1 Strike and No Balls
Versed on January 23, 2008 by FreeWill
District Streets Covered
Lowdown
I refused to jump into the strike when most of the word was up in arms about it. Honestly I didn’t know what to make of it - and what would be the impacts beyond the obvious due to the work stoppage. Now some 11 or so weeks in we know a few things.
Hollywood (film) doesn’t have a need to overly desperate yet. They have enough film to get through 2009. The longer they go the tougher its going to be to take projects in production and push them in time for the 2010 period.
TV is a bit tougher position. Reality TV and game shows and take them but so far. But the strike hasn’t been all doom for the nets as television is taking this opportunity to revamp their operations. NBC is cutting the pilot process, CBS has cut shows and the other networks I’m sure -
The DGA making their deals should hopefully move the progress along but when ever they do make it back how many will have jobs to go to? More importantly will the producers cave in on basically whats keeping them going?
Reality TV writers being apart of the union would be a huge blow to current programming and while you enter a deal with the intention of being able to continue on harmoniously the possibly of ceding more power to the WGA by making them larger has to be a scary thought. I guess the biggest question is what should the producers do? - Personally theres going to have to be some compromise. I’d consider letting the Reality writers in the WGA - but for doing so the potential percent of online revenues generated will be much smaller than the WGA is seeking - along those lines, I’d make sure there’s a threshold that has to be met in terms of profitability before I turn over a percent to to the writers. Since the producers are claiming the value of the digital space is still undefined - i’d use a sliding scale to account for unexpected growth or decline. Make a deal already cause I can’t watch game shows or lose some of my tivo filling shows or films…
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Opening Pandoras Box!
Versed on January 22, 2008 by FreeWill District Streets Covered
Lowdown
Stop it you pervs!!! I know a few folks read the title and immediately thought this was something pornographic or explicit. Sorry to disappoint. What the post is about is this service that was recommended to me - Pandora. The site offers an unique spin on interweb radio. Unlike your typical steaming stations that seemingly have a catch associated with using them - i.e pay for commercial free music, or a web version of a traditional / satellite broadcast with commercials or subscription fees, or just plain horribly arranged music - pandora seeks to change that. Using an amazon like system, music is selected based on previous preferences, and your initial artist selection criteria. So music is streamed and you can help adjust the station using a yea or nay system. Further more you can share your custom station with others, comment on yours and the station of others. Welcome to web radio v 2.0
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All of This Just so That We Could be Free
Versed on January 21, 2008 by FreeWill District Streets Covered
Op-Ed
Humor is a very dangerous tool. Simply because in the wrong hands it can be misinterpreted, taken literally or worse - its message lost on audiences. Shows like the boondocks are very much in the dangerous category. They show minorities typically blacks in various walks of life saying all types of crazy things. In an attempt to debunk stereotypes while also giving some social commentary about the state of the minority community the show does tend to take its views to an extreme. The above clip was from the controversial end to season 1. Rewriting history it placed MLK in the modern day to see what has become of his dream. Sadly instead of overcoming - we simply placed blame and remained content with the world as it was.
The controversy erupted due to MLK seeing the state of affairs and flipping out - while I don’t want to go into too much detail about the whole issue I will say the message was completely lost on those upset with the way MLK was portrayed. Instead of being upset about the why things are the way they are and addressing why the dream has been deferred people choose to focus on the wrong things. The message was lost and instead of an impacting piece to cause introspective we had folks debating bullshit I guess thats why the dream is still deferred -all of this just so we can be free?
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The Net Killed the Video Channel
Versed on January 19, 2008 by FreeWill District Streets Covered
Op-Ed
So while I’m not of the generation who grew up with the net at home, I was around doing the age where cable became prominent. MTV was as addictive to me as bubs was to illegal narcotics. It was to the point where I would video tape and rewatch the music videos cause I couldn’t get enough. As with most things I out grew out of it, but browsing the web lately it seems like there are videos everywhere. Furthermore when I turn to MTV, MTV2 and VH1 the last thing I see is a music video. Ironically of course - the Music Television nets are more so reality tv staples and according the ratings doing a damn good job of it.
For most labels and recording artist videos are a means of marketing and promoting the product. A good single gets radio airplay, but not everyone is on the radio - TV typically hits a bigger audience and the video became a way to not only push the single but also push style, fashion and ‘fame’. As the music industry changes how people are reached is changing to, and folks are seemingly by passing the tv (or least the channels i watch!) to go straight to the web. not only have I found videos for the first time like above but I’ve also been able to find video’s that I used to tape and rewatch religiously.
