Monday, 23 September 2013
Impressing the Talent Agencies Instead of Turning Them Off
Working with talent agencies is one of the best ways to get your child involved in the various performing arts. The market is incredibly difficult and limitations are everywhere. These organizations provide the door into a world that would otherwise be nearly impossible to get into for most people. Yet, it is quite common for people to be overlooked, not because of the way they look, but because of the way they don't impress those of importance. In other words, you could be doing things that are hurting your chances of getting the in you are after.
Show It, Do Not Just Say It
One of the best ways to get the right attention is to showcase your skill. The mistake that many people make is to simply talk a good game without providing any real proof of the skill. Do you have new photos that show your sense of style? Do you have the right portfolio components to demonstrate exactly what you can do? Instead of just talking about accomplishments and what you can do, show evidence of what you have done to the talent agencies. They want a complete portfolio, even if it is limited, to provide a visual look at what you can accomplish.
Be Aggressive But Not Abusive
To get your name out there, you have to be loud enough to be heard. That is, you need to speak up and put your foot out there for everyone to see what you have to offer. However, you need to refrain from being the bad guy in the process. Do not be hateful towards others. Do not bad mouth someone else because they got a chance you did not. It is never a good thing to talk negatively about anyone involved in the process because this can come back and hurt you in the end.
Be Ready and Change
Another thing that can help you to get your foot in the door is to simply be ready to listen and learn. Instead of seeing talent agencies as the final stop on your journey, view them as a learning process. When you are told something that could change the way you perform, try it. Learning from this process can help you to be more successful.
Talent agencies are tools and doorways into a new world. It is not uncommon for people to make the wrong first impression and to never get another chance to do it right. Yet, you can learn and grow into a successful person in the field if you invest the time in working with these organizations.
Looking for talent agencies in New Orleans? Visit http://www.jrpneworleans.com/index.php/Main/contact-us.html for more information.
Who Forgets the Food for a Rehearsal Dinner?
The day that Jenna got engaged she, like many newly minted brides, started planning her wedding. A lot of women will tell you they are very relaxed and they do not want to be over aggressive about the little things. Jenna would never be one of those ladies. She wanted to be in control of every detail and aspect of each minute throughout the day and days leading up to her big moment. One of the things that she was certain of was the location that she wanted to have her rehearsal dinner. She picked a restaurant that she and her fiance had gone on their first date, which made it special to her.
As the planning went along, reservations were made, dresses picked out, details sorted through, flowers decided on, and a myriad of other decisions made, the rehearsal dinner was pushed to the back burner. The convenience of having the event at a restaurant is that most of the options are already built in, so once the location is picked there is not a ton of work to do. But for a bride that spent a lot of time on the details, and aspects of each day that most people would never think of, it was interesting that the few decisions that needed to be made were put off.
About two weeks before the wedding, Jenna had still not done anything about picking the food, drink, or desert options for the rehearsal dinner, but the restaurant's deadline had arrived. So she picked options off of a menu, having never tasted the food that was going to be served to her closest family members and friends for the evening. It was almost funny, because there had been discussion about if the groomsmen should all wear the same color boxers under their tuxedos, but it did not occur to Jenna to go try the food.
So as her wedding party gathered around after the rehearsal for the dinner, she hoped that the food was going to taste good and that she had made good choices. As it turned out, the food was decent. It probably did not achieve the standards of choices she could have made had she tried the food, but it certainly was not bad. In looking back, it seems likely that Jenna will realize that when planning a rehearsal dinner, it is probably important to pay attention to the detail of the food that is to be served.
Looking for a great spot for your rehearsal dinner? New Orleans offers a wide variety of great locations. View for more information. http://www.auduboninstitute.org.
Sunday, 22 September 2013
Enjoy Your Local Bars and Save Some Money
They say the best part of having friends is having someone to go and hang out with. Even though you may feel perfectly fine going out by yourself, nothing quite beats the kind of fun you can have with your friends. If you and your buddies happen to live a very busy life and find it hard to find the time to hang together, maybe you should start planning to meet at some of your local bars. They stay open very late and they have some of the food and drinks you can find.
While you may not have any particular date or time in mind, it is always possible to make time to go out to the pubs. It doesn't matter if you are going on a date or doing something more amicable, bars have a great environment. You can enjoy the atmosphere alone or you can enjoy it with some friends. You can meet new people and enjoy some of your favorite sports on television. In fact, if there is a special game that is going to be televised and you don't want to watch it at home, you can go to some of the pubs to watch it. There you will be able to mix and mingle with some of the other sports fans in your area.
