Preamble ~ Understanding Process

 I was involved in the production of a student film; in fact it was merely a short.  As a favour to a friend in need I took a day out of my Spring frolicking and dedicated it to assisting her to graduate University.  Perhaps I should not have done what I did but water under the bridge.  Sometime after, I felt the desire to document the experience -- I did not.  Here and now I will:

10 hours
8 characters
6 scenes
4 sets
2 acts
1 script and I am suddenly reminded of why I am not a Television Production major.

*

2 Cameramen/ Gaffers,
1 Audio Technician/ Boom Extender,
every hand is Grip, every person is Producer/ Director.
Each scene shot 5 times from different lengths and angles,
motion ongoing with every nuanced action repeated for Continuity sake

*

At the end of it all?

A 15 minute production I have yet not seen for all the frustration and tiredness it'd bring to what was just supposed to be a couple hours (two hours, less even!) of helping out a friend.

***

Why do I choose now to document this?  Why dwell on this thing that has happened and gone?  I suppose I am reminding myself of what I dislike and the reasons for said dislike because in the past month or so I have decided I will be wetting my toes in the waters of Video Production.  Some people never learn.  I'm now well into the Pre-production phase with my vision of the final product.  If thoughts could be communicated without going through the noisy, distracting channel of words (spoken or written) then I would share my projection.  I'm almost certain that as with all things in life this vision will not become tangible; it will not be the way I want it to be because life is like a toolbox of wrenches when all you want is a screw.

I say all that to say only this: I'll be attempting this project and I will document it here in a kind of behind-the-scenes Director's manual.

*insert optimistically dire statement here*
Best wishes, happy hunting, may the odds be ever in favour et al.

Alas delusions of grandeur compel me to do this thing.  For others to look back and marvel at.  For the sake of understanding process.

Advertising Using Social Media

Today we will talk about the awesome advertising opportunities that are online.

Traditional advertising has been making products and businesses known for the past 400-odd years, and it works.

How much attention do you pay to these signs anyway?

* television commercials
* radio commercials
* newspaper advertisements
* magazine advertisements
* flyers
* billboards ...

But with the public becoming more educated about inflated, misleading advertising tactics used -- how long will they continue to influence?

The beauty of the internet is information at your fingertips. Social Media allows search engines like Google and Bing to give you the opportunity to find what you want as well as reviews sites like Yelp and Angie's List that help you to know beforehand the quality of the products you want. These cannot be done if you simply see a product on TV and walk into a store to purchase.

Benefits to the consumer (That's YOU!)

* You get the product you want not what the business wants to sell you.
* You get reviews of the product from industry experts, other customers and your trusted friends.
* Business are forced to ensure a quality product or they will get bad reviews.
* You are not misled.

Businesses that understand these concepts have decentralized to reach their customers on the Internet. One very ingenious business that will be featured today is Acute Boutique.

This business based in Jamaica did not allow limitations. They are the "fashionable angle that caters to people who want current fashions and set fashionable trends." But how did they become this? Their store is wholly online with a Facebook and Twitter account.

The business structure allows:

* casual browsing by anyone online
* easy word of mouth advertising
* reviews from customers beside each article of clothing or shoes
* serious customers can call or email the store
* the store comes to you at a time of your convenience for fitting and delivery

The business model works! I hope you have been inspired to get your message out there using social media.

...withShantelleS

Making Mass Media Social (Part 2/2)

Welcome back

Today we will continue the process of converting newspaper articles (mass media) to blog posts (social media).  To see the previous post please click this link.

The second pick is the Jamaica Gleaner's Entertainment article titled "50 of Caribbean's Best Designers on Show" published Saturday June 9.


Things we saw happen in the previous post:

• The story is a lot shorter.  
• Some of the information was cut for continuity between title and content.  
• A video of the race was added. 

To judge effectiveness of the changes simply ask yourself the question; which story interested you more?

The Choices

Social media is online.  It is mostly unlimited access to information.  This contrasts with buying a newspaper or sitting to watch an entire newscast.  As a consequence to easy access to specific information the person who uses social media must grab the attention of viewers instantly.  In order to keep their attention the must be able to get all the information they want and be interested!

Now I will attempt to grab and keep your attention by making today's article more Internet friendly.

50 of Caribbean's Best Designers on Show

Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW), originated by Pulse Model Agency, is celebrating its 12th year by showcasing 50 of the region's best designers.  Why 50?  This year, 2012, will mark the 50th year of Independence for Jamaica as well as Trinidad and Tobago; the two countries which have contributed the most to CFW.  Ultra-talented designers like the Cedella Marley, Meiling, Mushroom, Mutanga, Tiger Lilly, The Cloth, and Pulse's very own Nell Robinson will be sending their works down the CFW runway.

This year they have brought in international recording artists Brian McKnight, Estelle, Konshens and many more.

CFW is a calendar event that has focused the world of fashion and international attention on the region while generating business for Caribbean designers.  

CFW has longstanding partnerships with other regional professionals to bring about an event that is being described is "amazing"!  Is there any question of where you'll be this weekend?

For more information visit PulseFashionJa on Facebook or Twitter.

-30-

Again, which is your preferred source of information? This blog post or the original newspaper article?  Integration of the different platforms; video/audio/images or social networks is what gives this execution of media the edge, Use it!

...withShantelleS