Clooney Signing Autographs in Salisbury, NC

Exclusive Photos Copyright 2008 MediaMensch Networks. All Rights Reserved

Hundreds of fans turned out today to see George Clooney and Renee Zellweger on their press tour for Leatherheads. Clooney and Zellweger arrived on a train which was used for filming in the movie. As they pulled up into the station, Clooney and Zellweger were waving from the window inside the train. As they exited the train a roar came up from the hundreds of fans who had been waiting for them for as much as four hours. The film was shot on location in Salisbury and the train museum and train were used in multiple scenes in the movie.

George and Renee were decked out in the 1920's attire. At the press conference, George and Renee both agreed is was so much fun to be in such a friendly small town. Renee actually thought being nice and smiling was a prerequisite. In real life Clooney grew up in a small town in Kentucky, while Zellweger grew up in a small town in Texas. This reminded them of home.

Clooney and Zellweger -- Audio Clip of Press Conference

Well, here is copy of the press conference with George Clooney and Renee Zellweger. I had the opportunity to ask two questions during the press conference and had a fun time with George kidding with me about my role in the movie.

Click here for Audio Clip of entire press conference from Radio Station WBT in Charlotte.

Exclusive MediaMensch Pics - Clooney on a Train Arriving at Leatherheads Press Conference

Exclusive Photos for MediaMensch Networks. Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved

Charlotte Observer - Clooney and Zellweger at Salisbury Train Depot

Here are pictures of the Leatherhead's Press Conference from the Charlotte Observer. I had the opportunity to sit next to Lawrence Toppman who is the film critic for the Charlotte Observer at the Press conference.

Tomorrow on radio station WBT Charlotte with Al Gardner morning show the audio version of the press conference will be played and posted on their website. Click here to listen live.

Whistlestop Tour of Leatherheads with George and Renee

Today was one of those surreal days...I interviewed George Clooney and Renee Zellweger at the Leatherheads Press Conference in Salisbury NC today. The press conference was held at the same train depot and they rode in on the same train seen in the movie. Renee and George were dressed in the 1925 outfits they wore in the movie. They are the Hepburn and Tracy in this romantic comedy. Prior to the press conference there were over 1,000 fans outfitted in Leatherheads t-shirts and with other promotional items for autographs.

More later...

News from Amazon Breakthrough Novel Semifinalist

Julie Ann Shapiro's first novel, Jen-Zen and the One Shoe Diaries just had it's first major reorder from Amazon. This comes on the heels of being mentioned in USA Today. This article has been picked up by at least 20 major media outlets, if not more.

The author's second novel, Three Drop Pennies was recently a semifinalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Contest. In a clever marketing development many of the semifinalists have come together to create a forum and a literary print magazine to which Julie will be serving as a flash fiction editor.


The ABNA Books Forum has united the semifinalists in the hopes of marketing their novels and attracting major attention from the publishers. For more information on the forum check out their recent press release.

****

Amazon Semifinalists Launch ABNABooks.com

Community Creates Literary Site for Networking and Promotion

ABNABooks.com, an online showcase, network and marketplace for writers, was launched on March 1, 2008. ABNA Books is a place for writers to present their work, keep track of fellow writers’ news and publications, and get the attention of publishers and agents.

What began as a group of entrants and semifinalists in the “Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award” contest, evolved into the Association of Breakthrough Novel Authors on ABNABooks.com. Through the Amazon discussion forum, participating writers grew into a community, working together to improve their writing and promote their books.

Brainchild of semifinalist Valya Dudycz Lupescu, ABNABooks.com establishes a more permanent home for ABNA writers and their works.

“Several writers and reviewers mentioned that they wanted a way to stay in touch and to find out about the publications of other entrants,” said Lupescu. “ABNABooks.com provides us with the place to do that. The general public can also subscribe for a free monthly update about news and publications.”

Selected as a semifinalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, Lupescu's debut novel, The Silence of Trees, gained more than 200 positive reviews from customers and reviewers. Lupescu and her husband, Mark, decided to create ABNA Books to maintain the community started during the contest, while at the same time providing the public with a place to track the manuscripts and publications of this talented group of writers.

"Since the manuscripts in ABNABooks.com have been pre-screened in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award competition and most have received positive reviews from Publishers Weekly, I can see it as a legitimate source of good literature,” said Enrico Antiporda, author of the Top 100 Semifinalist entry, A Light in the Cane Fields. “I foresee literary agencies and commercial publishers mining the website to add to their catalogue."

Julie Ann Shapiro, author of Jen-Zen and the One Shoe Diaries, who’s second novel, Three Drop Pennies is an Amazon Breakthrough Novel Semifinalist has been an active participant on the Amazon forum. “This community of authors have novels that are top notch, peer-reviewed of the highest caliber and ready to be published. Book publishers should take a serious look at these manuscripts.“

With short synopses, lengthy excerpts, and prior publications, ABNA Books provides agents and editors a snapshot of writers’ projects and potential. The site also provides a place for comments and reviews, so that an author’s following and marketability may be glimpsed.

For more information about ABNA Books please visit www.ABNABooks.com

###

About ABNA Books.com:
ABNA began as a group of entrants and semifinalists of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. Through the forum, they grew into a community of writers working together to improve their writing and promote their books. ABNABooks.com is the next step in their evolution, a place to maintain that solidarity while promoting their work and perfecting their craft. ABNA Books is an online showcase, network, and marketplace for writers. It’s a place for writers to present their work, get the attention of publishers and agents, and help each other in the process of publishing and promotion.

A Place of Hopes

This is a moving video for orphans in Cameroon..I am on the advisory board. Our group led by Abong Farkham and Barney Barnum...the spent two weeks.. see www.placeofhopes.com ...the next trip is planned for July 2008

Media Mensch Radio Show - BlackTurtle Media - Neal Thurman

Today's guest for the show on March 21, 2008 was Neal Thurman, VP, Audience Relations for www.blackturtlemedia.com.

Andrew Kaplan, host of MediaMensch, and Thurman discussed the development of the site for the young creatives, the creation of a citizen journalist blogging site for soccer which was sold to Yahoo. and his past non-profit project for linking inner city children with books called www.in2books.com

Listen to the Radio show at www.blogtalkradio.com/mediamensch

Independent Film - Insignificant Others

The last two days, I spent time as an extra working on a film called Insignificant Others. We filmed at the old courthouse building in Charlotte. My roles included a police detective or lawyer, and a police officer in full uniform.

Here is a blurb about this project:

In/Significant Others" is John Schwert's follow up feature to "Among Brothers" (www.amongbrothers.com), which played 17 film festivals in 2005-06 and was just featured on Dateline NBC (www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18619158/). Although it's a low-budget project, the script is strong and will be a top-tiered festival piece targeting the 2009 Spirit Awards.

