CityVice won an award

Business

Last friday, on 12.12.08, CityVice was awarded "Willi Idea 2008" award for the best business idea in the south eastern Finland. The review had 27 teams returning their idea for the judge panel compromising from top public business development and funding agencies representatives. Such as Technopolis, Tekes, Lappeenranta Technological University.

CityVice won the awards with a clear unanimous opinion of the panel. Were were praised for the idea, markets that were well defined and for a team that has resources to make it happen.

CityVice salutes and thanks all who have been part of this so far. It is great to see such interest toward the idea. Much more to come.

Risto Siilasmaa Keynote in Helsinki

Feature

Risto Siilasmaa, the founder and former CEO of F-Secure (among other tricks of trade), kicked off Slush Helsinki last week with his keynote addressing the current economic situation. Mr. Siilasmaa is one of the most famous Finnish entrepreneurs of all time, having IPO’d F-Secure and now directing such companies as Fruugo, Nokia and others as a board member. Few very good points.

Keynote Video

By ArcticStartup

Web 3.0

Business

Last couple of years the development of the web has been dubbed as web 2.0, which is about the social media, networking and users contributing to the content. In addition there has been talks over terms such as Enterprise 2.0, in which the business development, intellectual capital and innovation come from community ideology. Or mine Creativity 2.0.

I agree that this is very important in the new age, and definitely networking technologies have propelled opportunities of a community based knowledge further than they have ever been. However, over a year now, I have said that such a huge amount of content in places like YouTube, needs curation and editing. Someone to edit the information to a package that is high quality and to the point.

Now there are indications about the next phase of web development, and its curating. Dubbed as Web 3.0. Here is a quote by Michelle Madhok, published on Beet.tv

"Web 2.0 was all about everybody having access...Everybody had an opinion," she says. "What we're looking for now in Web 3.0 is curation."

Beautiful Mine

Thoughts



Every time I see you, the film of high heels and silver plates runs through the void. You can't ease what the pain divides, and I don't want this state of mind. You are a stress factor that I can't handle, while at the same time I prostitute myself trying to understand you. It is hard to be strong when I crave you like I do.

At the core is the ruthless and emotionless change within a day. Where is the smile, open heart and willingness to involve? Now, all I see is distorted dreams in silence. No vital signs just the violence. Please, push me away because I can't do it myself.

Online Videos Are Booming

Business

According to TNS Gallup's online video research 2008 (PDF here in Finnish) online video usage is booming through the roof in Finland. 40% of the users are watching videos every week. Most of them uses home computer to do this, a third at work as well. I however doubt that a portion did not want to plead using work computers for watching videos.

Men are interested about music, sports, news, lifestyle and porn.Women say watching music, news and gossip vids. Mostly free content is interesting, however 36% are ready to pay to watch films and other high quality content.

In addition, the research concluded that advertisers are extremely interested to use video as a tool.

The Peace Is My Culture

Thoughts



I was thinking about another kind of soul, one that runs through every one of us, no matter where we come from. It's the pure, essential truth of what each of us is, and can achieve. All my life I'd been a fighter. I was always ready, too ready, to fight for what I loved, and against what I deplored. In the end, I became the expression of that fight, and my real nature was concealed behind a mask of menace and hostility.

They nailed their stakes into the earth of my life, and marked it with a new name, Shantaram - man of peace. Whether they discovered that peace or created it, the truth is that the man I am was born in those moments. The better man that, slowly, and much too late, I began to be.

- Roberts, Gregory David (2003) Shantaram

The Soul Has No Culture

Thoughts



I was falling a sleep. At that very moment she came and touched my shoulder. Reached out to comfort me; only there and then did I see and feel the torment of what I'd done, and what I'd become. My heart broke on its shame and sorrow. I suddenly knew how much crying there was in me, and how little love. I knew, at last, how lonely I was.

But I couldn't respond. My culture had taught me all the wrong things well. So I lay completely still, and gave no reaction at all. But the soul has no culture. The soul has no nations. The soul has no colour or accent or way of life. The soul is forever. The soul is one. And when the heart has its moment of truth and sorrow, the soul can't be stilled.

I clenched my teeth against the stars. I closed my eyes. I surrendered to sleep. One of the reasons why we crave love, and seek it so desperately, is that love is the only cure for loneliness, and shame, and sorrow. But some feelings sink so deep into the heart that only loneliness can help you find them again. Some truths about yourself are so painful that only shame can help you live with them. And some things are just so sad that only your soul can do the crying for you.

- Roberts, Gregory David (2003) Shantaram

CityVice Is Open!

Business

CityVice project is steaming ahead in a nice pace. Plans has been drawn, war chest piled up and teams are shaping up. No, actually we opened demo site for the videos this and are still heavy in talks about funding the next step: We need to build a custom player and video distrib.ution platform. So a lot to do but, we will get there. Stay tuned -> http://www.cityvicetv.com

Oh yeah, this one is for Helsinki, so most of the content is in Finnish. Sorry.

Zeitgeist Addendum

Philosophy + Thoughts

Tonight I watched the hyped film Zeitgeist Addendum (watch it here). It is a very eye opening and thoughtful film. I must say, I am very pro capitalism ideas of motivating people from inside and giving them incentives to work to make their life better. I don't believe that state managed world would never survive because of the sloth people will endure eventually.

