address. It will also let you see which stations are broadcasting over the air in your area. There may be more than you think.

Source: Money Talks (http://s.tt/12mLO)

Over 99% of U.S. TV households can receive at least one local station over the air, while 89% can watch five or more. The picture is perfectly clear thanks to the switch to digital TV completed on June 12, 2009. You’ll either see a crisp, beautiful image or no image at all (static is a thing of the past). And the best part? All your favorite programming will still be in HD.
HDTV is more expensive for local stations to produce, so it’s common to see a station broadcast in regular standard definition during the day, but switch their signal to high definition for prime time. So while the local news may not be in HD, your favorite shows like Glee, America’s Got Talent, and The Bachelorette will be.

Source: Money Talks (http://s.tt/12mLO)

Your favorite shows that are not broadcast over the air for free can often be found on the networks web site in their entirety and at zero cost. You will need to watch a few commercials but the amount is less then you will be forced to watch on cable. I am not suggesting you watch all your television on your laptop. I do not want your entire family huddling around your laptop to watch your favorite shows. There are numerous methods to watch television over the Internet on you existing television set. Several models of televisions now come equipped exactly for this purpose but you do not need to run out and buy a new set (please do not try using this article as an excuse).

You can use your laptop or existing computer to accomplish this. There are instructions in the Money Talks News article. The Roku Digital player cost around $80.00-$100.00. Boxee is similar in cost and function but they will give you instructions on how to make a Boxee or install their free software to your existing computer. It will turn it into a high quality media player with an interface specially designed to show high-quality on your TV. Google TV, Sony, Logitech (highly recommended by the guys at Best Buy), Intel, Apple TV, X-Box, and Sony Play Station can also perform these functions.

You can watch most sports programs over the Internet now. You may need to pay for some. The NHL Center Ice package I get on cable is about $20.00 less on the Internet version. The NFL can be watched if you have a friend with a dish that doesn't mind giving you their mobile code. ESPN3 is growing daily and per Dan Schointuch, "provides college football, college basketball, NBA, MLB, UEFA Champions League Soccer, Masters & US Open Golf, All 4 Grand Slam tennis tournaments and more. Plus, you get a fully interactive experience with real time in-game stats, scoreboards, and live chat."

Many of the shows you watch on the premium channels (HB0, Starz,etc.) can be purchased online from Amazon or I-Tunes within days of it airing. The ones that do not will be released on DVD or be covered under your Netflix or Blockbuster membership). You can go visit a neighbor or loved one if you cannot wait.

Each year ESPN3 delivers thousands of live games and events like College Football and Basketball, NBA, MLB, UEFA Champions League Soccer, The Masters and US Open Golf, all 4 Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and more. Plus you get a fully interactive experience with real time in-game stats and scoreboards and live chat.

Source: Money Talks (http://s.tt/12mLO)

I am certain I will soon drop my cable for one of the above options, I know most of these shows will be viewed on demand but I am trying to research the best method to record what I watch on the Internet. I encourage you to exam these options and ask yourself, "When I am 94 years old am I going to feel positive if I paid cable TV all of these years or is there a better use of my money?"

Sign Only Quality!

2011-11-13T21:51:00.001-08:00

My Father owned an apartment building when I was growing up. When he screened renters, checked their references, and selected quality people to rent to he rarely had any aggravation. He made money instead of losing money, he had little stress and the operation was enjoyable. He could focus on improving the apartments and enjoying his life. When he rented to people he was unsure of he almost always suffered negative effects and it usually cost him time and money.

I had learned from observing this over the years but I could only apply it to the part of my life that dealt with renting the extra room in my home. It took me a while to understand that selecting quality people to work with is vital to your success and happiness. The quality of your life is directly determined by who is in it! We've all heard some variation of that before right? When then do we often select poorly?

When I began my professional career I would often agree to sign any athlete, coach, or musician. Why? I am a very helpful person and I can see potential in many people. I am confident in my skills and abilities to help them, so I thought I could make them a success and benefit myself also. Was I correct? Heck ya, about once out of every 20 times I took a risk, would they have success worth of the time and energy I put into them. I would have enjoyed greater success and a lot less stress and aggravation had I bypassed some of these clients.

W.I.I.F.M. Principle (What's In It For Me), it sounds terrible right? I thought it sounded selfish when someone first explained it to me as a college student. "What a horrible way to operate in the world," I thought. It isn't a negative principle at all if applied properly, it is a very positive one. When presented with an opportunity, simply ask yourself, "is this worth it? Will the return on my involvement be positive for me? Will this create unnecessary stress and aggravation? What are the potential negatives? What are the potential liabilities to me? Can I lose money? Can my reputation be damaged?

Create a hard copy check list of what makes a client worth signing. This evaluation if done well, will save you time, energy, and money. It is tempting when business is slow or you are trying to build your client roster to sign everyone and anyone who is willing to sign with you but this is not the path to success. The path to success is to sign as many quality clients as you can. You must be able to handle the workload of all the clients you sing. When deciding to sign a new client you should ask yourself if you will need to hire additional staff to handle the workload. If the artist is a definite income earner then it is not a problem but if it is a client who may or may not make income for you is increasing your business cost a risk you are willing to take?

Here are some additional questions to answer when deciding to sign a new client:

1) Is this person a hard worker? Are they willing to do whatever it takes to succeed?

2) How close is this person to earning income for me?

3) What is the potential return-on-investment?

4) Will this client add cost?

5) How difficult or easy is this person to work with?

6) Does this person have a realistic set of expectations of themselves and what they expect from you?

7) Who does this person associate with? Is their entourage a positive or a negative?

8) Do you believe in this artist?

People are worth taking risks on, just not all of them, so choose wisely!

PRESS KITS THAT MAKE AN IMPACT!

2011-11-13T21:07:00.000-08:00

If you are going to promote a band, a business, or product you need to have a press kit that benefits and influences everyone who opens it. Here are keys to success.

Make it appealing to the eye from the first page to the last.
It is imperative to make your press kit dramatic and bold. It has to stand out from all the others! The cover should be eye catching and professional. The professionals you are sending this to need to be inspired to pick it up and read it, the first page needs to be impactful enough in its image and content to make them turn the next page and that page need to make them want to continue reading. High quality photos should be included as often as possible. If you have an artist that is less appealing to the eye substitute logos, stage shots from a distance, photos of fans reacting with enthusiasm etc..

Show how your artist or product is different from all others.
Is it the type of music they play, where they are from, their background stories, something your product does that makes it interesting and worth talking about. What can promoters use to market your band? Has your band won any awards or special recognition? Insert statistical data on album sales, radio play, tickets sold, shows played.

Make it easy for them to do their job.
Write the story for them. Make it so interesting and appealing that press, media, and promoters not only desire to do business with you but use the material that you have given them to do their job. This way you are controlling the message. They will be helping to spread the message you want out there about your product. It is vital to control the message, rather then having others do it for you. Allowing others to explain what you are about is a recipe to have your product hijacked for their cause or at the least lead to disappointment.

Give them what they need.
Provide full list of equipment needs if dealing with a musical press kit. This is an item-by-item list of every item, staff, and instrument needed for a successful show. It needs to be clear who is responsible for it, the venue or the band. Provide a stage plot. This is a detailed drawing of where every band member, their individual equipment, and monitors are to be placed on stage. Venue managers and promoters will be thrilled to find this information included in the press kit because they often have a hard time getting it from bands or never do.

The more you do their job for them the more likely they are do cooperate with you.
Provide them with every item they need from you (other then the personal rider) from the start and they will be so impressed they are more likely to want to work with you because they know you are professional. A professionally packaged press kit and artist is a rarity and one of the best ways to separate you from the pack. Will a promoter prefer to work with a professional group or one that sends bits and pieces of info and they have to chance them down for the rest?

The press kit must be kept current, available for download, and hard copy.
The press kit should be available for download on your web site. It should be available to be emailed and available by traditional mail. It is not enough to create it and not update it. The list of shows must be current, the equipment needs sometimes changes, etc. Plan to review it every month and updated as needed.

Biographies for each individual member and the story of the band.
You would be shocked how many press kits include neither. Do your best to make each story interesting. Provide threads a writer could use to create bigger stories. If playing a specific city like NY, create connections to the city. If a band member is from the city or has a memory there, if there are historic moments about the band there, or a historic venue the band is eager to play include it. A list of quotes about your band and from your band is critical. It is helpful to spread them out throughout your press kit, to help keep the interest alive. Include a page with all of the quotes.

Include high-quality photos.
These are necessary for venues and press to market, promote, and present your product in the best possible fashion.

Include high-quality MP3's or CD:
These are used to sell and promote your band. This can also be provided online or on a thumb drive or other emerging technology.

Band contact information.
Full contact information for the bands booking director, press agent, road manager and management must be accurate and included.

Copies of Articles.
Included in the digital or hard copy press kit. All positive articles that highlight why someone should work with your band should be included.

Song Page:
If well-known act or up-and-coming artist include a list of songs that are in the arsenal. It will be presented differently between known and unknown artist. If a known artist then list the songs, chart positions, lyrics or anything else that sells it. If an unknown find something interesting and include the lyrics if interesting. Descriptions of energy levels or musical styles may be helpful for an unknown artist.

Make it interesting, make it powerful, and make it your best sales tool!

Protecting Intellectual Property, Trademarks, and Your Business

2011-10-23T23:52:00.000-07:00

I studied three entertainment law podcasts this week to enhance my knowledge of the topic. When you finish reading this, I encourage you to listen to the same podcasts to enhance your basic understanding of the subjects discussed here. The first podcast is session 5: "Tackling Intellectual Property Law in Cyberspace" from the 9th Annual CIPLIT Symposium. The presenters were Rose Hagan from Google, Ann M. Bartow from The University of South Carolina, Greg Vetter from The University of Houston and Sonia Katyal from Fordham University.

Rose Hagan spoke about her role at Google and defending it from lawsuits that arise from emerging Internet related legal issues. At the time, Google was facing 8 lawsuits and had already been involved in several others. Individuals, companies, and trademark holders were asserting their rights, and attempting to establish precedents for Internet law. Google is often involved in these cases simply because it is a major player in Internet advertising. Google sells advertising space based on terms advertisers select by picking keywords. While Google doesn't create the ads for advertisers, it needs to establish standards within the emerging law and common sense. She stated that Google has no desire to infringe on trademark owners rights because they also spend a great deal of time and money protecting Google's rights and image. Google has policies for keyword and advertisement text. It based these on the countries where the ads are created and the relevant national laws governing trademarks, intellectual property, commerce, and Internet advertising. and ran and the laws that effect them. She cited cases such as Tiffany v. Ebay and a case involving 1-800-Contacts. Most of the issues she discussed involved advertisers attempting to gain unfair advantage by manipulating Internet marketing options. If a company used my companies keyword, property, and branding to bring customers to their site instead of mine and to sell similar or counterfeit items, then I would need to assert my legal rights to protect my business.

Ann M. Bartow sounded as though she was on the verge of a breakdown as she rapidly moved through her presentation. She stated that "Intellectual prestige is not a trademark problem". She provided examples of designers or companies suing others if a product looked similar to one of their own. They may sue over a style they are using. She believes that these styles, stitching patterns, etc. are not unique enough to be protected and I agree. Some of her examples were of a designer suing another over what they claimed was a similar design but really was re-imaged by both designers from a previous designer's work. It is not unique enough to be protected. Other designers and companies do not want others to be selling items with common themes to their own because they do not want their brand to be damaged because a store that is not as elite selling it makes it less "special". This is the "intellectual prestige" she mentioned. For "intellectual prestige" to be proven it better be a unique and truly original concept.