Story line: Blurring the lines between drama, comedy, mystery and crime, In/Significant Others is a modern thriller that voices a unique narrative by trailing an eclectic ensemble cast of characters through their unpredictable daily lives. The film peeks inside personal, intimate moments of these unknowingly-linked character’s lives, including glimpses of drug addiction, stand-up comedy and murder. The character’s parallel storylines converge and we build to the climactic finale with a captivating and visceral series of reveals.

The Family That Preys - Day 1 - Arriving in Atlanta

I drove down to Atlanta for the role as an extra in the Tyler Perry "The Family that Preys" movie. We arrived outside the Atlanta Civic Center after maneuvering through downtown Atlanta which was just recovering from a tornado a few days before. When I arrived at the parking lot I was met by some of the production assistants on the film and then went to line up. I was to be in group "B". My call time was at 5:30 pm. As I went to the back of the line, I heard someone call my name. It was Edd, who was in Leatherheads and Gospel Hill. He had driven down from NC. We talked about the movie and also that as I stopped by at the Greenville, SC Starbucks, there was a poster for a "premiere" party for Leatherheads being organized. With Ed was Gina and Alisa who also were in Leatherheads.

Since it was about 4:45 when we arrived for our bus, the earlier groups to go over to the set were band members and the "A" group. We were going to the Bank of America Building (31st Floor) for extra's holding. On the 31st floor were racks of the tuxedos we were to where for the scene. I finally met Tiffani-Mishell who I had spoken to numerous times on the phone. I was given my tuxedo and then went into the dressing room which was really someones empty office.

We then were asked by different groups to take the elevator to the lobby...dozens of production people were there and it looked exactly like a real black tie gala. We had a 20 piece orchestra, dance floor, bars, and tables with 4 ft high centerpieces.

At our table, I sat next to Joe and Tiffany. Our waitresses name was Hope. My "wife's" name was Ylian. We started to film at about 10 pm and spent the next 6 hours filming the party scene.
I had sushi (real) and champagne (sparking apple juice). the red wine was cranberry and the chardonnay was white cranberry. I even had a "scotch" placed in my hand.

During one of the scenes Robin Givens (actress) comes to our table and talks to a couple sitting across from me. A large camera on a boom is being used to film this scene. I had seen a similar large camera in Leatherheads. It is on a crane about 40 ft high/long.

The others on the scene included Jennifer Hudson and other actors and actresses. Here is the IMDB Listing http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142798/

Starbucks Post for "In Your Face" Column

This picture above was created and is property of businessweek.com. The comment below was the original comment posted on businessweek.com's website for an article called "How to re-energize Starbucks". After posting this comment, businessweek.com selected this comment for their "In Your Face" feature for readers. Businessweek.com is moving quickly to become a website which is embracing its readers and engaging them in conversation.

andrew kaplan Feb 21, 2008 4:11 PM GMT
Starbucks ideas
1. Focus on a niche for non-coffee drinkers as well such as moms with small kids. They have organic apple juice,milk and also really their cream based frappucinos are really close to milk shakes..(no caffeine)..

2.They also should get rid of the merchandising and focus on teaching the customers about coffee. Most customers and coffee drinkers do not realize each coffee is paired with a cake/food they sell and can eliminate the need for pouring milk and sugar into regular coffee as it sweetens the taste. Many of their bold coffees have better taste when paired with chocolate.

3. They really should have some type of community bulletin board in all stores.

4. They should have a permanent counter with stools and a barista teaching...and attracting single customers.

5. They should hire "public speaking baristas" who can go out to the community

6. GO GREEN - Have real mugs and encourage use of travel cups (give a large discount to "Green Customers".

Tyler Perry, Kathy Bates and Me

A new adventure is about to unfold in my 'career' as a movie extra/actor. About two weeks ago, I applied to be an extra in a new film called "The Family That Preys" starring Kathy Bates, Tyler Perry, Alfrie Woodard and others.

Tyler Perry's personal journey has been featured on Oprah and is a "rags to riches" story with its core being "belief that anything is possible" and "Not to Listen to Naysayers".

A few days after applying for a role as an extra, Tiffany, from Tyler Perry called me and told me about the scene. I would be shooting a scene for a Gala Event. I wasn't sure what that would mean right away. That is, until she called back a few days later to tell me to come to Atlanta to be measured for a tuxedo. Since I live 4 hours away and they were not paying me "Feature Actor" pay, I asked whether I could have an alternative place to be fitted for this "costume". She told me I could do it locally and to call her on Monday with the sizes. So last Sunday, instead of driving to Atlanta, I drove to my local Men's Wearhouse store to be fitted. The salesperson filled out a card with all the measurements and on Monday, I faxed them to Tiffany.

Meanwhile, my friend had just returned from Atlanta from his shoot and told me he was up on a large construction site in high winds for 10 hours of filming. He was cold and his lips were chapped. Tyler Perry was in the scene with him. I thought about the luck of being inside at a Black Tie Gala. Hope the hors d'oeuvres and champagne are good.

I believe 'The Family That Preys" will be out in theatres in October 2008.

Businessweek.com - "In Your Face"

This week was an amazing media week. A comment I wrote about how to re-energize Starbucks was featured at the top of Businessweek.com's new In Your Face page which was added to their home page yesterday. They created this picture.

I also had the opportunity to kick off my new MediaMensch radio show with an interview featuring Howard Behar, former president of Starbucks North America and International and current board member. The show can be found at www.blogtalkradio.com/mediamensch.

In addition, I was introduced to an "experimental" Starbucks drink this week which was a "Mint Chocolate Chip" frappucino. It is not on their menu and tastes exactly like the ice cream. We submitted the idea to Starbucks this week as well and thought they could do a "Green Day" on Earth Day with Green Teas, Green Lattes, and test this new Mint Chocolate Chip Frappucino.

Crystal Shawanda - "You Can Let Go Now"

Crystal Shawanda is a client of a good friend of mine from Lake Norman Toastmasters...she is now on the Canadian billboard 100. Gorgeous song!...she is Canadian Native Indian...so the journey to Nashville was somewhat amazing.

MediaMensch Radio - Author and Executive Howard Behar of Starbucks

We are excited that our MediaMensch radio show is off to a great start. We are featuring stories in media of people, authors and musicians who might be new to you.

Our next show will feature, Howard Behar, the former President of Starbucks International and long time board member who has published a book entitled "It's Not About the Coffee". Howard will be appearing as a guest on the new live MediaMensch radio show on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 from 12 to 1 pm. We will be discussing his views on Starbucks culture and successful leadership practices and observations such as "The Walls Talk" and "The Person that Sweeps should pick the Broom". We also will discuss the changes taking place at Starbucks since Howard Schultz returned as CEO.

You can listen to this show at www.blogtalkradio.com/mediamensch

This show can be listened to live from your computer. You can also call in a special phone # as well. This show and future shows will be archived and available via this link and on iTunes.

We also have a sister show for the Facebook Economy called "Facebook Enthusiast", one of MediaMensch Networks new brands. You can listen to this show at www.blogtalkradio.com/facebookenthusiast We have an interview with the incredible young and prolific Anastasia Salter, a college professor and reader of over 5,000 books at age 23. She is one of the top reviewers for the facebook applications, Visual Bookshelf.

