Another look at film theft (Something I'm rather passionate about preventing)

Hello again gang!

Chris French here at Modern Midwest Entertainment! Awhile back, I posted a blog about film theft and the Motion Picture Association of America’s actions towards stopping it. The site www.fightfimtheft.org is the MPAA and National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO)’s website that is trying to help combat film theft.

As I wrote in my previous blog, a standard procedure is in place to stop someone who is suspected of trying to bootleg a film in the theatre. I spelled out the procedure in my previous blog about film theft. I recently went to my local theatre in Hillsdale, Michigan, and asked about the instances of film theft in their theatre. I was told by the staff there that they have actually used the procedure put in place by MPAA and NATO and have stopped “a few” instances of attempted bootlegging. 

As I mentioned in the earlier blog, the ad campaign by MPAA and NATO to combat film theft is both creative and entertaining. I personally feel that they should show these ads in EVERY movie theatre in the United States, but unfortunately, they do not. When I asked the staff at Hillsdale’s movie theatre about this, they told me that they did not even know the ads were out there. I directed them to fightfilmtheft.org and asked them to take a look at those ads.

Like I previously said, film theft, whether people believe it or not, IS A CRIME. You who bootleg films are not only cheating the public by giving them low grade, crappy looking films. You are cheating the very people who put their time and creative energies into creating the film you’re ripping off. I shouldn’t have to be the one to get up on the soapbox and tell you this, but I am. The entertainment industry, for as much as folks seem to complain about it, is still giving people the entertainment they desire. So please, for everyone’s sake, don’t steal films. If it keeps up, pretty soon, studios could lose money, forcing them to close. . .then there wouldn’t be any films LEFT to steal.

Come to Michigan. . .Make a Movie!

Hey folks, Chris French here from Modern Midwest Entertainment! Say, are you making a movie? Well, I think you should, because movies are cool! I also think that if you're going to make a movie, you should make it here in Michigan!! I just looked up the Michigan Film Office website and the state IS STILL offering tax incentives for companies wanting to make movies here.

Think about it, in 2007, Michigan took in 2 million dollars of revenue from films. In 2009, thanks to the film incentives, Michigan took in over 227 million dollars! Think about what that means for what Michigan is paying OUT in incentives!

Of course, with any program, there are rules. Here's a few for Michigan's movie tax incentive program:

• Minimum spend of at least $50,000 in Michigan to be eligible.
• Up To 40% refundable tax credit, across the board on Michigan expenditures.
• Claim an extra 2% if filming in one of the 136 Core Communities in Michigan.
• Labor and Crew: Up To 40%-42% Resident Below the Line. Up To 40%-42% Above the Line regardless of residency. Up To 30% Non-resident Below the Line.
• $2 million salary cap per employee per production. There is no other cap and no sunset.
• All applicants can expect a 4 week review process once all materials have been received.
• Must spend at least $500,000 annually in Michigan to be eligible for an interactive web site project.

So, now that you know a little bit about that, go to the Michigan Film Office's website, check it out and go make a movie!!

Another Look at This is Vintage Now.

Hello folks,

Chris French here at Modern Midwest Entertainment! A few months ago I blogged about a new movement in fashion, art, and music called "The Vintage Movement". This movement is picking up a surefire head of steam in the European countries as well as farther east such as Japan and Australia! Today, as I sit here in my house and write this, I think back to the compilation album called This is Vintage Now. This compilation (www.thisisvintagenow.com), put together by Swing City Productions' David Gasten, showcases the best of the modern Vintage Movement, along with bringing out the best of the original era itself!

Sitting with me, here and now, is the Director of Swing City Productions, David Gasten, who will answer some questions about This is Vintage Now, and the Vintage Movement in general.

Where and when did the idea for This is Vintage Now originate?


David Gasten - The idea came about in mid 2010 based off of a demo I had recorded in April 2010 called The Deacon Don't Like It EP. I couldn't finish the EP and I just didn't want to do the whole "check out my band" thing that a lot of artists are doing. I realized there were a lot of bands doing the style we were doing, the old style brought to today. I found a lot of fantastic artists doing this, and I realized that they were all spread out and not connected. I felt like the smart thing to do would be to bring all of these great artists under one umbrella. I figured that it would have more impact that way and so far I've been proven right.


How did you select the artists represented on This is Vintage Now?


