[: neon :] NewEnglandOnlineNetwork

Looking for this kind of creativity from New Englanders

Talk about creativity . . .

We've been setting up some vLog accounts (a.k.a., Video Blogging) with select video hosting services, e.g., Viddler, YouTube and just today, with Vimeo. Anyway, while waiting for some of our uploads to be coded on Vimeo, we checked out some of their featured plays and came across this very cool production from an FM radio station in Scotland, where they turned a day in the office - from DJ to the staff - into a full-blown music video.

Loved the concept, loved the humor, loved the creativity.

So come on, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire, show us your good stuff. We're looking for this kind of creativity, intelligence and fun to feature right here on [: neon :]. iwatchneonATgmail.com

 

 

Apple/Boylston Grand Opening Update

UPDATE: We have video of the entire event and much more here.

Just managed to get out of the crowd to post this audio, since I won't be able to post the multiple videos until later tonight. Have some terrific shots.

Unbelievable is all I can say. What an experience, what an incredible Public Relations team they have.

UPDATE: Well, TalkShoe just surprised me and made the audio file size more than 3 Gigs, yikes, so forget it, I won't have time to break it up and post it right now. Instead, go to this link, Apple Boylston Grand Opening - 05-15-08 and give a listen.

Will post everything later tonight.

New Apple store/Boston: a [:neon:] audio update

UPDATE: We have video of the entire event and much more here.

Experimenting at the moment, having just registered [:neon:] with Talkshoe and created a podcast where I provide a very brief (2'04) update on the Apple store opening in Boston tomorrow night.

BTW and FYI, since we recorded the audio you'll hear below, the traditional television types here in Boston have been all over the story and filmed tours of the new Apple store for the 6 o'clock news and I gotta tell 'ya that it looks both enormous (floor space) and glass and chrome modern exquisite (design).

Anyway, here's the audio I did through Talkshoe, let's see if it adds anything to our multimedia mix, eh?

Indy Mogul, Paul Devlin and the world of Indie films

Although we haven't hung out in their world nor could we be considered any kinds of experts in those fields, we've nevertheless always supported Indies (bands, filmmakers) in spirit and word, simply because they're the pioneers, the ones responsible for innovation in the arts, much the same way that geeks as entrepreneurs shape technology.

There's a video hosting site called Vimeo and on it a particular channel called Indy Mogul, although we're still not certain we understand its primary function there. The videos were quite interesting, where some were actual full-production shorts while others were behind-the-scenes interviews.

But what we thought we'd post over the next few days are a couple of those interviews about the process of independent film making, a process from a traditional industry that was permanently altered for the good by computer-based technologies - and more recently by Internet and streaming technologies that once again altered the professional landscape for distribution and audience access as well.

First up is an interview with Paul Devlin about all aspects of the business and the art of film making, a man who's already won five Emmies for both NBC and CBS sports, according to a post in Wikipedia. With a calm, considered response to every question, his John Malkovich-like demeanor further validates one's impression of him as a must-see artist. (Note: Pay particular attention to their comments towards the end about ArtistShare and Devlin's (and film fans') participation in it with his new film, Blast, a new world of Indie financing).

Paul Devlin Interview from Indy Mogul on Vimeo.

Ms. Lena Horne: her talent, her elegance, her beauty, her forever dignity . . . yes to all of the above

One of our favorite singers from the world of jazz and The Great American Songbook is Ms. Lena Horne, whose beauty was only exceeded by her talent, her elegance and her perennial charm to absolutely captivate her audience with total aplomb.

Her birthday is coming up this June 30th, her 91st, and we understand that the NYC native is fully retired somewhere around the tri-state area, enduring some health issues her daughter apparently spoke of in an interview with Jet Magazine published April 23rd of '07.

From that article, we understand she decided back in 1999 to never perform or do an interview again, and although we may be a few weeks early, we nevertheless want to wish this lovely lady the happiest and healthiest of birthdays and tell her how much she has meant to so many of us, from so many generations.

Her legacy beyond her music will be the leadership she so elegantly displayed - while always maintaining an exquisite dignity that never lost its cool.

So to celebrate her life, and taken from my private collection, here is one of her two most famous so-called signature songs, whose title completely belies her mere presence . . . The Lady is a Tramp.

Ladies and gentlemen, send the love in wishing Ms. Lena Horne a somewhat early but nevertheless very Happy 91st Birthday: