Ecommerce - The Musical

Can't you just envision it? The creative types from Hollywood coming to terms with a musical dedicated to ecommerce. Maybe they saw the light when musicals about school life made it big.

Imagine the scene opening to someone getting out of bed at 10:00 AM. They suffer from major bed head, but they open their eyes to sing of the virtue of sleep and the rebel attitude of being able to sleep in.

A unique plot movement involving children and story time follows this scene. Another song ends in three-part harmony as the children join their parent in an ode to family freedom.

The potential for greatness continues as the ecommerce business owner logs on to their computer and tracks sales. This is followed by a rousing number in the mail room/basement as boxes dance in a perfectly choreographed number involving a postage meter.

I could go on, but I don't think it would make much difference. You get the idea - strange as it might be.

Musicals don't always work in real life and they may not translate especially well to cyberspace, but there is something to the notion that there is a natural movement in ecommerce that is fluid like a musical.

It is possible, and perhaps even advisable, for an ecommerce business to work into a groove. That's not to say that I think ecommerce should become monotonous, but rather it should get to the place where it runs smoothly so as to allow you to work on marketing strategies, product development and overall business growth.

Part of the allure of ecommerce is that it lends itself extremely well to a variety of home-based business opportunities. Men and women are seeing the incredible positives associated with being able to work from home.

When you conduct ecommerce from home the interesting benefit is that site visitors have no idea if you are located in a glass paneled office downtown or if you're eating a snack cake in sweats at home.

Maybe ecommerce is not the stuff of musicals, but it is the stuff of real life in an arena that allows a great deal of freedom to express yourself and your business idea while giving you the freedom you need to be a parent and a spouse.

In a world often dictated by doing whatever it takes to get to the top ecommerce can simply allow you to create an entirely new path that you design. A path that is constructed the way you want and altered when you feel such alteration is needed. You suddenly get to decide virtually everything about your new direction.

If ecommerce was a musical then your enlarged network is the choir. They join you when you sing about the high points of your journey and they commiserate with you when things don't go the way you had hoped they would.

As with every business there will always be a heightened sense of drama. As a business owner you simply work to make the best sense of what you experience and then plan on repeat performances when things go well or to delete a scene when things go bad.

It's your business. How's your story developing?

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Hold On Tight to Your Dream

Every once in awhile an advertiser will hit on just the right combination of music and video to make a great commercial. (I would say "TV" commercial but that is simply not the case anymore!)

And some of the best of the most recent in this group are using the music from 20-40 years ago. The Jeep Liberty commercial featuring computer-generated wild-life singing Andy Kim's (remember him?) 1974 #1 hit, "Rock Me Gently," is one example.

There's an NBA commercial that utilizes 1970's "Let's Work Together" by the iconic LA blues-rock band Canned Heat. It works. (Interestingly, "Let's Work Together" was written by Wilbert Harrison who himself made a hit by covering someone else's song. He went to #1 in 1959 with Leiber and Stoller's blues classic "Kansas City.")

One of the coolest of all is the Honda Accord commercial that prominently features the ELO 1981 hit, "Hold On Tight to Your Dream."

In this particular case, I think the piece is made more effective by the timing. This is an election year. There's a lot of "Dream Talk" out there. At any rate, the Jeff Lynne (Traveling Wilburys)- penned uplifting song is great, as was the band, Electric Light Orchestra. Very cool old sound.

Music from the 60s, 70s and 80s will get more and more use as an advertising vehicle, as companies see the positive impact these musical memories make on the public.

The music from the 60s, 70s and 80s was largely about GROWING, about making the world a better place. We wanted to teach the world to sing, "in perfect harmony."

Dream talk is on the rise. Music that emboldens our dreams is what we want to hear. That's what I'm playing. What are you playing?

DA Jack Hayford is the editor of the popular music reference website, Events-in-Music.com which features a special section on #1 Songs. Mr. Hayford is also the Program Director and co-founder of DurangoSong.com the online home of the ten-plus-year old Durango Songwriters Expo, a premier annual educational and inspirational event for aspiring songwriters.

Teaching English in Japan

What's the best way to go about teaching English in Japan? The good news is that there are quite a few. Some of them even offer you a free plane ticket!

I'm probably biased here, but I'd say the best English teaching job in Japan is the Japanese Government's JET Programme. That's how I first came to Japan. It stands for "Japan Exchange and Teaching" Programme, and although you will probably be in schools teaching English for several hours a day, the main aim of the programme is to get local communities used to foreign faces. Just imagine if in your town back home no one had ever seen someone of a different race or culture, only on TV. Well that's what most of Japan is like. You're basically paid to be a foreign face!