Zeitgeist Addendum argues "there should be no states"

The internet is opening the world to mash up culturally and economically. We are opening our world to new information. In addition, as we speak the monetary system is about to collapse. I believe, within the next couple of years, the world will start to accelerate away from the monetary system, where the system is for the profit. Not for the people. I think it could be for both. Monetary system worked in the old world where technology could not take away scarcity. Today it is outdated, because of the still emerging information and technology revolution.

Is the solution towards the ideas the Venus Project states in Zeitgeist Addendum? Maybe, maybe not. That does not matter. The film's strength is that is makes you think.

However, the film does have its weakness. One issue it does not cover is power. Ultimately, people do not look for money or easy living, they look for power. And we should not be naive to believe, that even with all needs provided, people would live in harmony with no power hungry individuals emerging.

Still, the point of the film is that it is time for a new system. I agree. We are no longer living in a world where scarcity is an issue. Human society has means to provide everything for everybody, from energy to transportation and food. if we just could take away the power hunger.

Could we live in a world where cultures mash up to produce individual opinions and little notions about places, people, behaviors. About the good and positive issues human mind truly wishes to have. In a world where no war is fought because there is no scarcity?

Free your mind.

Right From the Start

Poem

The world and I are not on speaking terms
The world keeps trying to win me back
But it doesn't work,
I guess I'm not the forgiving type

I saw that in her too
right from the start
the brutal determination
the cruel courage
and the lonely longing to be loved
for someone to lay next to her

So what is the best thing in the world?
Power
And even sex is about power.

Helsinki - Home Sweet Home

Thoughts

[caption id="attachment_394" align="alignleft" width="128" caption="refurbishing"][/caption]Last couple of weeks been intense. London trips, intense business development meetings, refurnishing my new flat and getting all together for moving. Some of my sensible assumptions been wrong, still I am getting a good story out of all this mess. Out of what mess someone might ask? The problem is, that once again I seem to be on a run. Where are man's roots?

"Act one was when we met, I loved you at first glance
You read your line so cleverly and never missed a cue
Then came act two, you seemed to change and you acted strange
And why I'll never know
But I'd rather go on hearing your lies
Than go on living without you"

Elvis Presley

So in this situation those words of Elvis can be thought to mean for falling in love with a girl, or falling in love with a place. Beside falling in love with girls, I always want to fall in love with a city. To see if I can grow my roots there. Helsinki was the town I fell in love with for the first time, second London, third New York. However, the real love seemed to be in my hometown of Lappeenranta. Still, once again I feel the need to be on a run away from the memories hitting hard. Man never learns?

"You look like an angel,
Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel
But I got wise
You're the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are"

Elvis Presley

Why a man has to run looking for something and when the world turns, suddenly be hungry again. One has to walk the streets again, learn to steal and suddenly the cold wind breaks again. When can a man stand tall and proud?

Helsinki, I beg you, do not betray me.

London Again

Travel

[caption id="attachment_381" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Camden"][/caption]
Another few days (and hours spend on airports....Hate them!) in London. We finished filming for Behind The Bass, I have to thank Jonas, Victoria, Kalvin and Max for all their work on it. It is shaping up to be a very good project. Beside attending the BT Digital Music Awards in Camden's Roundhouse, I was lucky to have a night out with all the good old colleaques. Callan was leaving MoS, and we had a blast in the pub.

[gallery]

Pleasure

Poem



Your cold stare is haunting me
can't sleep, can't be still
How far will you take me?
Is it a pleasure of your will?

There is only one in this world
What happened, how an earth
What do you want from this world?
How much pleasure is it worth?

CityVice

Business



CityVice project got a logo. We have great ideas and are coming your way. Be ready!

Basshunter Diary pt. 4

Feature + Academic

After five days on the road and about 10 photoshoots and TV interviews later someting opened my eyes. All these directors who are working on the projects...hmmm...for maybe because they have to pay their rents, but not because their heart is at it. They tell the artist to be normal, but do not really understand what is needed. Me instead am working slowly to gain the trust of Basshunter and thus getting more realistic side of him on the road. This all leads back to why Anton Corbjin is so good: he is one with the artists, not above or below.

In addition, Basshunter project has confirmed something. Pop culture embraces all the layers of the package. Brian Eno says it well:

You sometimes hear something being dismissed because it’s all image and no substance, as though these are completely separate, the first ephemeral and lightweight, the second profound and permanent. But one of the messages of pop culture is that you can’t usually separate them: ‘image’ is constantly turning into ‘substance’, and vice versa. The package is part of the contents.

This represents a decision about where the edge of the work really is. What is being seen as the permissable site for creative work by the artist, and what is just ‘the rest of the world’? What is ‘inside’ and what is ‘outside’?

This problem - if you think it one - is particularly acute in pop music. When Madonna appeared, she was attacked for her concentration on everything other than the music - on the things that people call the package. Even if this had been true, would it have been so awful? Who said that pop music was ever just to do with melodies and lyrics and whatever else the word ‘music’ historically meant? For forty years, pop music and its culture have been at the center of the everyday conversation that our culture has with itself, and the talk is mostly about style: how you choose to look at things, how you value what you are and what you have and what you do. Lifestyle, I suppose is the word.

