Thursday, July 3, 2008
Why Creators Must Think Outside the Box
I am finding that creators, to this day, often still think inside the box. Unfortunately for those who are, thinking outside the box is the only way our projects will ever happen. Many acclaimed black directors still complain of problems in Hollywood, even trying to get a low budget drama financed. The creators of the very inspirational Hustle & Flow ended up going "out of pocket" to make what they knew was an amazing film, because no one at the studios believed in it. This is with name talent attached. The idea of a studio backing an unknown artist's first picture as a $100 million+ blockbuster movie is absurd. The truth of the matter is that the studios and their money are not necessary.
I like puzzles. There are puzzles all over the internet. One only needs to fid the pieces and start putting them together. One of those puzzles shows us what can really be done without millions of dollars or major studio backing. The day is soon coming, or already is, when full 3D animation is accessible to all at a quality that will astound. I have seen the puzzle pieces. Someone simply needs to put them together.
A quick look at the galleries on websites like Daz3D or E-On Software will show some amazing things people are doing with very cheap, or even free, of-the-shelf software. Although one may not be able to hire a large crew to model assets, there's so much content out there, for free or low prices, that an artist can have an incredible head start to getting their creation off the ground. The thing is that it takes a little imagination.
Too often when I mention the wealth of content out there, the 3D models at places like Daz, Renderosity or Content Paradise, people immediately ask, "Well, what if they don't have what I want?" That, to me, is a severe lack of imagination. They have everything an artist thinking outside the box could want. How you use it is what determines whether or not you get what you want. How you think about it is important too.
I have, in the past, bought a 3D costume model because it had a belt that I wanted, then another because it had a shoulder pad I wanted, and on it goes. The reason is because I think about it in terms of creating my own backlot with a wardrobe department and pieces from which to construct sets and environments. I would say this mode of thought has eliminated as much as 90% of the work involved building original content from scratch for my 3D animation projects.
Now some will say, "Certain things have to be exact to my design." Sometimes this is definitely true, but taking advantage of the wealth of available content out there can mean the difference between getting the project off the ground or never seeing it happen at all. An artist can wait for years for a studio to give them millions to make their dream script. I know some who have done that and they give up on a broken dream. Robert Rodriguez, on the other hand, looked at what he had and went out and got his first movie done. It's just a matter of how an artist approaches the project.
Terrence Walker is a published manga author, independent animator and online entrepreneur who helps other creatives realize their visions of digital content creation and distribution. To find out more information, visit: http://www.studioartfx.com
What Are The Odds Of Dying Of A Shark Attack
While sharks deserved our respect it does not mean that Hollywood is right when they imply with their shark movies that a soon as you go in the water you will become the victim of a shark attack. All it means is that we have to keep in mind that when we go in the water, we cannot ignore the fact that it is also their natural habitat and that we just entered their home.
What are actually the odds, in the United States, of being victim of a shark attack? Lets study the odds given by a scientific study about it. If you take into consideration that there was 58 unprovoked shark attacks world wide in 2005 and that 38 of them happened in the United States which is a country that has a population of about 300 million, your odds to be victim or a shark attack is 1 in 8 million. Did you know that your odds of dying from a fall down the stairs are 1 in 200,000 which is lower than the odds of being a victim from a shark attack?
Also, your odds of dying from a wasp, bee or hornet sting are 1 in 5.9 million which is higher than being attacked by a shark. Your odds of dying from a lightning strike are 1 in 4.3 million which again is higher than being attacked by a shark.
Your odds of drowning in your bathtub are 1 in 800.000 which is once more lower that being victim of a shark attack. Other higher odds are: dying from an adverse reaction to antibiotics with the odds being 1 in 7 million, being killed by a falling object has odds of 1 in 400,000, being killed by an agricultural machine has odds of 1 in 500,000 and being killed in a motor vehicle accident has odds of 1 in 6,000.
What are the odds of actually winning your state lottery compared to being victim of a shark attack? Well, I guess that you just hit the jackpot as this is where the odds of a shark attack are higher as the odds of winning the state lottery are 1 in 14 million.
My name is Sylvie Leochko. Are you interested in finding out more information about shark attacks? Lets leave the shark movies out of it and search for facts about real shark attacks and their odds. Then I invite you to follow this link: http://sharks.findoutnow.org/shark-attack-video-clips.html and learn all about it.