Greg Vetter spoke about patent law. He focused his talk on software arts and claims law. His insights into patents are interesting. It made me realize that I'd never he happy engaged in patent work but it is valuable information. You may be thinking, "I am not an inventor, so why does this matter to me?" I thought the same but as he spoke I understood. I'll never be spoken about in the same breath as Edison, Tesla, or Ford either but some of his talk applied to my Internet-based business. If your company creates patents for some of its concepts, branding or materials you must have a clear and unbroken history of ownership based on filing and maintaining proper legal documents.

The final speaker for the podcast was Sonia Katyal. The most interesting part of her talk was discussing intellectual property law vs. digital technology. She believes that freedom of speech, public domain, and digital technology moves fast enough that it changes the facts on the ground. I disliked her talk; she seems to relish the idea of destroying copyright owners rights. She believes testing these laws and destroying or minimizing the rights of property holders is a good thing. She seems to have a love for outlaws, activists, and criminals. While Napster and similar sites helped to popularize the online music distribution market eventually became a benefit to the consumer, the right holders, and the companies who invested in the creation of the work, what she endorses hurts all. She wants to dance around in the shadows that the corrupt and criminals use to justify their unethical actions. Sonia Katyal should understand that if people like her and the Internet outlaws she attempts to glorify continue to steal and devalue the creations of others and profit can no longer be made then the creators will simply stop creating new work until certain that their rights are protected. The protection that people like Sonia Katyal attempt to provide to the outlaws makes the world a less safe, less fair, less positive, and less ethical place. These outlaws makes the world a worse place. I wonder if she found herself isolated with outlaws in the real world instead of in the safety of academia if she would still attempt to lionize them? I doubt it but she would probably then attempt to justify their behavior by explaining how society turned them into outlaws rather then understanding that individuals are responsible for their own behavior and to follow the laws of society instead of attempting to break them.

The second podcast deals in Trademark Protections. The first presenter was Marc Trachtenberg. His presentation was entitled "Protecting Your Marks In and From the New Top Level Domains". The panel discussed the Internet being the gateway to billions of people who go online to purchase products via mobile devices or computers. This is why protecting your marks is vital because selling online may be a companies main or only source of revenue. His talk mentioned activities such as cybersquatting and typosquatting. Cybersquatting is the illegal practice of registering potential domain names before the proper rights owner can and attempting to force the company who wishes to register the name to pay for the right to do so. The case of Panavision v. Dennis Toeppen is one of the most famous cybersquatting cases. Typosquatting is when someone registers and operates a name very similar to a registered domain name in an attempt to trick Internet users to visiting their sites by mistake. They will add an extra letter and make the sites look similar. An example of this is Bank of America's web site is www.bankofamerica.com. A typosquatter would register it as something like, www.banksofamerica.com. How many of you would easily pick up on the difference after having done a keyword search the typosquatters site came up first in the search and then led you to a site that looks exactly like the Bank of America site? They may steal your banking information, money, address book, place spyware, malware, and worse on your computer.

Can your business survive the credibility hit if someone did this to your business and your customers were tricked into visiting a mirror site that damaged them? The podcast made it clear that you need to register your domain on as many of the web domains as possible. There are two categories the generic TLDs (.com, .org, etc.) and country-specific TLDs (.us, .uk, .asia, .ca, etc.) and it can be expensive to register with all of them. It is best to register your mark with as many as you can even if you never attend to use them but the annual fee's can be prohibitive. It is less expensive to be proactive then reactive because brand abusing is growing at least 28% per year according to the presenters data. Marc Tractenberg states that, "With evolving law and technology you can never plan for every eventuality." He advises to select a distinct domain name to protect the company and save money in advertising. If you pick a domain name that is common you will spend too much in advertising fees directing users to your site.

They discussed the IP Clearing House and met with concerns of the audience. It is viewed as a tool to reduce the cost and administrative burden on mark owners.

The third podcast is "IT/Contractual Aspects of New Top Level Domains." It is related to the previous podcast that I discussed. The commentators wisely point out that the policies, registrations, and procedures are geared more towards good people, who act in good faith. They are classified as "Good Actors". The governments, companies, and others who govern the Internet believed that everyone would obey the law on the Internet. What law? Which countries law? With what authority could they be penalized and is there a penalty? There was not much law and it is foolish to expect all people to act ethically without potential enforceable consequences. The panel called these people "Bad players". A consumer must be able to trust a companies web site and overall web presence. This podcast spent time speaking about how to set up a more significant governing body to eliminate the most severe Internet liability and criminal issues. These issues can destroy a business.

The three podcast reinforce common sense business practices that existed even before the Internet:

1) Do everything legally possible to protect your business from the start. This includes filing all proper copyright and trademark registrations, filing proper paperwork with all relevant governing bodies and verifying that you have eliminated potential liabilities. It is always less expensive to protect yourself proactively then it is to fight legal battles to regain your rights. The legal fee's or issue created by a attack on or loss of rights can destroy a company.

2) Develop a strong and adaptable business plan. Technology and the laws that govern it are changing rapidly. A significant source of revenue for your company can disappear quickly but a new one may likely replace it, be wise enough to see these happening and position your company to thrive during the transition.

3) Your clients must be able to trust you! If they don't trust you on the Internet they will not be spending their money on your site. Your information needs to be accurate and your web sites must be secure, especially if accepting payments.

4) If you are unwilling to stay current on the laws that impact your business then it is vital to hire qualified counsel who is and annually reviews your business. A change in a law can hurt your business but it may provide increased opportunities. You need to be aware of both to maximize your companies position in the marketplace. It is best if you are remaining current on the law because it is less expensive and even the best lawyer will not know as much about your business as you do.

5) Constantly look for new opportunity. Opportunity may exist in your greatest failures. Almost always in life and business you can create opportunity if you are adaptable, creative, understand people's needs and desires, and are willing to do the work necessary to ensure success.

Feel free to insert your favorite "clean" lawyer jokes in the comment section.

ECLECTIC HEIGHTS: Legal Manuevers

2011-10-03T00:50:00.000-07:00

ECLECTIC HEIGHTS: Legal Manuevers: I have been fascinated to read about several entertainment industry related cases and decided to share them with you. Technology, business p...

Legal Manuevers

2011-10-02T21:07:00.000-07:00

I have been fascinated to read about several entertainment industry related cases and decided to share them with you. Technology, business practices, and other events are changing the industry and changing how the industry and those in it operate.

The first case involved actor Jared Leto and his band 30 Seconds to Mars being sued by their record company EMI/Virgin. The record company filed suit against the band for damages totaling $30 million dollars. Mike Masnick, who writes for Techdirt.com shared the following thoughts on the legal actions by the band and the record company.

"It's always fun to remember stories like the following one the next time you hear some RIAA exec claim that it represents musicians. The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) represents the record labels and record labels are continually at odds with musicians -- sometimes to extreme levels. Wired reported that EMI/Virgin Records had sued the band 30 Seconds To Mars for $30 million recently. Wired now points us to the response from 30 Seconds To Mars, where the band notes that the lawsuit appears to have a lot more to do with the band opting out of its contract. The band points out that, under California law, a contract of more than seven years is not valid -- and the contract EMI held with the band was for nine years.

So why opt out? Perhaps this has something to do with it:

If you think the fact that we have sold in excess of 2 million records and have never been paid a penny is pretty unbelievable, well, so do we. And the fact that EMI informed us that not only aren't they going to pay us AT ALL but that we are still 1.4 million dollars in debt to them is even crazier. That the next record we make will be used to pay off that old supposed debt just makes you start wondering what is going on. Shouldn't a record company be able to turn a profit from selling that many records? Or, at the very least, break even? We think so.

The RIAA itself will be the subject of future research for me but this article is interesting to all who are in the entertainment business and wish to be fully compensated for the work we have done. 30 Seconds to Mars cited the De Havilland Law that states "no service contract in California is valid after seven years" This is great to know for all parties before signing a deal. The record companies seem to be experts at not compensating artist. Does the law where the record company is based take prescendent over where the artist are based? I am not aware if a similar law is in place in New York but what if a NY label signed a California band, does the De Havilland Law protect the band in the same way? The De Havilland Law is named after actress Olivia De Havilland after a successful lawsuit on her behalf which set the prescendent. It has been challenged but no definitive understanding of exactly the application to record deals has emerged because both sides are attempting to muddy the waters.

"In 1987, the record companies lobbied legislators to pass an amendment to the Labor Code Section 2855, which applies only to recording artists and allows record companies to sue recording artists for damages if the artists do not fulfill their original contract.
After seven years, this amendment is no longer relevant, according to Cappello, and artists have the legal right to terminate a recording contract without repercussions, he said."

It is ridicoulous for a record company to sell 2 million records by an artist and claim that they have lost money. It would be almost impossible. Without reviewing the entire contract between the band and record label, we don't know if they provided tour support. Marketing, distribution, recording cost, and advance should have all been more then covered with 2 million units sold. It is true that record companies are masters at manipulating the books to control artist and minimize what they need to pay to the artist. Joe Strummer form the Clash said it was a form of child abuse. Many artist sign deals at a young age and without proper representation. They have no real idea what they are signing and what the contract language means. George Michael ended up spending millions to be freed from his record deal. Strummer decided to "bore them out" because he didn't want to waste millions to be released form an unfair deal. He limited his work to film scores, producing, and performing the 1-2 songs per other artist albums or soundtracks that his contract allowed for and a few tours fronting the Pogues. When he was released he got back to music after signing a deal with Hellcat & Epitath Records. He selected them because of his managements experience with the label and the fact that Hellcat Founder Rancid's Tim Armstrong was a huge fan of Strummer's and he knew he would be treated well and fairly.

I believe artist should write into the language of their record deal that they have full rights to oversee all cost and review all accounting documents related to their business with the label. If the label is claiming to have spent $18 million on marketing for the band then they should need to produce detailed documents of where and how the money was spent. It would be wise for the artist to need to approve any spending on their behalf before it occurs. It will help keep the artist cost under control. Artist must act as an active participant in business decisions made involving their business! I know many artist don't like to think of their art as a business but it is! The artist who don't treat it as such usually end up broke and at the mercy of their record label.

Masnick, concluded his article with a very strong statement against the RIAA, that I felt was worth sharing. "So, at what point will the press and politicians stop buying the RIAA's claims that it's looking out for the musicians and trying to get them paid? The RIAA has always been in the business of not paying musicians."

In 2009, 30 Seconds to Mars and their record label settled their dispute and continue to work together. The exact terms and conditions of the settlement agreement remain unkown.

The next case I was drawn to is Courtney Love being sued by the parent company of her record label Vivendi Universal and her countersuit against the same label. This case has numerous similarities to the 30 Seconds to Mars case. The record company filed lawsuit because it claims that Love did not deliver the 5 albums that the contract called for. Love claims that the terms of the contract are unfair to artist, is an industry practice by record labels that operate under unfair contracts, terms, and work conditions.

According to ABC News, {"Labels, nevertheless, continue to intimidate artists who try to end contracts after seven years by suing them for lost profits, the attorney added. Cappello said this suit "will shake the very core of the way business is conducted in the music industry, and it will give countless musicians the financial and artistic freedom they do not currently enjoy."
"I'm one in a long line of artists who have tried to break free since the [Universal/PolyGram] merger," Love said. "Beck, Garbage, Sheryl Crow, and others have tried to leave or sue that company and they've all been shut down or threatened."
Crow's attorney, Jay Cooper, said, "Sheryl expressed some unhappiness but never threatened to sue, and eventually, we renegotiated the contract."}

Courtney Love's band Hole Celebrity Skin

The De Havilland Law appears to be best used not to be freed from a record deal but to renegotiate the deal. That is what 30 Seconds to Mars did and that is what Sheryl Crow did. It appears the labels can be pressured into striking a more fair agreement but if an artist wants to be free to sign with a competitor label they will fight it until the bitter end.