While initially many bars will seem as if they are just alike, there are plenty that are different. You can't always take a look at the outside and know what is on the inside. Sometimes you actually have to go into these establishments and have a few drinks. Just because most of these places have a good reputation for drinks, doesn't mean that the food isn't good. Many places make it a priority to cater to the culinary tastes of their customers. Even though you will almost always seem some chicken wings and burgers on the menu, don't be surprised to see steak, shrimp, and even lobster on the menu either.
Pay attention to what goes on at the bars you like to go to. If you happen to be a frequent customer, then take the time to get to know the manager, wait staff and the bartenders. This will help to improve upon the service you receive any time you are there. This will also give you an extra pair of eyes if you ever lose track of how many drinks you have. Even though these places serve alcohol until the wee hours of the morning, that doesn't mean that you need to indulge in drinks that long.
Bars are great to go to if you need to take some time away from home and other things in your life. Regardless of why you decide to go to any of them, just keep in mind that you need to be responsible at all times, especially if you plan on having some drinks.
If you're looking for some great bars, Philadelphia will have what you need when you turn to Drink Philly. To learn about these great locations and the drinks they offers, please visit http://philly.thedrinknation.com/bars/search.
Saturday, 21 September 2013
Selecting a Wine Bar That Suits You
Not everyone looks for the same things in a wine bar. If you are like most individuals, you want to sample a variety of types of wine, and you also want ambiance and an atmosphere that is good for socializing. Only you know what you prefer so to find an appropriate place for you to unwind and have a good time with friends, you need to look around.
Some individuals look for a wine bar that is casual and has a relaxed atmosphere, while others look for one with a more upbeat atmosphere. Still, others may like one with a more sophisticated feel to it. Consider your personality when deciding the atmosphere that would work for you and your time spent with close pals.
The selection of drinks is not the same at every establishment. Some have a better selection than others. If you prefer a place that has numerous labels because you enjoy not just one kind but like a variety for your palate, look for a wine bar that has an excellent choice of brands. If on the other hand, you are not fussy about trying different brands and selection is not that important to you, your focus should be more on the appearance of the place. Try and look for an establishment that makes you feel comfortable and has the energy you want it to have.
Not every clientele is the same at every wine bar. If you go to one place and do not feel at home with the other customers that patronize it, you should look for another one that may be better for you. Select a place that is most often filled with people that you enjoy being around and feel comfortable with. You want to be able to be yourself when you are enjoying a glass of your favorite drink and part of that involves feeling at home in the environment. Clientele is a significant point to think about in your search for the perfect drinking establishment as you want to be able to relax and socialize during your time spent there.
If you plan to go to the lounge on a regular basis to meet up with friends, you want to find a location that is not too far from your home. If you plan to go there infrequently, this is not as important. You may find a location that is worth it to travel a bit to enjoy an evening spent with those who mean the most to you. If you have to do a lot of commuting, this may make your experience less enjoyable unless you are one of those people who like to find out-of-the-way places to have drinks at.
You must set your own criteria for what you are looking for in a wine bar. Not every person wants the same things in a watering hole. Decide what matters most to you and that will help you to select the place that you will enjoy going to time and time again.
When searching for a wine bar, Philadelphia residents and visitors go to Drink Philly in order to find a great place. To learn more about different establishments, please visit http://philly.thedrinknation.com/articles/category/Roundups.
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Cure for Gas and Bloating
Find a Cure for Gas and Bloating
At any given moment, millions of adults around the world are struggling with the symptoms of gassiness or flatulence. The mere idea of being gassy often invites small titters of laughter from people, so it is no surprise that only a small percentage of flatulence sufferers ever approach a physician for a prescription, or even a medical opinion on their condition.
Since you are reading this right now, it is possible that you or someone you know is also struggling with flatulence, and perhaps even other associated symptoms such as bloating and excessive belching.
You don't have to worry anymore, because in today's discussion we are going to explore some of the ways that you can remedy flatulence before it ruins any more days at work or at home.
Ready? Here we go...
- Create and maintain a food journal. A food journal is simply a list of the foods and beverages that you consume on a daily basis. Your food journal can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. However, it must contain a complete list of foods so you can identify potential flatulence triggers. Often, flatulence is triggered by specific foods, so if you ate something new a few days ago and your stomach suddenly exploded with flatulence and diarrhea, you can identify the culprit and tell your physician. A food journal will also reveal how much food you are eating and how frequently you eat throughout the day. If a physical journal seems too much of a hassle, you can type notes on your tablet, computer, or cellphone instead. As long as the information is there, whatever medium you prefer is fine.