Is short: for Madonna, designing the package has become her work.

Most directors' and photographers' problem is that they try to loose themselves in situations where it is impossible. How about trying to loose yourself in a real situation where the artist really can feel normal and does not have to pretend the camera is not there. Just let camera be there!

In a wider aspect this gets down to the fact that one has to know the subject being directed. Whether a film director, music producer, academic or company director.

Behind The Bass on Hard2Beat. Tour documentary about Basshunter.

[caption id="attachment_356" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Behind the Bass"][/caption]

Basshunter Diary pt. 3

Feature

Whole running through London with a crazy driver who knows all the shortcuts. 30min from east to west london in a rush hour. The most amazing drive I’ve ever been in. The question I had to raise today is how much promotion can an artist take? Isn’t there a limit when the stress starts to effect the quality of it? Consequently rendering away all the benefit? Well, Jonas had such a day. Now in Malmo, hometown of Basshunter.

Behind The Bass on Hard2Beat. Tour documentary about Basshunter.

[caption id="attachment_356" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Behind the Bass"][/caption]

Basshunter Diary pt. 2

Feature

The tour with Basshunter continues. Writing this from London, K-West Hotel, which is a place where you bump into the touring bands. Just today in the hotel lobby we’ve met Kings of Leon and such names. Good to be on the road and feel how the miles are eaten when working our way to the next destination. Well, for us, the next destination is Copenhagen by plane.

Behind The Bass on Hard2Beat. Tour documentary about Basshunter.

[caption id="attachment_356" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Behind the Bass"][/caption]

Basshunter Diary pt. 1

Feature

It is night time in Manchester, filming Episode 2 for Basshunter’s tour documentary. On top of the Hilton hotel. I’m having an amazing mojito looking down to the city lights flickering 200m below. How an earth life can feel good sometimes. I feel love, even I’m alone here. Of you who know the film “Lost in Translation”, the situation is not far from it. Only thing is that the girl is a few thousand miles away home drinking hot chocolate…. Sounds like a storyline, right?

Behind The Bass on Hard2Beat. Tour documentary about Basshunter.

[caption id="attachment_356" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Behind the Bass"][/caption]

In Manchester with Platnum

Log

So, a bit of log update from Manchester. It's wicked to be back in here for a couple of days. Filming with Platnum for a little guide to Manchester. Check them out. Its another freelance one for Ministry of Sound, seems that I can't get away from London. Don't really mind though.

Technopolis Ventures

Business

Project CityVice has been under heavy development in the recent month. The start-up been given truck loads of feedback and huge amount of support from various people. Our business model is shaping up well and is becoming way stronger. The best thing is acceptance into Technopolis Ventures, and the consultancy support from there. This should accelerate growth and open doors to various contacts. Looking good.

Pre-Roll Online Video Ads Work

Business

Break Media study shows that a surprising amount of people are willing to watch pre-roll advertisements. According to Beet.TV, the study claims that completion rates for 15-second pre-roll ads were 87 percent, and 77 percent viewed campaigns with overlay ads for at least 15 seconds.

Break Media used Break.com's monthly audience of 17 million 18-34-year old men as guinea pigs for the 11-week study, and advertisers Honda, T-Mobile, and truTV ran the test campaigns. The three advertisers chosen represent a cross-section of the different brands on the web, hopefully making the study results relevant to an even broader array of advertisers, Break Media CEO Keith Richman says.

The study tested the success of the four standard formats for in-stream video advertising established by the Interactive Advertising Bureau in May: pre-roll, interactive pre-roll, non-overlay ads and overlay ads.

The study demonstrated that all of the ads are effective and have different value for the advertisers, Panache president Steve Robinson says.

In Oslo for Basshunter Behind The Scenes

Travel

Came to Oslo for 5 days to shoot a little behind the scenes for Minisry of Sound. In true Ministry style its all about cars, girls and dance music. Its a good break from business development and I really like Oslo, so one could even say its a little holiday here. Have met up with some friends and some of the Norwegian film people such as Director Alex Herron and Actor Lucas Thorheim. Only downside is the fact that Oslo is fucking expensive place. For example: coffee, tea and omelette 28euros. Crazy!

Below is a little video from the shoot.

[googlevideo="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3081016169579703083"]

Ibiza Memoirs

[caption id="attachment_316" align="alignnone" width="470" caption="With Download Crew June 08 - Teppo, Chewy and Gurps"][/caption]

London Retrospect

London

Two weeks relaxing here at my family's estate have brought back some of the perspective between hectic city life and small town chill close to the nature. Although I could not settle down in a small town, I think one definitely needs the place to retreat and recharge your batteries. Beside, I think I've never been so productive as during my time here.

Most importantly I've been thinking of London, Jade, LSBU, MoS and all those times the 5 years gave. I try to summarize the time a bit.

First of all, London changed me totally. No surprise there. I don't want to analyse London life too much, but rather concentrate on giving glimpse of the memorable moments that I cherish. My time with London was like sex: There were good times that turned bad, and after a moments of struggle reaching a climax that was short but extremely explosive. hmmm.....and finally after the high, one has to come down...

BA Arts Management degree. I moved to London for this. Right from the beginning I was hooked especially on the british way of learning. You listen to the lecturer for couple of hours and the you gather together on seminars to talk about the day's subject matter. This exchange of opinions is extremely valuable. In addition, the degree gave good friends and gave me skills to get on understanding the relationships of music and picture. Thanks to Suzy Kerr-Pertic for mentoring.