Perhaps labels should be more fair in the contracts they sign an artist to and their business practices. Yes, the record industry and those who work for it have become enormously wealthy operating the way they have but it has always been unfair. Now artist and their representation are becoming aware and informed enough to fight back. These battles going on are reshaping the industry even if it takes a long time. I do not expect the industry to start being fair because a few artist have managed to renegotiate or get out of their deals. However, continued pressure, loss or revenue and artist simply starting their own labels may force them to do so in the future. If you are an artist reading this you have been warned to be very cautious in your business relationships within the entertainment industry. Hole: Malibu

The final case I wanted to discuss involves Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church. I enjoy listening to Joel's televised sermon's every week. They help focus my brain on the positive and it is often needed in these challenging times. This case is interesting because the two parties had signed a licensing agreement for use of the song Signaling Through The Flames. What has sparked the lawsuit is disagreement of when the agreement ended or will end.

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys writes that, "The plaintiffs allege in the complaint that the defendants entered into a “limited licensing agreement” to use “Signaling Through the Flames” on their website and in certain venues, but that agreement expired on Feb. 1, 2011, after one year, and the defendants did not renew it. Lakewood spokesman Donald Iloff writes, “The music in question is 1 minute of background music which Lakewood Church had a license to use. The plaintiff is apparently confused about the scope of the license, and are now demanding $3 million for uses that are authorized. We think this is unreasonable.” This appears to be the main issue because both parties agree that Lakewood did at some point have the proper licensing agreement for the song. Is it still in force or has it expired. Did one or both sides not fully understand the terms of the agreement. It appears clear there has not been an intentional unauthorized use of the song. It seems that a fair agreement on compensation can be reached easily when there is a ruling on what the terms licensing agreement are.

The lesson in the above case and all of the cases is to fully understand the law, rights, & responsibilities. Hire quality experts to guide and approve any deal you are involved in. One of the best lessons I have heard from many legal experts over the years is that what a contract does not say can be more important then when the contract does say. If you are being recruited by a company for a record deal, film deal or any thing else and they are treating you well, being very kind to you, giving you gifts, taking you to expensive dinners, and telling you how much they love you. Understand that all those good feelings will not help you if you enter a dispute with the company. The only thing that will help you is to have handled your business like a true professional.
Joel Osteen "Don't Lose Your Joy"

Writing on these three cases made hear The Clash's Complete Control in my head while typing, so I decided to post it as the relevant record of the week. It is the Clash's response to their record label releasing their song "Remote Control" as the next single instead of the track the band felt was best and overall their feelings of mistreatment and manipulation by their record label and management. The song came to fruition when their manager Bernie Rhodes and Sex Pistols manager Malcom McLaren called the two bands together for a meeting and stated that they "Demand Complete Control". The meeting ended at that moment with both bands laughing hysterically as they stumbled out into the streets of London repeating the phrase "Complete Control" as the two bands headed off in different directions. The Clash's "Know Your Rights" may have been a relevant recording as well but I'll save it for another time.

Photo 1: Copyright@Sanderbaks.com
Mike Masnick's full article can be found here: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20080820/0204472040.shtml
Hellcat Logo: Copyright@Hellcat Records
Photo 2: Copyright@JaredLeto
The full ABC News presentation on Courtney Love can be found here: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=108872&page=1
Photo 3: Copyright@Courntey Love
Photo 4: Copyright@Joel Osteen
Brenda Sapino Jeffreys' full article can be found here: http://texaslawyer.typepad.com/texas_lawyer_blog/2011/08/recording-artists-and-record-company-owners-sue-lakewood-church-pastor-joel-osteen-and-co-pastor-vic.html

The Gentle Art of Artist Management

2011-09-18T21:58:00.000-07:00

Everyone wants to be Jerry Maquire, Ari Gold or E right? They want to be a mover-and shaker, a power broker, and needed by powerful entertainers. They need to ask themselves why? Please do not even consider managing someone's career until you can create a list of valid reasons for doing so. "I really like sports, music, or I go to the movies all the time" are not valid answers. "I want to make a lot of money, my cousin is a pretty good football player, and I am friends with the singer in a popular local band"are no reasons to quit your day job.

Please be certain that you are fully committed, knowledgeable, and prepared to work very hard before trying to run someone's career. If you are not you can have a devastating impact on their life and profession.

Some valid reasons are that
1) You are an excellent negotiator.
2) You are creative.
3) You are focused and hard-working.
4) You continually educate yourself on the business of the entertainment industry.
5) You believe in who you are considering managing.
6) I have strong business skills but more importantly I understand the dynamics of the entertainment industry.
7) I believe it is not what I can get out of my clients but how our relationship can be mutually beneficial.
8) I am honest, loyal, and dependable.
9) I will always provide my honest opinion to my client even if it is not one they want to hear.
10) I understand entertainment or sports law or I have experts in the field willing to represent our team.
11) I can handle stress and disappointment and have a support network.

If you feel confident that the profession is one you are truly passionate about and will pursue relentlessly here are some helpful tips that if followed will lead to your success.

1) Select your clients wisely. Don't sign everyone that wants to sign with you. You will find that even some clients that go on to have success are not worth the extra time, drama, and stress they create. Most won't be high-earners for you or ever generate a return worthy of the investment you had to place in them. Selecting clients you believe in, want to work hard for, control their stress and emotions, and have an acceptable amount of drama will enable you to be more successful and enjoy your work. There are agents out there with 50-100 clients but only a handful are consistent earners, even fewer high and consistent earners. The remainder are ones you are hoping will start earning but are mostly time, resources, and energy drains.

2) Make sure you have an excellent contract. Paying an entertainment attorney to create a specific deal for you business is wise and will save you money and time over the years. It will prevent you losing out on money that you have earned because a client has double-crossed you. You'll be able to use a standard agreement for most clients and an edited version of your main agreement for the rest.

3) If you are not an expert in the type of deals you are signing on behalf of your client make sure an attorney who is and has no conflicts (relationships with the other party) has provided feedback and approved any deal you are considering.

4) Have a media kit, booking information, rider, technical rider, stage-plot ready to go. It needs to be reviewed and updated (if necessary) every six months at least.

5) If you are introverted and don't like to network find another profession. You must be networking where ever you are. I don't mean being a phony person and trying to hand out business cards to everyone you cross paths with. Simply start a conversation and see if there is enough of a connection to exchange information, if there is potential to work with someone down-the-road. I have done business or received help from people that I sometimes met 8 years before. When we met there was no potential deals but life and work changes and people can become vital to your success. Have the long-term vision to realize this. Several times I made a contact and it wasn't anything they did for me except make the introduction that I needed later. It is so much easier to gain access and cooperation from someone who knows of you from a mutual connection(s). Most of my opportunities and clients have come this way. However, you have to operate professionally and have a good professional and personal reputation.

6) Never allow your clients emotions or crisis to become your crisis. When dealing with artist and athletes they often worry a lot. Multiple phone calls per day can be normal but they are time drains. Allowing this is a great way for everyone to be less successful. It is a clients right to be updated and having strong mutual communication will lead to success and a positive feeling of cooperation. Provide them updates at least once a week. It is important to maintain the relationship. You won't always have something to update them on. When you do not give them your short and long-term goals for them, so they know you have a plan for them and are working on their behalf. It is important they have an opportunity to review it, agree, and provide feedback on it. When a client calls you stressing out, telling you they have to do this, are worried about that, or whatever, listen to them. It is best to be a calm and confident voice in the storm they created in their own mind. My experience tells me that is mostly what they are looking for to be reassured they are on the right path and their needs will be met. An artist or athlete can change their goals daily. You need to keep them focused and believing in the vision you created together.

7) Unless disaster has struck and you are in emergency mode there is never a good reason to deviate from your long-term plan. Doing so will lead only to failure, aggravation, and mistrust. You'll be pushed hard to do so. Say you are working the phones for your clients on day, your assistant notifies you they are on the phone and have been emailing you and what to know why you haven't responded to them in the past 30 minutes. You stop working on their behalf to speak with them. They inform you that someone has contacted them and offered them shows, or wants to collaborate, or something else. They are a ball of nervous energy. Make it happen! What should I do? I know we all agreed but change all the work you have been doing so we can accommodate this (even if we will lost money, you can rebook it, and make sure you don't lose any money). Be calm, be confident, refocus them on the big picture. Once you have researched this opportunity(and verified it is legitimate) and see when and if it makes sense to work it into the schedule.

8) Build a personal relationship with your client. Learn about them, their daily life, and who surrounds them. You don't have to have a Vince and E relationship but it is vital that you actually do have an interest and concern for your client. You'll be better able to help them and it will help you retain them as a client longer.

9) Be sincere in all of your dealings. Make as much as you can but never take advantage of anyone. This isn't a garage sale it is a profession. If you burn someone everyone else will know about it and it can limit your opportunities in the future.

10) The best advertisement you can have for your services is to do high-quality work, be honest, and be loyal. If you are your clients will sell your services better then you can. An endorsement from one artist/athlete to another goes further then your sales pitch.

11) Have fun and enjoy yourself! We often want to work around those we admire and activities we love but if not handled the right way you'll lose your love and passion for those things and it isn't worth it.

The Sound of Saber

2011-09-07T23:47:00.000-07:00

Composer, Musician and Producer Danny Saber has shown his unique and exceptional talents with artist like The Rolling Stones, U2, Joe Strummer, David Bowie, Ozzy Osbourne, Madonna, Seal, KORN, Marilyn Manson, Busta Rhymes, Public Enemy, Jadakiss, Black Grape, Agent Provocateur to name just a few. Danny co-produced and performed on Alice Cooper's Along Came a Spider album, and has songwriting credits on all but three of the 11 songs on the album. He has also scored and/or contributed music to a wide range studio and independent films (Blade II, Moulin Rouge, S.W.A.T, Dallas 362, The Limey, Played) and the CBS show "The Defenders". You can get a sample of Danny's fantastic playing, producing and writing on this track with the immortal Joe Strummer.


Danny Saber (L) and Traci Guns (R)

I had a chance to catch up with Danny recently and wanted to share our conversation and immensely valuable insight that grew from our discussion. You can see from the brief bio I included above that Saber is one of the most sought after and respected professionals in the entertainment industry. It is too rare that we get to learn from someone of his caliber, most of the people writing the industry books have not achieved his level of success, so please take these lessons to heart and apply them to your own career.

A motto that was passed down through the generations in Danny's family is "One man cannot cheat an honest man because an honest man isn't looking for something from nothing." The phrase tells you a lot about the soul of Saber. He is one of the gems in the entertainment business in terms of both skill and character. He tries to always create a win-win situation, provide the best possible results for all involved, work hard, be genuine, honest, and a friend to all. He'll quip that he "learned more about negotiation working in a tuxedo store then he did in the entertainment industry" before explaining that is was that experience at a young age that began his study of business and the lessons apply to every project he has been involved with since.

We discussed how the entertainment business seems to attract a few more of the types of people who desire the benefits from the industry but aren't willing to put in the work. These are the ones who "act to take advantage of you, while quality professionals are working hard to strike a fair deal". He stresses that it is vital to control negative emotions that may arise during a negotiation. His technique for this that comes so easily from his personality is to try to view the negotiation and the situation from the other side. I often see recurring patterns based on the personality types of those involved or the type of negotiation I am involved in. I often spend a small amount of time thinking through a negotiation before it happens but try to go into it as open minded as possible."