- If you are suffering from food-related flatulence almost every day, it would be best to create a list of safe foods. Safe foods, as the name implies, are simply food items that do not usually trigger the onset of your flatulence. Vegetables like potatoes, beans, and cauliflower should not be included in your list of safe foods, as these food items are known for aggravating flatulence.
- If all else fails you can try Activated Carbon Tablets. Charcoal tablets are a handy quick fix for flatulence sufferers, because they help move the gas through the digestive tract more easily, and can even help reduce the odors of the gas when you break wind. However, activated charcoal tablets cannot help treat flatulence if the gassiness is caused by a dietary problem or lifestyle problem (e.g., too much stress).
- If you can't stop eating dairy products even after you have been diagnosed with lactose intolerance, enzyme supplementation may be in order. Lactase (the enzyme needed to digest lactose in dairy products) is widely available in the market.
I cannot guarantee that your flatulence won't bother you again, but if you are already taking lactase, I don't see why lactose intolerance will be much of a problem. Just remember to add the enzyme to the food or drink before eating or drinking it.
Mike Smith here, flatulence free for more than 5 years. Join me at http://HomeCureForGas.org where I share everything I learned. Find the ultimate guide to rid yourself from excessive gassiness and flatulence for good!
Top Arts and Entertainment Hotpots in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale boasts of a culture that is as deep as its oceans any individual can ever fathom. Its heritage is diversified by the arts and entertainment that make its communities alive and dynamic. Throughout the year, there are festivals and events that foster interaction and unity among its residents. Here are some of the arts and entertainment hotpots in the city where you can spend fun time alone or with friends and family.
ArtServe
Located at 1350 East Sunrise Blvd., Artserve holds the reputation of being one of America's six art incubators. The 20000 square foot art facility has a professional art gallery, dance studio, auditoriums, conference rooms, and office suites. It also holds programs and services that aim to help local artists turn their arts into profitable businesses. It is a haven for both artists and art enthusiasts. The facility also holds regular exhibits which focus on bringing diverse kinds of art to the public.
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
On 900 N. Birch Road, you can find the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. It is a historic house museum erected on 35 acres of pristine barrier island in Fort Lauderdale. It prides itself of being one of the few places with homes and studios carrying original furnishings from American artists. It also has an art gallery from several reputable artists. Its garden is also a living art by possessing five distinct ecosystems within it - the Atlantic Beach Ocean, freshwater slough, secondary dune, mangrove wetlands, and maritime forest. Tropical tranquility beams with the tropical vegetation, hibiscus garden, and arid plantings. The entire garden is also a perfect paradise for wildlife like squirrel monkeys and gopher tortoises. Weddings and corporate events can be held in this place through special arrangements.
Arts & Culture Center of Hollywood
The parcel of land in 1650 Harrison Street is the site of the Arts & Culture Center of Hollywood. It is where art exhibits, live performances, and educational programs for kids and adults are staged. It has several art galleries, art school, theater, and café. This is literally a melting pot of arts and entertainment where residents and visitors can have a grasp of the rich culture that Fort Lauderdale has grown over the years.
These are just three of the top arts and entertainment hot spots in Fort Lauderdale. Throughout the city, there are more places like these which can also satisfy your thirst for visual arts and live entertainment. If you want to know more of these hot spots, you can contact your local real estate agent for more information.
Desare Kohn-Laski is a proud and experienced Florida realtor who is knowledgeable and familiar of the East Coast Florida real estate market. Some of the areas of her service include Parkland, Fort Lauderdale, and Hallandale Beach. Stop the chase for your dream house with her professional assistance. For more information, hop on tohttp://desarekohn.southfloridamls.com/.
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Top Ten Reasons Why Batman Always Wins
There is not a single comics' fan who does not know Batman. Actually, he is the most popular superhero of DC comics. Despite the fact that Batman does not possess any superpower that typical superheroes have, he is capable of defeating any villain he encounters no matter how strong they are. Here are the top ten reasons why.
Reason Number 10: The Bat Cave
One of the reasons why villains cannot win against Batman is that they cannot find him. The bat cave serves as the headquarters and hiding place for the Caped Crusader. The cave are also equipped with supercomputers connected to cameras that batman installed around the city. This gives batman the edge over his enemies, because it allows him to monitor what they are doing.
One of the reasons why villains cannot win against Batman is that they cannot find him. The bat cave serves as the headquarters and hiding place for the Caped Crusader. The cave are also equipped with supercomputers connected to cameras that batman installed around the city. This gives batman the edge over his enemies, because it allows him to monitor what they are doing.
