CineVegas Cafe Series

I went to the CineVegas Café Series over the weekend. The featured speaker was Trevor Groth. I’ve known him for about seven years, although I am not sure he knew my name for the first few. As a long-term volunteer for the festival, I have seen many changes. I think Trevor was one of the best. He has been involved with the Sundance Film Festival for many years: first as a volunteer, then as staff, then programming and he was recently promoted to Head of Programming for Sundance. I told him that he was the first person that I had seen interview on the Sundance Channel that I actually know.

As Artistic Director for CineVegas, he discussed the upcoming festival and opened the conversation to questions. I asked him what he thought of the article in the WSJ about the tightening of funding for independent films.

According to the article “Indie Films Suffer Drop-Off in Rights Sales” from the WSJ April 20, 2009, “In the latest challenge to the American movie business, a crucial source of funding for independent films -- sales of foreign-distribution rights -- is rapidly drying up… But today, due to factors ranging from the credit crunch to burgeoning online piracy, even the biggest names aren't always enough to sell an American film abroad.”

Trevor said, “ With the challenges of the domestic economy combined with the paradigm changes brought on by digital media and downloading, the industry is trying to figure out how to monetize films and filmmaking. While this is going on, the festival circuit may offer an opportunity to get your product out and be seen by the marketplace.”

Once upon a time, records (now cd’s) were the focus of the recording industry. Artist toured to promote their record sales. Now it is just the opposite. Recording and downloads help promote the touring and concert industries.

Again, from the WSJ article, says Mr. [Graham] King [a Hollywood film producer who won an Oscar in 2007 for "The Departed]. “With credit drying up across the globe, many foreign distributors simply don't have the capital to buy… At some point these buyers have to find some product for 2010 and 2011, so Cannes and Venice will be interesting,"

Certainly, the conversation on Saturday supported this contention. Trevor said that the submissions for both Sundance and CineVegas have never been higher.

Making Freelancing Work For You

In the Wall Street Journal, there is a report on how Web sites that advertise freelance work have been expanding, with some listing twice as many ads as they did a year ago. The sites — including Elance.com, Odesk.com and Guru.com — also feature opportunities in a wider variety of fields now, including accounting, law, engineering, sales and marketing. Many people also use Craigslist to advertise freelance gigs, too.

To be sure, freelancing is a juggling act in itself. The arrangement requires the ability to meet deadlines while always searching for and securing that next gig. There are also safety concerns if your job involves working with strangers. And working for yourself can have tricky tax consequences.

The good news is that many freelance job sites help simplify things by offering the option to create a free profile describing the services you offer. You typically can also upload work samples, post employer testimonials and complete competency tests in areas like software coding and email etiquette.

Do you think you have what it takes to freelance?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124157147509390007.html

GarageBand on the Mac's

GarageBand puts a music studio on your computer, where the band is never late and always plays in tune. Since it is on a Mac, you already know how it works... kind of. It is pretty easy to play with, but you have simply got to have some talent to make real music. Some of our students do! The school has higher end and more comprehensive software, but for some students, this is all they will need. GB is part of iLife and is standard on all new Mac's.

With GarageBand, you can record, arrange, and mix your music, and then share it with the world. GarageBand includes a complete recording studio, a set of pro-quality instruments and effects, and a large library of prerecorded sounds you can use in your projects. Whether you’re an experienced musician or you’ve never made music before, you can create your own songs, podcasts, and ringtones using GarageBand.

We have GB08 on the AILV Mac's. Since Apple has released a new version, if you want some Video Tutorials on GB08, click:
http://www.apple.com/findouthow/music/garageband08.html

Jobless Tap Power of Merchandising - Wall Street Journal

Stephanie Aucoin got a job offer the same day she was stopped in an elevator by an executive who noticed her new yellow wristband with "Laid Off Need a Job.com" embossed with black letters.

