New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

It’s that time of year again, for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. This event is one of two huge events that happen in New Orleans, La. every year.  The Jazz and Heritage Festival is a 10-day cultural feast that happens every year at the end of April and beginning of May. The event is held at the Fair Grounds Race Course every year since 1970. The event draws thousands of people from all over the country to New Orleans for fun in the sun, great music, and great savory Cajun food.

Jazz Band

There is so much to do at the festival. There are 12 stages that showcases hundreds musical acts throughout the day. People get to hear jazz gospel, Cajun, zydeco, rap, R&B, rock, funk, Latin, Africa, folk, and Caribbean music all day. The festival has had many artist perform on their stages such as: Aretha Franklin, Fats Domino, Dr. John, Willie Nelson, Gladys Knight, Drake, Wyclef John, LL Cool J, Bon Jovi, and many more other artist.

The festival not only allows people to dance and hear great music but allow the to purchase beautiful painting, jewelry, sculptures, and photographs that were made by not only local artist, but also made by national and international artists. There are artist tents that are set up which give festival-goers the opportunity to view and purchase Louisiana culture, heritage, and tradition through art. These items are collectible items that people can enjoy for many years.

Crawfish

Shrimp Po-boy

Now onto the best part of the festival, the food, New Orleans has the best food and it will be showcased at the festival. Festival-goers can chose from hot sausage po-boy, crawfish, Cajun jambalaya, crawfish bread, shrimp bread, boudin balls, shrimp gumbo, Ya Ka Mein, etc… The food is amazing, and people from everywhere get to see how cooks in New Orleans throw down with food. When you walk through the gates of the Fairgrounds you feel like you're in food heaven.

Coming to the festival makes you feel like there's nothing more in the world than music, food, crafts, and friendship, because this event is an all day event for 10 days. And once festival-goers are finished at the Jazz Fest. they can go to the French Quarters for evening fun.

Crowd at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

Johnny Wright: Artist Manager to the Stars

Artist managers have the best job in the world. They get to attend award shows, network with celebrities, and travel around the world with their artists.  People do not see the hard work that goes into turning their artist from an unknown artist to a worldwide superstar. Artist managers must take on many roles such as: adviser, organizer, strategist, overseer, planner, travel companion, friend, detail person, and coordinator. The life of an artist manager may be fun, but there is a lot of hard work that needs to be done in order to enjoy the perks of being an artist manager.

Johnny Wright knows all about the hard work of managing music artist. He manages artists such as: Ciara, Jonas Bros. Aubrey O’Day, Justin Timberlake, Nick Jonas, and Laurieann Gibson. He has managed Janet Jackson, N’SYNC, Backstreet Boys, Danity Kane and Brittney Spears. Mr. Wright is not only an artist manager; he is also a film and television producer. Every artist Mr. Wright has managed has gone platinum or multi-platinum in the beginning of his or her careers.

As a successful manager, Mr. Wright sees to it that the focus is not only placed on the artist as a musical entity.  Mr. Wright explores and captures his artist as a complete brand.  He branches his artist into such endeavors as: acting, clothing, cosmetics, cologne, and beverages.  Mr. Wright also seeks to maximize the artistic potential and the earning potential of his clients.  He urges his clients to constantly explore areas that will keep their names and faces in the spotlight between albums.  This is a successful mechanism because it allows the client to release a new album without the hassle of trying to recapture their artist fan base.  This also is what he utilizes as an important marketing tool.

Mr. Wright is and has continued to be one of the most respected and influential managers in the business.  It is because of his success that he maintains his influence and prominence in the music and film industries.

Negotiations: The Key to Getting Things Done

      Negotiations are not only vital, but a pivotal aspect of an artists development and career longevity.  Without a solid negotiator, many artists may find themselves in a position where their career is cut short, or they finish a long career ending up flat broke.  An experienced negotiator places his artists in the best financial position and the best position for the advancement of his career

      Mone’ Walker has been working in the music industry for over 10 years. She has worked with many artists from Destiny’s Child to Nicki Minaj. She works as an A&R Administrator and Tour Manager for her artists. Today, Ms. Walker will join me to discuss how she negotiates for her clients.

      1. When negotiating how did you use objective criteria to get what you want? Was it successful?

          I scout the market for catering, instruments, venues, travel fees for my artist for when they go on tour and negotiate the best prices for them. I do not really have to negotiate producing fees because I know how much producers charge. When an artist is first starting out in the music business negotiating a budget is pretty.