We both agreed that there are equal positive and negatives in creating deals with people you know vs. strangers and that it is probably easier to deal with people you do not know. When deciding to accept a job Danny has 3 questions he always asked himself during the planning stage:

1) How much do I like these people,
2) How much do I like their material or project (Movie/TV/Live Performance/Video Game etc.)?
3) How much does it pay?

He calls this his "Money to Grief Ratio". This is a fantastic lesson! If you take little else from this article remember to create your own "Money to Grief Ratio". To do this create 3-10 questions that apply to your career. This is a lesson I learned the hard way. I am a very helpful person by nature and want to see others succeed. I also have an intense work ethic and in the past had a very hard time turning down work even when I had more then enough of it at the time. For years I was constantly taking on work and having to put in 16-20 hour days to complete it all. I had less time for my fitness, family, loved ones, and for myself. It made me begin to resent the work and those offering it. Learning to filter out what work was most beneficial to me and what work I would enjoy doing the most enabled me to create a much better life for myself. Danny stated simply "If I like it I'll do it!" That is how you find yourself operating at peak levels of performance in your life and career. When you reach the point where you no longer need to do projects that you don't like for the money you will have achieved much. If you have bills to pay and you have work offered then accept the work as joyfully as you can and be grateful for it. At a certain point, you need to have enough faith in yourself to know that if you turn down a project that is not right for you one that is right for you will come along quickly. One of the best pieces of advise that I ever received is "to know that no matter what happens in your life or career you can handle it". When you take that message to heart by reflecting on your life and knowing that it is true, it provides you with a proper level of confidence, a sense that everything will work itself out if you do what you need to, and it creates a sense of calm inside you that does not go away with the latest headlines.

There is a Golden Rule between a producer and artist(s): "Never talk money in the creative environment". If possible those matters should be handled by competent representation to never muddy the relationship. "Mick Jagger is the greatest business man I've ever seen in the biz. He develops a clear vision of what he wants, calls the shots, and hires quality people to execute his plans. He runs it like a CEO would run his boardroom. He never relinguishes control and is detail orientated but he hires quality people and trust them to perform their duties". If you do just a little bit of research you'll find Danny is correct about Jagger. He's had success on the charts, on the stage, and in the bank but he learned from very expensive lessons. The key is he studied his situation, understood his own strengths and weaknesses, and consistently works his plan. Perhaps Maroon 5's new song "Moves like Jagger" is referring to his business moves and not his dance moves?

For artist and producers reading this he offered a few quick tips:

1) TV contracts are budgeted and fairly rigid in their compensation and structure. They are not overly complicated. There is some flexibility to increase compensation and other benefits but you better have leverage to get it.

2) Deals between producers and record companies are simple and easy. What will change it is the amount of cash that is paid to the producer in advance vs. points on the back end. The more cash at the start the less on the back-end. This makes it vital for the producer to properly access who he/she is agreeing to work with, what are their chances of success and is their record, distribution, and other backers committed to their success.

3) You must protect your rights to all of your work now and in perpetuety. If 20 years from now they release an album you did in a new format that no one ever thought of, you need to be compensated. Many artist contracts are so specific to their compensation (for Record, Tape, or CD) that when a new format like MP3's or DVD came out the artist earned no compensation for it other then increased exposure.

4) Choose wisely in who you decide to work with. Friction is often created by those who cannot understand the value of your work because they lack expertise. In the entertainment business people that know little-to-nothing start record or production companies because they can financially afford to do so and have ideas of what working in "the biz" will be like. "You have to overcome people who don't understand music. If you didn't know anything about plumbing you don't start a plumbing business but people do it all the time in music and film." This can create a less then ideal work environment when a producer or artist is creating a valuable work and someone who is tone-depth but in a position of power is telling them what it should sound like and how to do their jobs. No one enjoys being micro-managed but if you do not structure your entertainment deals properly understand that you will. I spoke with Michael Uslan who has been a producer on all of the Batman films made since the 80's. He explained how it took him so long to even have the first one made but not for any logical reason. He told the story of one meeting where a head of one of the major studios he was pitching it to explained "but Michael there just isn't a market for it right now. We just did Robin and Maryann and it didn't do so well." He left confused and the only explanation he's been able to come up with in the decades since is that the executive thought that Robin Hood was the same Robin as in Batman and Robin! Imagine trying to explain your vision to have someone believe in it so it can become reality and having to deal with people who don't understand creating unnecessary stress and roadblocks. Michael went on to talk about laughing his head off for 30 straight minutes on the phone when Director Tim Burton was explaining why Michael Keaton would be perfect to play Batman, seriously thinking Burton was joking around. He said the only thing he really got that he wanted from the first couple films was the set designer. Even when they started making Batman movies they were not making the ones he envisioned and worked so hard for. He told me that it was not until Christopher Nolan created Batman Begins and the Dark Knight that his goals for the Batman franchise were reached.

Danny told me that "the studios didn't want Godfather to be released because they said it was too dark, they didn't understand it, and no one would like the music." The creative forces behind Godfather knew what they were doing and the public has understood it for decades now but a few people at the studio had no clue. Luckily they made lots of money from it despite their ignorance but it highlights a potential pitfall of the entertainment industry.

Choose wisely who you partner with, set yourself up in the best possible position to win and try to surround yourself with good people who will build bridges for you rather then create roadblocks to success.

@ All Photos Copyright Danny Saber.

NEGOTIATION

2011-08-29T00:22:00.000-07:00

This week I interviewed two of the top professionals in their fields on the topic of negotiation. One from the music & entertainment industry and one from the sports industry.

The one thing every one must admire about Jason P. Rothberg is almost every venture he's been involved with has had a charitable component. Jason is trying to help make the world a better place through his career.

The first thing I wanted Jason to tell me was how he learned the art of negotiation. "I was lucky to have great advisers and legal teams willing to back me in my early years. I would soak up as much knowledge as these wise men would share or display while negotiating on my behalf. I read every contact I could get my hands on and read the trades to know what industry standards I could expect. Mostly I wanted to work and to get a job one must learn the art of negotiation."

Jason stated that "Every deal is as different as the people your negotiating with. Be sure to know as much as possible about the person you're dealing with and what his/her or their end game is. Knowing your own needs and wants is equally as important. Knowing when to walk away could save everyone a lot of time and energy in the long run. Not every deal is meant to happen."Every deal is not meant to happen and sometimes the only way you can discover that is from negotiating. Most of us enjoying the feeling of accomplishment or winning but it is vital to not be caught up in those things and forcing a deal to closing that isn't the right deal.

What is his tactic for a difficult negotiation? "TAKE A BREAK! When you are emotional your heart starts to pump faster, your focus is restricted and your mind closes off to possible opportunities. Try to have a fresh head and a positive outlook, if possible. Sometimes a short trip to the restroom and a splash of water on your face can make a world of difference. Emotion, be it fear of loosing the deal or anxieties from an outside experience. As soon as the opposing side feels weakness the negotiation is over. In addition to being prepared and confident that you are the best person for the job, I practice meditation which allows me to remain calm and focused.

When I asked Jason about negotiating on behalf of his celebrity clients he had this to say "Its all about celebrity for most brands... this is how a company can assure awareness. Again, as long as you're not asking for more then what you're offering, deals can be struck. If you're representing talent, know what their draw is., fan base is the guide rule As it's the impressions your celeb can offer the brand which will equal the amount they will be willing to pay."

"The biggest mistake is to come off over eager. It makes you look like you have nothing else going on and need this deal to live, its a big no no! As a manager its your job to calm and reassure the artists of the path he/she is on, giving them the confidence in themselves as well as in you. Trusting that you have the knowledge and ability to make this deal happen. If you are unable to talk your talent through dark moments its time to find a new gig."

Chip Howard is a key member of the University of Florida Athletic Association (UAA). Under the superb direction of Athletic Director Jeremy Foley Chip and the rest of the UAA team has laid the foundation for numerous National Championships, SEC Titles, and various other awards in several sports. The Athletic Association constructed some of our nation's top athletic facilities. While a student at UF, I earned my first real professional experience under Chip's guidance. It was a fantastic experience to gain knowledge, learn how to be a professional, and key lessons in business gained from the Athletic Association. Chip is currently the Senior Associate Athletics Director in charge of Internal Affairs and offered these thoughts on negotiation.

Chip how did you learn to negotiate? Did the Athletic Association provide you with training?

"I have not received any direct training from the UAA. However my work experiences over 23 years has allowed me to take part in many negotiations. I am also an avid reader and often the topics of my books will be negotiation techniques as well as improving my communication skills."

Do you do you practice game theory prior to a negotiation?

"I always try and rehearse how the negotiation should go but keeping in mind that you need to be willing to move in either direction on a moments notice to successfully win a negotiation." Game Theory should provide a blueprint of possible scenarios that may arise and your tactic(s) when each is presented. Game Theory can help to provide confidence by being prepared for a negotiation.

How do you deal with negative emotions when they arise during a negotiation?

"I usually try to put the person at ease either through humor or through having a conversation relating to a common interest like family."

What is the biggest challenge you have ever faced in a negotiation? How did you resolve it (if so)?

The feeling that who I was negotiating with had no interest in reaching a compromise. I resolved by focusing on other matters first and having a conversation that was neutral to both of our negotiating goals. From there I slowly moved the conversation towards the subject of the negotiation. We both had a better sense of trust and at the end met halfway to accomplish the goal.

Chips two responses above are clear indications of how important it is to build Affiliation during and even before a negotiation. His response below is a indication of how important Status can be in a negotiation.

Do you believe that negotiating on behalf of UAA sometimes provides an advantage because companies want to be associated with UF & UAA?

"Yes I do believe that companies would like to associate themselves with our brand. I have experienced firsthand the power of the University of Florida during many negotiations." This is a key example of how building your brand and status can help make negotiations more smooth and successful.

FEEDING MY DVR!

2011-07-31T23:56:00.000-07:00

I resisted subscribing to DVR service for a longtime. I only caved in last fall but immediately noticed the improvement in my Television experience. I tend to resist new technology formats. I was very happy with tapes for music and video until I finally embraced CD's & DVD's. I resisted MP3's for a while too. I still prefer to hold the CD of my favorite artist in my hand and explore the art work but for artist I am less enthused about and only want one or a few of their songs the MP3 is fantastic, I can always burn it to a CD if I choose (I still do not own an MP3 player other then my phone). The DVR is easy to program, I can set permanent reminders to record shows based on the title and channel of the show. I can also program it to record first run only or first run and repeats of shows. When I view my shows it is easy to fast forward and rewind them. When I no longer wish to store them on my DVR, the deletion is easy and it frees up additional recording space. Unlike a VHS tape it does not lose quality with multiple recordings and I never have to worry about the tape getting stuck.

I thought this would be a good opportunity to highlight some quality Television programs that I am currently interested in. I have been enthralled with the Starz series Spartacus. It is getting ready to begin its third installment Spartacus: Vengeance

Spartacus: Vengeance begins where the story concluded but Liam McIntyre assumes the role of Spartacus from Andy Whitfield. Andy was excellent in the role! He was not replaced because he pulled some Hollywood temper-tantrum and wanted more money but because Andy is battling cancer. I hate cancer! I offer my full prayers and support to Andy and his family. Andy had already been diagnosed with cancer while filming Spartacus and when you see his conditioning, acting, and athleticism you cannot help form being impressed and respecting the man! I lost my dog Dakota who was the best-friend I have ever had to lymphoma, so I am praying for Andy to beat the disease and a cure to be found so no one else has to suffer from it. The above trailer is impressive, its a bit challenging for me watching Liam play Spartacus because I am conditioned to watching Mr. Whitfield in the role but I am sure Liam will do a great job. If you have not watch the series it is worth investing in on Starz or DVD rental.

