Power of the Mind

Many people tell themselves they are unable to do certain things. Recently, I have learned that is not the case. What is the case is many are not using their mind to achieve a given goal or desire. As a result they fall victim to the thinking they are unworthy, incapable, or undesirable to perform a given role or desire. In almost every case that is further from the truth. If these individuals tapped into the power of the mind they may be able to achieve far more they think or imagine. This doesn’t mean that they will not experience fear, but it means that when they do they will know how to handle it.

                Through the mind, a given person can use visualizations as a first step to achieving a given desire. Imagine that dream house. Don’t just imagine yourself looking at the house. Visualize yourself walking through the house admiring the details within. Take vivid notes on those details. Imagination can be just as powerful, if not more so than any perceived knowledge if a person uses it. When I recently had a phone stolen, I used the power of visualization a lot. Instead of rushing out and buying a replacement, because I could not afford it, I visualized myself using that particular phone. It took several months but in less than a year I was a recipient of that same phone again.

                Talking less can also help you achieve certain desires and goals. By talking, the brain is tricked into thinking it is actually performing a given role or desire. By actively taking action towards that desire with less talking it can assist in manifesting that desire into reality and not just a dream or vision. Many consultants I have spoken with suggest just taking massive big action. By doing massive action the brain doesn’t falsely interpret the action as being real in the case with talking. The action then creates powerful momentum to drive a particular result.

Martinuzzi, B. (2011, November 2). Article November 02, 2011 • Leadership The Power Of The Mind: How To Train Yourself To Be More Successful. Retrieved September 10, 2014. https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/articles/the-power-of-the-mind-how-to-train-yourself-to-be-more-successful/

 

Social Media Marketing

Social Media campaigns are an aspect of marketing that is becoming big business. As an entertainment business professional consultant whose evaluates indie entertainment artists a common thread among them exists. They are strong in their craft but they fail to understand how to market their content.

To build strong social media campaigns require several actions on the part of the artist. Many artists have Facebook pages, Twitter profiles, Instagram, and several other social media outlets to try and gain and audience. The problem is an audience doesn’t happen. It is cultured and it is grown. Sure, there are available options to buy a set numbers of followers but many of those are just false botnets. An audience can be built without buying followers, but through organic growth.

With or without a website, which is crucial to growth, there are some things the artists can do specifically on the social media sites. If the artists want to be successful that success requires numbers. On both my personal Facebook I have 2,708 friends, Twitter 4,466 followers, and LinkedIn 591 connections. Although the numbers are low compared to other social media pros these numbers have garnered me a level of authority. Several CEOs and executives from major companies follow me on any given platform. Most of my work was by simply talking to people and growing organically that way. While this effort does take some time bears fruit.

 

Another thing I do across all the platforms is having continuity. The bios and pictures across each of my Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are closely similar. The Facebook profile picture is cropped a little closer than the LinkedIn and Twitter pictures but it is the same picture used across all three sites. As I use those three sites the most they are the ones I frequently make sure are matched. Instagram, Pinterest, and Myspace I use less often but I will be updating my profiles on those sites to match.

Content is important on artist pages to continuously garner followers. Without fresh content or posts a follower may quickly get bored and never check a page or profile. This does not mean posting every single day, but regularly enough to keep followers coming back for more. The content should be of value to the followers and not just generic stuff.

© All images are the right of David Kirlew 

Mobile Supercomputer of the future

A major issue in the entertainment is occurring. The strong interest in higher resolution such as 4K and 8K is creating issues on certain productions. Processing the larger resolution files for visual effects, animation, and other post production professionals are in need of massive systems to handle the files on location. A young company Silverdraft, has developed a mobile rig to process such files on location or in remote areas. As the needs of the production increase it is increasingly necessary to process more and more footage closer to the production side than the editorial or post production side. Systems such as Silverdraft may be considered pricey in the $75,000-100,000+ ballpark, but for a large production wanting to ensure they achieved all the shots it is a valuable time saver to minimize having to go back and reshoot unnecessary after production already wrapped. 

Systems like Silverdraft are amazing for the money. They are basically micro supercomputer that used to be only available in massive data centers, much less available in a mobile unit. Beyond the film side, other entertainment sectors can benefit from the units. Pre-visualization, Real-time playback of certain aspects in taped or live broadcasts, high resolution photography, and medical can benefit from the units. 

This technology, though used predominantly in entertainment, will replicate itself across various industries as the costs go down. Entertainment use of technology in high end productions eventually trickle down to these industries and continues the spur for innovation in entertainment. 