Reason Number 9: He Does Not Trust Anyone
Unlike other superheroes who trust anyone easily, the word "trust" is not in the vocabulary of the Dark Knight. He views everyone as potential enemies including his friends in the JLA (Justice League Association). In fact, in the movie "JLA: Tower of Babel", it was revealed that the Bat have formulated specific strategies on how to defeat each member of the JLA.
Unlike other superheroes who trust anyone easily, the word "trust" is not in the vocabulary of the Dark Knight. He views everyone as potential enemies including his friends in the JLA (Justice League Association). In fact, in the movie "JLA: Tower of Babel", it was revealed that the Bat have formulated specific strategies on how to defeat each member of the JLA.
Reason Number 8: Money Is Power
The Bat is the most powerful superhero when in terms of money. He is a multi-billionaire, which in turn allows him to devise any weapon he would need in order to defeat his enemies. In one episode of Justice League Animated Series, the Dark Knight was able to thwart the plan of Lex Luthor by bribing one of his minions.
The Bat is the most powerful superhero when in terms of money. He is a multi-billionaire, which in turn allows him to devise any weapon he would need in order to defeat his enemies. In one episode of Justice League Animated Series, the Dark Knight was able to thwart the plan of Lex Luthor by bribing one of his minions.
Reason Number 7: Highly Skilled in Martial Arts
If villains think that they can take down the Caped Crusader easily, because he does not have superpowers, then they are wrong. The Dark Knight is a master of martial arts, allowing him to defeat any villains in hand-to-hand combat. In Marvel vs. DC crossover, batman was able to defeat Captain America in a fight, another superhero who is expert in hand-to-hand combat.
If villains think that they can take down the Caped Crusader easily, because he does not have superpowers, then they are wrong. The Dark Knight is a master of martial arts, allowing him to defeat any villains in hand-to-hand combat. In Marvel vs. DC crossover, batman was able to defeat Captain America in a fight, another superhero who is expert in hand-to-hand combat.
Reason Number 6: Secret Identity
The Caped Crusader is fully masked, which makes it hard for any villain to recognize his identity, unless they have the same X-ray vision as superman. Furthermore, his personality as Bruce Wayne is different from his alter ego. Everyone view Bruce Wayne as a playboy billionaire. No one can guess that he is actually batman.
The Caped Crusader is fully masked, which makes it hard for any villain to recognize his identity, unless they have the same X-ray vision as superman. Furthermore, his personality as Bruce Wayne is different from his alter ego. Everyone view Bruce Wayne as a playboy billionaire. No one can guess that he is actually batman.
Reason Number 5: Master of Stealth
Another reason why villains cannot win against Batman is that he is a master of stealth. He does not fight them head on, but rather hide in the shadows and wait for the perfect time to attack. Furthermore, he only operates at night and with his black costume, he is literally invisible in the dark. No matter how strong the opponent, he or she cannot win if he cannot see the Bat.
Another reason why villains cannot win against Batman is that he is a master of stealth. He does not fight them head on, but rather hide in the shadows and wait for the perfect time to attack. Furthermore, he only operates at night and with his black costume, he is literally invisible in the dark. No matter how strong the opponent, he or she cannot win if he cannot see the Bat.
Reason Number 4: Gadgets
The Dark Knight has hundreds of gadgets and weaponry he can use to take down villains and super villains. He has different types of batarangs that can do heavy damage to his opponents. He also has the bat mobile and bat plane that is also equipped with powerful weapons. Furthermore, with his money, he can invent any gadgets he can use to achieve his purpose.
The Dark Knight has hundreds of gadgets and weaponry he can use to take down villains and super villains. He has different types of batarangs that can do heavy damage to his opponents. He also has the bat mobile and bat plane that is also equipped with powerful weapons. Furthermore, with his money, he can invent any gadgets he can use to achieve his purpose.
Reason Number 3: No One Scares the Bat
Batman is afraid of bats when he is still a kid. In fact, this is his greatest fear. One of the reasons why he has chosen to be batman and be in a bat cave full of bats is to overcome his fear. When he successfully overcomes his fear of bats, he becomes capable of overcoming his fears when fighting villains, regardless of their strengths and powers.
Batman is afraid of bats when he is still a kid. In fact, this is his greatest fear. One of the reasons why he has chosen to be batman and be in a bat cave full of bats is to overcome his fear. When he successfully overcomes his fear of bats, he becomes capable of overcoming his fears when fighting villains, regardless of their strengths and powers.
Reason Number 2: A Beautiful Mind
What the Batman lack in strength, he fills them up with his intelligence. Batman is always a hundred steps ahead of his opponents. When he fights a powerful villain, he will not come with nothing, but rather with a solid plan on how to defeat him or her. He would plan for everything, including worst-case scenarios.