How to Download Unlimited Music onto Your PSP for Peanuts
Downloading music onto your PSP, acronym for PlayStation Portable, is quite a norm for PSP owners. However, if you are new to your gadget or are just too lazy like me to read the instruction manual, then read on for some quick tips on how to download music onto your PSP whether its already in MP3 format, or on a CD and even from iTunes. I promise you that at the end of the article, I will also show you how to find unlimited PSP downloads of music and music videos to feed your hungry PSP for peanuts. Are you all geared up to feed your hungry PSP?
Before we look at where to find those unlimited PSP downloads, lets have a quick understanding of how powerful your PSP is. Your PSP is equipped with the latest audio technology to read and play media files in MP3, MP4 and other formats commonly associated with music video files. In order to play a song, music or music video, there is a need to ensure that the file format is compatible with your PSP. Simply put, you need to convert the file into MP3 or MP4 format for your PSP.
The PSP console works like a mini portable PC. If you are transferring ready MP3 music files, simply wire your PSP to your computer via a USB cable and then create a folder in your PSP to store the music files. Name it any name you desire such as UNLIMITED PSP DOWNLOADS or PSP MUSIC or anything. For the purpose of illustration, lets call it UNLIMITED PSP DOWNLOADS. Copy the music MP3 files in your PC folder, and then open UNLIMITED PSP DOWNLOADS folder. Paste the files in and you are ready to tune in to those files.
Downloading PSP music from a CD is a little more complicated. It requires one more step, which is ripping the song from the CD. Ripping means extraction. So how do you extract the song? You need a CD ripping software. There are many freeware in the market that would do a good job out of ripping your music. In fact, most of our computers already come with Windows Media Player as part of our Windows OS installation. With appropriate plug-ins to your Windows Media Player, you can easily rip the song file into MP3 format ready to be played with your PSP.
Download PSP music from iTunes is more tedious. Since the iTunes music files are in MP4 format, you need to use a PSP Video Converter to convert the MP4 file into MP3 format. Run the PSP video converter and search and find the MP4 files you wish to convert from your PC folder, and click the Add icon in the File Menu to complete the selection. These files are ready for conversion. Select the appropriate format ie the PSP Audio Format and then execute the conversion. Your files would then be formatted and playable on your PSP.
These are the summarized gist of how to download PSP music onto your PSP, PlayStation console. Many people are finding it tedious and expensive to download music from CDs and iTunes. After-all, purchasing CDs from our music stores and song pieces from iTunes can really hurt our wallets big time. Fortunately, there are now better ways with the emergence of new unlimited PSP downloads sites. To find out how you too can have instant access to unlimited PSP downloads in a few clicks from now, do visit my blog and join the many people who are already doing so.
The content of this article is provided for the purpose of education and illustration only and is in no way associated with Sony, PlayStation, or any company or subsidiary of Sony. This article may be freely reprinted or distributed in its entirety in any ezine, newsletter, blog or website. The author's name, bio and website links must remain intact and be included with every reproduction.
Davion is a successful webmaster, author and PSP fan. Discover where you can have instant access to unlimited psp downloads - latest PSP games, movies, TV shows, music and more at http://unlimited--pspdownloads.blogspot.com
Do Not Go Away From Your Quarters Without An MP3 Player
Today we live in a world where we want to listen to music wherever we go. While some can listen to them over the radio or their local component systems, some people just raise the bar a bit and this is through possession of portable music players we have today. People have various reactions with regards to getting a portable music player. But the thing is, people just have needs they want satisfied and this is through music that they want to hear wherever they go.
A music player is so small it can fit inside your closed hand. Measuring a few inches in length and breadth and only a few millimeters in width, even the largest music player is smaller than your cell phone.
There are many brands of MP3 players available. Each brand has its own price range and features available. You can even get an MP3 player which gives you the option to play music videos. You not only enjoy the music, you can even enjoy its video now. Of course these will be a little larger in size and cost more than the simple audio MP3 players.
Media players are basically of two types, audio and audio-video. As you are well aware, the more advanced the gadget is, the higher will be the cost. But the choice of which media player you buy depends on your needs. Whichever one you select, you are probably asking why do you need an media player in the first place?
Why do you need an MP3 player? If you are a music lover and need to have your music besides you at all times, then MP3 player is definitely the next step for you. You can carry hundreds and thousands of songs on the move, held inside your fist (so to speak). You can convert your entire CD collection into one portable MP3 player.