The JET programme brings over several thousand people every year and disperses them all over Japan, from the snowy north of Hokkaido to the tropical south of Okinawa. And no, you usually can't choose where you'll be! Although you can give a preference. The government also pays for your flight over.

It is a great job, but it's very much "every situation is what you make it". If you're independent, can come up with ideas to spend your time and abilities, and have the patience and people skills to open people's eyes but at the same time respect their thoughts and positions, it's the job for you.

Otherwise you might consider a straight teaching job, without any of the "internationalization" responsibilities. If you were wanting to speak Japanese, you'd want to learn from a native Japanese speaker, wouldn't you? And it's the same in Japan, people want to learn English from real native speakers. These "eikaiwa" jobs, as they are known, are plentiful in Japan. As the pay and conditions aren't always super wonderful they are sometimes refereed to as "mac jobs", but if you are the sort of person to make the most of any situation it's a great chance to visit an exotic country, meet the people and get paid for it.

The top of the chain is to start your own school. That's probably a little way off for you yet, but it always pays to have a long term goal!

In any case, enjoy your time here. It's a great place to live and teaching English in Japan is a fantastic way to give something back.

It's the job of a lifetime, but many people fail at the interview. To make a great impression try this Teaching English Online Video Workshop. Or have a look at the author's website for games, help & ideas you'll be using in the classroom.
http://www.GenkiEnglish.com

Bush's Last State of the Union! Gnooze 1-29-08 youtube to me video download script

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George Bush addresses the nation and hates earmarks, housing numbers get even worse, & Russia isn't worried about monitoring their elections. Marta Costello hosts the Gnooze (the G is silent) - today's top stories in about 3 minutes.

You can find the T-shirt that Marta is wearing at http://www.istomachla.com/ -- tell them you saw it on the gnooze!

Music by Pistol Youth: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?i...

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My Way - Piano Tutorial

The lyrics of "My Way" tell the story of a man who is nearing death, and introspectively looks back at his life whilst fictionally speaking to a friend who is sitting next to him.

The man's personality as described in the song involves a strong-willed, confident and determined man who is not reliant on others to progress further through life. He is happy with how his life has turned out, and what he has achieved; he acknowledges that he too has regrets and has suffered sadness. However, he remains upbeat and amused that he has made it this far:

"And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing...

To think, I did all that, and may I say, not in a shy way

Oh no, oh no not me, I did it my way"

Frank Sinatra's 1969 album My Way, "My Way" was at first a modest hit for Sinatra in the United States, reaching number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in spring and early summer 1969. However it fared better on the Adult Contemporary chart, reaching number 2.

In the United Kingdom, "My Way" was a more immediate hit, reaching number 5 on the UK Singles Chart in Spring 1969 and becoming the year's best-selling single there. Remarkably, the Sinatra "My Way" then re-entered the singles chart six more times during 1970 and 1971, achieving placements between numbers 18 and 39.

In all this "My Way" holds the UK Singles Chart record for most total weeks on the chart, across all these runs.Even beyond chart performance, Sinatra's recording of "My Way" had staying power, and soon became the signature song for the latter stage of his career, even though according to his daughter Tina, "he always thought that song was self-serving and self-indulgent."[1] It was the closing number on his 1974 concert document The Main Event - Live and is also featured as the penultimate song on his Live from Las Vegas 1986 performance. A DVD of a 1978 Vegas performance of it is included in the Sinatra: Vegas collection.

Sinatra also duetted the song with two performers in the last years before his death: Luciano Pavarotti (released on the album Sinatra 80th: Live In Concert) and Willie Nelson (recorded for the Duets series in the mid-1990s but not released until 2005 in the Collector's Edition Set). Both recordings use the same Sinatra vocal and instrumental track.

The streaming video tutorial can be viewed at address:http://www.bithear.com/index.php/Piano-Tutorials/My-Way.html

Starting from 12 years old studying in Yamaha Music Foundation majoring Electone music instrument and finished after 5 years, I directly moved on intermediate level in piano instruments to learn more about classic, pop, and jazz.