Camberwell ghetto. Because of my personal experiences with the district, although there is a great arts college and beautiful locations nearby on Forest Hill. Beautiful mornings coming home, fucked up nights with Shara and mostly the 'summer of death'. Starting with mugging after a night out, followed by cold ex-con's execution right in front of my eyes and finished up with a fistfight with my landlord over painted walls. Still Camberwell had character and holds a dear place in my heart. Mainly by taking away much of my innocence.

Crossover of Senses. My greatest project to date, and is still going strong. After studying merging of music and video on academic level, I decided to go out and use much of my spare time understanding the marketplace, artists and audience preferences. I believe this enabled me to find a good niche in artistic works and which is a cutting edge movement in city cultures.

MoSTV. The team that kept me sane, and believed in me. I am so greatfull for all the opportunities and support received. Pedro, Victoria, Assia, James, Josh and Stephanie. I'm always there for you guys. Most of all, the week in Miami really burned bright and we did something extraordinary, and we all should keep that flame alive in the future.

Jade, the burning flame I could not handle.

Leave Steve Jobs Alone

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/JyKe8iJ9-Jo&hl=en&fs=1]

This is disturbing and mostly wrong...

Number #1 Political Lyrics

Thoughts



Kanye West
'Diamonds Are Forever'

Diamonds are forever
They're all I need to please me
They can't stimulate or tease me
They won't leave in the night
Have no fear that they might
Desert me

"Diamonds are forever forever forever"
Throw ya diamonds in the sky
If you feel the vibe
"Diamonds are forever forever forever"
The ROC is still alive
Everytime I rhyme
"Forever and ever!"
For ever ever? for ever ever? ever ever?
Ever ever? ever ever? ever ever? ever ever?

Good Morning, this ain't Vietnam still
People lose hands, legs, arms for real
Little was known of Sierra Leone
And how it connect to the diamonds we own
When I speak of Diamonds in this song
I ain't talkin bout the ones that be glown
I'm talkin bout Rocafella, my home, my chain
These ain't conflict diamonds,is they Jacob? don't lie to me man
See, a part of me sayin' keep shinin',
How? when I know of the blood diamonds
Though it's thousands of miles away
Sierra Leone connect to what we go through today
Over here, its a drug trade, we die from drugs
Over there, they die from what we buy from drugs
The diamonds, the chains, the bracelets, the charmses
I thought my Jesus Piece was so harmless
'til I seen a picture of a shorty armless
And here's the conflict
It's in a black person's soul to rock that gold
Spend ya whole life tryna get that ice
On a polo rugby it look so nice
How could somethin' so wrong make me feel so right, right?
'fore I beat myself up like Ike
You could still throw ya Rocafella diamond tonight, 'cause

People askin' me is I'm gon' give my chain back (uh)
That'll be the same day I give the game back (uh)
You know the next question dog 'yo, where Dame at?'(uh)
This track the Indian dance to bring our reign back (whoo!)
'wassup wit you a Jay man, are ya'll okay man?'

[Jay-Z]
Yep!
I got it from her 'ye damn!
The chain remains, the game is intact
The name is mine, I'll take blame for that
The pressure's on, but guess who ain't gon' crack? [laughs]
Pardon me I had to laugh at that
How could you falter when you're the rock of gibraltar
I had to get of the boat so I could walk on water
This ain't no tall order, this is nothin to me
Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week
I do this in my sleep,
I sold kilos of coke, (so?) I'm guessin' I can sell CD's
I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man
Let me handle my business, damn!
Kanyeez you got me, Freeway and Foxy
YG', Teairra Mari, Petey watch me
Bleek could be one hit away his whole career
As long as I'm alive, he's a millionaire
And even if I die, he's in my will somewhere
So he can just kick back and chill somewhere, oh yeah
He don't even have to write rhymes
The Dynasty like my money last three lifetimes
Shirley Bassey was in the rear sayin exactly
What I was sayin practically my whole carreer
The diamond is forever, I been mindin' this forever
Now the Louis Vuitton Don's timin' couldn't be better
People lined up to see the Titanic sinkin'
Instead we rose from the ash like a phoenix
If you waitin' for the end, the dynasty signed
And what seemed like forever is a mighty long time
I'm young, bitches
Goodnight!

Holla Up North!

Travel

God Damn it feels good to sit down by the pier, swim in a crystal clear lake, walk in the forest, talk about politics with my dad, eat the homemade food of my mom and generally relax here where my roots are from.

It doesn't feel like home but it is good to spend some time here after the hectic travels around Southern Europe. Like someone said, "All travels are not worth it without a place to return to". Still working hard for the TV project which is progressing ok, with the usual shenanigans.

[gallery]

Why Music Market Is Going Down?

Academic

Continuing the yesterday's post about EMI cutting costs and becoming profitable again. As noted I am glad that EMI is being restructured, but I would not hail for the current success of the label becoming profitable again. Unless there is deeper reasons for this fortune turnaround....by the way, this is the reason I turned away from music into films.