The executive, who was a chief financial officer at an alternative energy company, was looking for an assistant and told her to stop in to meet with him. "I did," says Ms. Aucoin, 48 years old, who started the new job in March after being laid off from an executive-assistant position at a local accounting firm last September.

The silicone bracelet -- think of Lance Armstrong's Livestrong original version -- was an idea Ms. Aucoin, of Sarasota, Fla., developed with Barbara Bourn, 59, a former colleague.

Courtesy LaidOffNeedAJob.com

Hopeful entrepreneurs, most of whom have lost their jobs, are capitalizing on layoffs while also highlighting the plight of the jobless. They are dreaming up layoff-related merchandise, offering wristbands, mugs, T-shirts, board games and more to the recently unemployed -- whose ranks are growing. More than 5.1 million jobs have been lost since December 2007, and more cuts are expected in the coming months.

Padding dwindling bank accounts is what originally motivated Ms. Aucoin and Ms. Bourn. "We needed to find a gimmick" to earn money, says Ms. Bourn, who was forced to sell her house after her hours in an interior-design sales position were cut back.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124088057511061859.html

Sgt Eric Gordon at NAB Networking Party

G-Day Frank

It was great chatting with you the other day and thanks for taking interest in the Canadian Armed Forces ''Army News''.

Check out our web site at http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/index.asp

We have been in production since 2003 and have been growing ever since. We train our soldiers in-house on a course that last about 8 weeks. Below is a brief detail of what we are all about.

Army News is part of Army Multimedia whose role is to provide reliable and accurate internal information to Canadian soldiers and the Army chain of command using traditional and emerging technologies.

Some of Army Multimedia's main tasks are to gather news about and for soldiers, update the Army website daily and produce and distribute two bilingual Army News video episodes weekly as well as special programming as required.

In carrying out these functions under the leadership of the Director Army Public Affairs, Army Multimedia supports the Army by helping shape Army culture, informing our internal audience and connecting with Canadians.

Eleven Army News field teams of soldier-reporters and CF image technicians, supported by public affairs officers, gather news throughout the Army for Army Multimedia.

Army News teams are located in Halifax, Gagetown, Valcartier, Ottawa, Petawawa, Toronto, Shilo, Wainwright and Edmonton. Several Reserve Army News teams are also located across Canada.

Again it was nice meeting you and hope to meet again sometime.

Cheers

Sgt Eric Gordon

Nab - This is free in Vegas - If you signed up

Games: Top 5 Trends Revolutionizing Entertainment Today Las Vegas Convention Center: N252 April 23 • 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. The video game industry is poised to double in sales from $32 billion in 2005 to nearly $70 billion in 2011 by some estimates. New consuls, increased capabilities and widespread acceptance into mainstream culture make this medium a serious contender in the mass market entertainment industry. Learn about the top trends driving this fast growing industry and how to tap into this lucrative medium.

Moderator(s): Dale Strang, Executive in Residence, Battery Ventures, Former, Managing Editor, International Games Network

Panelist(s): Reto Bodmer, CEO, Evolved Games

YuChiang Cheng, CEO, World Golf Tour

Glen Schofield , Vice President and General Manager, Electronic Arts Redwood Shores Studio Read earlier post ot see hour one guy found the "secret code" to get into the industry event.

You need to do things like this. Nearly naked women, alcohol and networking

Networking Events

Official All-Access Monday Night Party Monday, April 20 | 6 - 8 p.m. Located on the Mezzanine at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Come and meet the glamour girls of "Peepshow"! Also featuring former NBA legends in the interactive "HHX: The Hoop Hall Experience". Enjoy a welcome drink and toast with Robin Leach, host of the Content Theater!Admission to the party and live performance is complimentary with NAB Show badge. Discounted cash bar and food stations will also be available.