DG - How I selected them was more or less following my nose. I went for artists that had a great vibe when I listened to them. When I'd listen to their music, or see them live, they had this "anything can happen" feel to them. These artists are hard to come by, because a lot of artists out there want to be this way but they just can't get it right. I've been following a lot of bunny trails. An Ebay search brought me to Caro Emerald. An accidental YouTube search brought me to Ilana Charnelle. I found The Waitiki 7 and Blake Jones and the Trike Shop on CD Baby. I knew the Necrotones way back when as a local band in Dallas. What I really went for, though, were things that resonated with me.

This is Vintage now has been released for just nine weeks at this writing. What do you see, at this point, to be the significance of this album?


DG - The big thing is that it's the first album to really try bring all the groups that are reviving the old style together under one umbrella, and try to make a franchise out of that. I think that's really important, given all the vintage music and movies and such, is everybody's "We'll always have Paris." This is referenced to the movie Casablanca. No matter how bad the economy gets, the state of socialization gets, the state of political affairs gets, it's something people can always go back to as a good memory. It lets people know that life is worth living and we can think about better times. What I like about the Vintage Music Movement is that we can bring the best of those times to today and help people relive them as if they'd never gone away. Now the caveat is, in order for this to work, it has to be based in the period values. If it's not, all it is is a big costume party and it's not going to feel real. If it's done correctly, I can absolutely see it being not just "We'll always have Paris", but a return to Paris.

Having said all that, where do you predict the future to be for the This is Vintage Now franchise?


DG - Right now, we're taking a little detour and putting things together for a documentary about Beverly Kenney, who is on the compilation. She's a jazz singer who committed suicide in 1960 at the age of 28. She has an appeal that really connects with people today. I kind of perceive her as the jazz version of Nick Drake (British folk singer who had a few albums in the early 1970s who has gone on to have a very strong cult following that influenced indy rock and has had a profound effect on many artists today). There are some unanswered questions as to why she committed suicide and why that transpired. This documentary is hoping to answer those questions. We're just getting that started. I have a general idea of who I want for TIVN volume two when I'm ready to begin work on that. I do have one artist confirmed, Tiki Joe's Ocean in Seattle. As the group of TIVN artists grows, I hope to start a newsfeed in Google+ when that opens where people can keep up with the artists and their adventures. I want it to be a feel good news feed where people can see their favorite artists and see what's going to happen next. I'm also hoping to have a TIVN concert series as the demand for that opens up. The big thing is, I want to see all of the artists that have the vibe of the period come together and bring this alive to people. I want to see everybody working together to get the vintage lifestyle and music rolling and really bringing it back to people. We have to do this by sticking together and supporting each other. I'm really looking forward to the positive impact it will have on culture as a whole and I have no doubt in my mind that it will!

THANK YOU, Mr. David Gasten, for sitting down with me and discussing The Vintage Movement and This is Vintage Now! Now, everyone needs to go to www.thisisvintagenow.com and check out this album, and as always, keep your head up and keep smiling!

SEE YA!

Goodbye To a Mentor.

Hey folks, Chris French here from Modern Midwest Entertainment.  I took today off sick from my day job at a mental health agency, because I wasn't feeling the greatest. I decided to get on Yahoo and check out some things, and I noticed one of my broadcasting instructors, Ron Smith, from my days learning the trade at American Broadcasting School. I talked with Ron for a brief time, and shared what I've been up to with him. As we ended our conversation, I asked Ron to say hello to Del Cockrell, ABS's founder and one of my mentors in the world of broadcasting. Ron informed me that Del is gone. He passed away on July 9th from a massive stroke. I'm at a loss for words. Del and all the folks at ABS had a profound influence on me, but Del was always the one that would call me up and say, "Chris, you're gonna go somewhere in this business, I know it". I'm going to post Del's obituary below, and a personal message to Del. . .Del, you were an inspiration to me, and to everyone who ever met him. You will be sorely missed.