What the Batman lack in strength, he fills them up with his intelligence. Batman is always a hundred steps ahead of his opponents. When he fights a powerful villain, he will not come with nothing, but rather with a solid plan on how to defeat him or her. He would plan for everything, including worst-case scenarios.
Reason Number 1: He Is Batman
Search the net on why Batman always wins; the fans answer will be, "Because he is Batman!" Whether you are a fan of batman or not, you must always accept the truth that he will always win, simply because he is Batman.
Search the net on why Batman always wins; the fans answer will be, "Because he is Batman!" Whether you are a fan of batman or not, you must always accept the truth that he will always win, simply because he is Batman.
Top Theatrical Stage Effects You Must Know About
The art of illusion is what makes the theater business thick and there are several stage effects that are used to dazzle audiences every now and then. If you care to read on, you will discover some of them.
Snow
Snow can be achieved on stage with a high-tech chemical technology or conventional paper bits. Some prominent theaters still make use of falling paper, shaken from the catwalks, to produce floating snowflakes or a heavy blizzard. This type of effect is disadvantageous as it leaves a great mess to clean up after the show or between acts. Also, the paper bits have sharp edges that can lead to paper cuts for the artistes or stab them in the eye if they forget to avoid looking up. Snow machines produce better effects because they make use of a non-toxic chemical that sprays out flakes which can be controlled to float down. The snow produced will usually melt in the air and disappear before hitting the ground.
Fog and Mist
Fog and mist are water and it is not expensive to control the atmosphere on stage with special misting machines. Machines that send out fine droplets of water are produced by theatrical effects companies. The droplets of water are so small that they evaporate and the floor of the set is not messed up. There are also fog liquids that produce the effect with evaporating chemicals which are not harmful to artistes to breathe and even lay down in, if necessary. School plays may use old-fashioned dry ice in a bucket of water but it can be dangerous. Also, since the cost of theatrical foggers is no longer on the high side, dry ice could be relatively expensive and it requires a lot of work to create the fog and control it. The right lighting will also enhance the effect of the fog, mist or haze produced no matter the method use to produce it.
Scrim
This is a flat sheer curtain that looks opaque when lit from the front and misty as well as transparent when lit from behind. It can be used to change scenes without moving any sets. At times, a scrim can be raised so that actors will just walk from one scene to another. It can be used to create a ghostly image for scenes with spirits as well as hallucinations and lighting plays an important role in making a scrim to function appropriately.
In order to get a high-quality snow machine rental or a snow making machine rental, you should contact Blankextremeentertainment.
Monday, 16 September 2013
Keeping Online Gamers Hooked Is Developing Into an Art Form
The goal of every games developer, from the small indie studios to the global multinational companies, is to create fun games that gamers just want to keep enjoying. At first this may seem relatively straightforward; coming up with a good idea for a game and then developing it carefully so that its full potential is realised may not be that simple, but it is what online games developers do day in day out. Indeed, although this process may not be particularly fast, good games development never is and should not be rushed; it is not especially taxing either. The real question is, having produced a successful game that draws players in for several hours of gameplay, how can they be tempted to stay and carry on playing the game when new ones are appearing all the time?
In the world of online gaming this is becoming as big an issue for developers as it is for successful games which are not based entirely online or are console-based, which have long been the domain of expansions packs and extra content. Even though developers can play to the strengths of their games, such as the intrinsic allure of MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) to an audience which wants to game together and is used to doing so in a certain way on a given game, with so much competition emerging in online multiplayer formats and with a variety of gaming forums developing, players are becoming less loyal toward particular games and more likely to swap around and find something new and different.
In the classical realm of offline gaming, the technique first used to keep gamers engaged was the offering of expansion packs for a small fee. These would add new content, levels, characters, maps etc. into the existing game to give gamers new experiences and widen the scope of their gameplay within a successful framework. The modern equivalent is DLC (downloadable content) which is controversial amongst the gaming community as many players see it as developers charging them to buy, in effect, half a game which they then have to add to by downloading lots of little bits, all also charged for. However, for free online games this system is far more popular because no money is involved and the extra content is always 'extra', it was not something withheld from the original game the first place.
With hundreds of free online games being available, developers have had to get creative with their additional content. Although programming small Flash game elements into the existing game is not hard, coming up with the ideas is time consuming. Typically, MOBA games and other fighting action games often hold special tournaments every so often and new weapons or kit might be offered accordingly, usually available for game points.
Similarly, in the area of casual gaming, which now encompasses innumerable simulations of everything from farming to air traffic control, players may be offered additional content which focusses on special events tied into the real world, such as a 'harvest month' or 'tourist season' in which special features are available, new types of gameplay are possible and / or new characters may become involved. This creativity only really works when developers know their games, and their audiences, inside out. But this is the way it should be; not only will gamers enjoy them more, developers will have more fun tinkering with them too!