Turning a Dream Into Reality

(Note:Here is an real life inspiring story of a daring woman, a disability and a dream). MediaMensch will be featuring authors from now on both on our blog and on our new radio show at www.blogtalkradio.com/mediamensch).

Jeanne May's Inspiring Story and Journey To Outer Mongolia

When did you decide to live your dream of visiting Outer Mongolia?
Wednesday, November 10, 1993 -- at dinner with a friend and a woman I had only met once before. Early in the evening, Sally (we were at her place and I had only met her once before) was talking about her recent trip to Tibet... one thing led to another and at some stage I mentioned something about Mongolia and Sally immediately said " Why not go there??" my immediate response was: no way... I thought she was kidding and would leave it at that -- but Sally is into dream analysis and has been for many years. She kept saying “why don't you?” After a couple more drinks, my protests faded and the three of us that night decided to go to Mongolia. And at that point... I knew my life would never be the same again.

What was the most empowering aspect of having a life long dream become a reality?
It broke through my limiting beliefs about what I was capable of doing. It also broke through many other people's limiting beliefs about me – many of my family and friends and doctors were very vocally opposed to me going -- I even got told I was irresponsible, and I should not be contemplating it given my physical challenges and enormous breathing problems.
The most empowering thing about it is that I know anything you really want to do badly enough... you can do it, no matter what your circumstances are.
If I can turn my dream into a reality... anyone can

What delightful surprises occurred, and what unforeseen obstacles presented special insights that you might not have otherwise encountered?

Many delightful surprises -- our guides and the people who looked after us (drivers, interpreters, tour guides) in China and Mongolia -- took us into their hearts as we did them. We built up incredibly strong and trusting relationships very quickly with them.My 40th birthday celebrations (by the Mongolians) -- that was so exquisitely beautiful. Touching the Great Wall of China -- it was one thing I never anticipated I would actually do. Managing really well without speaking the language.

We were our own group -- we were not part of a tour group because we needed to have as many things wheelchair accessible as possible -- our needs (my needs) were very different to what tour guides/travel agents were used to! Part of the delightful surprises were that we were taken to places regular tourists didn't go to and experienced things that were not on the tourist itinerary.

Obstacles -- it seemed every country we went to there were many obstacles. But that's what

travelling is all about!

Many obstacles I had to resolve long before I went e.g. getting a suitable wheelchair for travelling, getting portable breathing equipment, getting an alternative to electricity. Also obstacles related to people's negative reaction to me going.

While away... some of the obstacles included:
our visa to Mongolia was not available in Beijing -- we thought this was all organised before we left -- but it was a major hiccup which put the rest of the trip in jeopardy.My breathing equipment spat the dummy bigtime in Inner Mongolia which again threatened the rest of the journey.
Not being able to travel the Mongolian border by vehicle... coupled with my breathing equipment problem, meant that we had to catch the train which meant our schedule pickup at the other end had to be changed at very short notice -- fairly dubious few hours I can tell you!
In Outer Mongolia our tickets to leave the country were not in our name.

Wheelchair access was difficult all throughout.
Electricity going off at our Hotel in Outer Mongolia for an unknown length of time -- we were on the 8th floor! My bell I had bought was confiscated at the airport as we were leaving Mongolia -- caused a major drama! But all obstacles were faced and dealt with... and it was all part of the journey. It made us stronger.

Is there any advice you give someone who’s stuck listening to the inner voice saying…dream on…you can’t do it?
Make a stronger inner voice speak "I can do it!"... quiet all the negative talk -- listen to it and see if it is guiding you to plan more carefully, to do things more deliberately, and thoroughly. But the overriding advice is to use the negativity as a learning experience not as something that says I can't do this!

All of the negativity I gave myself and heard from others just made me stronger.

For the sake of readers, could you give a brief synopsis of Outer Mongolia—specifically describing ways that demonstrate fulfilling a life long dream and how fulfilling that is?
In essence, this book is about a journey to Outer Mongolia. It tells of a fantasy which became a reality. For many years, Outer Mongolia had been a place I would retreat to in my mind when I wanted to get away from the hassles and demands of daily life. It represented a real spiritual haven for me.

My fantasy was going to Mongolia but my reality is that I was born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which left me dependent on a wheelchair, with limited strength and significant breathing problems. Travelling such a long distance from Australia to a relatively closed country like Outer Mongolia should not have been considered an achievable goal given my health and mobility challenges, but the beckoning of Mongolia was far too strong.

OUTER MONGOLIA...No longer a fantasy has an important message for everyone: that if you truly believe in doing something, and if it is meant to be, then anything is possible, whether you are disabled or not.

Contrary to what seemed to be the logical and sensible thing to do... on July 15, 1995, Ro, Sally, Pat, Fred and I embarked on a fantastic journey... to Outer Mongolia. Together we flew eight times, travelled on the Trans Mongolian Railway, drove through and over the Gobi Desert in a bus, slept in tents on the steppes of Mongolia, touched the Great Wall of China, slept in a yurt, and saw a yak. We visited countries, saw places, met people, and experienced things we never thought possible.

What is your next big dream?
I have two big dreams:
1) provide information, inspiration, guidance and support to others to turn their dream into reality.
http://www.aspirationsplus.com/
http://www.goalsnaspirations.com/

2) Mongolia did so much for me and I want to give back to them. The best way I can do this is to donate every dollar I receive from the sale of my book to the Developing Countries Aid Fund (DCAF) Asia -- Mongolia, which is administered by the Red Cross.
So my big dream is to sell 10,000 copies of my book -- for the people of Mongolia.

Links to ordering your book:
http://www.synergebooks.com/ebook_outermongolia.html

Facebook Enthusiast Radio Show #3

This was an interesting show with the brilliant, young Anastasia Salter, who is one of the most prolific reviewers and readers of books. At age 23, she is a PhD candidate and has read more than 5,000 books. She reads an average of a book a day.

Come hear her insights on social media, books, gaming and digital media.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FacebookEnthusiast/2008/03/03/Facebook-Enthusiast-

Why You Should Take Digital Fiction Seriously

The book publishing world is a hard if not brutal business. I know 50 outstanding writers that don’t stand a chance of getting published by the mainstream industry and of this group each writer in turn probably knows another 50 and so exponentially we’re looking at 1000 writers with books that under regular circumstances wouldn’t stand a chance of making it. But the good news is there’s a whole world of opportunities opening up in the digital publishing arena. Before I go into that I want to tell you the typical cycle from writer to literary agent to a mainstream publishing house.

The average literary agent gets 150 queries a day from writers hoping to get their book published. The agent chooses to represent roughly 1% of these books. Agents pitch these books to the publishers who get thousands of manuscripts a year to review. An editorial committee at the publishing house then decides what books to take, but that’s not the end of the cycle. The committee still has to convince marketing that the book will earn out its royalties and advances. One naysayer at a publishing house can literally kill the book’s chances of getting published.
Novels by the established, the well known, the trendy and celebrity types with ghost writers have a greater chance of getting a book published than many talented writers.