I began my first international concert in Auckland, New Zealand in front of Governor of Auckland in January 1992 as participant from Indonesia in International Festival of Genuine Culture Exchage - Rotorua, New Zealand. I played many traditional music instruments from Indonesia like Angklung, Calung, and Seruling before finally got on stage to play Indonesia's traditional songs in Piano.

Website: http://www.bithear.com

Chinese CH-DVD - HD-DVD VS BLU-RAY

Steady propagation for recent two-three months period filled with rumors about the victory in the war between Blu-ray & HD DVD was founded upon the base that large American motion picture companies are supporting only the Blu-ray format. It seems at the beginning, the failure of the company of Warner Bros, from the output of its product & its size to choose HD-DVD could finally scatter all doubts. However, some experts thus far do not hurry apropos of the outcome of the HD format war. Indeed there is still such a factor, which sometimes is ignored: it's China with its immense market. In the specialist's opinion, it is worthwhile only for the company of Toshiba to be fastened on this market, as the future of the HD DVD format becomes directed toward the China market.

Gartner Confident Blu-ray Complete Victory by End 2008

Experts all more frequently speak about the use of Blu-ray in the production. This helped the convincing victory of the format above HD DVD (let us recall about the irrevocable support of Blu-ray declared recently the Warner Bros company, joined by four other large motion picture companies). Moreover unambiguously statements from the market research firm, Gartner is that by the end of 2008, the HD market atmosphere will be characterized by the complete victory of the Blu-ray format. Perhaps it could be so, at least in respect to the US HD market because most of the major film companies have chosen Blu-ray format for their products.

Blu-ray Devices Price Increased

Manufacturers know that only Blu-Ray DVDs are the rage at the moment, since the media blitz of HD-DVD's failure to capture the Hollywood motion picture market. What happens now? Blu-ray player prices have all been increased by about $100. Everything that was $300 now cost $400 because the manufacturers know that there is no other choice available & that consumers will have to buy only Blu-ray DVDs & players to watch high definition Hollywood movies. There is still hope for the consumer to receive the best deal when it comes to Blu-ray players & it is in the form of Sony Playstation 3. It has a Blu-ray player & plays fantastic console video games to boot. Can your new $500 Blu-ray player do the same? I doubt it. The current price is about $399 for a Sony Playstation 3, only $25 more than the cheapest Blu-ray player. It's an easy choice.

Conclusion

Toshiba already accomplishes, &, it is worthwhile to note, taken steps that are substantiated & goal-directed. In an example, it is possible to lead the development of special format on the basis HD DVD which is the China High Definition DVD (CH-DVD). With the retention of physical form and construction of disks, the developers changed the structure of record & the methods of coding. Undoubtedly, that both formats are sufficiently close in their fundamental characteristics. Marketing section of Toshiba is now at work on the intensification of advancing the production of the new HD-DVD variant, CH-DVD for the Chinese market. It is worthwhile to note that the main slogan is the same as it adapted in the advertising campaigns on other markets: the devices of HD DVD are three times cheaper than Blu-ray & HD DVD is a region-less format.

I write on Sony HDTV equipment. Visit movies.aimvotal.com

Entering the World of Digital Video Cameras

Gone are the days when you would need to employ a professional to take a video for your business projects. Whether you need it to provide training to your employees or students, you can do it yourself with the help of a digital video camera. In fact, with the advent of the Internet, and e-learning becoming so popular nowadays, a digital video camera has become essential equipment for all organizations, especially training or educational institutes.

Digital video cameras are extremely simple to use. They are lightweight and compact. Also, the transfer of video data to your computer for editing is extremely simplified in a digital video camera using todays Firewire cables.

So, now the question arises that how does one go about choosing a camera for himself/herself?

Before you go shopping for a digital video camera, it is essential that you answer a few questions. These will help you to pick up the best camera which is most suitable to your needs.

Since voice clarity is critical in a digital video camera, you need to know whether you will be shooting indoors or outdoors.

Also, what kind of videos do you plan to take are they going to be of people shopping around in a mall or mostly of officers giving multimedia presentations in a conference room?

What is the kind of lighting that you are going to get? Is the weight of the camera an issue?

What is the battery life of the camera that you will need? Do you plan to shoot for a couple of hours together or only a few minutes? Do you plan to use any special effects while shooting?

Once you have answered all these questions, you will be able to get a basic idea of the kind of camera that you need.

Lets go over the types of digital video cameras for consumers and hobbyists. First there is DV, HDDV, Mini DV. Handheld palm size cameras, larger full featured cameras with great audio options, and finally cameras that rival professional quality and can be used to make some very professional looking video products.