TNT pulled off a victory in relaunching the Dallas brand on their network. You'll see in this promotional video that the look, feel, and main characters appear to remain in tact. It has potential but my hope is that the for main characters appearing in this are featured and not secondary performers. The scripts need to be original rather then having JR's and Bobby's sons rehash the same plot lines as their Daddy's. JR Ewing is one of the finest and most interesting and iconic characters in the history of TV. It is worth giving the show a chance just for JR.

Entourage just started its final season, the first episode was alright. It was a catch-up the viewer episode on what has happened to the characters since we last saw them. I wasn't overly impressed, it could have been much better but episode 2 is on my DVR to view on command. Reports have surfaced that a script for an Entourage movie already exist and that Producer Mark Wahlberg may finance it himself (why wouldn't he he'll make a killing with it?). The other HBO show that plays on the same night as Entourage that I watch is, Curb Your Enthusiasm. I didn't like episode one at all but episode two was very funny! I wonder if that chicken place actually exist? HBO is also airing one of my favorite shows of all-time in Game of Thrones. It is as well written and produced as HBO's Rome which was prematurely folded despite high-ratings and strong fan base. Game of Thrones will be discussed in greater detail in a future blog.

The movie I am waiting for in 2012 is The Dark Knight Rises! This is the third installment of the Christopher Nolan series. Speculation is that Nolan will only be involved in these three Batman movies but I think he would be a fool to end his involvement. Perhaps he won't direct future Batman films but his role in shaping the story and producing is vital. Nolan has been involved in great films like American Psycho, The Prestige, etc. but his best work comes from the Batman series. He'll never run out of story lines, the studio will continue to give him complete control, and he earns a massive fortune every few years that enables him to do any other type of film project he desires. The main villains appear to be Bane and Catwoman in this film but there are numerous other actors assigned to the project that have yet to be linked to characters, so it will be interesting to see who else crops up in this. The story appears to at least follow the Batman novel/series Knightfall. I will see it twice on opening day just like I have done with Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.

My DVD player faithfully records the show Sons of Guns for me. I did not believe I would like this show but its fantastic! It features a cast of characters from Southern Louisiana that are expert gun builders. They create, repair, and modify weapons like few can. They have invented a few specialties of their own. This show sucks you in. Discovery Channel has another show entitled Dual Survival that has the same effect of making you watch it after you started. Two very different survival experts, Cody Lundin and Dave Canterbury demonstrate survival techniques in some of the planet's most unforgiving terrains. Why won't Cody wear shoes & long pants anywhere?

I have recently been watching Lion Country. I love this show and I want David Youldon's job! The work they are doing is reminiscent of George Adamson and Tony Fitzjohn's work. They are teaching captive bread lions to be wild but doing it very gradually and in totally fenced in large natural habitats. The descendants of the lions being introduced to these safe but wild places will be released into the wild. I cannot wait to volunteer at Antelope Park one day and get to work with these lions! A similar show and program with the same purpose is Cheetah Kingdom. The Cheetahs and Lions face the same issues for their survival, poaching and loss of habitat. The programs are very similar and run by people with great hearts. These shows are so inspiring. I wish they would have has shows like this when George Adamson was alive and working with lions and other big cats. Perhaps it would have helped fund their efforts and provided the lions and staff alike some protection from the locals that would end up murdering many animals and humans alike.

Spartacus and Batman are two projects I'd love to act in and one day I will!

HOW THE DEATH OF AMY WINEHOUSE REFLECTS ON THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

2011-07-24T23:07:00.000-07:00

It was announced on July 23, 2011 that British singer Amy Winehouse died in her London home. It has created a buzz all around the world but not because it happened but that it finally happened. The world has been expecting Amy's death for several years. Amy was a talented singer and could have had a secure and profitable career for decades to come. She could have done things in her life time with ease that most people dream of doing. She has critical acclaim heaped onto her, she won 5 Grammy Awards, she won a Brit Award for Best British Female Artist; and she was a three time winner of the Ivor Novello Award. It simply wasn't good enough for her. It wasn't going to make her happy or fulfilled. Amy had dark, dark demons inside of her. She has battled drug & alcohol abuse and several health issues associated with that abuse. What was she hoping to get out of them? Was she trying to mask some pain? Why did Amy begin using drug and alcohol in the first place? Did she do it to fit in or because she was modeling the behavior of famous performers she admired? Was she abusing herself to try to avoid dealing with deep-seeded emotional issues? I do not know and perhaps few others do. I do wonder about those people around Amy who continued to help her use drugs. I know her parents (God Bless them) tried to save her and get her off drugs but there had to be many friends and business associates around her that enabled her. A junkie is much easier to manipulate and control then a person who's mind, body, and soul are sober. I believe some people had an interest in keeping her a drug addict. Could a clean and sober Amy continue to sing her hit Rehab? Did the marketing department help seal her image as Amy the talented druggie who sings Rehab? If you recall how much fame and praise this song earned Amy you'll see that it may have helped seal her identity, self-image, and ultimately her fate. Much of the world's media cheered on Amy's drug addiction and her defiance of a sober life. Perhaps if they had condemned her she would have had more incentive to become clean and sober? How many more artist will fall into the trap of the abuse, manipulation, and exploitation of those in and around the entertainment business?

Amy is already more popular in the hours after her death then she was during her life. Sales of Winehouse's albums increased 37 times between Friday and Saturday, while track sales were up by 23 times according to The Official Charts Co. They are expecting a number one for her shortly. The people purchasing the album now are not fans or lovers of her music, they are those who enjoy the freak show, the rubberneckers slowing down to visit the car wreck, and the Jerry Springer watchers. I often refer to this segment of society as "the sheep". They listen to what the media tells them is good and they embrace it, not because they have made the decision for themselves but because they are going where the largest crowd is. They are often the ones led to slaughter. I remember several people telling me when Britney Spears released her first single they thought it was terrible but they kept hearing it on the radio and seeing the video on TV and eventually thought it was good. It got jammed down their throats enough times by the manipulators in the entertainment business and they accepted it. How sad is it that people are skyrocketing sales of her album after her death when they didn't value it enough to purchase it when she was alive? Amy isn't around to enjoy the increased sales and exposure. I am hoping the money goes to her family but make no mistake, her record company, publishing company, and numerous others are going to profit off of her big time!

Pete Townshend once said that he eventually realized Rock-N-Roll was fueled by bodies. It is true, many musicians die young and most of them do it to themselves. I remember reading other musicians saying they tried various drugs, got a house somewhere, got a certain guitar or car because a musician they admired did so. How stupid and immature is that? However, it fits the emotional profile of many who enter the entertainment business. They want the acceptance and don't realize how expensive the cost is. The musicians I grew up admiring were like De mi-gods to me but the only time they ever looked pathetic in my eyes was when they were talking about drug use. I learned never to use drugs because of the price I observed them paying. Topper Headon was the best drummer in the world until he began abusing heroin. Producer Sandy Pearlman had Topper play the drum tracks once the normal way and then once backwards on every track of The Clash's "Give 'Em Enough Rope". He could play any style of music expertly, he was a seasoned performer, and was nick-named the "Human Drum Machine". Even when abusing drugs Topper was a great musician, Topper is one of the main writers of Rock The Casbah. The other members of the Clash could no longer tolerate his drug abuse and they fired him from one of the biggest bands in the world. Sadly this was one of the events that led to the premature end of the Clash. This cost all of them in money, fame, emotion, success etc. and it cost their fans dearly. Thankfully after many years of struggle, attempts at rehab and even time in prison for providing the heroin that killed a friend Topper has been clean and sober for many years and still drumming incredibly even if he isn't in a major band. This is what I would have hoped for Amy but I believe Topper had better people around him that put him ahead of money or their own self interest.

I wonder what impact it would have on the world if athletes, artist, entertainers, and politicians actually had to pay severe consequences for their actions? Too often they get away with a slap on the wrist compared to the consequences the average citizen would pay. What message would it send to the next generation that if you do something wrong you pay a severe price? Amy Winehouse paid with her life but the media, those who will profit off her, and others will glorify Amy show much that the only message people will get from it is that Amy's behavior is great and there is a lot of benefits from acting as she did. Amy's body has been tossed onto the fire that is Rock-N-Roll it will help fuel an industry that profits too much of these types of events.

@ All Photos, video, and media rights belong to the owner of those rights.

The Bottom Line

2011-06-19T22:21:00.000-07:00

The Bottom Line on Big Audio Dynamite Live at the Roseland Ballroom New York City!

As I entered the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan I thought that one night many years ago my Father approached my Mother and politely asked for a dance. This was their first meeting and if it had not gone as well as it did I would never have existed. I saw the stairs my Mother had described to me and then my thoughts were quickly interrupted by friends from around the world approaching. It was great to see them again and to finally meet friends that I'd spoken with over the phone or Internet.

I entered the ballroom and was impressed by it's size and aesthetics. Fantastic looking venue with great acoustics. I quickly bumped into Big Audio Dynamite Gerry Harrington. He is a sharped dress man and a character in his own right. We chatted about the band, the city, and the show. I spoke with a few more friends on the way to the VIP section and was thrilled to see I had the first seat in it. The VIP section is on an elevated side stage to the right of the main stage. The view was not perfect because I couldn't see drummer Greg Roberts and could only see keyboardist Dan Donovans knee caps but I could see Mick Jones, Leo Williams, and Don Letts perfectly.

The show started two hours late or right on time by New York standards. New York is one of the cities that has a notoriously late arriving audience, perhaps they just wised up to the bands or the bands wised up to the crowd but that is how it works there. I recalled watching the Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros special on HBO that was recorded at the venue years earlier. It made me wonder if Mick was thinking about Joe that night or Gerry his former manager. The great thing about concerts in New York is there are always lots of characters. I was not sitting with the friends that I came with but I could see them on the main floor. I was able to strike up conversations with fans and celebrities alike before the show. Seated in my section was Fred Armisen and other members of the Saturday Night Live cast, Mike Demint the bass player from Green Day, members of Talking Heads, famed photographers Bob Gruen, Josh Cheuse, and others. Matt Dillion was buzzing around, executives from Sony, and various other entertainment giants.

Big Audio Dynamite brought their own DJ from London to pump up the crowd. He was appreciated by the sold out audience but the fans could not wait for BAD to take the stage. I spoke with Greg Roberts' drum tech Loki Dread before the show, he is an awesome person with a fantastic Mohawk. Finally I could see the band gathering to the side of the stage ready to take the city by storm. When they rushed on stage it was an explosion of love from the audience.

Mick Jones and BAD have built the most loyal fan base in music because going back to Mick days with the Clash they always put their fans first while pumping out some of the most vital and ground breaking music in history. There is a long history of giving fans jobs, hotels, sneaking them into shows, always taking time with fans, and fighting the record company to sell the albums at a fair price.

Medicine Show was the first song of the night and Rush was the last. It is stunning how amazing this band sounds live! How do they get that sound? They are all veteran performers and it showed. This is a band in top form even having been only recently reunited and performing a handful of dates prior to this. It is stunning to think it will only get better. I am so excited for the next shows and albums. Mick Jones is just comfortable on stage and well in command of the stage and audience. He's one of the greatest guitar players of all time from the most influential band of all time, from one of the top three greatest songwriting duos of all time (Strummer/Jones), and a member of the Rock-N-Roll Hall-of-Fame.