Media players are available in all sizes and models, all brands and price range. From key ring to palmtop size, you can buy the media player to suit your personality and requirement.
It does not require you to be a technology expert to use MP3 player. All you need to know is how to transfer data from your computer to an external device. It can sometimes be as simple as 2 clicks on the computer keyboard.
If you are not a music lover and prefer movies over music, you can select an MP3 player with video capability. You can watch movies on the go. You just need to download MP3 versions of the movies. Same holds true if you enjoy music videos. May be you are a person who likes to be visually stimulated while listening to music. An MP3 player is a great way of watching music videos while you are on the move.
A computer is all that is needed to convert your music, videos and pictures into MP3 compatible form. Your MP3 player becomes your portable library. Music is available for free or a small fee on the internet. You need to download it and then store it in your MP3 player.
You can say goodbye to boring silent commutes forever. Why just commutes? An MP3 player makes a great companion for you at all times, whenever and wherever you are in the mood to listen to music.
Isaiah Henry is a guru in the music industry; he has written such reviews on Yahoo Music review. Discover contradictions of music download sites.
Online Business Success - This is the Perfect Online Business for All
If you want online business success then forget about affiliate deals, MLM and ad words and use this business - Its quick to learn, costs a few hundred dollars and there is never a recession and profit potential every single day.
The business is:
Becoming an online currency trader - Hang on! You may say, that sounds complicated, well its not - let me first run you through the advantages of this business that you have probably never thought of:
- You can learn how to do it in a few weeks.
- You only need a few hundred dollars to get started.
- It takes 30 minutes a day or less to run.
- You have no over head just a few hundred dollars to get started and your PC.
- There is never a recession as one currency rises another must fall and vice versa.
- There are profit opportunities all the time.
- Deposit $500.00 and get $50,000 to trade!
It's the ultimate home business and the last point gives you your profit ability the fact that a broker will let you leverage your deposit x 100 or more.
So you are getting capital for your business for free - the broker will give you this leverage as soon as you open an account, no credit checks required!
So you have a lot of money at your disposal - use it wisely and you can create significant wealth.
This leverage can help you make money fast and build an income in just 30 minutes a day after two weeks - this is simply the ultimate business opportunity - if you can learn the right way to succeed.
The easiest way is to look at forex charts, you will see currencies trend up or down and it is your aim to simply lock into and hold these trends for profit. The concept of studying graphs and looking for repeat formations, is the foundation of this business and the good news is - it's a learned skill.
You then need to lock into the trends, leverage your money, hold them and if you lose - have the discipline to cut your losses quickly.
Is it really that easy?
The answer is yes and no.
Lots of people can run the same businesses and some are more successful than others that's life - if you have the desire to succeed and do your homework, you can be a successful currency trader from home.
For a few weeks studying and the right mental attitude though and you could create a business for yourself that can give you a life changing income for the effort you put in.
If you're serious about making money you can learn this business and be started in a few weeks and creating an income stream that can build significant wealth.
If you truly want online business success then check out becoming a currency trader from home and you maybe glad you did.
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Knowledge Is Power - Why It Is So Important To Know Your Potential Market?
When it comes to the business world, you have to know that knowledge is power. Also, you should know that power equals money. So the more power you have, the more money you are going to be able to make. This is why it's so important to know your potential marketplace and who would like to buy your products. This is called: knowing your niche market.
Not knowing your niche or not knowing who is more likely to buy your product could end up costing you a lot of money when it comes to advertising. After all, when you can focus your advertising on one group of people (that are more likely to buy), then you do not waste money marketing to people who do not care about your product in the first place. It's easier to sway someone to buy from you when they are already in the market to buy something that you are selling. Thus, those are the people you want to market to.
Gaining knowledge of your potential market can be hard. You always have to be aware that you are not the only person in the world that is aiming to take charge of that market. You are always going to be up against other companies. This is why it's very important to take a look at different trends in your market. By knowing the different trends, you give yourself the knowledge of knowing what people are looking for in the marketplace.
This is something that can give your business the edge that it needs to be able to pull out in front of your niche market. If you are marketing a product that is only going to sell good in the United States, do not worry about marketing it to the rest of the world right away. You have to be able to strike when the iron is hot.