It is also important that you have the correct software for enhancing the images once you have loaded them onto your computer. These will help you to edit your work in the best possible manner and also easily load them for video conferencing, emailing etc.

Many software programs for NLE editing (non linear editing) exist for the consumer and pro alike. Adobe makes it Premier line of editing software which has proven to be quite popular and effective over the years. This is more of a mid level software and is relatively expensive. I use it for my corporate editing needs. Other mid to high level software packages include Final Cut Pro (on the Mac platform), and DV Express (from Avid). Final Cut is an awesome product if you use the Apple computers. Hollywood uses it to edit movies nowdays, and it has tons of amazing features to it. However it is not user freindly to the novice. The learning curve is steep. On the cheaper side of things you can use the Imovie software on the Mac side of things, Pinnacle Studio 9, Ulead Video Studio 8, and My DVD5 from Sonic. These products will get you editing your DV in no time.

Hence, if you do your homework in advance, you will be happy in the end. So, go and check out websites and shops for information on what you need, talk to shop keepers, and then simply zoom away! There are so many wonderful things you as a consumer can do today with digital video cameras. Don't wait for the next wave. Jump into digital video today and have some fun with it.

Kevin Rockwell worked as a network TV cameraman for 20 years shooting news and sports. Now a devoted fan of digital photography and video he works to gather information, tips and news for digital camera users. Oh and he loves to shoot pictures of his kids playing sports.http://www.great-digital-cameras.com/gdcj.html

Professional Acting and the Reality of Casting

So, the million dollar question in every actors mind is usually "how do I get a part?" Well, let me tell you all about it...

The basic path goes something like this. Someone needs an actor, so they hire a casting director to find one. The casting director puts out a notice on 'Breakdown Services' (a company that specializes in providing 'legitimate' talent agents listings of what roles are being cast currently) that will list the physical attributes requested, a brief description of the role and whether or not 'sides' (a small portion of a script containing the audition material) are available and where.

Those talent agents then scour through their rosters and try to match suitable talent to the job description and submit that talent to the casting director by sending them a head shot and resume. In days past, the head shot would arrive by messenger service. Today, more often than not, the head shots, resumes and sides are all digitally delivered through services such as showfax.com, gobetween.com (and sister company screenplayonline.com) and actorsaccess.com. Newer services such as LA Casting and Now Casting are also providing those digital delivery systems as well.

It is very important to understand that casting directors receive thousands of submissions per part that they are casting for! Your head shot will literally receive a glance that will last about 1.5 seconds, if that. To give you an idea of the sheer volume and how hard it is to stand out, I recently cast a project where a friend told me in advance that they were submitting and I overlooked them five times before I even saw that they were there! Even if you think you are perfect for a part, don't be discouraged if you don't get picked...your face is literally swimming in a sea of humanity. Anyway, the casting director will strive to narrow those thousands down to a manageable number to audition (usually about a tenth of the submissions) and they will call them in to 'read'.

Now, recognize that the term 'read' is very misleading. If you are given sides in advance, you are expected to memorize the lines and deliver a full, emotionally realized performance. This is called a prepared reading and most actors out there fail to realize the importance of this. The casting director is looking for a few things during the audition, the most important being your PROFESSIONALISM. Their reputation is at stake and they will only choose actors that they can confidently get behind. Showing up to a 'prepared' reading unprepared will put you in the 'no' pile faster than you can say 'doh'. The next most important thing is how well you ACT, followed by how you LOOK. Most actors get that all backwards and wonder why they have trouble booking work.

If you were fortunate enough to have your head shot picked, the audition is the time to demonstrate beyond a shadow of a doubt your ability to do the job. Knowing your lines is the bare minimum effort you have to take! After you have them down, spend the time to interpret the material and understand what you are acting. When you come in, don't hold back! Bring the material to life and show off your chops. Remember that everyone in the room wants you to be good! A vibrant, professional, expressive performance really stands out, even if you're not right for that particular part. Don't worry about getting the job, focus on showing that you are a competent professional and you will become one of the actors that the casting director will actively think of when a new part comes up. This is affectionately referred to as the 'A' pile and that's where you want to be, because once you land there, the work can't help but follow.

D.L. White is a film and television professional with nearly 14 years of experience in the industry. He recently completed his second book "Acting in the Real World: The Film Professionals Guidebook to the Job of Acting", which is available as a free download at http://www.actingreality.com