This is the original Big Audio Dynamite lineup. They did the first four albums before the other four members split from Mick Jones. Mick replaced the entire band and I was lucky enough to see them three times on the MTV 120 Minutes Tour, The U2 Zoo Tour, and then in Orlando, FL with the band LIVE. I would manage guitarist Nick Hawkins from that line up of Big Audio Dynamite. Nick passed away in 2005 and I was devastated. He had left Big Audio Dynamite a few years before and Mick Jones decided to take time off. Nick was in great spirits on the day he passed, I could tell from the email he sent me that morning. We often spoke of a Big Audio Dynamite reunion and I wonder if Nick would have been included with this? I think he would have been the only non-original member to be included because he was the only other guitarist other then Mick Jones to ever play in the band. I could almost feel him there beside me. Rush is the only song performed that was not written and recorded by the original line up but it is Big Audio Dynamite's biggest hit-to-date. You can see me to the right of the stage at top of the screen during Rush around 4:10 of this Youtube clip.

The after party took place at the Library at the Hudson Hotel. Don Letts from Big Audio Dynamite was DJ-ing and spinning a tremendous blend of music. All of the celebrities from the show arrived and did all of the band except for bass player Leo Williams. It was great night of spending time strengthening friendships and building new ones and the soundtrack to the entire evening was magnificent! It was worth going there sick, exhausted, the hassle of travel, and being overloaded with projects for school. This is a band that is able to create a live sound and show that few can come close to matching. It is no wonder why so many celebrities and other musicians make it a point to make it to their shows wherever they are playing. If you have the opportunity to see them perform live make sure that you do because they are outta sight and dynamite, its BAD but in a great way!

Final Photo and Mike Dirnt Photo@Joanna Huszcza Hennessy

Mick Jones and Fred Armisen Photo@ Big Audio Dynamite

All Other Photos@George J. Baldacchino

All Video @their uploader.

Fantastic Animal Films!

2011-06-05T23:39:00.000-07:00

In the past year several animal documentaries have been released. These are not your Mother's animal films but the next generation of films that are being released to wider audiences. The Disney Nature film African Cats is a wonderful example of what these documentary films are becoming. Shot with the highest possible resolution cameras and the best quality audio, the films are stunning in size and scope.

There is more story telling involved in these films. These films can have a tremendously positive impact on animal conservation programs around the world. Years from now I am sure we will learn the stories of great conservationist who were deeply inspired by these filmmakers. I grew up being fascinated and enthralled with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. I was plastered to my parents television in silence watching these far away places with these monumental stories of life, death, and survival. The stories often featured a lot of love, tenderness, and family. It seems Mother Nature is the world's finest screen-writer, the stories she writes have it all and the stories are as real as it gets. These types of shows helped to create my love and passion for animals and they continue to help it grow.

The story line of African Cats revolves around a pride of lions and a cheetah mother and her young. They are all trying to survive "in the wildest place on Earth". Like every great story each has their antagonist. The Cheetah family faces problems with lions, leopards, baboons, and hyenas. The pride of lions from crocodiles, buffalo, and other lions. They both struggle with the harsh elements of Africa and the need to feed large families while remaining safe.

The National Geographic film The Last Lions narrated by Jeremy Irons tells the story of a lioness and her surviving cubs as they flee their territory in search of a safe haven. Their pride was taken over and the mother took all of her cubs that she could rather then see them killed. It is a very difficult feat for a lone lioness to raise cubs on her own. She must leave them without protection to hunt to feed them. They do not have the benefit of other lionesses to help to feed or protect them nor does this mother have her own territory for them to live. Being a nomadic lion is dangerous because other lions may attack if they catch a nomad in their territory.

Morgan Freeman narrates the IMAX 3D film Born Wild. The film features orphan orangutans and orphan elephants. It discusses how something simple like the Palm Oil used for cooking is leading to the murder and mutilation of the orangutan's habitat in the forest of Borneo. The local farmers burn down their ancient forest often burning the animals to death or will kill them in order to plant more palm trees that produce the oil. Two girl scouts recently began petitioning their own organization to stop using palm oil in their cookies. While palm oil does provide income for the local farmers there are numerous alternatives for cooking.

The other orphans in Born Wild are Kenyan Elephants. Wild elephants face most of their dangers from humans poaching, trophy hunting, and in land disputes. Elephants follow the same paths their ancestors have for thousands of years. There aren't many city planners in Africa who thoughtfully research the best place for new human developments where there will be minimal conflict with wild animals. In Africa settlements and farms often crop up in wild places where they should not be. Loss of habitat is the most dangerous issue for all animals in the world and must be controlled.

The new generation of films owe a great deal to the film makers who came before them. I remember watching Tarzan films on Saturdays as a boy and enjoying everything about them. I was fascinated how Tarzan lived with the animals. The shots and sequences were brilliant for the time. I think in a way I wanted to be Tarzan. I try to help animals now because of the example Tarzan set in the films.

The movie Born Free has an enormous impact on me. Born Free tells the story of Elsa the Lioness, who was raised by George and Joy Adamson. They would later be forced to either send her to the zoo (like her sisters) or release her into the wild. Although Elsa was indeed born a wild lion, she did not posses the necessary skills or knowledge of lion behavior. George and Joy went through a traumatic and ultimately triumphant journey with Elsa in helping her to be a wild lion again. Elsa never lost her love or bond with the George and Joy. Even when she lived in a wild pride and had cubs she brought the cubs to visit her human friends.

The actors in the film would grow to love and be devoted to their animal costars and George Adamson who managed the lions on the film. The lions came from a variety of backgrounds but were all hand reared. George, Bill, and Virginia could not understand the logic in making a movie about a lion getting her freedom and then returning lions (and a now famous elephant) used in the filming to captivity. They fought to have has many of the lions from the movie given to George Adamson who would attempt to turn them into a wild pride. Bill and Virginia decided to move into the producers chair and make a documentary film about it to help finance George's cost. Sadly they were only given 7 lions but all seven went onto great success as a wild pride. The remaining lions were sent to Zoo's and circuses. One of the male lions named Boy would become Adamson's closest friends.

George and Boy would later star in another movie entitled Christian the Lion.

Bill and Virginia found Christian living in a London furniture shop ironically named Sophistocat. Christian's owners wanted a better life for him and new the time was nearing when he would be unable to live in London. Bill and Virginia moved Ace, John, and Christian to their country estate to give him a better life while they worked with George and the Kenyan government to get Christian to Africa. Bill and Virgina used the proceeds from the movie they were filming about Christian to again provide funding to George and his lions. Boy did not provide Christian with a warm welcome but they did become the best of friends.

These films all show the tremendous capacity for love. They illustrate the best potential relationships between humans and many animals. We can live in trust and friendship with many of them and many good natured humans do. These films illustrate the need to educate more people on animals and how our decisions impact them in a matter of life-and-death. It shows how the good people of the world must stop the evil people and those who act without thought before entire species of animals are extinct. Since the 1950's the lion population in Africa has dropped by over 80%! The people of Africa would be wise to protect the creature who most signifies Africa. If the lions and elephants are all gone it is doubtful anyone would visit Africa as a tourist.

All of these films are currently in theaters or available on DVD and will touch you deeply. Please share them with your friends and consider making a donation of any amount to The Born Free Foundation
or Wild Life Now Foundation & George Adamson/Tony Fitzjohn Trust.

All photos courtesty of Derek Cattani, Drew Fellman/Warner Brothers Pictures, Disney Films, National Geographic Entertainment and the Father of Lions website.

PROVOKING INSPIRATION

2011-05-22T20:55:00.001-07:00

I watched a fantastic and inspiring speech by J.K. Rowling and wanted to share my insights on her insight. J.K. Rowling is best known for being the author and creator of the Harry Potter series of books. Her books are some of the best-selling of all time and have been turned into a immensely valuable movie & merchandise franchise.

Rowling grew up in a family of little financial wealth and after college graduation would fall to "lowest level of poverty one could endure in Great Britain without being homeless". In her, June 2008 speech at Harvard University Rowling details her life post-college and prior to mega success in a speech she entitled The Fringe Benefits of Failure. She is a enjoyable public speaker. She immediately won the audience by telling them of the weeks of anxiety she had over giving the speech but that it "helped her to lose weight and now all that I have to do is squint at the red banners in the back and pretend that I am at the world's largest Gryffindor convention". She threw in a gay wizard joke and also maintains a enjoyable pace and remains on topic while entertaining her audience.

It is provocative to go to a world renowned university where so many Presidents, Congress people, business leaders, and other titans of numerous fields have graduated from and speak about failure and how it can be beneficial. Harvard sells the success of its university and those who have graduated from it. They don't focus on failure they focus on success. Harvard invited J.K. Rowling to speak because she is so successful and wealthy. The graduates are eager to get our in the world and make their mark and yet she is going to come there and tell them that failure can be a good thing? She did and it may have been the most valuable lesson they learned during their entire tenure at Harvard. She pointed out that although Harvard does not insulate people from life and its ups-and-downs that by the fact they were Harvard graduates they probably had not yet truly come to know failure.

She discusses the importance of following your passion and ambition and not the ambitions and goals that others have for you. Her parents never wanted her to become a writer, they felt it would lead only to a live of unhappiness and poverty yet when she finally began to follow her own passion it led to nearly unmatched wealth in the world, fulfillment, and happiness. Her and her parents both wanted the same things for her but they had different ideas of how she should obtain those goals. After following a path that was her parents and not her own for 7 years after graduation she found herself on government assistance, was diagnosed with clinical depression, contemplated suicide, divorced, a single parent, and directionless.

During her Harvard speech she said "Failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything than what I was, and began to direct all my energy to finishing the only work that mattered to me. Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one area where I truly belonged. I was set free, because my greatest fear had been realized, and I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored, and I had an old typewriter, and a big idea. And so rock bottom became a solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life."

While living on welfare and odd jobs she began writing her first Harry Potter book. She knew before she ever attended college she desired to write novels but her parents pushed her towards a different path that was not her own.What has she gained from her failure and the insight and perspective to finally follow her own passion?

"As of March 2011, when its latest world billionaires list was published, Forbes estimated Rowling's net worth to be US$1 billion.^[9] The 2008 Sunday Times Rich List estimated Rowling's fortune at £560 million ($798 million), ranking her as the twelfth richest woman in Great Britain.^[10] Forbes ranked Rowling as the forty-eighth most powerful celebrity of 2007,^[11] and Time magazine named her as a runner-up for its 2007 Person of the Year, noting the social, moral, and political inspiration she has given her fandom.^[12] In October 2010, J. K. Rowling was named 'Most Influential Woman in Britain' by leading magazine editors.^[13] She has become a notable philanthropist, supporting such charities as Comic Relief, One Parent Families, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain, and Lumos (formerly the Children's High Level Group)."-Sourced from Wikipedia.org

I found her speech empowering, moving, and 100% similar to my own life journey. My parents, especially my Father often had different goals for me then I did for myself. I have always been drawn to creativity, music, film, writing, reading, sports, communication, animals, history, travel, leadership, innovation, and excitement, etc.. The first job I accepted after graduation was OK but the company was not honest and was constantly trying to rewrite agreements to avoid paying me the agreed compensation as the goals were reached. I quit and formed my own business producing sports related seminars. I organized, sold, promoted the first one in 2.5 months and earned a significant 5-figure profit. I went to my parents house following the event and when asked informed my Dad how much I earned and he replied "that is great now go get a job". He'd often call me up to tell me about the assistant manager he met while shopping that wasn't earning half-annually of what I made in 2.5 months. I had plenty of other people that wanted to offer me low-expectations because that is where their comfort so is but it has never been where mine is. I am a high-achiever and need to be in order to be at my happiest.