If you love online gaming then you need to check out http://www.bigpoint.com where the choice of online gaming options is staggering. Whatever genre of game you enjoy playing, Bigpoint has them all, offering a variety of gameplay challenges that will keep you hooked for hours on end. If you fancy more casual gaming, don't worry, there is plenty to go round with popular titles like Farmerama providing all the relaxing entertainment that you need
For Marketers, Nothing Entices Like Empowerment
Not too long ago, a well-known fast food restaurant chain ran commercials with the tagline, "Good Mood Food." The implied promise was that unlike other fast food restaurants, this one would make us feel good. Unfortunately, when this campaign was running, Consumerist.com, in a survey of 115,000 consumers, rated it among the worst commercials in America.
Old school marketing suggests that every ad should entice consumers with an explicit promise backed up by some logical support for that promise. The problem is that consumers have grown up faster than advertising. This formula may have worked in the past, but today's consumer is more socialized. Technology continues to provide more ways to discriminate between legitimate promises and lame puffery.
Audiences have matured. The Internet has contributed to their resourcefulness. Consequently, consumers are more able to make up their minds without our archaic attempts at persuasion. Additionally, given the opportunity to forum their complaints for all to read in social media, they are less forgiving when expectations aren't met. A recent President once said, "Fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again." For today's consumer, no truer words were ever besmirched.
The solution?
Contrast the "Good Mood Food" tagline with Taco Bell's "Live Mas." If you visit Taco Bell's website, you'll see a manifesto that talks about the importance of things like "kicking up some dirt, making waves, trying what you've never done before." And in that manifesto there isn't even a hint of a promise.
The Taco Bell Brand is all about empowerment. It is about a belief to subscribe to, a value to uphold. And bold, 'never-been-done-before products' like Doritos Tacos support what this brand stands for. Instead of selling a promise, Taco Bell is selling a worldview and using its products as support for that worldview. Is it surprising that Taco Bell is growing stronger than any other fast food company in America?
USP's aren't enough any more.
Evidence is abounding that today's consumer wants and expects more than boastful descriptions of our USP's. And they have little patience for hyperbole. They want inspiration. More importantly, they want their intelligence and aspirations respected. Marketers who continue to rely on the promise/support syllogism will continue to risk being vetoed, especially when the logic behind that coupling is suspicious. If you're like me, you have to look for the button on your remote control that changes channels or the one that increases volume. But locating that fast forward button is immediate.
Certainly we want consumers to understand and appreciate us. But consumers want us do a better job of understanding and appreciating them. Specifically they want us to recognize what they believe is true about their lives. They want something more than unique features and benefits. Beyond any functional need we can satisfy, there's no satisfaction that quite measures up to feeling supported. Consequently, consumers need reinforcement for beliefs they can live by. They want to know that somebody truly gets what they're all about, their life challenges, desires and aspirations. And they will gravitate to brands that demonstrate genuine rather than manufactured compassion.
For today's consumer form is content. The way we approach them says as much or more than the words we use to tell them who we are and what we do. It's as if what we whisper is louder than what we say. We can entice consumers with chest-thumping, self-congratulatory claims all we want. But what our audiences really want and need is reinforcement for the way they see the world. They want and need to belong to something bigger than a new sandwich.
Brands bought can become extensions of our brand's purpose or its cause beyond making a profit. If all we are selling is our product's function or how we outperform, out taste, out-do the competition, we are missing out on a huge opportunity. Keep in mind that someone who follows what your brand stands for is more valuable than someone who just buys it. There's no greater endorsement than one that comes from a believer who is emotionally involved in a brand's purpose.
Look Inside
So before you hire outsiders to find the single most powerful promise that will entice consumers, look inside your organization for ways you can empower them. It's far more effective to find what you stand for from your history, your vision and the beliefs that are passionately practiced within your organization. And if what you stand for is nothing more than your product's point of difference, look harder to find the point of view that fuels that difference. Find that unique cause around which your employees and your customers will rally. Promote that through your advertising! But don't forget to live it. Because your best guard against competition and your best chance for success will always be found in your walk, not in your talk. And the more everyone in your organization is walking together, the more likely your customers will walk with you.
Jim Signroelli is the CEO of ESW Partners, a marketing/communications agency based in Chicago. Jim is also the author of StoryBranding: Creating Standout Brands Through The Power of Story. You can read more about StoryBranding at http://www.eswpartners.com/storybranding and http://www.storyati.com
Saturday, 14 September 2013
2012 Dreamcatcher Gala: David Boxley - Arts and Entertainment
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT | David Boxley, Metlakatla, Alaska.