Fortunately, digital publishing has arrived on the scene and with the potential to revolutionalize the publishing industry. This means every word, image, sound, animation, and movie can be delivered as a series of digital ones and zeros. In a word, digital publishing has changed our definition of books.

Today digital publishing is anything from an electronic (e-Book), CD-ROM, to a paper-based book or hybrid with Internet inactivity. Many of you have heard the term print on demand. This utilizes digital technology. It’s a means many independent and small presses have adopted to get their books out there and so have the likes of Harper Collins. Often times when book stores today purchase books they are printed on demand to keep costs of production down. It’s a little known cost saving secret and how the publishing industry is evolving.

What digital publishing has done for the book world is to level the playing field and give independent presses a chance to publish the kinds of books they want. More importantly it gives readers a chance to read books beyond just what the mega-conglomerate publishing houses produce.


Most of the mainstream publishers go with what’s safe and proven to make money. It’s less and less about art and more and more about dollars. This is where small digital presses have a chance to offer readers something different and to in turn give new generations of talented writers a chance.

Yes, talent, that’s what you’ll find in the digital realm in my not so humble opinion. It’s fast becoming a home for bold fiction that’s not afraid to take chances much like independent films. As more and more legions of writers are shut out by the main stream publishing conglomerates they will have no choice, but to seek out other avenues. For this reason some may liken digital publishing to self-publishing. While it’s true that anyone can publish something digitally, it doesn’t mean that by association digital book publishers are places to shun or disrespect.

This neglects the marketplace and the recognition that there are a plethora of well respected independent publishers such as Double Dragon Press, Zumaya, Mundania Press, SynergEbooks, New Concepts Publishing, Boson Books, C & M Online, Samhain Publishing, Echelon Press, Silk’s Vault and countless others who choose to offer books digitally. Not to mention the major distribution channels established for ebooks, including Fictionwise, and Mobipocket.

Even the mainstream publishers recognize the dynamic medium that digital books offer. Most of them now have ebook divisions and are seeking to capitalize on the vast Internet audience, the massive amounts of people using PDAs and other mobile devices that support ebook readers. Last fall, Harlequin announced that 40% of its new titles would be issued as ebooks.

The September 5, 2007 article in the New York Times, Envisioning the Next Chapter for Electronic Books, talked about Amazon.com’s Kindle, an electronic book reader priced at $400 to $500. It mentioned that the Kindle’s ability to wirelessly connect to an e-book store on Amazon’s site is a significant advance over older e-book devices, which must be connected to a computer to download books or articles.

Google also has plans to start charging users for digital copies of books in their database. Despite these two major Internet leaders’ plans to further their reach in the digital publishing market along with the respected publishers in the ebook marketplace, legions of consumers still don’t view digital books as real books. Many consumers in turn are hesitant to purchase ebooks, even though they are vastly cheaper than their paperback counterparts, not to mention the environmental factor of saving trees. In turn many traditional book reviewers will not consider reviewing a digital book. The authors of ebook, digital produced print on demand bookss and even epublishers at times feel like Rodney Dangerfield uttering his famous refrain, “I don’t get no respect.”

It’s time to recognize digital books as real books and applaud digital publishers for giving talented authors a chance. Let’s recognize that they are entrepreneurs living out the American Dream and carving a niche in a difficult market. After all, thousands of very good books are turned down by the mainstream publishers every year for the basic reason that they are not commercial enough…i.e. they won’t generate enough cash.

If you love books, support a digital literary writer by reading and reviewing their books. Good books deserve to be given a chance. This is your literary future, your legacy.

====

Written by Julie Ann Shapiro

Freelance writer , flash fiction writer and author of Jen-Zen and the One Shoe Diaries

Businessweek.com, Starbucks and Me

I made the homepage of www.businessweek.com for a comment I wrote on how to re-energize Starbucks. It is interesting as I have been researching Starbucks for the past 4 months.

This is a partial of what appeared. This is the actual photo which appeared with the comment.

In Your Face: Reenergize Starbucks

Reader Andy Kaplan Writes:

"Starbucks should focus on teaching customers about coffee. Most don't realize each is paired with a cake/food they sell or that their bold coffees taste better when paired with chocolate."

Tell Us: How can Starbucks perk up?

Audible.com Journey

For the past two years, I have been in touch with executives at Audible.com, the leading creator of audiobooks on the web. Recently Audible announced a merger with Amazon.com. Currently audible's titles end up accessible via iTunes or downloadable from its own site.

In the last month, I have been exploring this medium with some of the executives at Audible to find a way for some independent and well published authors to bring their content to audible.

With proliferation of ipods, the 12 to 34 year old audience may be likely to be attracted to the convenience of the portable audio book. As much as there is a nice way to curl up with a book in bed, the teens of today, are on the go with iPods in tow.

This is leading to a need for content of all kinds especially for this youth audience including youth and children's books.

MediaMensch is now capable of having your book or content recorded by a professional and submitted to Audible.If you believe your content translates well to audio format, Please contact us. We are also teaming up with authors and publishers to bring their books into social media sites such as Facebook via our sister company, FacebookEnthusiast.com

You can contact us at 704-293-2151.

Leatherheads Superbowl Ad

This ad was shown during the Superbowl. Movie comes out April 4th. All of the extras who worked on the film are waiting with anticipation.
Leatherheads - Universal Pictures

Part 1: Tips and Tricks for Facebook Groups

Facebook Groups is another area of Facebook which may be a valuable tool for branding yourself and your company. In this article I will talk about how Facebook Groups and how you can use it to attract customers, new friends, and people with similar interests.


What is a Facebook Group?
First of all, a facebook group is an area in Facebook where you can allow people to join who like yor topic. Topics can be around a place you live or want to visit, a college, a politician, your business, a hobby or any other idea you can think about.

How Much Does it Cost?
Setting up a facebook group is free.

How Do I set up my Facebook Group?
Simply click on the word "group" in the left hand bar of your profile and then find the tab or button to "create a new group". You will be asked to create a name for your group, choose a category that your group is in, and an overview of your group. There is also an area for contact information including e-mail address and website. In addition, you may add a photo or image so that your group has a distinctive look or feel on the home page.

What Types of Groups are there?
There are three types of Groups, Open, Closed and Private. An open group means anyone can join, a closed group means that the administrator (You) need to approve members after they apply, and private means that the group is not listed and only those who you will invite will know the group exists.

How Can an Administrator Communicate with Group members?
The group area allows for you to send out an e-mail to its members. This is a powerful feature because you can reach a large group of people by sending out a simple message from the group.

How Can Members Communicate with the Group?
In each group, an area exists to upload photos, post links and to write on the "Wall". These are powerful ways in which users can express themselves and communicate with others. In certain, instances, such as a group where you feel you want 1-way conversation, you can allow or restrict your members from posting. It just depends on the situation. In the case of a group around a politician or actor, they may want to control the photos that are posted.

