Internet Vs. Printing Press Revisited (Part 2)

Media Conversations is a channel from The Conversations Network. It was here I found this great podcast about how one traditional book publisher is taking on new media to survive the the disruption that the digital revolution has brought to the print industry.

Retooling HarperCollins for the 21st Century
[runtime: 00:28:13, 12.9 mb, recorded 2007-06-19]



As one of the world's leading English-language publishers, HarperCollins Publishers, with over $1 billion in annual revenues, is right in the middle of the challenge to build the future of the publishing industry. Their call to action came in 2004 when they found their company facing little understood but massive change. This massive change was identified in the form of powerful search engine growth, exploding social communities, and rapidly growing online advertising.

In this keynote presentation from the conference, Brian Murray, Group President for HarperCollins Publishers, describes the process his company used to face these changes and prepare HarperCollins for the future. In his educational presentation, Murray provides a textbook strategic analysis of HarperCollins as it embarked on a six step process to meet this new challenge.

WSC Show #106 - Interviews with Jasmine Love and Becca Bryan

In today's episode, I talk with writer Jasmine Love at the Writers Guild offices in Los Angeles. Then I talk to Becca Bryan, who heads up the www.TheUnitHQ.com, a fan website for the show of the same name. Recorded Friday, 15 February 2008.

Credits
Producer/Host: Tanja Barnes
Music: "Ay Mambo" by Falik
available on Magnatune.com

Internet Vs. Printing Press Revisited

There's something to be said in defense of the Internet in the above referenced argument.

Today blogger Steven Levy of Newsweek posted this to his blog: Rip This Book? Not Yet.The very existence of a book scanner for consumer use is one of those early warnings of turbulence to come.

As always, the comments always intrigue me more than the actual post.

So I'm Gone For A Day...

...and like all hell breaks loose.

It looks like the scheduled maintenance I blogged about yesterday is turning into more than a 24 bug. The audio files and the embedded player for the podcast are not working on some browsers, but hey try FireFox is all I have to say.

Until it gets fixed, have patience. The podcast series is not quite over 'til it's over and believe me you don't want to miss the last episode.

Until then, refresh this page for status updates.

Black Kettle Pot

"The Internet has evolved from open standards, having a diversity of companies… And when you start to have companies that control the operating system, control the browsers, they really tie up the top Web sites, and can be used to manipulate stuff in various ways. I think that's unnerving."

-- Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google on
Microsoft's takeover bid for Yahoo.

WSC Show #105 - Strike TV Project: Interviews with Michael Tabb, Peter Hyoguchi, and Del Casher

In today's episode, I visit California Digital Post in Burbank California where writer Michael Tabb is directing the voice talent for his animated short film entitled The Academy now in production for Strike TV. While I was there, I meet up with Peter Hyoguchi, one of the co-founders of Strike TV and Del Casher, the owner of the facility. Recorded Thursday, 21 February 2008.

Credits
Producer/Host: Tanja Barnes
Music: "Ay Mambo" by Falik
available on Magnatune.com

A proud supporter of Strike TV

Notice of Scheduled Maintenance

This website and, more importantly, the podcasts that it offers is temporarily down for scheduled maintenance. All the podcasts including the latest episode for Friday will be available after 1:00 a.m. on Friday, February 22, 2008.

"On Writing" by Plato

"Writing creates forgetfulness and a tiresome company!"
-- From The Phaedrus by Plato

FWIW: Funny Or Die's Dirty Little Secret

It's worth noting that the hugely successful comedy video website "FunnyOrDie.com" that's spearheaded by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Chris Henchy and funded to the tune of $15,000,000 by Sequoia Capital is not a union shop. This, despite the fact that the Screen Actor's Guild (of which Ferrell is a member in good standing) has done outreach to his production offices.

When I asked the SAG rep WTF outreach meant, I was told: SAG sent them a letter.

Oh! A letter! Wooo!

And when I asked what was the response I was told there has been no response so far.

Let's get real: SAG would get all over my ass if I broke Global Rule 1. But Ferrell gets a fucking letter? That's it?

So now, as I asked my guests Justine Bateman and Peter Murrietta in the current uploaded episode of my podcast: "Just how the hell is the Internet going to be unionized?"

Just sayin'.

Come With Me

The writers strike (and the music industry before that) has revealed how the entertainment industry is in the midst of radical change unlike anything seen since Thomas Edison invented motion pictures or Philo T. Farnsworth invented the television. I suppose we now have Nikola Tesla to thank as media convergence redefines how we stay connected with friends and family, how we get our news, and how we watch entertainment (and even for some folks, how they have sex).

The scope of "New Media" or what I'd like to call "contemporary media" -- because after all, it's not really so new anymore, not even by new media terms -- is redefining every aspect of what I do as a performer including how I do it, how I make a living at it, and thanks to HD technology and CGI even how I look doing it. Using technology anywhere from mobile phones to social media, today's actors, writers and all digital/electronic artifex will pioneer new ways of expression and creativity in the age of information that will take our culture into the future.