Following text from my academic study in 2006:
Significance Of Album Cover Art As A Branding Tool

Musicologist and philosopher Theodor Adorno (1941), who is possibly the most significant theorist in discussions about popular music, argued that popular music is nothing but entertainment and far from music’s true aesthetics. However Longhurst (1995) analysed Adorno’s extremely critical approach to popular music as being not a criticism of musical content, but a concern between music that is market orientated and music that is not. In other words, Adorno raises the question if marketing and branding requirements limit the quality of music from musicological point of view. In relation to this, Brown & Patterson (2000) argue that marketing can be harmful for the artist. ‘Pop-culture and pop-art could be related to the ‘silent-disdain’ heritage sites, as being entertaining rather than educating; displace decontextualised art; being all the same despite minor surface variations.’ They especially point out that all art is in the hands of multi-national capital and mendacious marketers with logos, branding and promo stunts. In short, business orientation is trivialising and twisting the truth. ‘Worst of all they pursue lucre and profit maximation’. However, the Director of Barbican Art Centre in London, John Tusa (1999) says that even though art and marketing are distinct concepts, both have a similar goal of having an audience, which generates income to survive. So they have to live together in contemporary society.

In short, to turn around a music label one should not become market orientated, but combine the understanding of business orientated product/package and art orientated substance. Not just pursue the profit maximation. That is the way for a sustainable future.

Other arts pursue profits as well but still have opportunities for analytical and emotional study of the world. Therefore, and I repeat, I would like to see a report on the creative output as well.

EMI On The Way Up?

Thoughts + Business

In a report by The Hollywood Reporter Lars Brandle of Billboard writes that EMI has posted a £59m profit in Q2 of 2008, up from the loss of £45m just a year ago. Of course it about a year since Guy Hands took over to overhaul the music major.

In January I wrote a post about the overhaul of the company, predicting that Guy Hands business approach on music production and sales will be very beneficial. Seems that cost reduction and streamlining are starting to take effect. Like Guy Hands claim The Hollywood Reporter's article:

It is already clear to me that what is emerging at EMI is not only a far leaner organization, but a more focused and effective one as well, and better aligned with the interests of our artists. An organization that is becoming much better placed to serve artists and customers alike, and to give our talented people the opportunity and the tools to produce their best work.

Right, I agree that the company is much better and focused. Bringing business to the obese music business, that rotted the industry in the late 90's and early 00's, is nothing but beneficial for both the artists and customers. However, I wish to raise few points.

- By being more focused, how much fewer artists EMI serves today? Is the focus only on the most profitable albums or is the still experimental and risk taking mentality in the company's A&R sector?

- Is EMI still holding on for the Digital Right Management systems. If it is, how satisfied the customers are?

- How much EMI has contributed on developing digital distribution systems during the last 12 months?


I must admit I don't know the answers on these. However, seems that EMI is turning the tide and getting back on its feet, but me as an Artist Management, has to question the means this is archived. Good management in the creative field would has to involve innovation like in any business. Investing to the future is the only way to guarantee a continued success.

At the moment EMI is boasting about profitability and cost reductions (mainly be laying off 2000 employees). Is Guy Hands is one of the "New Olympians", the global elite of investors who oppose state intervention until they need a government bail-out? Much of the problems of the credit crunch is because of the free traders, who are no longer driven by comparative advantage, rather the ability to maximise profits by cutting costs. Therefore, I wish there would be a report on the creative output as well.

Leave A Trail

Poem


Do not go where the path may lead
Go instead where the is no path
And leave a trail

What lies before us and what lies behind us
Are small matters compared to what
lies within us

And when we bring what is within
Out in to the world
Miracles happen

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Because one era is only one week from closing

Wall-E

Business

Check out these trailers and vignettes from the film Wall-E. Amazing. Beside the Dark Knight I think this is the one of the two films to watch this year.

What really strikes my interest is the fact that apparently the robots don't really talk any human language. Truly universal therefore. In addition, this is going back to the times where film started; being silent. The story is told in visual methods rather than with words. I really am looking forward to see the film. Go Pixar!

The Next Step

Business

Some might wonder the reasons behind this sudden change. Main one is the good ol' girls, but I'm happy to tell that more importantly I am to take the brave step onto the internet start-up world. Maybe a bit late now that the boom times of internet are over, but neverthless in times when my speciality of mixing audio and visual together is most needed.

Internet is full of videos and clips. Full of music. Full of artists promoting themselves using videos or vblogs. The problem is that most if this is so scattered and unprofessional that my spine shivers when watching these clips.

Therefore after careful consideration, I am most likely aiming to start focusing on developing this audio/visual content online and developed it into production business. Feature Films oneday.

Moreover, after reading Rudolf Arnheim's "Film As Art" (1932), it seems there are a lot of opportunities to take audio/visual content of TV and online towards art. Not saying that current films or TV is not art, just aiming to take it more towards meaningful visual interpretation and storytelling. With clever journalism, The Internet might prove to be a good platform for this purpose. Remember words City Vice TV!