Artist are even daring to debut video’s straight to the web
Youtube and Imeem are great sources and very easy to use, share basically be seen. while the over market is more fragmented, the ability to watch video’s repeatedly, ondemand and anywhere that allows video streaming means the game is harder, but having a hit on the web COULD be a pretty big deal. Look at the nets/youtube favorite
He’s made a career via the viral tool
dude is moving a ton of ring tones, and digital units - but still can’t sell albums (barely went gold to my knowledge). The shift is obvious and the 360 deals, as well as singles deals are looking to be the only way new artist can get on.
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Politics as Usual
Versed on January 16, 2008 by FreeWill District Streets Covered
Op-Ed
I’ve heard this over and over. This is [insert year] and people are well beyond that way of thinking. Racism and sexism is dead. Really? Then why is it a big fucking deal that we may have a legit black or female candidate for president. While I have avoided politics like the monster on this site and I will continue to do so now and in the future. I do want to look at how the media and net is looking at these folks for better or worse - and how the issues are more of a subtext and their race or sex is the top story for all.
I’m not really sure how it started, but I do know the media is playing it up for better or for worse. Bob Johnson’s recent comments added more confusion into the mix. As he backed Hilary and denounced Barak’s ‘activities’. After Barak’s win in Iowa, there was more shock not that an underdog won, but that a black man won in a midwestern state. Why?
Then there’s a question as to whether a woman is strong enough???What in the hell? are these seriously the issues that we need to be have covered excessively?
I guess the saying is true, when there isn’t a story make one up - like they say on the wire its all about the budget lines
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R.I.P CD
Versed on January 15, 2008 by FreeWill District Streets Covered
Lowdown
With the recent announcement of Warner selecting blu ray as the exclusive next generation DVD format for their films (starting June - 08) its seemingly reasonable to conclude that Blu ray allow Sony to avoid a replay of the BetaMax failure. In my humble opinion like betamax blu ray is the superior technology due to capacity and display capabilities, but unlike betamax sony has a major film studio of its own, and they spent time gaining the backing of other major influencer’s in the industry. Hopefully the market will agree and begin to fall in line with where the content is provided. As soon as I can afford a player, I’m making the switch.
Any way - rather than rambling let me get to the point I was thinking of. With the advent of high definition DVD, and the US government mandate that all ‘over the air’ programming be available in HD. It made me think of all the implications one being the rapid death of DVD. It’s great seeing the movie industry being able to move on to a new technology quickly. Unlike their counter parts in the music industry who were unable to let go of the CD until it was to late. After I read this article today I totally agreed that record labels held on too long and basically created this grave situation they find themselves in. I’ve said this a few times in the past even on this blog, so digital music the end all be all? Will these folks find a better way to deliver content to customers? who knows, but I do know I won’t be buying any more CD’s and once I get a new car, i’ll have no reason to even think of dealing with another CD again.
on a completely unrelated note while it seems like Mr. Jobs himself is offering me payment for pub on our lil site thats not the case. But i had to comment on this horrible model they presented for film rentals. It doesn’t add value iTV, nor does it make itunes any more appealing. Plus with Netflix coming in much much much cheaper per rental without the wait this pricing model just sucks. Sorry the luxury of watching films via my iTV ondemand pretty much exist via my cable provider at the same ease when it comes to new movies, and better price via a netflix. sorry apple you need to do better.
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Take a Bite of the Apple
Versed on January 4, 2008 by FreeWill District Streets Covered
Lowdown
I was too busy to speak on the Live Nation Madonna deal and more recently the jonas brothers, but in the past few months Live Nation, Radio Head, and Apple are doing a lot to continue to reshape the music industry.
While I’m not going to go into to much detail about the past events, I do want to take a look at the rumors around Apple forming a music label (yes a music label like everyone else!) It seems as though instead of hopping to a traditional record label like he was rumored to do (like Sony with Rick Rubin) Shawn Carter seems to be partnering with Mr. Jobs, to continue shifting the industry.
Here are the plus / minus’ for the following people:
The music industry Labels - the industry, consumers and artist (content producers) are less in need of the labels core competencies. The live nation deal was a 360 recording deal where the organization paid upfront for revenues generated on all facets of the artists’ ability to produce content and earn revenue. On top of that they are acting as an agent in distribution, promotion, product sales and tours - some of these things are currently out of the scope of what a label does.
The artist (content producers) - If your big like radiohead and Madonna you can afford to buck the system and work around the label. for these folks the starbucks and apples of the world make sense. They have a following and will sell any where from 500k to a million without any promotion just based on their names. For newer artist it remains to be seen what will happen to them. As we see they are being signed to singles deals which is nice and all, but no way to build a career or a better artist. The ring tone business is not a sustainable method for an artist to build his career, everyone else eats this way but the artist in fact. Pending on how the apples of the world approach being a label may have huge ramifications for the less established act.