I went on to greater success in sports, music, and business consulting. However, I haven't yet achieved the levels I am meant for. The reason is because like J.K.'s parents I had people placing their low expectations, goals, and fears upon me. Often when an opportunity for greater success would be presented it would frighten or overwhelm me because of the programming I allowed to occur over the years. I was leading a good life nonetheless when due to a manufactures defect my Toyota 4Runner lost control, flipped over, and spun around on the roof several times before finally coming to a stop on one of the busiest roads in Gainesville, FL during rush hour. I barely was able to keep my beloved Golden Retriever Dakota in the vehicle by placing my hands on him every time I saw red flash before me. When we came to a stop I was hanging upside-down by my seat belt and he was standing on the roof just above the windshield. He ran off when they pried the doors open and I was worried I'd lose him after just saving him. Thankfully he came out of the bushes he hid himself in to avoid capture by the good Samaritans that were chasing him. I stood there holding him on the median after the EMT's, witnesses, and most of the police had left, the rain pouring down upon us, my paid off vehicle being totaled and assessing where I was and what I needed to do to make it better. I figured I would just go out and make even more money to again drive a new vehicle without payments, to cover the increased insurance, and to regain my life via the physical therapy I would obviously need. I had no idea of where my life was headed. I spent the next 4 years in physical therapy, working sporadically because of the pain. I faced unsteady income but at times still every substantial.

I was pushed into new lines of work, I would meet my hero about a month later and by the end of the year Joe Strummer would have been dead. My Father passed away in October after a battle with Parkinson's. Reading about J.K.'s Mother battling Multiple-Sclerosis reminded me of my Father and I know how that disease effected her and her Mother even before her passing. I'd have other episodes of very bad fortune, identity theft more then once, numerous friends, dogs, loved ones, and clients dying unexpectedly. Each one a new trauma and brought back the pain of the previous ones. I decided that everyone with low expectations must be right and that was the way to have a good and safe life. It wasn't it was a way to become miserable, unhappy, and directionless. All the life was sapped out of me and I allowed it. Thank God I had my dog Dakota to love and inspire me! I do not know what I would have done with out him, he took care of me during the worst years of my life and often was my only direct companionship and source of love as my family did not live nearby.

What I hope anyone reading gets out of J.K. and my story is the minute you start pursuing those things in life that you are passionate about you become happier and lighter. J.K. is extra inspiring to me because like her I am a writer, work in the entertainment industry, and as it turns out we are both huge Clash fans. Joe Strummer often repeated "What one person can do another can do" and listening to J.K. and the Clash connection it made me think of Joe.

When you start following your life's passions life become significantly easier for you in all areas. It isn't always perfect but it is 100% better. J.K. rightfully states that "achievable goals are the first step to self-improvement."

If you are reading this and unfulfilled be a good student and take to heart the lessons J.K. and I learned the hard way. She passionately implored you to discover your true ambitions and pursue them without delay and I can tell you it is the best lesson you will ever learn and you don't have to go to Harvard to get it.

In Loving Memory of Dakota Oberon Baldacchino June 22, 1999-January 7th, 2011. If I can live my life the way he lived his, I will have a extroadinary and happy life.

Highlighting the Motion Picture Association of America

2011-05-15T21:21:00.000-07:00

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), was founded in 1922 to resist increased government censorship and to foster a more favorable image of the motion picture industry. The MPAA evolved the voluntary film rating system (Hays Code) giving creative and artistic freedoms to producers and directors, while fulfilling its core purpose of informing parents about the content of films so they can determine what movies are appropriate for their kids. If they do a credible job of self-policing themselves then they avoid government scrutiny. The MPAA focuses most of its efforts on safeguarding intellectual property rights, creating new markets, innovation, and awareness.

On May 12, 2011, the Protect IP Act was introduced to the United States Senate. This act is designed to protect Intellectual Property, from copyright infringement, illegal copying, distribution, showing, downloading, trading and more. This is not just from individuals but from international businesses and other countries. China is one of the leading violators of intellectual property rights. It appears the Chinese have a national policy of stealing from others but is very capable of enforcing these laws if it is a Chinese company.

Businesses and countries have a challenging time enforcing the existing laws when countries such as China have a clear policy to not cooperate in the enforcement of the laws. With China owning large amounts of other countries debts it views this as a license to steal. Much of the pirated materials or knock off items you find on the streets of NY originate in China. Chinese companies without start-up, production, research & development, and marketing cost are able to manufacture very similar items and sell them at a fraction of the cost. This tactic cost legitimate companies billions annually.

The MPAA has produced some figures to prove why it is an important association and why the industry is valuable.

We support a national community of 2.4 million workers — costume designers to make-up artists, stuntmen to set builders, writers to actors, accountants to dry cleaners — employed in all 50 states of our union.
We are a powerful engine of economic growth that contributes more than $180 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
We are an industry overwhelmingly comprised of middle-class workers earning a living wage.
We are a professional community that contributes more than $15 billion annually to federal and state tax coffers.
We are one of the few industries to run a positive balance of trade in virtually every country in which we do business.

It is these types of facts that provide the organization with strength and leverage in dealing with other organizations, selling it's services to members, countries, and politicians. While most filmmakers worry more about governments over taxing their profits, their biggest concerns today deal with copyright and intellectual property enforcement. It will be beyond challenging for a filmmaker or studio to earn a profit if street vendors and computer hackers from New York to Honk Kong are allowed to sell pirated copies. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas simply would not be capable of protecting themselves from this international crime. The MPAA must adapt to ever changing technology and varying formats to protect the legitimate members of the industry.

According to the MPAA, "approximately ninety percent of newly released movies that are pirated can be traced to thieves who use a digital recording device in a movie theater to literally steal the image and/or sound off the screen. Camcorder theft is one of the biggest problems facing the film industry. All it takes is one camcorder copy to trigger the mass reproduction and distribution of millions of illegal Internet downloads and bootlegs in global street markets just hours after a film’s release and well before it becomes available for legal rental or purchase from legitimate suppliers."

It is daunting to think of how difficult a mission the MPAA and its partners face in protecting themselves from piracy. They have stepped up surveillance and awareness in theaters, constantly check online file sharing sites, and are working on numerous legislation with many countries to help stop piracy.

Unlike many professional organizations the MPAA is necessary and valuable to its members.

THE MEDICINE SHOW!

2011-04-17T20:53:00.001-07:00

     I am in a hotel room in New York at the moment. As I type this, I have a tremendous view of Citi-Field. I don't believe the law allows for someone to come to NY and sit in their hotel room working but I am without a choice at the moment. Tomorrow morning, I will move into my next NY Headquarters across from Rockefeller Center for a series of important meetings. My brain is racing trying to anticipate every scenario and the proper response. It is an impossible task! It is best to be centered with the knowledge that I prepared well, am focused, and capable. I simply dislike going into meetings that I am uncertain of the topic!

     My parents and sisters lived in Brooklyn, until they moved down to Florida. I was conceived mere weeks after they had moved into their new house (the one I grew up in). I am sure they were in a celebatory mood to be so close to the beach! Having visited family and taken several business trips to New York and New Jersey, I often pondered what my life would have been like had I grown up here. I surely never would have had the freedom that I enjoyed in Daytona Beach, never learned to surf, play beach volleyball, soccer would have been doubtful, certainly no one would have hired me to fly stunt and hyper-kites on the beach right? Have I mentioned how much I enjoyed the thousands of Spring Break girls that were dropped off less then a block from my door every Saturday? Growing up in Florida certainly was the best fit for me but I am some how back in NY discussing opportunities.

     The best part of this week is on Tuesday evening I will be attending the Big Audio Dynamite concert at the Roseland Ballroom. The Roseland is a historic NY venue. It was at the Roseland decades ago that my Mother and Father first laid eyes on each other. My Dad requested my Mother to indulge him in a dance and that was the beginning of it all and me!

     I do not know the name of the first song that really caught my interest and made me more aware of music. I was very young, I can hear the song in my head and could probably name that tune if I were not so sleep deprived and sick. I then remember hearing and really liking The Sugar Hill Gang and Molly Hatchett. Not long after I heard, The Clash's version of "I Fought the Law" and that one hooked me. It stood out above the rest and took hold. However, I didn't know the name of the band and at that age probably not the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjQobv6ztF4&feature=fvwrel

      I may not have the order correct but I remember being at my Aunt's house in Brooklyn and my cousins blaring Billy Joel. It was so loud and seemed to have the feel New York to a young kid. "Train in Vain" also by the Clash was the next song to really took hold of me. Joe Strummer sang "I Fought the Law" and Mick Jones sang "Train in Vain", I had no idea until years later that it was the same group.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIx7k2gYT1I&feature=related

     Every album was different! There were so many different styles of music on some of the albums it was amazing, if not overwhelming. This was a band that progressed and refused to be typecast. I learned from the Clash to avoid being categorized at all cost because it would limit what you could do and it was also a way for people to attempt to control and attack you. Strummer, Jones, Paul Simonon, and Topper Headon all took lead vocals on at least one song. If you follow the history of music you understand how vital the Clash was and still is to music. Bono and The Edge from U2, Tom Morrello from Rage Against the Machine, Damon Albarn, KT Tunstall, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Beastie Boys, Billy Bragg and many others freely admit that the Clash (and the members post-Clash projects) were and are huge influence on them. "There never would have been a U2 without the Clash", said Bono.

     I turned 10 in 1982. I'd been listening to bands like Quiet Riot and Men at Work but then Combat Rock came out and songs like "Should I Stay or Should I Go" and "Rock the Casbah" were all over the radio and blaring out of every one's boom box (no IPODS and earphones back then) and car stereos. These songs went deep into my bones and became part of me. We didn't have MTV at the time but there was a Kasey Kasem TV show on Saturday's and a really good show on the USA Network that was the best thing that network has ever done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ9r8LMU9bQ

     Now I knew the name of the band, what they looked like (brilliant) and the name of the album and it would be mine. Seeing the Clash performing in their videos and live clips left me stunned. They looked, sounded, and moved fantastically!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trolcS3V7dY

      The above video was filmed at Shea Stadium, it's replacement that sits on the same site fills up the large window of my hotel room as I type this. I had no intention of staying in Queens tonight but the connection is not lost on me.

      My Dad took me to purchase the album one Saturday. I couldn't wait to play it! Finally, I could hear the songs as much as I wanted and whenever I wanted. The first song on Combat Rock is "Know Your Rights" and after the first few bars my Dad ejected the tape! I immediately pushed it back in and realized I was onto something special! My Dad would eventually learn to enjoy them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrtC8wP_bFI

      The next few months were spent trying to obtain all of the Clash's albums. Especially going backwards, in order of release, and expecting to hear "Rock the Casbah" on each album I would get surprised and enlightened with each. I was speaking with an older girl at my Dojo and speaking of my love of the Clash. I thought I had all the albums but she informed me I was missing the first and gave it to me at the next class. My Father braced himself for the ride home when he saw what I was holding in my hands. The guitar fire power of Clash City Rockers did not disappoint.