Business Law Spring 2009

Agnos, Eugenia George http://egadesigner.blogspot.com/
Angel, Renferd K http://keoniangel.blogspot.com/
Clinton, Christian Randolph http://crclinton.blogspot.com/
Conforti, Chris http://elevatesounds.blogspot.com/
Corbilla, Paul J. http://pcorbilla.blogspot.com/
Cuch, Taylor Rayne http://t-rayne.blogspot.com/
Curtis, Michael Patrick http://buisnesslaw.blogspot.com/
Deblase, Andrew J. http://efanimation.blogspot.com/
Dickerson, Allison Marie http://alieds-alie.blogspot.com/
Dierken, Alex Daniel http://armamentscrolls.blogspot.com/
Eagar, Holly http://websitedivisions.blogspot.com/
Garza, Artemio O. http://nordfantome.blogspot.com/
Gonzales, Robin,, Jr. http://donutsforbusinessblog.blogspot.com/
Hamilton, Barry E. http://trindaddy.blogspot.com/
Hodgin, Coriandra Lee http://ibcoriandra09.blogspot.com/
James, Camille Terese http://jadeinteriors702.blogspot.com/
Lum, Kevin T. http://starberrystudios.blogspot.com/
Manning, Chris http://cmdconcepts.blogspot.com/
McNabb, Teri M. http://simplytimelessphoto.blogspot.com/
Meade, Melody A. http://makemelodies.blogspot.com/
O'Connor, Sara L. http://saralynnedesigns.blogspot.com/
Pastor, Lauren Brittany http://kerosenekween.blogspot.com/
Paulo, Britney C. http://britneyblaire.blogspot.com/
Payanouvong, Seth King http://elpdlm.blogspot.com/
Quemado, Rick Allen http://negotiumlexlegis.blogspot.com/
Reed, Amanda A. http://northfire-northfire.blogspot.com/
Wacaser, Cristin J. http://cjfashionrm.blogspot.com/
Zullo, John A. http://whatithinkaboutlawyers.blogspot.com/

Computer Applications Spring 2009

Abarca, Carlos R http://kd2inc.blogspot.com/

Blodgett, Freddie J. http://phoenixphellpro.blogspot.com/

Bostic, Ryan C. http://7zero5productions.blogspot.com/

Caballero, Priscilla M http://estrellacreations.blogspot.com/

Downey, John A. http://heavytonesaudio.blogspot.com/

Felz, Sean M http://wombataudio.blogspot.com/

Hodgin, Coriandra Lee http://dbc09.blogspot.com/

Iannuccilli, Nicholas S. http://chilld-zine.blogspot.com/

Jackson, Bryan L. http://westcoastmenace.blogspot.com/

Kercher, Ryan J. http://skullaudios.blogspot.com/

Pulido, Alejandro http://interiors702.blogspot.com/

Reyes, Rafaela Lisseth http://rafaela-reyes.blogspot.com/

Rigney, Andrew P http://eastbayproductions.blogspot.com/

Roberts, Raphael A http://animieextacy.blogspot.com/

Rodriguez, Emmanuelle A. http://thewholeworldsgoneoffthewall.blogspot.com/

Seidman, Alex L. http://slappersandslumpers.blogspot.com/

Sharfner, Alexander http://nerdboicafe.blogspot.com/

Siemer-Valdez, Natasha Yvonne http://nysvdesign.blogspot.com/

NAB in Vegas

Imagine an event powerful enough to lead an industry of converging technologies for more than 80 years. Imagine a gathering of global professionals and solutions providers from every stage of the content lifecycle, from creation to consumption. Imagine the ultimate educational experience.

Welcome to the IMAGINation. More than just broadcasting, the NAB Show™ is attended by leading media, entertainment and communications professionals like you who share a passion for delivering the next generation of audio, video, and filmed content across multiple platforms – from televisions, radios and computers to phones, the big screen and beyond.

Schedule at a Glance: Sat April 18 to Thurs April 23

One student in Career Development class filled out the registration information and then googled for the FEE PASS CODE. It took (on the second try) and he got in! Once you get in, you are alumnae and you will be invited to future conferences.