      2. How do you separate the people from the problem? And how did it affect the outcome of the    negotiation

       I try to do what is best for the artist by focusing on the problem, the goal, and the solution. I keep other factors, emotions, and outside influences out of the negotiations because if I allow these factors to enter a negotiation the negotiation will not go well.

    3. When negotiating for your artist, have you had to use your BATNA as a last resort to get what     you want? Was it successful?

      

      Yes I have, I have to make sure that my artist are getting the best deal possible. Before I enter a negotiation I make sure I have the best alternative to an agreement just in case the negotiation is at a stand still. I like to think of creative alternatives that would appeal to both parties.

      4. Have you ever dealt with any negative emotion during negotiations? If so, how did you deal with it?

     Yes I have, I have dealt with negative emotions because I am female. Most managers, promoters, and other artist are used to seeing male tour managers. When they see me they think I do not know what I am doing and think they can get over, move at their own pace, or just not listen to me. I have to let them know I have experience in the industry, I know what I am talking about, and as long as you move slow your venue loses money and ticket sales because you have to pay the artist regardless. 

      5. In the negotiation process have you or the other party try to do any dirty tricks/tactics? If so, how did you deal with it?

      

      I do not practice doing dirty tricks/tactics during negotiations but I have been in negotiations with some managers and artist that have especially in studio sessions. Some artist will not record because some things they may have wanted do not go their way. Some managers will lie to get an artist to the studio to work with them, but when the artist gets their check the amount is not what was negotiated. I have to then negotiate and find an creative alternative to the problem.

      6. How did you and the other party work toward mutual benefits in the negotiations?

      When working towards a mutual benefit with artists, promoters, managers, and producers we try to discuss the terms, brainstorm creative alternatives, and work our way to an amicable solution. Sometime these solutions can be getting a point on record sales, getting a percentage of publishing rights, etc…

            

      7. I am going to name 3 of the 5 core concerns that play a role in negotiation. Can you tell me how each has played a role in any negotiation you have done?

      Appreciation: When negotiating with an artist that is trying to make a comeback in the music industry. I try to make the artist feel welcomed, feel easy, let them know we know their background, and let them know the label cares and will help them get back to the top.

Role: I take on many roles when negotiating; I am the listener, collaborator, compromiser, brainstormer, talker, option generator, joker, and facilitator. I take on these roles to ensure the negotiation goes well, and I make sure my artist not taken advantage of.

Status: Status plays a huge role in negotiations, especially with A-list artist. The artists’ availability is sometimes compromised by the status and arrogance of the artists. Most artists are humbled and are easy to negotiate with but some artist will use their status to make negotiations difficult. 

Box Office Battle

For Justin Beiber and his fans, Friday January 11 was the best day in 2011 because Friday was the premiere of Justin Beiber’s 3D concert film Never Say Never. This film showed clips from Justin’s childhood performances, his determination to achieve his dream, and some of his 2010 concert performances. The film is part concept film, brand consolidation, something that was designed as a keepsake for his fans and an introduction for the uninitiated to the pop music and dancing sensation (Olsen, 2011). This movie was on of the highest grossing movies so far in 2011 on the opening day in 2011. This movie had more sales on opening night than Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana: Best of Both Worlds Concert, which took in $8.7 million on opening night.

Never Say Never beat Adam Sandler’s film “Just Go With It”, which grossed $9.7 million on Friday night. Critics do not believe that Justin Beiber will not be able to hold off the Adam Sandler’s film when the numbers get tallied on Sunday. I believe with Justin Beiber’s loyal fans across the country, the teenage heartthrob will keep the number one spot, and beat Adam Sandler for the highest-ranking movie so far of 2011.

 

When the box office number came in Sunday for the gross amount of ticket sales of Never Say Never and Just Go With It for Friday and Saturday, the numbers showed that Just Go With It made more money than Never Say Never opening weekend. It was a very tight race but Adam Sandler beat Justin Beiber by $1 million dollars. Just Got With It grossed $31.2 million dollars while Never Say Never came in at number 2 and grossed $30.2 million dollars (2011). Although Just Beiber’s fans came out in huge numbers to support the pop star, it was not enough to hold off the King of Comedy Adam Sandler.

Both are great movies and I hope you will get a chance to check out each movie. One will leave you inspired and the other will have you LMBO (laughing your butt off).