What are Group Officers?
The best way to think about this will be any organization you belong to. It may need people to take on roles such as the President, VP, Treasurer. You may have a group for a trade show, so the officers might be the Host, Membership Chair, Sponsorship Chair, and Speaker Chair. If you set up a group for your family, it might just be something like Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, etc...For some groups, you can make up silly titles to make it more fun. A title for an entrepreneur might be "Chief Cook and Bottle Washer" or for an actor it might be "2009 Academy Award Winner".

How Do You Find the Groups?
If you are interested in a certain topic, simply type in the words into the Facebook Search box and select search. In the general search a "tabbed" window will appear with profiles, applications and groups containing some or all of those key words. Click on the Group tab and find groups. Also once you join a group, on the right hand side of the group, it will show other groups which members are interested in which may be associated. So if you join a group about your college or interest, other groups around that will also appear that other members have joined.

I realize there are many more tips and tricks around groups and I will be covering more of this in another article. Please feel free to list or post your favorite groups and some of your tips and tricks.

Leatherheads j- The Romantic Comedy

Leatherheads is not just a sports movie. It is a romantic comedy which harkens back to classic Tracy-Hepburn movies. Looking at the eyes of Zellweger and Clooney will show you that mischief and mayhem are afoot. The photos and lighting in tese posters are stunning. This film is a 1st class operation all the way.

Leatherheads Movie Poster

Here is the official movie poster for Leatherheads...I love the slogan....the players were in cold mud for weeks during filming. Giant fire hoses would fill the field with water, so there was mud. There were heaters on the sidelines and many of the players were shaking from the cold...meanwhile the extras in the stands were sweating in winter garb and being given water.

Making a Wish - 300+ Bloggers Help an Author Live Her Dreams

I have been working closely with Julie Ann Shapiro marketing her books, Jen Zen and the One Shoe Diaries and Three Drop Pennies. Most of what we do is on Facebook and my facebookenthusiast blog. While my world revolves around mostly business, Julie's world revolves around authors and writers.

Today, we are posting this special article which Julie has written to support an author battling cancer whose book is just being published.

300+ Bloggers Support a Writer Living the Dream

In a practical world, there are dreamers and there are realities called bills. Many of us writers know how hard it is to have that dream and responsibilities but we chase that dream because it’s so much a part of us we wouldn’t know life if we didn’t have it.

Can you imagine having that dream of seeing your book finally published after many years of struggling and then you get sick? It’s too uncomfortable and too scary to think about. Yet, it happened to one fine writer, Patry Francis. Her book the Liars Club came out amidst the diagnosis of cancer. During a time when she should be celebrating she has to heal. Now over 300 bloggers are lending their support for Patry Francis.

http://www.amazon.com/Liars-Diary-Patry-Francis/dp/0452289157/ref=ed_oe_p

Leatherheads in the Real World

The scale of this display is about 12 feet wide and about 6 to 8 ft high. It is sitting outside the movie theater in the lobby of the Concord Mills shopping center. These pictures can be downloaded as wallpaper for your computer or AOL IM (AIM) or mobile phone. Go to www.leatherheadsmovie.com.

Picture of John McCain Rally from the Los Angeles Times

Picture of John McCain Rally from the Los Angeles Times. I am to the right of John McCain behind the barrier (below the back left of the chandelier) with my hair reflecting white light.

Politics, John McCain and Me

I have always been interested in politics and in fact had worked on some campaigns as far back as George McGovern and canvassed door to door for local elections when I was in high school. With technology and social media adding an additional way for candidates to get closer to their constituents, independent voters and others, it seems that my expertise in Facebook may be useful to them.

So last week, I received and e-mail from Maurice, inviting me to go with him to a John McCain Town Meeting in Lake Wylie, SC. As we drove down to the rally, we talked about politics, each candidate, what we liked or disliked. We also discussed how the mayor of Charlotte just announced he is running for Governor of the state.

I was reading off the mapquest directions as we found our way to T-Bones Steakhouse, a sprawling restaurant and bar directly on Lake Wylie. The parking lot was full when we arrived and we managed to work our way into the restaurant for the 5:45 town meeting. The place was filled with a combination of people, mostly South Carolinians and Charlotteans (North Carolinians)....mixed with the local political operatives and the national campaign workers. There also was enormous press coverage with bloggers, reporters, television and photographers.

A stage was set up in the middle of the restaurant with seats for all the dignitaries. Maurice and I made our way in and were on some stairs with a limited view of the proceedings. John McCain was supposed to be coming in through our narrow hallway so a local police officer was there to makes sure only certain people made it close to the stage, so we were about 100 feet away. However a few minutes before John McCain made his way in, the police officer left his post and I went right up front at the foot of the stage. There were 4 or 5 tv cameras to the left of the stage and one on the right.

All of a sudden applause started and John McCain and his entourage made his way through the kitchen (isn't that always how politicians enter restaurants and hotels) and on to the stage with his stunning beautiful wife. I started to snap some pictures with my " cameraphone"...

Senator Lindsay Graham (SC) and Tom Coburn (OK) both spoke and led up to the introduction of John McCain. I didn't realize until I arrived that it was a Town Meeting...but those who know me would figure I would have a question ready. After John McCain spoke about our recent successes in Iraq and some of the challenges we face domestically, they opened the floor to questions. I waited a bit to listen some of the early questions and to see how open and honestly he would answer. I found that there were some soundbite answers, but he truly came across as genuine and real. About 10 minutes into questioning, I raised my hand, and McCain chose me to ask the next question. I asked him about America's competitiveness in science and math and how he intends improve education for our youth and for those transitioning in our new technology based economy.

He gave me an answer which gave me some hope he understood the linkage of investing in this area. He told the crowd that he had visited Ireland and spoke with its leaders about how it became such a vibrant technology economy in such a short time. He understood and agreed this is an area the United States needed to address.

After the event ended, I was able to make my way over to John McCain, shake his hand personally and thank him for answering my question. As I drove off, I thought of a question which might have been self serving, but interesting....since I am the creator of www.facebookenthusiast.com, how does social media change the dynamics of the 2008 campaign. Well, as our friend, and boxing promoter Don King (who used to frequent the halls of HBO) says "Only in America".

Last Day on Set in Statesville, NC

 

This photo was taken on my last day of filming of Leatherheads in Statesville, NC. It was an interesting day as only about 25 extras were on set that day. We had a chance to move around and spend time actually talking with crew. Since it was filmed on the street in Statesville some crowds gathered and I was interviewed for the Statesville newspaper.

We took these pictures inside the Stateville Civic Center which was the area called "Extras Holding". This was also where the crew, actors and extras all had our meals.

The costume for this scene is a 1920's athletic club outfit. The costumers custom made my tan pants a few days prior to filming. After being around the set the entire day, only about 8 people were actually brought into the scene.

This was the 2nd day out of ten where I was able to see Renee Zellweger up close.