Jaded Red Lips

Poem


Kiss, while your lips are still red
Miss, while you are not in my bed
Wish, to be there with
I believe

She will be loved

Beauty queen, mind sharp as a knife
Came and took over my life
After a night together, fooling around
We laughed and time stood still

So she will be loved

Sometimes time with you was a sad song
And one of us was a cheap conjurer
With all the pain that we’ve gone through
Mama I’ve been crying for you too long

So she will be loved

Why couldn’t you tell me the truth now
I can’t see you belonging to someone else
I’ve had you so many times
But somehow I want more

So she will be loved

If I am letting you down
It is because I want to lift you up
Now this city is making me crazy
And I need to get out

Still she will be loved...forever
I will not give up on you...Jade

Inspired and written while listening to Maroon 5.

Leaving London

Thoughts

So, it has happened. After just 2 months of planning, I left the amazing London. I am not sure if I will drag my ass back to the city, most likely will, or will I take another direction to lets say New York. I prefer the latter one to be honest. Or China sounds interesting as well, not least because of the economic development in Asia. 21th Century will belong to China.

However, 5 years in London were a ride I was looking for and I cannot be but thankful. In a retrospect, what did I learned from this city of eternal smoke? Like I have often said, I loved London because it has given me so much shit. I think the whole reason for London life versus the secure nest in the north, was to run away from the numbness that was crawling on me back in 2003. I needed to fall down to be able to pick myself again.

One major factor, of course, was the Arts Management course. Those years of studying, reading and debating about points of view completely overhauled most of my beliefs about creative process. However, outcome is an understanding that gives me ability to face and take on challenges. I learned how to use my personal strengths, and bravely went to use them in VJ and online TV industries.

Surely, living deep in South London was another main factor. Seeing a man shot 100m from your doorsteps, being mugged, your landlord attacking and running out of cash, finally forcing one to sneak into the nightlife London. The nightlife being the final stepping point into what I call my army training. How different it would have been in the north?

However, now it is time to move on. Final blow for this major step came from the one love. A person I could die for, Jade, as I cannot face London without her. No doubt time will heal the wounds, and maybe enable me to return, but not for a while, no. Still, even this fall on over love does teach something...well...like the theme that Christopher Nolan directed Batman Begins revolves around:

"Mr Wayne, why do we fall? So that we learn to pick ourselves up again".

The discipline to focus myself in the last 2 years after graduation has enabled me to leave my mark into the London nightlife. These years crystalized many ideas, some of which I plan to execute next.

Below a photo of the great MoSTV team. Good times.

Ibiza Opening Fiesta

Feature

Check out this piece about my recent adventures in Mediterranean Ibiza. MoSTV went to check out the season opening at Space. What a fiesta and what a dancers. By the way, Fatboy Slim is an amazing DJ!
[gallery]

European Tour

Travel

Last couple of weeks been hectic. I have logged 12 flights, only 2 nights in London, airport lounges, countless parties, random people and lots of sunshine. All started with a Helsinki trip to plant the seeds of my net project on documenting urban lifestyles. Followed by Costa del Sol trip for a music video shoot in Malaga for Basshunter. The shoot had amazing catering and most importantly models in bikinis! HA!

Back to London to beautiful Ibiza shoot for Pioneer and after the sunny week of sunsets, to Gategrasher Summer Sound System festival for an all time favorite of mine, The Prodigy! They did let me down with a lame set and was dampened even more with rainy and windy weather. It was like Siberia after Spain. Overall I must admit it feels good to be able to sit down and breath for moment in London, before the road calls again. Let the photos talk more.

[gallery]

Amazing Wordpress Blog Theme

Blogroll

Check this! It is an amazing wordpress theme, mainly for photobloggers I think. This theme will analyse your photo and change the color of the page according to the analysis. Simply amazing I think.

Go To Monotone

Miami Retrospect

Travel

Now finally, after starting to recover from the crash that followed, I'm able to sit down and look back to the heavy time in Miami and the crash that followed. I think Miami is amazing place with the sun, shades, girls and water around. With money it would amazing place to spend your days. However I'm a bit biased to say as the week we spend there was just during the biggest parties the city will see annually. I wonder how it is otherwise.

In addition, the plastic faces and chest (both men's and women's) are another reason I'm having a bit of reserves. Sure, I like good looking people and am working towards that myself. But I'm talking about their attitude that it is all on the surface. Cliché but rather true I'm afraid.

What else...Work was awesome, we managed to create something amazing that has been praised. Highlight must have been Paul Oakenfold's DJ gig with a string orchestra and amazing visuals. He is working in Hollywood so no wonder there is power behind the content on the screen. Long 20h days were not that bad, mingling with names like Tommy Lee (yeah!), Sharam, Cedric Gervais, Pete Tong, Paul Oakenfold in VIPs was like been home again. Pool parties with girls in bikinis was just serene. Talking about serenity, I will always remember the moment on the beach, sun shining and I'm strolling slowly on the sand and writing a love txt to Jade. That was a good reward for the hours spend running after well known DJs...how I wish things would have been different when I return home.

Since then I've been a walking dead, nothing interest me. Except ReCharge film (see post below) and some big time plans that are already on a move, and things seem to change quite a lot before midsummer sun shines. I'll keep you updated. More photos found in my Photo Album. Courtesy of Stephanie Bochatay.
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ReCharge Film

Visuals

The last two months I have been working maybe the most ambitious project so far, in collaboration with Ed "Fat Butcher" Firth . It started as a commissioned work and today is evolving into a 30 minute abstract film with voiceover and a storyline. Project kicked off with a simple script about charging yourself through the 5 senses of Seeing, Hearing, Smelling, Tasting and Touching. Using these you will be able to reach the sixth plane. Later on there has been some philosophical aspect that I've been trying to include.