As the writers prepare to vote on the proposed ballot next week, actors are ramping up their contract negotiations with the AMPTP. SAG's contract is set to expire in June. Yesterday I attended an informational meeting organized by SAG in preparation for the guild's Wages and Working Conditions Television and Theatrical New Media caucus with the SAG board members and negotiators coming up this Friday February 22.

I will be covering these developments like I did for the writers strike as a dual cardholder of both SAG and AFTRA. When I do, I invite you to follow me over at my new website: BraveNewMedia.TV

WSC Show #104 - New Media Discussion with Justine Bateman, Peter Murrietta, and Michael Heister

In today's episode, I talk to actor Justine Bateman, writer Peter Murrietta and actor Michael Heister about new media. This recording took place at the United Hollywood's swag photo shoot. Recorded Friday, 15 February 2008.

Credits
Producer/Host: Tanja Barnes
Music: "Ay Mambo" by Falik
available on Magnatune.com

As mentioned in this episode: Nokia predicts 25% of entertainment by 2012 will be created and consumed within peer communities

"RECONCILIATION” BENEFIT!

“RECONCILIATION” BENEFIT!

WHEN: Tuesday, March 4th at 8 p.m.

WHERE: The Laugh Factory

PROCEEDS WILL GO
TO THE WGF INDUSTRY SUPPORT FUND

To celebrate the end of the strike, Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada will host a “Reconciliation” Benefit at the Laugh Factory, Tuesday, March 4th at 8 p.m. Proceeds go to the Writers Guild Foundation Industry Support Fund to assist all those NON-WRITERS above and below-the-line struggling financially due to the strike. The GENERAL PUBLIC is invited.

The $20 admission fee will be donated to the Fund. Cash or check made out to the WGF Industry Support Fund only.

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED. SPREAD THE WORD!

Laugh Factory
8001 W Sunset Blvd. Hollywood
323-656-1336 Ext. 1
www.laughfactory.com

For further information contact WGA member Bill Taub (310) 497-4586 or via e-mail: BillyTaub@gmail.com

WSC Show #103 - Interviews with Jonathan Handel and Damon D'Amato

In today's episode, I wrap up a series of recordings made last week when the membership of the Writers Guild of America voted to lift the restraining order and end the strike. The proposed contract is pending a vote next week. Here I meet with two people who are not writers: attorney Jonathan Handel from the law firm TroyGould, and Damon D'Amato, a teleprompter operator who has also been covering the strike as a citizen photojournalist. Recorded Tuesday, 12 February 2008.

Credits
Producer/Host: Tanja Barnes
Music: "Ay Mambo" by Falik
available on Magnatune.com

On The Media: The Show Goes On

Over the weekend, I downloaded and listened to one of my favorite podcasts "On The Media" from NPR. Below is what I find to be one of the best analysis of the results of the strike and the proposed contract. My two cents and YMMV and all that.

The Shows Go On
February 15, 2008

The Writers Guild of America voted this week to end a 100-day strike that left many television shows in limbo. So did they get what they bargained for? NPR’s Kim Masters says the Guild has successfully spun the deal as a victory.

Transcripts available here.

WSC Show #102 - Interviews with Patty Lin and David Wyatt

In today's episode, I continue with a series of recordings made last week when the membership of the Writers Guild of America voted to lift the restraining order and end the strike while the proposed contract is pending ratification/rejection. Today I meet with writers Patti Lin and David Wyatt. Recorded Tuesday, 12 February 2008.

Credits
Producer/Host: Tanja Barnes
Music: "Ay Mambo" by Falik
available on Magnatune.com

Patty Lin, originally uploaded by NoHoDamon.

David Wyatt, originally uploaded by NoHoDamon.

WSC Show #101 - Interviews with Karen Harris and Charles Heit

In today's episode, I continue with a series of recordings made last week when the membership of the Writers Guild of America voted to lift the restraining order and end the strike pending the ratification/rejection of the proposed contract. Today I meet with writers Karen Harris and Charles Heit. Recorded Tuesday, 12 February 2008.

Credits
Producer/Host: Tanja Barnes
Music: "Ay Mambo" by Falik
available on Magnatune.com

WSC Show #100 - Interviews with Brian Hartt and Cathryn Humphris

In today's episode, I continue with a series of recordings made last this week when the membership of the Writers Guild of America voted to lift the restraining order and end the strike while the proposed contract is pending ratification/rejection. Today I catch up writers strike captain Brian Hartt (a former guest on the podcast) and writer Cathryn Humphris. Recorded Tuesday, 12 February 2008.

Credits
Producer/Host: Tanja Barnes
Music: "Ay Mambo" by Falik
available on Magnatune.com