These are two flappers who were also on set that day in mid May 2007.

The Engaging Brand - Facebook Podcast

One of the great things about the world of social media and new media is how powerful it is and how individuals who work each day at it can brand themselves as experts in their fields.

In my two years using LinkedIn and Facebook, I have had the pleasure of meeting bloggers, podcasters and authors who freely gave advice to help others learn. Many of us collectively worked together to promote each other's shows and blogs both by linking to them from our own blogs or interviewing an individual in a podcast.

In July 2007, I decided to begin to spend hours a day reading about Facebook and doing what I always seem to do, track down the leaders and innovators who are making this one of the most visited sites on the internet.

With this in mind, I am announcing that tomorrow, The Engaging Brand Podcast will be featuring a segment where I will be discussing facebook. This podcast was recorded "over the pond" with host, Anna Farmery. Anna resides outside of London.

If you want to learn some interesting facts and lessons about Facebook, I encourage you to listen to the podcast.

Here is a bit about Anna.
Anna qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG. She then joined the printing industry as a Financial Controller before being made Managing Director at the ripe old age of 25. She continued in industry with a growing reputation for motivating people, working for FMCG companies.

After 20 years of being a Group HR/Finance Director for major worldwide brands she decided to establish her own company - The Engaging Brand.

Please visit her website and feel free to engage her.

I look forward to hearing from many of you as well. You can reach me at ewarriorbizdev@gmail.com or on Skype as eWarrior.

Leatherheads Trailer

This is the Leatherheads Movie Trailer. I was fortunate to have worked on this romantic football comedy directed and starring George Clooney...I will be interested to see how this trailer may become virally marketed on Facebook and how they use digital technology such as YouTube. It comes out April 2008 in the US.

My best holiday present - Leatherheads Trailer with George Clooney

Here is the trailer from the movie Leatherheads which I was an extra as a sideline photographer, sideline reporter, and fan. Leatherheads stars George Clooney, Renee Zellweger, and John Krasinski. I was fortunate to have worked on the film on 3 different locations, 3 different roles (costumes), including one which I was in an old time athletic club uniform...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45lgqAYH3pQ

My Jen-Zen Journey on Facebook

Back in May 2007, I joined facebook and by July, I had started a separate blog called www.facebookenthusiast.com for promoting my services as a facebook marketing expert.

Within facebook, I have started to gain clients who are part of the creative community. This includes authors and musicians.

Last week, I began to develop marketing strategies for the release of an independent novel which is a magical romance. The author, Julie Ann Shapiro, is relatively young, yet prolific in the writing of short stories and "flash novels".

This week we began to promote her first novel called "Jen-Zen and the One Shoe Diaries" We began to promote the book both inside and outside of facebook including looking for tie-ins with shoe companies and retailers.

We also will be pursuing other media outlets for possible development of the book and other stories which could be developed into film or television projects.

This is already a fun and rewarding journey as I learn about the marketing of fiction in the new world of electronic publishing and its intersection with social networks.

Here is a link to the page within Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=6708563066

Gospel Hill - First Listing in NY Times

Just got an alert this morning for Gospel Hill's official listing in the NY Times movie list. This link will be great for tracking the film's progress for its anticipated mid-2008 release.

http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/450784/Gospel-Hill/overview

Hopefully, I will be seen for a few seconds in the movie with a scene where Danny Glover is giving an impassioned speech.

Leatherheads - George and Renee in W Magazine

Conde Nast's W Magazine has a cover of George Clooney and Renee Zellweger. This is a nice little article that was coming out with the promotion of Leatherheads.

Here is a link to the article.

Leatherheads (which I was an extra (sideline photographer and reporter) in and hope not to be on the cutting room floor)... was to premier on Dec 7, 2007. Now it will be released for April 4th in time for some of the Easter/Passover/Spring Break time.

Leatherheads is a fun screwball comedy for the whole family.

Starring You is helping others reach for the stars

I have been working with Marta Tracy, author of Starring You with some promotion in social networks such as facebook and linkedin. Marta recently appeared on Small Business on MSNBC. Click here to see the segment

Marta was recently on a panel discussion on emerging technologies at her alma mater, Boston College. Marta and I collaborated on the development of the powerpoint portion of the presentation on emerging technologies as part of my executive coaching practice.

We anticipate bringing this presentation into businesses and to other venues including a webinar series.

RZA - Gospel Hill Mention

Here is a mention of one of the musicians, composers, actors, RZA in the film Gospel Hill, where I was an extra and on the set with Julia Stiles, Danny Glover, Angela Bassett and Adam Baldwin.


http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=17984§ionId=54

The film is scheduled for release in mid-2008.

BBC Radio Crossing Continents - Bill Law

I took some time off this summer to step away from technology and to recharge my "batteries". One of my friends, Bill Law, is a reporter for BBC radio and has been drawn into some of the most cutting edge reporting from the Islamic world.

As we departed in August, Bill said he would be heading to Pakistan. Over the last few days, Pakistan is now a major story with the return of Prime Minister Bhutto.

I had started to write this article and just a few minutes ago, it was reported that there was a bombing near her motorcade.

It does remind you how the BBC covers teh world and how important it is to get reporting first hand from the front lines.

Leatherheads Opening Moved to April 4, 2008

According to the Universal Pictures website and articles in the Hollywood Reporter, George Clooney's movie Leatherheads is moving from the December 7, 2008 release date to April 4, 2008. The move was due to an extremely busy schedule for the George Clooney with the movie Michael Clayton (Warner Bros), filming and his recent motorcycle accident.

The good news is that the trailers for Leatherheads will be heavily promoting the movie during the winter holiday season. Leatherheads is is intended to bring in a large audience with its romantic comedy and football themes. Just speculating here, but it looks like the DVD release would come right in the middle of the 2008 football season.

Well, in any event 2008 will be an interesting time as both films, I worked on will be out in theaters in mid-2008.

Starring You! - Do you want to appear on TV as an expert?

Over the last few years, I have spent time reconnecting with others in entertainment and media. One of the people I recently reconnected with was Marta Tracy. The last time Marta and I met in person, she was working in the production department at Home Box Office.

Now Marta has had a tremendous career including being part of a team which launched E! Entertainment television. Marta's passion has been working in the fashion world. She has helped to book guests on shows such as Tyra and Ellen.

In fact, Marta recently worked with a company which was launching a new line of jewelry. She worked with the creator and owner to prepare for a television appearance. Once the appearance on a national talk show happened, the companies sales increased by over 50% within a few months. This is incredibly powerful to an entrepreneur, author, musician, fashion designer or other person with a product or service.

This book is also of interest to bloggers, podcasters, and internet television producers who may want to learn some new tips and tricks.

The trick...if it was so easy everyone would be on a talk show. Marta has co-written a book called Starring You! which gives real world advice given her decades of experience in the field. The book includes excerpts from well known celebrities - The good, the bad and the ugly.

Marta's expertise, credibility and access to other producers gives her the unique ability to help others realize their dreams. Marta's book is worth a look.