Anyhoo, graphics and the visuals are done, next we are taking on the voiceover and such development. I Idea is to take it galleries and live music shows. So see ya there. Some screen crabs below.
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Clubbers Guide to Miami

Clubbers Guide to Miami with Cedric Gervais. A good 8min virtual trip to the best places shopping, eating and clubbing in Miami. Still shots coming up when I get them organised.

Slopestyle @ The Alps

Some shots from The Alps
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Late at Tate

Art Review
[gallery]On Friday Tate Britain had its Late at Tate night again. This is a series of art related night with drinks and late opening. This time it was time for NE1CO to organise a video art night. Well done guys, I think it was a good effort with nice projections among the old antic sculptures. Very good set up. The projections itself were a bit disappointing, mainly due to the fact that eye candy works do not interest me that much. Nor does some tricky technical ones. I am looking for a story, substance and dramatic arc on these. That was missing. However it was nice to smooch among the London's art scene.

Another thing is my battling with London. I am falling out of love with this city. The reason is the events unfolded to me after return from Miami. Therefore couldn't really concentrate on what was going on.

Altitude Festival at Meribel

Travel

I'm just about to recover from the Miami madness and I'm off again. Next week you'll find me and my camera at Altitude Festival in Meribel. This is located somewhere in the French Alps, a little mountain resort with snowboarding, comedy and music event rocking the weekend. I'm flying out there with Johnny, our amazing presenter. There should be Ministry of Sound or Hed Kandi events we are to cover. And all the other craziness on the hills.

If this is not enough, at the end of the month I get to fly out to Spain. Costa del Sol, covering another Ministry event. Love my job sometimes.

Crashdown After Miami

Log

Miami was amazing. Sun, parties and pools. You can check it all at Ministry of Sound TV. However the topic refers to the nice welcome gift I received. I did love her.

Miami lifestyle

Travel

For your voyeuristic side here is an opportunity to follow my life for a week. We arrived to Miami yesterday and started working hard this morning (if you can call editing in a Spanish style loft hard). We will be uploading coverage from Miami Winter Music Conference 2008 few times a day, everything from parties, streets, beached, random confrontation and about our life here.

The art deco is here, amazing architecture must say. More about that coming up later. People are beautiful, sun is shining and later today we'll get on the actual music part. Check out the madness at MoSTV.

Oh yeah, and Winter here means +26C! :)

Clubbers Guide to Helsinki

The trip to Helsinki resulted in an edit that looks like this. Thanks to Oded for amazing work.

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A Moment On a Connecting Flight

Travel

Something rather peculiar happened while flying back to London. I did return from Helsinki last Sunday evening. The Lufthansa flight took me first to Munich Airport, where I expected a rather busy connection to the London flight. That was what I was told in Helsinki.

Good I was prepared for this, told the cabin crew lady that I need to rush for my connecting flight and she let me leave the plane first. Through the terminal maze and to the gate I rush, boarding in haste. The bus that took us to the plane started to approach a rather familiar plane. You should have seen the face of the cabin crew lady when I enter the exactly same plane after initially rushing out. Go figure the booking system of Star Alliance.

Returning to Helsinki

Thoughts

It was time to return to the land of fathers. This comes from the deluxe room at a design hotel Glo in the heart of Helsinki. The reason is work, filming two features for MoSTV. Feelings run deep and philosophically this is a well meaningful journey.

Just after one day, I'm seriously enjoying this city. Quality of life is so much better, but would have the same opportunities if living here? They say traveling is meaningless without a place to return. The question is am I traveling or simply rooting myselfto London?

More interestingly the skills, experiences and all the shit that has been poured over have changed me inside. Cliché but in this case very much applicable. How will Helsinki treat me during this trip might change course of this journey. Will it be better to have been away or will it just feel like utopia of days gone by? One thing is for sure, Helsinki has changed as well. I am the one to catch up.

Clubbers Guide to Paris

Edited by Teppo Hudson

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Album Cover Art as A Branding Tool

Academic

This is a little blast from the past. I think I have never uploaded my academic research work to this blog, so lets correct that mistake right now. And to be honest, currently is it downloaded about 200 times per month from another site, which means that there is interest towards it.

In a nutshell, this work covers areas of album cover and its significance on the branding of music using the band HIM as a case study. I believe music is a product that is mainly sold through visual representation. Although the core product is the music, there is increasing need of cover art, logos, photos, live visuals etc. All this constitutes to the branding of the music.

Download Significance of the Album Cover Art as A Branding Tool!

The main finding of this research indicate a need for thoughtful use of visual aspect in music and also showcase certain characteristics of branding that are useful while producing album covers. In a Post-Modern society people buy the message, rather than the music, communicated through different methods of music, promotion, marketing and branding. Well signified album cover, operating like an advertising, reflects a focused message that is easy for consumers to understand.

Earthquake in London

Log + London

Did anyone else feel it? I bet someone else did at least according to this news piece at Guardian. Last night around 1am a 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit the island. Me personally was just about to fell a sleep, laying on my back eyes closed. Suddenly the walls started to crackle and the bed rock gently. That lasted about 20-30 seconds, before settling. Well, must consider us lucky as in London it wasn't too heavy, more like a gently rocking by mother nature.