    I cried when the Clash broke up or fired Mick Jones and hired 2 new guitar players. Still even at my young age I could see the benefits of now having Mick Jones make an album and the Clash making another. Blown away was when I first heard Medicine Show, it threw me for a loss, so did most of the songs on there because I nor anyone else had ever heard music like this because no one had ever done it. I could easily pick out some of the movie dialogue in their songs. Big Audio Dynamite was the first group to ever sample on their songs. Mick Jones was just continuing to progress in all forms of music and advancing it however he deemed fit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXn32AztHBs&feature=related

     It is certainly not hard to imagine songs like "The Bottom Line", "E=MC2", and "Sony" were songs Mick Jones was developing for the next Clash album until he was fired. The band would tour the world many times over and released four albums. Eventually Mick would split from the other four original members of Big Audio Dynamite. He soon replaced them with three new guys, Nick Hawkins, Gary Stonedge, and Chris Kavanagh and released "The Globe" album which featured hits like "Rush", "The Globe", and "Innocent Child". "Rush" would become the Top Modern Rock track by Billboard Magazine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMKgL9jwWQ

     I had started attending shows not long before this and when I learned Big Audio Dynamite was headlining The MTV 120 Minutes Tour and performing in Orlando, FL I knew I would be there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhkXQ96ZLR0

   I couldn't stand Blind Melon who was the first act! Live was fantastic. Public Image Limited was good but highly turned off when John Lydon decided to moon the audience with his extremely pale British bum. Then Big Audio Dynamite took the stage and tour the roof off the place!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMKgL9jwWQ&feature=related

     I'd never seen a show that was continous by this time they'd added DJ Schapps. He'd come out and start the show and from that time on until the show was over there was never a second without music. Mixed in between all the BAD songs were DJ sets where he'd spin parts of a record and then the band would play along to it or change it up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM4wCQvp558&feature=related

     I would go on to see Big Audio Dynamite three more times in concert and be front row every time! Later Big Audio Dynamite would come to an end because when their contract was up with Sony they signed with their managers new record label called Radioactive records. I'd like to believe Mick Jones would not have made that mistake because there was a huge conflict of interest with Gary Kurfirst representing both band and label. I had the same feeling when the Clash split, when Havana 3am split, the first Big Audio Dynamite as I did then. If I could only speak with them I could put them all back together again. I have always envisioned myself running their careers because I have a talent for it and a love and devotion to them and their music that I share for no other band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPrPNpzLHIk&feature=related

     I have come close, I managed Big Audio Dynamite guitarist Nick Hawkins and I managed Clash collaborator Mikey Dread. I had gone from being at the record store the minute it opened on the day the album came out to working up song ideas, booking shows, strategic planning, and having song ideas emailed or played for me as a work in progress and being asked for my input! It still gives me a laugh when I take a moment to reflect on it today. This shows you how powerful a tool for good or evil your will power and imagination can be. Blessed to have met Joe Strummer and struck up relationships with some of his band members, I know members of Havana 3am, Clash manager Tricia Ronane, and original and current Big Audio Dynamite drummer Greg Roberts. It made my heart warm watching Mick Jones and Paul Simonon tour together last year with the Gorillaz.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIZW4SGVbhA

     Tuesday night to see this band, where my Mom and Dad met, is going to beyond epic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD2kWCfTcaU

What a bunch of hacks!

2011-04-04T01:30:00.000-07:00

I always had a natural talent for writing and often fantasized about what it would be like to have one of the screen plays, books, songs, or TV show ideas I write in my spare time be produced. I spend most of my time managing the affairs of others and helping to bring their projects and dreams to fruition.

This past week, I began to establish goals, deadlines, and research the resources I will need to begin having my projects completed. I decided to move my projects as near the top of the list as possible. I do enjoy helping others reach new levels but those great attributes and talents I have can become a detriment to me if I do not use them to fulfill my life long dreams.

Often people make a goal harder to achieve in their own mind then it is in reality. The Great Joe Strummer often said "What one man can do another can do!", and he was 100% correct! Most people never try because they simply think, I don't have the right connections, I don't have the time to write (mostly because they are watching too much TV), I'll do it later etc.


@Pennie Smith

When I think about the amount of hacks & loons that have published a book, a song, written a movie, or a TV show it gives me a sense of, I can do it to! Most of these people are not as creative as I am but they did focus on the task at hand and I focused on other people's projects and at times surviving and rebuilding.

I began watching Modern Family this year. It is in it's second season on ABC and was created by Christopher Lloyd & Stevan Levitan. It is an enjoyable, wholesome, funny and award winning show. It has won numerous awards, several for Lloyd and Levitan. The show is shot Mockumentary style, which means using a single camera and pretending a documentary crew is filming it. Hardly an original idea as shows like The Office, Parks & Recreation, and others have already used it successfully. What has helped create so much enthusiasm for the show and so many accolades for the creators is the characters. This 'Modern Family' to most is not like any family we have seen on TV before. The praised heaped on the writers for creating these characters could make aspiring writers think they may not be able to do it. "It is such an original concept"the media exclaims! Hollywood is not known for it's original ideas that is why when a show or movie comes along that is fans, media and entertainment insiders all take notice. The series Lost, Married with Children (for comedy, how they pushed the envelope, topics, etc), and the original Battlestar Galactica (Hollywood ran out of ideas so had to recreate it) are perfect examples.

I enjoy the show and watch it every week. The acting, camera work, lighting and overall production of the show is excellent! There has always been something so familiar about show, like an old friend or the sights and smell of home. Then one day while playing fetch with my Golden Retrievers, with my mind clear, it became obvious that Modern Family is not the creation of creative geniuses but the continuation of my favorite show of all time Married with Children!


@ShareTV

Apparently Lloyd and Levitan are as big of fans of Married with Children as I am. They cast Married with Children star Ed O'Neil in the lead role of Jay Pritchett. Ed's performance as Al Bundy was brilliant and will be remembered as one of TV's all-time best characters.


@ShareTV

Al Bundy was a man who in high school lived the high-life. He was a football star (he once scored 4 touchdowns in a single game), was in great shape, tough and a winner! Then he met the "red headed monster" named Peggy Wanker. She would entice Al into marrying her and they'd soon have their two children Kelly, who was a beautiful blond and Bud (who was a troll). Al had to give up his dreams and work at the shoe store. He thought it only temporary but he worked at the shoe store for decades. He tried many schemes, scams, and honest efforts to improve his and his families lives but his efforts were always foiled (usually by his family and friends).

It is clear that Al managed to change his luck and strike it rich! Al often would speak his dreams out loud during the numerous seasons of the show. He would move "to the land of huge man made hooters (California)". Modern Family is set in California. Check!


@Getty Images

He would marry a tall, young, beautiful, large breasted woman who couldn't speak any English. Have you seen Sofia Vergara? She plays Gloria Pritchett the wife of Jay Pritchett. Check!

He had various scenarios of what would become of Peggy Bundy but apparently he sold her to a biker gang. How did I come to this conclusion? Katey Segal who played Peggy Bundy is the ole' lady of the leader of a biker gang on the show Sons of Anarchy. That show is also set in California so apparently he dropped her off on the way to Los Angeles.

Jay Pritchett apparently owns a business but in all the episodes I have seen I have only seen him at work once. Al & Jay both are classic manly men and share a love for classic music like Frankie Valley & The Four Seasons.

@ShareTV

@DailyCeleb.com

What became of Al & Peggy's children? He still has a beautiful blond daughter, her name was changed from Kelly to Claire Pritchett-Dunphy. She married a duffus, like Al always feared, named Phil Dunphy(he is seriously funny).

@ShareTV

What about Bud Bundy? On Married with Children, Bud was always trying to prove he wasn't gay but apparently he finally admitted he was. Jay Pritchett has a gay son named Mitchell (Mitch) Pritchett. Bud did well academically in school and apparently became a lawyer and changed his name to Mitch. The actors who play Bud (David Faustino) and Mitch (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) are both small in stature.

@Getty Images

I guess Lloyd and Levitan wondered what ever became of the characters on Married with Children and thanks to them we all know, they are living well in California and still have adventures filled with fun and laughter. Well, not Peggy but she had it coming!

screenshots@silvestris

Lack of True Leadership May Lead to Total Loss.

2011-02-13T20:43:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
Hello, I hope you all are working hard to improve every area of your life daily and enjoying the process and benefits of your efforts. If not you will, sooner then later.

Over the Christmas Holiday's I watched a fantastic documentary on the topic of leadership. I am sure the National Geographic Channel does not view it as such but I immediately did. If you know me, you understand my deep love and passion for lions. The thoughts of running off to Africa to work with and protect them teases my mind almost daily.

The documentary focused on a struggling pride of lions. It had been tremendously successful for generations but now had a sickly member, couldn't control their sub-adult members, lacked the proper mix of talent and skill to consistently provide enough food for them all, battled amongst themselves, splintered off into factions and more.

What happened? This pride lacked true leadership! While the adult females were experienced they became a victim of their own success. Their previous success was raising to "teenage years" 9 males and a female, this became a problem. One of the adult females became sick with Tuberculosis. She grew weaker and gradually, became less of a help in the hunts. The "teenagers" lacked the training and skill to be able to help in the hunts. This left the "organization" with a shortage of lions actually making a significant contribution and too many just along for the free lunch. Many of you may work in a similar situation. The "teenage" male lions were so overpowered by testosterone harassed and bullied other pride members. Peaceful and quite moments were hard to find. They were of the size and strength that the adult females were unable to discipline them. When the females did hunt successfully, the 9 sub-adult males would forcefully take more then their share and the rest of the family suffered.

This led to a split where several female adults and their young split off to go live in another part of the territory. In a smaller group, they would be required to kill less in order to provide for themselves and without those teenage bullies around to harass them and eat all the food the quality of their lives would improve rapidly. There was no shortage of prey just a shortage of capable workers and team players.

What is the root cause of this pride's troubles? Their leaders were uninterested. The two pride males and Fathers of the 10 teenagers and the younger cubs also controlled another territory bordering their own and had fathered younger cubs there. Since those cubs were younger they males remained there to protect them. In lion society, the adult males often help in hunting, provide protection, and discipline.

The males absence (anyone have a boss like this?) went on for a very long period of time. This pride was hungry, splitting up, had a sickly member, lacked harmony and cooperation. This pride was at the breaking point and the members could not take anymore and then they all cried out for help at once. All of the females so fed up roared repeatedly in unison for help and in the dark of night they were provided a response. The big males patrolling the border heard the calls and responded. It wasn't long before they magnificently emerged from the darkness. While one greeted the females providing compassion and listening to their problems (what a good leader) the other went straight for the trouble makers and confronted them directly. They reluctantly showed submission. The same night the pride hunted and with the assistance of the males were able to use enough team work, skill, and ability to kill a large bull. This provided more then enough food for them all.

The next morning, the sun rose to show the young lions laying down the hill on their best behavior while the pride males watched from on top of the hill. That is their organizational flow chart! Soon the young males had enough training to successfully be the difference makers in hunts, now they will able to contribute to the organization instead of just draining it's resources and being a obstacle to it's success.

Soon the males would need to chase off 3 of their sons. It happens, sometimes an employee just isn't a fit or needs to leave an organization to make something of themselves. Not all do but the opportunity is there. Later the remaining young males left to make a life for themselves.

The females who had splintered off rejoined the pride, new cubs were born, and the pride returned to their former glory. It went from the brink of splintering and members not being able to survive to thriving literally overnight! This only happened because they got their leaders (who were quality leaders) involved in the organization again and truly leading and doing the work that matters most.

Please watch this video for the film "The Last Lions". It is amazing! Be sure to see the movie when it is released but by simply watching this promotional video National Geographic will donate $10.00 per viewing, watch as often as you can because lions needs our help badly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ7SvK7w1xA

Photos courtesy of Monica Campbell Copyright 2010.