On Facebook, we have also put together a "Discussion Group" in which we eventually will be promoting a teleclass.

(Note:If you are not a facebook user yet, then this is another way to promote yourself. You can find more information on this on my other blog called www.facebookenthusiast.com)

Charlie Rose: June 8, 1995

This is an older version of Charlie Rose with discussions of media and impact on society. Rachael Worby, leading female conductor discusses her life dream to become a conductor in the foot steps of Leonard Bernstein.

Leatherheads Group on Facebook

If you worked on the movie Leatherheads, I have set up a group on Facebook where we can meet and share experiences and keep in touch.

Here is the link to the group.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2428741877

Integrating Media into Social Networks

The shift has been happening for a few years with MySpace leading the pack with the integration of media within social networks. Facebook is now gaining momentum with applications which allow members to list magazines, books, and music which they prefer on their profiles.

The music applications iLike even integrates into iTunes and YouTube where members can share music they like and recommend and their friends can listen to it and purchase the music from iTunes.

This is an important trend further adding to the viral natural of the internet and the way music becomes distributed. The question will be how do musicians and music publishng companies continue to keep up with these trends.

Will this trend mean that international music tastes will become more prevalent or will music become more like McDonalds, with heavier influences from larger global music publishing companies.

Does this trend mean that a listener will also personalize their music and music tastes so they receive only that music which matches up with their tastes.

What role with traditional media critics have in influencing recommendations.

If you are an publisher in media, how will you embrace these changes? What roles will you take reach your audience?

We live in interesting times.

Official Still Photo From Leatherheads

 

George Clooney, John Krasinski and Renee Zellweger in the Speakeasy for Leatherheads

The On Ramp to Leatherheads Marketing

I happen to love marketing and public relations and the entertainment industry, so I am very excited to see the beginning of Universal Pictures starting to drip out the marketing for the Leatherheads movie.

In May, George Clooney, was in Oceans 13 and had a segment on Jay Leno's Tonight show where Leatherheads got a brief mention.

In mid June, John Krasinski, of "The Office" was the featured star in the movie "License to Wed".

Now this week, USA Today, had a still photo on its website of what looks like the "Speakeasy" scene in the Leatherheads movie with the three stars, Clooney, Krasinski and Renee Zellweger.

I continue to monitor the Universal Studios website to see when the movie trailers will be available. It looks as if Leatherheads is "on deck" to have its own website launched. My predication is that it will be up and running with the start of the NFL pre-season and that NBC (who is the sister company of Universal) will start promoting Leatherheads on its Sunday Night Football broadcast, since Leatherheads is a fictionalized account of the era when professional football was first organized.

This marketing will build to a crescendo around Thanksgiving when all the games are on and the most important NFL games of the week will be on Sunday Night on NBC.

Since Leatherheads has a few "fictional" teams, we may also see merchandising of sweatshirts, leather helmuts, and other movie paraphanalia.

And don't forget Universal Studios during the holiday season as well.

Leatherheads seems to be perfectly positioned for an exciting and creative promotional cascade over the next few months.

The Simpsons and Me

Well, the Simpson Movie is about to be realeased this week and my home town of Springfield, NJ was in the running to host its world premiere. USA Today ran a contest to have each Springfield in the United States send in a video to let the producers know why their Springfield was the one where the Simpson's live.

My home town of Springfield, NJ had advertised for people to meet at my high school for the filming of the video. I was watching ABC's World News tonight last week and we were one of 3 Springfields featured on the story.

After the votes were compiled Springfield, VT was declared the winner to host the premiere. They had a guy rolling a giant donut down a hill in their video.

All the other Springfields will also have the movie shown at a special screening. Funny thing is, my Springfield doesn't even have a movie theatre.

Hmmmm....now that's something Bart Simpson may have to change.

Excerpt from Dickinson Magazine - Summer 2007
"Tangled Up in the New 'Net"

Such social-networking sites have exploded in the last five years. They range from “placeblogging” sites, where neighbors share gossip about the latest mugging, the new playground or house on the block, to broader, more long-distance networks, such as YouTube, where people share videos; LinkedIn, which connects employers and job seekers; and MySpace and Facebook, where users can create personal profiles of themselves, including photos and a “friends list” of those allowed to visit and post on their sites.

Andy Kaplan ’79 is a longtime entrepreneur in social media who has been in the forefront of several technology waves, beginning in the early 1980s. As a financial analyst at HBO, he sent the first spreadsheet electronically through a modem—then considered nothing short of miraculous. Later he helped popularize many forms of mass distribution, such as blast faxes.

Now from Charlotte, N.C., he runs his own company, eWarrior, which equips businesses for the world of social media. He helps transform companies so that they can compete in the modern marketplace, where Web 2.0 is increasingly important, by advising them about a variety of Web-based strategies and tools for pricing, selling and promoting their products.

“There are so many tools that companies can use to their competitive advantage,” says Kaplan. “For example, they can meet ‘connectors’ through a large professional and personal network such as LinkedIn, send personalized phone and video messages instead of e-mail to their customers or promote their products through blogging.”

Launching Facebook Enthusiast Brand

This is my 3rd day on Facebook and I have already realized how much this application is going to impact our lives. Facebook is passing eBay in daily usage and is on the growth curve to possibly catch up to Google one day.

In May, Mark Zuckerberg announced at his developers conference some incredible facts:
1) Facebook is growing by 100,000 users a day worldwide
2) Ten percent of Canada is on Facebook
3) Facebook is currently 60% non-college age and is projected to be 75% by year end.

With that in mind and a community growing quickly, I have decided to launch today a new brand called the "Facebook Enthusiast". With this brand, we have set up a group within Facebook with this name and an accompanying blog of the same name. Facebook Enthusiast

I look forward to meeting you on Facebook one day.

Facebook - My first 24 hours

Okay, I have to admit it. It was a lot of fun playing on Facebook. After a few years of LinkedIn, Facebook feels like a party. It leads to deeper relationships much more quickly and is not about your resume. It is really about relationships. I admit, I believe you must need a sense of humor and perhaps be somewhat liberal and creative in your thinking to really understand facebook.

What I think Facebook does extremely well in the "adult" world is to appeal to a demographic which LinkedIn sore misses, "The Creative Class". This class is not about recruiters and jobseekers and vc's. It is about creatively connecting with each other in ways, I could have believed to understand.

As much as there are 3 degrees of separation, somehow on day 1, I have become "friends" with Michael Moore, who I admire for his newest movie Sicko. His e-mail address happened to be in my address book, so when I first set up my profile in Facebook, it asked me if I wanted to invite people from my address books. I was able to go in and select people to invite to connect. It turned out that Michael Moore was in my address book. So instead of sending him a long and boring, why do I want to connect, once connected, I "sent him a drink"...yes, there is an add on that allowed me to send him a drink of my choice, in this case. a glass of champagne to toast his new movie. Also, as part of Facebook, you see what groups and other activities people are involved with so you can also join. There was a group for his movie Sicko, so I joined that. I also saw a group called "I love Michael Moore"....Do you know how I found out about it?...I was looking at my profile screen on LinkedIn and saw that Michael Moore (my Friend) had just joined this group. It was right there on my screen.