Cool Skateboarding Video

Thoughts

Today I was pointed to this great video. Skateboard videos are known for their repetitious subject matter. There has been many efforts to bring variety to the tricks with bloopers and other jackass behavior. However, Spike Lee's (I think it is his?) take on Fully Flared video intro gives a new understanding on the high impact of skateboard culture.

Fully Flared Intro

Ministry of Sound Vodka

Log

Over the last three days, we have been shooting virals for Ministry of Sound Vodka. Pedro directing and me being Assistant Director, while the whole TV team worked really well. Look out for the finished edits! Below are some teaser photos...

Showreel

[googlevideo=http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-5084855207392427485&hl=en-GB]

Miami here we come!

Log



To celebrate my 100th post on this blog, I decided to give just a little update. But a good one. Today it's confirmed that MoSTV will fly over to the sunny Florida to cover the Miami Winter Music Conference 2008 with news, features, guides and interviews. Sounds like a good plan to spend a week. We have even rented out a flat for the whole MoS crew se expect some late night after parties. Poor Landlord I say.

The History of Visual Communication

Academic + Philosophy

An amazing study and insight on the history of visual communication gives a good look on the development of this human endeavor. Please read it when you have some time.

Below is Wikipedia's definition for visual communication. The translation of ideas, stories and concepts that are largely textual and/or word based into a visual format, i.e. visual communication.

"Visual communication is the communication of ideas through the visual display of information. Primarily associated with two dimensional images, it includes: art, signs, photography, typography, drawing fundamentals, colour and electronic resources. Recent research in the field has focused on web design and graphically oriented usability. It is part of what a graphic designer does to communicate visually with the audience".

The primary tool by which man has visualised ideas is through the usage of writing and, by extension, type: Writing/type is the visual manifestation of the spoken word. And words are what we communicate with. Thus it is no overstatement when we say that type is the essence of visual communication and by extension of visual communication design. Type, where it is present, is simply the single most important element that you put on a page, since it inherently carries the essence of communication and communication is what our subject of study as graphic/multimedia designers is all about. Thus, the history of visual communication, i.e. the history of the visualisation of the spoken word, will largely follow the development of typographic systems, with a special focus on the Latin typographic system, given that this is the one that we are operating under. Although the primary focus will be on typographic elements and methodologies, the course will, of course, also cover pictorial aspects of visual communication, such as illustration, illumination, photography, shapes, colour etc as and where they pertain to the essence of the subject.

By reading the study, I developed some ideas on the visualisaton of music as parallel form of communication. If word on paper are communication, I think music can be seen as communication as well. However, maybe a bit more abstract and targeting emotions, rather than practical words. In addition, music often uses words in poem form, further emphasising the abstract aspect of communication.

PhD study for "The History of Visualisation of Music" anyone?

YouTube opens for mobile

Business

YouTube is preparing mobile phone access to its whole video archive which means that those with latest phones will be able to watch millions of videos on their little screens. Beside that users will be able to upload, rate and share videos using their phone just like they normally do on the web site. You have to install special software YouTube for Mobile, http://m.youtube.com

EMI challenge - finally a major wakes up

Thoughts + Business

Guy Hands has realised that the music industry's investments are not delivering much. And that it is a massive task to turnaround a institutional company like EMI. In his blognote, Gerd Leonhard sites the Digital Music News article:

EMI needs to be able to capitalize on A&R's creative output and respond to consumer trends rapidly, and on a global scale. This means that we will move from a regional business model to a global functional model in which the primary reporting lines are aligned to the functions and not to geographical location.

I think Guy Hands has shown his experience as venture capitalist and business leader by boldly going into an industry that has stagnated because of its unwillingness to adapt. Reasons for the stagnation are many I believe. Through my own experience, I would argue one of the reasons to be leaders who are very incapable of analysing and are living by the words "sex, drugs and rock ' roll".

Music is often seen as art. Well, it is when you just concentrate on the production. We have to remember that it becomes a business when the artists and labels want to get some income from it. At that point, you HAVE to be to able realise changes and adapt to the fast changing business environment.

Guy Hands is actually doing this. I give my praise to him as he seems to be one of the few ones with enough balls to change a music major. Many in the music industry talk about EMI sinking, but I beg them to explain why. If I would be an artist, I would definitely stay. Finally EMI is awake.

The Assasination of Jesse James

Art Review

Oh boy, what can I say. Went to see the lenghty titled film The Assanination of Jesse James by coward Robert Ford. This 2,5 hour film was rather uneasy to watch.

I think this review on IMDB site says it really well: Director Andrew Dominik has great control of the picture but when the film went into the editing room the film underwent some problems. The film never keeps the momentum to be an amazing picture. The viewer is connected for the first 15 minutes, then bored for 10, then enchanted for 45, bored for 15, then comes the anticipated climax and you think its over, then it goes on for another half hour. Dominik gives the audience the best understanding of Jesse James possible so we can become better acquainted with him but brings in an slew of different characters that, to be perfectly honest, I don't care that much about. I believe this might be a example of over character development where we get all the aspects of his life but all we want is Jesse.

So true. I would not give any honors for the editing. However, acting on screen and cinematography were brilliant.