Entertainment technology has a way of side stepping into other industries because entertainment has such a large impact on society. Silverdraft and others will soon see itself or similar technology used outside of the industry whether they like it or not. Entertainment has that much force in affecting the world we live in. 

References

Giardina, C. (2014, March 20). Nab: Ted schilowitz aims to change hollywood's computing approach. Retrieved from http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/nab-ted-schilowitz-aims-change-689931

Silverdraft. (2014). Silverdraft . Retrieved from http://www.silverdraft.com/Default.aspx

Apple's Future is Stockholder's Concern

On February 7, 2014, Apple bought back $14 billion of its own stocks. $12 billion of the $14 billion was bought back from Apple’s existing buyback program, with the remaining $2 billion purchased on the open market. Apple CEO Tim Cook in an interview with the Wall Street Journal tried to encourage concerned shareholders with a big key point Apple is working on in 2014. He views the company in a growth phase and has reiterated that in 2014 Apple will enter new product categories. Apple’s revenues compared to previous years has slowed though many companies would love to have the $14-15 billion revenues Apple experienced for fiscal year 2013. 

Investor concern with Apple is not a surprise considering it is valued as one of the largest companies by market value. Compared to other companies Apple is extremely meticulous in design and quality to provide the best products and experience to customers whether it is individuals or businesses. Although Google owns Android, the most used mobile software, the company doesn’t hold a candle to Apple. Though Apple’s mobile software is of lesser penetration, it the company has a larger market share than its nearest competitor. 

Shareholders are understandable to maintain concern against the nibbling of Google. Rumors swirl regularly what new products in new categories that Apple may release to combat Google, Microsoft, Samsung and others. The top fad many companies are reportedly working on on is wearables and Apple has no shortage of rumors and hints of there potential move into that category. 

Judging from recent hires into the Apple camp from sites like MacRumors and AppleInsider, Apple is definitely working on one or multiple products in new ranges than it exists in currently. In addition, Apple is working on new methods to make existing products better through the use of Sapphire glass and other materials. 

While shareholders and critics may show worry over Apple, I feel there best is probably yet to come. Even though, Jobs is not with us anymore, he left the company in a much better situation than he was brought back into to resuscitate the near bankrupt success it is today. 

References

Appleinsider. (2014, February 07). Cook discusses bigger iphones, motorola sale, android and more in interview. Retrieved from http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/02/07/cook-discusses-bigger-iphones-motorola-sale-android-and-more-in-interview

domain-b. (2014, February 08). Google briefly overtakes exxonmobil as world's 2nd most valuable company . Retrieved from http://www.domain-b.com/investments/world_markets/20140208_exxonmobil.html

TED Talk Logan LaPlante

Hackschooling is something I grew up with. During the 2nd half 2nd grade my parents took me out of the private school my sister and I attended to homeschool us. Logan LaPlante, a 13-year old TED talk speaker, discusses when he grows up he’s not as focused on being a doctor, lawyer, or some other specialist. His focus at the moment is on skiing and snowboarding. More importantly, though, Logan mentioned when he grows up he wants to happy, healthy, and creative. 

Logan is on a roadmap to be happy, healthy, and creative since his mom put him on a homeschool path. Instead of the traditional path to schooling Logan is learning his schooling around his passions of skiing and snowboarding. 

Although only 13, Logan was articulate. Coming out and grabbing the audience’s attention stating the traditional career options he’s not looking forward to but instead to be happy got everyone piqued. Continuing through his speech he weaved his interests on skiing with education on security, health, and safety that are crucial aspects to our daily lives. Logan described learning about security from the ski patrol’s education of mountain terrain and how to protect yourself in different parts of the mountain. 

I think Logan’s biggest adversity may not have been on the mountain, skiing, but in presenting the speech. Many will not see young teens or adults making major speeches. This speech on a large stage is a big plus for Logan’s development and growth as he continues on his journey. 

From Logan’s inspiration its making me think of the future of my own education outside of the proper school system. Although I may not be of age to do what Logan did I can still apply a lot of his insight into my own life beyond the Full Sail life after graduation. As people, we should be on a path to continuously learning and challenging ourselves. Growth comes out of this which is helpful throughout our life. 

References 

TEDx. (n.d.). Hackschooling makes me happy: Logan laplante at tedxuniversityofnevada. Retrieved from http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/Hackschooling-Makes-Me-Happy-Lo;search:/