Reference:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-justin-bieber-20110211,0,1994905.story

Journey to Success

Success is not given, success does not find you, and success is not measured by how much money you have. Success is measured by how much hard work, time, and dedication you put into your dream. If you want to become a successful doctor you would have to put in long hours of studying, eight years or more of college and medical school, and work hard to after that to become a successful doctor. If you want to become a successful movie director, or producer, you would have to go to a film school, intern with a production company or major network, network with people in the industry, and work on as many film projects as you can until you become successful in your craft.

I am on my journey to become a successful screenwriter, director, and producer. I have been on this journey for a while because I have had many obstacles in my way but I will not let the obstacles stop me from becoming successful at something I love so much. I have always been told that when one door closes another one will open, and that is the way I have looked at things all of my life.  I have always put myself, dreams, and needs aside to ensure my family were taken care of, but I have learned over the years that if I do not put myself first and work towards my dream, then my dreams will be lost and no one will care because they either achieved their dreams or are on the path to achieve their dreams.

 

This is why I have achieved the goal of a college education, because not many people in my family can say that they achieved a college education due to disabilities, or lack of motivation. I am now in graduate school to achieve me Master’s Degree in Entertainment Business, this will bring me one step closer to my dream.

It is very important to never give up on your dream, because you can become something greater than what you are now. Everyone has a dream, and it is important to lock in on your dream, learn everything in the industry you chose, and master your craft, because you control your destiny. Everyone will have obstacles in their way to success, it is up to you overcome each obstacle with determination, a positive mindset, self-control, and perseverance you will overcome the obstacles in your way.

Learning About Financial Stability

Many people in America are struggling to become financially

 stable, there are so many ways for people to get into debt whether they take on too many credit cards, further their education, take on loans they cannot afford to pay, or just try to buy things they cannot afford. And before they know it they have more debt than they can handle. Most people are not taught the value of money, or about debt when they are young and therefore when many teens get their first job they spend their money on having the newest tennis shoes, hottest jackets, new IPod, and the latest cellular phone. I was one of those people when I first started working. I never thought about being financially stable when I wanted to purchase my first car, buy my first home, or starting my business. I just new these were things I wanted to do when I got older.

Learning the value of money, and how to spend money should be learned when a child receives their first allowance. When children learn at a young age about the value of money, and becoming and staying financially stable and free of debt, they will more likely save their paychecks as teens and spend their money on what is important. I now know how important money is and I’m trying to get financial freedom. I have learned that having poor credit and no money can hinder you when trying to start a business, purchase a home, and even purchase a car. Some employers even check your credit and ask about your assets during the interview process. I have learned to pay my bills on time and even before time if I have the extra money to do so. I try to pay a little extra on the principle, which will help the interest go down.

I want to own my own production company one day and I know I will have to make a lot of sacrifices in order to make my business a successful one day. Which I am starting now, I have cut majorly on recreation, dining out, and frivolous purchases because I know I want to be greater than what I am now. Learning about finance, seeking investors, and stocks, will help me a lot because I will have to know all of these things when running my business.

Life is all about choices and successful people did not become successful by wasting money, and not learning about finance, stocks, and accounting which are the three important factors when starting, and running a business.

"Why We Do What We Do"

The “Best of the Web Speech” I chose to write about is “Tony Robbins asks why we do what we do”. I chose this speaker because Tony Robbins inspires millions of people around the world with his speeches. In the video Tony Robbins talked about what drives people to do what they do, what drives him to do what he does and understanding the human needs. For 30 years Tony has been obsessed with “what makes the difference in the quality of peoples lives?  What makes the difference in their performance? And how they contribute or do something beyond themselves?

Many people claim they cannot achieve their goals because they say they do not have the knowledge, money, technology, or the contacts to achieve their goal but Tony Robbins says you do not resources you need resourcefulness. Resourcefulness means if you do not have the money to reach your goals, but you are creative and determined enough you will find away to come up with the money for you goal. If you do not know anyone in the industry you are trying to work in, you will go to events, and use social media to network with people in that particular industry.

People need to focus on their decisions that shape their destiny; many decisions people make shapes their future and sometimes shape the future of our culture. Tony believes there are six human needs and they are certainty, uncertainty, critical significance, connection/love, growth, and giving. People can find ways to meet the first four need but until they grow and give they will not have full fulfillment of life

I really enjoyed listening to this speech because I want to fulfill all six needs; I want to be able to give back to my community and people in need around the world. When people learn that the world does not evolve around them, give back to others and show their human compassion toward other I believe the world will be a better place. I want to bring smiles to people faces, and bring them closer together through film and television and I hope I will be successful at it.

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/tony_robbins_asks_why_we_do_what_we_do.html