Delton Cockrell
September 11, 1943 - July 9, 2011 OKLAHOMA CITY Del Cockrell passed away July 9, 2011. He was born on September 11, 1943 in Shawnee, OK. Del graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1961 and from the University of Oklahoma in 1965. Del was the owner and founder of American Broadcasting School. He opened ABS in March of 1970 and dedicated his professional life to training thousands of radio broadcasters over the past 41 years. Del was not only a highly successful businessman who was admired and respected by many but was also a loving and devoted family man. His family meant the world to him. Del enjoyed fishing, sports, and spending time playing with his grandkids. Del was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Lorene Cockrell; and his older brother, Gary Cockrell. Del is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Janice; his son, Shawn Cockrell; his daughter, Staci Cockrell; grandsons, Shea, Brendan, Carson, Chase; his twin brother, Mel Cockrell and wife Pat; his brother, Jerry Cockrell and wife Susan; sister-in-law, Pat Cockrell; and numerous nieces, nephews, great- nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends and colleagues all of whom he loved dearly.

We will always carry you in our hearts Del.

Only YOU can prevent. . .movie theft?!!

Chris French here at Modern Midwest Entertainment! As I am currently working on production of a movie, I decided to take a look at the pubic awareness campaign held by the Motion Picture Association of America. Over the course of the last decade, with the advances in camera technology in cellphones and other devices, motion picture theft has become an increasing problem in Hollywood and all over the world. I took a closer look at the MPAA's website www.fightfilmtheft.org. The MPAA along with the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) have joined forces to tackle the problem of film thefts. 

According to fightfilmtheft.org, a standard procedure is in place to stop someone who is suspected of trying to bootleg a film in the theatre. Theatre employees are to be on the lookout for anyone trying to film the movie. They then will call the police, they will stop the recording of the movie before the movie ends, file a police report and contact the MPAA within 24 hours to report the incident to them.  Once done, the person who initially spotted the potential film theft can then request a 500 dollar reward from the MPAA. 

The MPAA, along with it's website fightfilmtheft.org, also had a creative ad campaign designed by them and New York Mayor Michael Bloomburg. This ad campaign was created to stem the tide in New York City of illegal DVD copies of movies that were pirated from movie theaters. In the advertisements, clips of different movies are shown (as they would be in a bootlegged copy) with people's heads in the way, crying babies, theatre doors opening and closing. These humorous advertisements are meant to show the public that, while you may pay a lesser price for a bootlegged DVD, you're getting what you paid for, a DVD that is of poor quality, sound, picture and overall crap. The other message this ad campaign sends out is that pirating films is illegal! 

I have personally seen what can happen when someone tries to pass off a pirated film as a legit version. I knew a man a few years ago that got beat up over a copy of a film he had pirated. The person that bought a copy from him was very unhappy when they tried to watch the film. When they went back to him and he wouldn't give them their money back, they beat him up and took his money. Film theft is NOT a good business to get into. Not only are you taking away the livelyhood of a good number of people in the industry, you run the risk of physical harm to yourself! My advise, leave the movie in the theatre where it belongs, and save yourself the beating!

On the Cusp of The Cutting Edge!

Chris French here at Modern Midwest Entertainment! It’s not everyday that I get the chance to talk shop with a “Musical Pioneer”, but that is just what I have been doing for the last week! For those of you that are unfamiliar at the moment with the Vintage Movement in music and fashion, you soon will be. Right now, if you’re in Europe and reading this blog, you already know what I’m talking about. Those of you that are reading this in the US, let me explain a bit about the Vintage Movement.

According to David Gasten, the producer of the album This is Vintage Now, The Vintage Movement is a social movement that broke in the UK in 2010 that centers around an interest in reliving the lifestyle of years past, especially the 1940’s, 1950’ and early to mid-1960’s. Much of the initial interest has been in the ladies’ clothing fashions of those periods, but the interest spreads into many other aspects of the period, including the magazines, movies, homemaking, décor, furniture, and music. The music arm of the Vintage Movement is still making inroads, but it appears that once it sets in, it will be the banner that gathers people together and sets the tone for the movement as a whole.

As I stated earlier, Gasten is being referred to as a musical pioneer, and in talking with him, I’ve gotten to learn a lot about just who David Gasten is. The This is Vintage Now compilation album came about nearly single-handedly from the efforts spurred on by David Gasten. Already being referred to as “The Architect of Vintage”, David Gasten has been responsible for helping define and set a new standard in Vintage that connects people with the depth, quality, and genuine vibe that people come to Vintage for. Gasten has been a music fan since the age of twelve, but it was DJ’ing during the Nineties Swing Revival that made Gasten fall for what would eventually be referred to as Vintage. Gasten devoted a number of years to trying to understand the mechanics behind the type of swing music that clicked with people at swing dances, and realized that what they were looking for was jump blues, the style of R&B music the immediately preceded rock and roll. This, combined with his mentoring by a post-vaudeville entertainer, led him to found the group David Gasten & the City Kids. David had discovered a number of other artists that were also dedicated to a genuine Vintage-style sound in other genres that translates well to today, and brought those artists together under one roof with the This is Vintage Now compilation. The compilation was created in 2010 and released on June 2011, and has been almost universally acclaimed and recognized for its high quality and vibrant delivery of nostalgic sounds that feels as though it is picking up where the original Vintage left off in the mid-1960’s.