For an example: (click on the image below of my friends status updates)



This is somewhat voyeuristic, however, we have a real way to take a peek into other peoples lives. From this screen some friends are traveling by train into London, going to the gym, sleeping off a party, or finishing a project. Another, as found a new band to be a guest for her podcast.

A friend from New Orleans has invited me to join her humor club and also sent me a "bite" to become a "Zombie". Again, a funny way to say to someone, let's connect and have some fun while we are doing it.

To me, day one on Facebook has been a blast and actually has in some very unique way, helped me to become better friends or deepening relationships, by showing more of my life and personality online.

SNL -- Weekend Update iPhone Special

Steve Jobs talking about the iPhone.

There is only one "i" in iPhone

Okay, it is out now, released into the world. Well, what has changed? What is the momentous shift in our lives we expected? Oh, yes an iPhone, hmmm, I always wondered about Steve Jobs and his naming of things with "i". is it really an "i"nternet phone or is it an "i" phone. An "i" phone meaning status, such as "i" have one of these cutting edge, change my life phones and "u" don't.

All you IBM PC'ers out there, okay, really, Mr. Jobs has tried to move you over to be Mac lovers for over 20 years and he was able to move most of your sons and daughters to thinking my way... the "i" way...like the phrase "my way or the highway". Oh, yes, I can see things from "u" on my phone such as "youtube". Mr. Jobs says --- Thank "u" for all the free content for the "i"phone.

And then promoting "i"Tunes is B "o" n "o" from the British rock group "u"2. He was in one of those "i"pod commercials, I can only think that all this money to pay for a simple phone could be used to help the poor in "A"frica. Wonder if those in Darfur, were lined up for the "i" products. Oh, yes, they were but it was r"i"ce.

As we approach, 07/07/07, just in time for the Live "e"arth day, where all the "i"phone users can watch some of the concerts from around the world, hoping they will change the world from global warming, I can only imagine, how all of these "i"phone "u"sers will be dumping and not rec"y"cling their phones in a "y"ear or so to get the one that actually runs on a better network from "A"T&T.

ttyl.

So, you want to be an actor - my first acting class

Vince Paul, casting director of Gospel Hiil, called me this week to tell me how much he liked the mediamensch blog and the stories and photos from my nascent acting career. Vince is not only casting director, but an actor,author, producer, agent, and entrepreneur.

We began to discuss his business and background. Vince authored a book and DVD called "The Talent Guide" which is a beginners guide to acting and modeling. He wanted my advice on how to create some awareness and sales momentum on the internet. I told him about my "real job" as a sales and marketing technology strategist for my company called eWarrior LLC and my knowledge of these cutting edge areas such as "Blogging and Social Networks (www.linktocharlotte.com is one of my ventures)

Vince invited me to his beginning class class for actors called "Launching your Career", so that I could get a better idea of who he was and what type of information would be on the DVD.

I arrived Saturday morning, to his offices and led to the back where he had a classroom with about 25 students watching part of a DVD about acting and modeling career. As in any industry, sometimes the smallest advantages in moving forward and getting ahead quickly comes with being prepared. That is what this 3 hour class taught us.

The first subject was regarding how to put together your head shot and resume. We saw various "before and after" headshots, which were the ones that were originally submitted or used by the actor and the after, showing how makeup, clothing, lighting and background. We clearly understood now that actors come in all ages, shapes and sizes from babies to senior citizens. For different ages there are different ways to handle the photo or headshot submission.

On the resume side, I found this to be very informative and asked a few questions because now I actually have experience with over 10 days on a film production. An actor resume is basically three columns, the show you were in the role you had and the director, production company or location. The resume unlike your regular business resume includes you height, weight (we were told not to lie), age, hair color and eye color.

For the basic beginning actor, many times an extras casting director, will choose you because he sees you have experience on a set and know what is called "set etiquette". Also because most days of filming are long (12 to 14 hours), they like to see that you stayed on the set all day and didn't leave. This is so important because once you are in a movie or scene, if you leave and the need to shoot anothe part of the scene, for continuity of the film you need to be in the shot, no matter how small your role.

The other thing I learned was the difference between applying for a modeling or print ad job and an acting job. For the modeling jobs, your picture IS your resume. The trick with your picture in this case would be to make you picture look like an ad you might see in magazine. He showed us an example of a child's photo resume or what is known as "composite card", where it was posed like a GAP store advertisement.

We also learned about the difference between theater, commercials, television and film. There are many differences in being in each medium and success in one does not guarantee success in another.

One thing I did learn and was not clear about, was the difference between an agent and a casting director. The agent represents the actor and the casting director works for the production company working calling on agents to find specific talent they need.

The last part we discussed was pay and what would be realistic pay for work. For jobs that were professionally shot and where an agent was involved an actor with some experience might expect $500 per day or more for a corporate training film or commercial. In some cases, agents may also be able to negotiate "residuals" for an actor in which an actor would be paid for each time the commercial is shown. I had a flashback to my first job at WNBC radio where a few of the other interns I worked with were in roles in "Milk is a Natural" and "Coca Cola" commercials. I didn't realize how much they were making....If I only new then what I know now.

Now, go "Break a Leg"

King Louis Narcisse - This Little Light Of Mine

This is real footage in church of "This Little Light of Mine". A version of this song will be in the movie "Gospel Hill".

This Little Light Of Mine

This is Springsteen's version of the old spiritual called "This Little Light of Mine". We sang this in the park scene with a 5 person gospel group in Gsopel Hill movie. Found this vefsion on Youtube.

Sicko - Letter I Recieved from Michael Moore - Director

Today is the Day for "Sicko"

June 29, 2007

Friends,

This is it! Two years in the making! The day that our new film, "Sicko," arrives in theaters all across North America! Click here to see where the nearest one is to you.

After you go, let me know what you think. Oh, and send us a photo or a video from your cell phone to show us what it looked like at your theater. We'd love to post a photo from each of the 440 movie theaters showing "Sicko."

To read more about the movie, you can go to www.michaelmoore.com.

Here's what this morning's review in the L.A. Times said: "It's likely his most important, most impressive, and most provocative film." Okay, what do they know? I prefer to trust the assessment of E! Television Online: " 'Sicko' - the best movie ever? Maybe." Maybe? MAYBE?! When will they ever give me a break?

It's been a weirdly funny week. First Larry King bumped me for Paris Hilton. Then today, when CNBC invited me to the floor of the New York Stock Exchange for an interview, the stock exchange said I was barred from the building. On top of that, Tony Blair is gone, Cheney says he's no longer answerable to anyone's elected government, and I simply don't want an iPhone. Just another week in America.

Hope you enjoy the movie!

Yours,
Michael Moore
mmflint@aol.com