Born in 1952, David was raised by his grandparents who taught him many Tsimshian
traditions including the language. While teaching in Metlakatala in 1979, David began
devoting considerable time to the study of traditional Tsimshian carving. He decided to
make a major career decision to leave the security of teaching and to devote all his energies toward carving and researching the legacy of Northwest Coast Indian art.
David has since become a nationally recognized Indian artist showing and demonstrating his art in many parts of the United States and Europe. He is particularly well respected
as a totem pole carver, carving 70 poles in the last 26 years.
David has taught and demonstrated at many different museums and institutes. He has
been directly involved in the formation of four successful dance groups, has written over 40 songs in his Native language and in addition to totems he carves many masks, rattles, paddles and other performance items.
Born in 1952, David was raised by his grandparents who taught him many Tsimshian
traditions including the language. While teaching in Metlakatala in 1979, David began
devoting considerable time to the study of traditional Tsimshian carving. He decided to
make a major career decision to leave the security of teaching and to devote all his energies toward carving and researching the legacy of Northwest Coast Indian art.
David has since become a nationally recognized Indian artist showing and demonstrating his art in many parts of the United States and Europe. He is particularly well respected
as a totem pole carver, carving 70 poles in the last 26 years.
David has taught and demonstrated at many different museums and institutes. He has
been directly involved in the formation of four successful dance groups, has written over 40 songs in his Native language and in addition to totems he carves many masks, rattles, paddles and other performance items.
Top Theatrical Stage Effects You Must Know About
The art of illusion is what makes the theater business thick and
there are several stage effects that are used to dazzle audiences every
now and then. If you care to read on, you will discover some of them.
Snow
Snow can be achieved on stage with a high-tech chemical technology or conventional paper bits. Some prominent theaters still make use of falling paper, shaken from the catwalks, to produce floating snowflakes or a heavy blizzard. This type of effect is disadvantageous as it leaves a great mess to clean up after the show or between acts. Also, the paper bits have sharp edges that can lead to paper cuts for the artistes or stab them in the eye if they forget to avoid looking up. Snow machines produce better effects because they make use of a non-toxic chemical that sprays out flakes which can be controlled to float down. The snow produced will usually melt in the air and disappear before hitting the ground.
Fog and Mist
Fog and mist are water and it is not expensive to control the atmosphere on stage with special misting machines. Machines that send out fine droplets of water are produced by theatrical effects companies. The droplets of water are so small that they evaporate and the floor of the set is not messed up. There are also fog liquids that produce the effect with evaporating chemicals which are not harmful to artistes to breathe and even lay down in, if necessary. School plays may use old-fashioned dry ice in a bucket of water but it can be dangerous. Also, since the cost of theatrical foggers is no longer on the high side, dry ice could be relatively expensive and it requires a lot of work to create the fog and control it. The right lighting will also enhance the effect of the fog, mist or haze produced no matter the method use to produce it.
Scrim
This is a flat sheer curtain that looks opaque when lit from the front and misty as well as transparent when lit from behind. It can be used to change scenes without moving any sets. At times, a scrim can be raised so that actors will just walk from one scene to another. It can be used to create a ghostly image for scenes with spirits as well as hallucinations and lighting plays an important role in making a scrim to function appropriately.
Snow
Snow can be achieved on stage with a high-tech chemical technology or conventional paper bits. Some prominent theaters still make use of falling paper, shaken from the catwalks, to produce floating snowflakes or a heavy blizzard. This type of effect is disadvantageous as it leaves a great mess to clean up after the show or between acts. Also, the paper bits have sharp edges that can lead to paper cuts for the artistes or stab them in the eye if they forget to avoid looking up. Snow machines produce better effects because they make use of a non-toxic chemical that sprays out flakes which can be controlled to float down. The snow produced will usually melt in the air and disappear before hitting the ground.
Fog and Mist
Fog and mist are water and it is not expensive to control the atmosphere on stage with special misting machines. Machines that send out fine droplets of water are produced by theatrical effects companies. The droplets of water are so small that they evaporate and the floor of the set is not messed up. There are also fog liquids that produce the effect with evaporating chemicals which are not harmful to artistes to breathe and even lay down in, if necessary. School plays may use old-fashioned dry ice in a bucket of water but it can be dangerous. Also, since the cost of theatrical foggers is no longer on the high side, dry ice could be relatively expensive and it requires a lot of work to create the fog and control it. The right lighting will also enhance the effect of the fog, mist or haze produced no matter the method use to produce it.