Speaking of apple they are in a unique position. They are effectively beginning to circumvent the record labels. If Apple can gain a critical mass of appealing artist they can control the music listening experience from end to end. Collecting profits at every part, and also possibly making itunes more valuable -with the potential to pay itself for advertising and promotions (speaking of which why haven’t they taken the approach of advertising with I-tunes, at the very least with the user data they have they can create an algorithm that speaks to the listeners taste and advertise accordingly duh?) on every one of their artist. In the end who knows like google apple has been able to get away with less than (or non) profitable ventures based on the success of a few products. I guess its just wait and see
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In Todays News (Links Edition)
Versed on January 4, 2008 by FreeWill District Streets Covered
Lowdown
I recently wrote a note about the way I consume news, and what seems to be a growing trend for many people below the age of 35.
What I did not do is actually speak to the sites I have in my feed reader. So excluding the sports sites that I read daily here a few of the many I subscribe to to keep up:
Rolling Stone This site keeps me up on music news from a fans perspective. Gotta know whats up in the industry
Sohh blogs are basically hip hop specific news bits and events
CNN the news arm of Time, usually a lil later than the traditional blogs but there is an accuracy and accountability that makes up for it. Of course this is more general news
Billboards Business site not your typical charts info good stuff
Ill Doctrine a hip hop video site…but its more than just music which is good since many don’t realize hip hop is more than music
Egadget for the nerd in me and more importantly to keep me up to date on all things digital
Business week Digital site, for more digital info
and thats just a few, I can’t give it all away!
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Becareful When Opening the Mouth
Versed on December 27, 2007 by FreeWill District Streets Covered
Op-Ed
I try to avoid sports related stories here at street verse simply cause theres more than enough blogs, sites, & stories about this subject matter. More importantly like religion and politics - sports invokes passion, and illogical thought more than most any other subject. In fact Bill Maher style I’m adding a ‘new rule’ and saying that sports is going to be added to the pantheon of taboo subjects with Religion and Politics. Then again strike that cause people don’t take it as personal with sports, and if we eliminate this from the subject areas then we pretty much have very little to speak about with others outside of the weather and Greenspan’s latest musing and of course work / class. So we can talk about it and since we can I must be allowed one irrational rant on this area.
I used to be the biggest knicks fan I knew. I have barely roamed this planet for a little over quarter century and in that time I’ve grown passionate about Americas big three sports Baseball, Football and Basketball. At different times - my love for each sport differed and today Football leads the way, with baseball a close 2nd. Basketball used to lead the way, but being from/ in NY following basketball has become hard. Simply because of the babbling idiots owning and leading the New York franchise once known as the Knicks. The whole reason for the back story is this - When you have leadership this incompetent and dim witted, its easy to see why I don’t have any love for basketball and more importantly the knicks.
Recently in my morning ‘news gathering’ i happened upon a great site that listed quotes from the knicks leader - Zeke Thomas that show over the course of the last 4 years not only does he not know what he’s doing, but he’s contradicted himself repeatedly and basically tried to cover his ass at all cost. While this is nothing new - it shows the power of tools like the New York times archive being opened up and free to the general public at no cost. Often quoted folks like the knicks leadership (please note that term - ‘leadership’ is used very loosely) need to be that much more careful about what comes out their mouths as sites like the above are going to be more than ready to call them out. In a world where candidness is applauded and begged for, we may find less of it as people are going to be called out and held that much more accountable for what they say. This reaches beyond sports - to everyone, as its easier to store data and proof as to what happened during a moment in time its going to be that much harder to hide using the memories of those who were there…
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In Todays News
Versed on December 25, 2007 by FreeWill District Streets Covered
Lowdown
So yes I’ve been away for a moment. For various reasons - the main one being my entry into the MBA program just a few months ago. While I could go on about how great it has been and how much value I’ve extracted I won’t. What I will speak to is how I’ve been keeping to date with the world, and more importantly why this is.
So while I was away - I’ve been obtaining all my current events and industry news from blogs. While I realize these aren’t the most reliable or trust worthy of sources (kinda like wikipedia) they are faster than traditional news sources and in aggregate are pretty much correct. Similar to what many of you are reading now - the blog is content by people who are interested in particular content and therefore driven to give quality information not only to gain credibility but also to gain readership who can rely on your data. The blog changes the way we get news because its faster, and gives users specifically what they want. Increasingly users are becoming more sophisticated and savvy in getting what they are looking for, and the content providers are using means (TiVO, VOD, and the net on demand) to give it to them just that way. Blogs are at the forefront of that movement and thankfully they are keeping me informed.
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