This is Vintage Now gathers together artists from yesterday and today who understand the spirit and vibe of the original period and re-engineers the sounds the needs of current audiences without compromising the sound with punk, techno, or hip-hop. Some of the artists on the compilation include saxophone legend Big Jay McMeely, Dutch hitmaker Caro Emerald, modern exotica group The Waitiki 7, infectious cult singer Beverly Kenney, and five more. The album was released on MP3 format June 21st, 2011, and is available on CDBaby, iTunes, Amazon MP3, and other online retailers.

The compilation’s official website, ThisisVintageNow.com, is a beautifully-designed information site that is the equivalent of falling down the rabbit hole into the new and exciting world of Vintage. There are pages on each one of the This is Vintage Now artists, a detailed links page featuring the best in Vintage music and lifestyle, an Our Heroes section with rare and otherwise little known information on classic Vintage artists like Louis Prima and Bill Haley, and much more.

So there, NOW you’re in the know, and NOW you’re on the cutting edge! You’re welcome! I want to personally thank David Gasten for his assistance in this blog, and I will say that I am extremely looking forward to working with him, and seeing what the future holds for the Vintage Movement! Keep smiling, keep loving life, and keep on being the hep cats and kittens you already are!

SEE YA!

Reference:

Gasten, D. (2011). This is Vintage Now. Swing City Productions: Denver, CO.
      Retrieved from www.thisisvintagenow.com

Concerts: More goes into 'em than what you think.

Hello folks,

Chris French here at Modern Midwest Entertainment. As the manager of the band 4 Stroke, I have been working to get them some shows booked here in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. Some of you are familiar with concert booking and have understanding of what all goes into a concert. I am still learning this, myself, as I have only helped so far with a show or two of 4 Stroke and am now in the process of setting up future shows. Let's look at what one performer, Michael Cooney, a folk singer with over 40 years of experience in the music business, has suggested we do when putting on a show.


The first thing that Mr. Cooney places emphasis on is attention to detail. Little things done right can mean a great deal to a performer when they have little time from the time they arrive to the venue, until the show starts. An at ease performer is a great performer.

Publicity is the greatest single element that can make or break a show. Having good publicity for a show, mist times, will bring in a good audience and make the performance that much better.

As far as staging, sound and lights go. Big names carry big equipment. Lesser known names can, and have gotten away with venue lighting and sound, or minimal lighting and sound. Most venues have a stage in them, so staging shouldn't be an issue.

During the show, care should be taken to make sure no-one is recording the show, as the show may be recorded for future release. Space should be made available for the band to sell recordings, DVDs, etc. of their work, somewhere in the venue. If the band takes a break, and music is played between sets, make sure the music is "background" music, as bands do not want to hear the next song they were planning to play being played by the venue PA during intermission. Start the show on time and keep opening acts limited to 4 songs or 15 minutes, whichever is shorter. One last suggestion Mr. Cooley makes for the performer who is going on too long. . .ask them politely once to make it their last song. . .if they still go on, pretend you blew a fuse.

Now the concert is over, but the job's not done yet. Hospitality is very important both before and after a concert. You want the band that you just hosted to come back to your venue, right? Then treat them like it. Before the show, have refreshments for them. After the show, do what you can to make them feel taken care of. If you can, have them over for a nice home cooked meal, or treat them to a nice meal at a local eatery. If you, as the promoter, have the money, put the band up in a nice hotel, so they can get some rest after the show, before heading back out on the road.

This sampling of tips of what to do when putting on a show can be used as a guideline for putting on your own concert production. I hope this has been helpful. Thank you Michael Cooney, for your website and the well thought out tips you have helped me share with a larger audience. Keep smiling, keep loving life, and keep looking ahead to that next concert!

SEE YA!

Reference

Cooney, M. (ND). Suggestions for Concert Presenters. Retrieved from
              http://www.michaelcooney.com/MC1P011.html