Knowing your potential market is a must whenever you are in the business world. If you want your business to grow and make money then you have to know who your product appeals to. There is no point trying to get people to buy your product when they are not interested. For example, you would not want to market women's makeup to guys, which just does not make sense. If you did do that, then you are marketing outside your niche (which would be women) and trying to appeal to a group of people who does not care for what you are selling.
Also, if you are just starting a new online business it is a good idea to perform a market research. There are many sources for market research that have already been compiled that you can draw from for basic information about your targeted audience or customer group. You can find all the information you need via the search engines. After your market research is done it is time to perform a keywords research.
A keywords research will tell you the search phrases people use to find your relates products and services, as well as the search terms that drive traffic to your competitors.
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Serge Daudelin is a Search Engine Optimization specialist and consultant who has written over 300 articles in print and 5 published ebooks. Serge is dedicated to helping others and offering the best information on how to make more money online.
Social Proof, Step 3 - How to Grab It Without Ever Having to Ask For a Testimonial!
Step 3. Ask your customer if they would like to be featured on your website - goal: create excitement using exclusivity
a. Send your customer a personalized e-mail after buying your product. Thank them again for buying your product and let them know they have a chance to be featured on your website.
The timing of your email is critical here - allow enough time for your customer to have used your product or service (remember that the timing would be different for your customer taking a health supplement vs. reading an ebook on Google Adsense)
Most people are delighted to have been 'chosen' for a chance to be featured on your website
Include sample, fill in the blank phrases that they could use (trust me - for some customers, it's easier for them to have some suggestions than to come up with the right words on their own).
Make sure that your sample phrases use 'action oriented' words, show measurable results and how it has helped to improve their life (saved time, saved money, etc.)
Your phrases should be specific to your product or service.
b. If your customer doesn't respond to your first email after 3 to 5 days, send a second email. (goal: create urgency) Let your customer know that you will have to extend your offer to someone else.
c. Give your customer more than one way to send their testimonial back to you (mail, fax, email). (goal: make it easy for them)
d. thank your customer when they reply to your email and agree to be featured on your website
when you receive their permission to feature them on your website along with the phrases they have given you, thank your customer by sending a hand written, hand addressed letter in mail. Yes, I know that you're thinking; "this is a lot of work!" BUT, this will mean more to your customers than anything else that you do! Hire someone else to write the letters if you don't have the time. (goal: create a personal bond to have them become your customer for life)
send them a small gift (something small that cost's you very little - a short ebook that complements your product, a bumper sticker that advertises your product, something that makes them remember you)
e. Critical point: put reciprocity to use for you
you did something nice for your customer, sold them your product or service
they did something nice for you, gave you their testimonial
you did something nice for them, sent them a free gift to thank them for their testimonial
now who's turn is it? Theirs!
and the next time you have something to sell to them, they will remember your gesture of kindness and feel the need to reciprocate
see how easy it is? Rinse and repeat with every product or service that you sell them!
f.AND THAT'S YOUR TESTIMONIAL! Now what do you do with it?
Upload it to your website immediately, of course! If you don't know how to upload your testimonial to your website or you're looking for an fast and easy solution to creating and maintaining all of your testimonials without needing to be a HTML webmaster, check out Extreme Testimonial Generator and put the power of testimonials on your website today!
Congratulations! You made it! You've graduated from 'Social Proof - How to Grab It Without Ever Having to Ask For a Testimonial'! You joined a small elite crowd when you made the decision to invest your time and energy into your future!
You have learned 3 fail proof methods for capturing testimonials from your customers without ever asking for a testimonial! You've learned to:
1. Send a 'product evaluation' survey to your customers that turns into a testimonial
2. Ask 'can I quote you?' when a testimonial 'falls into your lap'
3. Ask your customer if they would like to be 'featured' on your website that turns into a testimonial
CAUTION: These powerful methods only work if you put them to use!
I encourage you to be among the 1% that takes immediate and bold action! That will put you head and shoulders above everyone else who takes no action and wonders why they aren't successful!
If you missed Part 1 or Part 2 of Capturing Social Proof Without Ever Having to Ask For a Testimonial...
visit me at Capturing Social Proof! and I'll share with you the easiest, proven method to put more money in your pocket. Lots more money! Beth Gabriel, The Testimonial Queen, is a successful Webmaster who provides more tips on gathering customer testimonials at ExtremeTestimonialGenerator.com that you can read on her website from the comfort of your home at 2:00 am!
