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| Hey Everone!
Enter Code “NWGENEFSB11″  Genius Effect is pleased to announce our partnership with Sustainable Brands 2011. Now in its 5th year, this conference is an opportunity for you to network among peers and collaborate with other global leaders who are driving the change toward a sustainable brand future. SB’11 provides real examples of how companies and brands are taking the lead in setting standards, building partnerships and driving change in support of society and the environment. As a preferred partner of SB’11, we have the opportunity to extend a 20% discount ticket price to our community to attend the conference. Take this opportunity to sharpen your skills and gain the knowledge and tools that you will need to be an effective leader – at a special community member reduced rate! What Sustainable Brand Leaders will be learning at SB’11:
We are proud to be able to offer our dedicated community members a discount to attend this premier conference in Monterey, June 7 – 10. Please use this code: “NWGENEFSB11″ to get an extra 20% discount! |
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By Chris Denson
Earlier this month, I had the honor of speaking to a group of students from Dr. Victor Pineda’s New Media Academy. The program is designed to teach students with disabilities (as well as some able-bodied students) how to use digital media storytelling as a means of connecting with the world. The experience was AMAZING… before I knew it, my planned 45-minute visit turned into a 3-hour stay. Aside from simply talking to the kids about the tools and techniques, I spent a lot of time with several of the kids individually. We talked about life, pain, love, fear, abilities, commonalities, showbiz, and everything between – and then circled the excitement back into their personal stories.
In our business, we talk a lot about finding the “me too moment,” that one distinctive thing about you, or your brand that you find is commonplace among your end consumers. It’s the principle or experience that creates a connective tissue between you and your audience. The amazing thing about this visit was that there were “me too moments” happening all around. I’m not going blind. I didn’t fall 3 stories from a window at age 3. I wasn’t abused or grew up in a foster home, nor was I bound to a wheelchair most of my life. But each story was so compelling and dealt with the basic ideas of love, fear, adoration, hope, change and more that we all seem to find in our lives. Find that in how you connect with your audience, and you’ve built a connection that will last a lifetime.
Dr. Victor Pineda’s New Media Academy is a government funded pilot program designed to teach ALL kids – especially those with disabilities – the skills necessary to overcome their percieved limitations and to develop professional skills needed to compete in tomorrow’s technologically driven workplace.
Victor, a recent UCLA PhD student, is also a recipient of the Jefferson Award (this award has been given to: Arthur Ashe, Bill & Melinda Gates, Lance Armstrong, Steven Jobs and many other civic leaders) for Public Service for his life-long efforts for promoting equal rights and opportunities for children and young people with disabilities. Victor has presented his work to the US Senate Committee on Foreign Aid, the US Department of Justice, the US Treasury, the World Bank, the United Nations, as well as to the governments of Thailand, Serbia, Cuba, Venezuela, Bosnia, Qatar and soon the United Arab Emirates.
At the end of the month, I’ll be locked in a room for 54 hours, participating as a mentor and adviser for LA Start Up Weekend. I definitely feel honored and inspired to be among the great thought leaders and creators who will be leading the project development teams. I even got a new head shot! Everyone’s welcomed to attend. Details below…
Mark your calendars for April 30th – May 2nd, and get ready for an even bigger and better Startup Weekend.
Founded in 2007 by Andrew Hyde, the weekend is a concept of a conference focusing on learning by creating. It is known for its quick decisions, ‘out of the box’ thinking (oh no, the buzzwords are attacking!), unique facilitation technique and letting the founders show what they can do. The program has already met with success in Boulder, Toronto, New York, Hamburg, Houston, West Lafayette, Boston, DC and more.
Startup Weekend recruits a highly motivated group of developers, business managers, startup enthusiasts, marketing gurus, graphic artists and more to a 54 hour event that builds communities, companies and projects.
The participants that attend a Startup Weekend decide what they want to tackle over the weekend and come out at the end with several developed companies or projects. Attendees are responsible for bringing the same desire and passion to the project and walk out of the room with the task at hand, in a short 54 hours. Sound intense? It is.
Tickets will go on sale 3/21, and there are only 75 spots, so buy your tickets early!
Be sure to follow the Twitter Hashtag #LASW
Pardon our dust… Genius Effect Media Group has finally moved into its new Los Angeles office. We will share the space with our sister company, Jigsaw Global (more info on Jigsaw Global coming soon!). It’s really a great space – a 2500+ sq ft multi-level loft located near Universal City. Not only will the new space be our home offices, but it will also be available for private events and productions for up to 300 people. The building has been used to host all kinds of cool things, from live music, to art exhibits, photo/video shoots, mixers, panel discussions, holiday parties (hint, hint!) and everything in between. It’s also fully accented with exposed brick walls, commissioned art work, hard wood floors, 20-foot ceilings, full kitchen, multiple rooms, etc. Feel free to come by and check us out! For more info, send an email to info(at)geniuseffectla.com.
Click on the images for a larger view:
Hey Everybody,
Here is some information on the Independent Television Festival taking place in West Hollywood’s Laemmle 5 on Sunset over the next few days. If you ever wanted to know the ins and outs of going from concept to pilot to major distribution, this is a MUST attend. Not only that, it’s a great network of established and up-and-coming powerhouses in media production. And to top it off, Genius Effect’s own Chris Denson will be a featured guest on the Multimedia Entertainment Panel on Wednesday August 5th.