Scrim
This is a flat sheer curtain that looks opaque when lit from the front and misty as well as transparent when lit from behind. It can be used to change scenes without moving any sets. At times, a scrim can be raised so that actors will just walk from one scene to another. It can be used to create a ghostly image for scenes with spirits as well as hallucinations and lighting plays an important role in making a scrim to function appropriately.
In order to get a high-quality snow machine rental or a snow making machine rental, you should contact Blankextremeentertainment.
Asian Arts and Entertainment Festival 2010 - Poreotics Dance Crew
11052010 Poreotics Performance @ UF AAEF
For Marketers, Nothing Entices Like Empowerment
Not too long ago, a well-known fast food restaurant chain ran commercials with the tagline, "Good Mood Food." The implied promise was that unlike other fast food restaurants, this one would make us feel good. Unfortunately, when this campaign was running, Consumerist.com, in a survey of 115,000 consumers, rated it among the worst commercials in America.
Old school marketing suggests that every ad should entice consumers with an explicit promise backed up by some logical support for that promise. The problem is that consumers have grown up faster than advertising. This formula may have worked in the past, but today's consumer is more socialized. Technology continues to provide more ways to discriminate between legitimate promises and lame puffery.
Audiences have matured. The Internet has contributed to their resourcefulness. Consequently, consumers are more able to make up their minds without our archaic attempts at persuasion. Additionally, given the opportunity to forum their complaints for all to read in social media, they are less forgiving when expectations aren't met. A recent President once said, "Fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again." For today's consumer, no truer words were ever besmirched.
The solution?
Contrast the "Good Mood Food" tagline with Taco Bell's "Live Mas." If you visit Taco Bell's website, you'll see a manifesto that talks about the importance of things like "kicking up some dirt, making waves, trying what you've never done before." And in that manifesto there isn't even a hint of a promise.
The Taco Bell Brand is all about empowerment. It is about a belief to subscribe to, a value to uphold. And bold, 'never-been-done-before products' like Doritos Tacos support what this brand stands for. Instead of selling a promise, Taco Bell is selling a worldview and using its products as support for that worldview. Is it surprising that Taco Bell is growing stronger than any other fast food company in America?
USP's aren't enough any more.
Evidence is abounding that today's consumer wants and expects more than boastful descriptions of our USP's. And they have little patience for hyperbole. They want inspiration. More importantly, they want their intelligence and aspirations respected. Marketers who continue to rely on the promise/support syllogism will continue to risk being vetoed, especially when the logic behind that coupling is suspicious. If you're like me, you have to look for the button on your remote control that changes channels or the one that increases volume. But locating that fast forward button is immediate.
Certainly we want consumers to understand and appreciate us. But consumers want us do a better job of understanding and appreciating them. Specifically they want us to recognize what they believe is true about their lives. They want something more than unique features and benefits. Beyond any functional need we can satisfy, there's no satisfaction that quite measures up to feeling supported. Consequently, consumers need reinforcement for beliefs they can live by. They want to know that somebody truly gets what they're all about, their life challenges, desires and aspirations. And they will gravitate to brands that demonstrate genuine rather than manufactured compassion.
For today's consumer form is content. The way we approach them says as much or more than the words we use to tell them who we are and what we do. It's as if what we whisper is louder than what we say. We can entice consumers with chest-thumping, self-congratulatory claims all we want. But what our audiences really want and need is reinforcement for the way they see the world. They want and need to belong to something bigger than a new sandwich.
Brands bought can become extensions of our brand's purpose or its cause beyond making a profit. If all we are selling is our product's function or how we outperform, out taste, out-do the competition, we are missing out on a huge opportunity. Keep in mind that someone who follows what your brand stands for is more valuable than someone who just buys it. There's no greater endorsement than one that comes from a believer who is emotionally involved in a brand's purpose.
Look Inside
So before you hire outsiders to find the single most powerful promise that will entice consumers, look inside your organization for ways you can empower them. It's far more effective to find what you stand for from your history, your vision and the beliefs that are passionately practiced within your organization. And if what you stand for is nothing more than your product's point of difference, look harder to find the point of view that fuels that difference. Find that unique cause around which your employees and your customers will rally. Promote that through your advertising! But don't forget to live it. Because your best guard against competition and your best chance for success will always be found in your walk, not in your talk. And the more everyone in your organization is walking together, the more likely your customers will walk with you.
Jim Signroelli is the CEO of ESW Partners, a marketing/communications agency based in Chicago. Jim is also the author of StoryBranding: Creating Standout Brands Through The Power of Story. You can read more about StoryBranding at http://www.eswpartners.com/storybranding and http://www.storyati.com
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