If you’re around tonight, the Gala Event Kick Off is this evening with all kinds of complimentary food and drink. Press, Celebrities, and need-to-know professionals will all be in attendance. Bring business cards, bring ideas, bring an appetite, bring an open mind! … and don’t forget to iron your clothes.
See below for details!
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The Independent Television Festival is a festival for independently produced, original and innovative television pilots and webseries. It is the only festival for independently produced television pilots in Los Angeles, ITVFest prides itself on being for and about the pilotmakers.
In July 2006 ITVFest opened for business with the mission of altering the way the industry views television production by exploring the creativity that goes into independent production. In the inaugural year, the festival welcomed almost five thousand interested industry audience members, giving them the opportunity to experience the finest in independent television.
With the support of institutions like Budweiser, Current TV, Showbiz Software and Studio System and the talent of pilotmakers from all over the world, ITVFest proved that the world of successful independent production is not merely limited to the silver screen. ITVFest, in fact, quickly became a viable platform in which directors, writers and producers can showcase their original visions for the small screen.
At ITVFest, creative people can not only showcase their work, but also gain notoriety and opportunity through their independent television efforts. Pilotmakers showcased at ITVFest have gone on to get script deals with NBC, web deals with atomfilms.com, development deals at Leverage and Starz!, representation from UTA, 3 Arts and others and much more. Check out here to see some of the success stories that come from the festival. Winners of the third ITVFest also walked home with $5,000 in production support each.
Now in its fourth year, ITVFest stands poised to once again serve as catalyst for change in the ever-evolving television industry. Creativity is paramount at ITVFest, and being based in Los Angeles, the hub of television production, the festival provides the people who need to see your work the opportunity to do so.
by Chris Denson
So the thing is this: Everything we do, we do by faith. We drive down the street with music blaring and eating cheeseburgers, under the assumption – or faith – that we won’t get hit by a bus. When we launch a company or new product or new form of entertainment, we have an unyielding conviction – or faith – that it will sell like hot cakes. When we jump off a pile of rocks, into moving stream of water, some would argue it to be dangerous, while their counterparts have faith – that our faces won’t splatter in the rocky depths below (graphic, I know). I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.
Although we tend to look at ourselves as the vehicle that pushes wonderful things into the world, I like to think that we are always guided by some internal compass, or gut feeling or “faith.” And as ego-centric as Hollywood and the media industry can be, it’s great to find an individual who is both accomplished and humble. Meet Rebecca … don’t bother trying pronounce her multi-syllabic last name, without practice, you’ll have an aneurysm.
Rebecca’s the kind of person you go to with a quandary and the next thing you know, you’ve figured it out on your own and she hasn’t said a word. Sometimes being in her presence is just good enough. It’s truly a gift of inspiration. She’s an accomplished filmmaker, activist, film school director, wife, pastor, art enthusiast, mother and a person who truly lives her life with purpose. She and I first met when I was elected to the Mid City West Community Council‘s Arts and Recreation Committee. A week or two later, we sat down for coffee, and two hours after that coffee, I realized we needed to stop talking because I was late to work…. and we probably had another two hours in us!
The word inspiration, means to be “in spirit”. Whether it’s a movie, a book, a person, or work of art, when we’re inspired by something, it’s because deep within, we’re moved by the experience. I try each and every day to be inspired by things I encounter and the people I’m lucky enough to encounter.
Because sometimes you just have to jump in with your clothes on.
About Rebecca Ver Straten-McSparren:
Rebecca is the director of the L.A. Film Studies Center (LAFSC), an intensive film production program for college seniors who are finishing their degrees in film. She also teaches in the program. Rebecca recently moved from being the director of the City of the Angels Film Festival to the Board of Directors, and has participated as panelist, emcee, co-producer and head of panels over the last seven years. She is on the planning committee for Reel Spirituality, a think-tank for filmmakers and theologians sponsored by Fuller Theological Seminary. Rebecca speaks on film, culture and theological issues at Reel Spirituality, Act One (faculty) and at various conferences and colleges/universities. She was on the revision team for the book Reel Spirituality and has written, “Polanyi’s Personal Knowledge and Watching Movies,” in the book, Reframing Theology and Film: New Focus for an Emerging Discipline (Cultural Exegesis), edited by Robert K. Johnston for Baker Academics.
Elected to the Mid City WEST Community Council, Rebecca is chair of the Arts and Recreation Committee in the area where LAFSC is located, and directs a monthly art walk of over 40 galleries and museums.
Before coming to LAFSC, Rebecca was the principal and executive director of an urban school for low-income families, coming from a background leading urban non-profits and working with gang members, taggers and urban youth. She was also the pastor of Tribe of Los Angeles, a church ministering to artists, filmmakers and graduate students. As an ordained minister she has served in several churches and created an art gallery at First Congregational Church of Los Angeles with international, national and local artists, developed courses, writing groups and retreats for artists and filmmakers.
http://producedbyconference.com/
A gathering of the GREATEST PRODUCERS IN FILM, TELEVISION, AND NEW MEDIA. (of course Genius Effect will be there too!)
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday JUNE 5,6,7
For one weekend only — you will have access to the likes of CLINT EASTWOOD, JAMES CAMERON, MARSHALL HERSKOVITZ, KATHLEEN KENNEDY, NORMAN LEAR, AND MANY, MANY MORE.
Learn from the masters at more than 30 seminars. Participate in our first-ever Mentoring Roundtables, where you and nine other attendees can sit for ONE HOUR with the producer of your choice, and ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask!
