A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.
- Groucho Marx
Two questions I get often:
1. Where do you get your quotes?
The short answer is: a lot of places… multiple sources that are easy to use. After a good deal of research and trial and error, here are the five best sites for quotes on the Internet (in my not so humble opinion!):
READ ON FOR LINKS TO BEST SITES FOR QUOTES ON NET>> Read more…
This week I am evaluating the most effective times to engage with others using social media. Time Management is my #1 challenge in LIFE. I have seen positive results from interaction on Twitter and Facebook (more traffic to my sites, more productive relationships with friends, family and clients). The only question is when to interact. Read more…
Having worked in “traditional” media (television) for more than 20 years, I have been astounded at the growth of social media and it’s impact on how we do business as freelance media professionals. It’s also apparent to me that many of my colleagues in television and music production are not taking part in this revolution, often because of a lack of understanding of how it all works.
Social media is about people sharing information and learning from each other, not directly pitching products.
READ ON and see 3 concise videos that lay out the basic concepts. >>> Read more…
South Texas Soul: The San Antonio Sound – Augie Meyers, Doug Sahm and the history and influence of South Texas on popular music of today. Documentary filmmaker Tracy Ready examines the influence of German, Polish and Irish immigrants in South Texas on popular music styles including Country, Tejano, Blues and Rock and Roll, from a unique perspective.
Introducing The Social Freelancer Blog and Facebook Page
Why?
I have dreamed up some great names for businesses, bands and websites over the years, but gave very little thought as to how to protect them. I thought as long as I was using something as an email address or domain name on website, I was somewhat protected. WRONG.
How I Screwed Up – A Cautionary Tale
Read more…
“Assisted Living America” Tracks History and Challenges Ahead For Long Term Care In America
Today thousands enjoy the security and homelike feel of Assisted Living. But this environment didn’t always exist, and wouldn’t at all if it weren’t for several forward thinking individuals who, in the 1980’s, saw a need in their communities for a new style of long term care for older adults.
Read more…
Divorce can be devastating to families, with ripple effects upon the lives of parents and children.
Children often suffer long term feelings of depression and anxiety when their parents split. The children feel torn between fighting parents and will often reject a parent outright and refuse to see them, or act rude or misbehave while they are with that parent. The phenomenon is called “Alienation”. Even when parents are really trying to get along after a divorce, they will sometimes revert to sending negative messages to the child about their other parent. Bad Mouthing, brain washing, whatever you like to call it, it is devastating to children.
“Divorce Poison: How to Protect Your Family from Bad Mouthing and Brain Washing” by Dr. Richard A. Warshak, now in it’s 20th pressing, is a well written and informative resource for parents who are divorced or are going through a divorce. Psychologist Dr. Warshak is a world renowned expert on the subject of alienated children. In this video, Freelance Media Professional Tracy Ready interviews Dr. Warshak about “Divorce Poison”.
Read more…
Miss Marcy & her Texas SugarDaddys CD Release:
The stars are aligning in the muggy North Texas heat this week. Miss Marcy and her Texas SugarDaddys, a group of some of my favorite Dallas players are releasing new CD with a show at my favorite blues club in the world (and believe me I’ve been to a bunch) – PEARL in Dallas, Texas.
Read more…
“Skating away on the thin ice of the new day…” – Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull
Greetings Friends,
I have been working for some time to upgrade our blog site. Now I am excited to launch: TraceTV – Film – Music – Social Media at TraceTV.tv I hope you’ll visit soon.
At the start up, I am re-posting some of the most popular items from our previous wordpress.com blog, and I invite you to take a spin around the site, kick the tires and give me some feedback. It is definitely a work in progress.
Read more…
Originally posted on Feb. 16, 2009: The Aquarium Concept
If you like these ideas please follow The Aquarium Concept on Twitter
This dude has one awesome “real” aquarium >>
The Aquarium Concept.
Pretty sight, isn’t it? It’s not mine, in fact, I have never had success taking care of tropical fish. It’s just not my “thing”, even though I enjoy scenes like this. I do have an “aquarium” of sorts, but it has no glass, rock or water, only thoughts and dreams. My aquarium was a total mess for a long time, until I came to terms with this:
In order for things to flourish, they must have a good environment. This goes for people and fish and ideas too. You can have an aquarium, with some beautiful young fish but if you don’t take care of them (as I found out at age 10) soon algae grows in the tank, the fish start looking sickly, and then die off. Sounds simple, and it is, but looking at your life and your goals this way takes a little practice. It’s the same with ideas, projects, art, poetry, music, film, video, job search, family relations; whatever the passion, the aquarium concept holds true.
Read more…
Austin, Texas
March 4, 2009
An overcast sky gave way to a beautiful day in Austin as hundreds of people in the moving image industries (film, video, gaming) converged on the Texas State Capitol showing support for legislation which, if passed, will help repair the severely damaged industry in our state. It was an eye-opening experience for me, a Director of Photography, as I spend most of my time working on small crew productions, with little interaction with others in my industry. So, to be on the steps of the Capitol with a nice crowd who all have similar interests helped me understand the scope of the industry and how each of us play a part in a vital economic engine of the state.
This is an important cause, which has ripple effects to a multitude of support businesses, including hotels, restaurants, rental car companies, and on and on. Statistics show that we have lost more than $500 million in revenue and more than 7000 jobs across the state in recent years. Why? Because other states, most notably Louisiana and New Mexico, instituted major tax incentives to lure big budget projects to their states, and it has worked. Many of our fellow Texans have had to move out of state or commute back and forth to these neighboring states in order to stay in business. Given our long history with film production in Texas, this is a crying shame.
See Films Shot in Texas since 1910
The Texas Motion Picture Alliance is a statewide grass roots organization that I am proud to be a part of, and it is only through their tireless efforts that this legislation exists and has a chance at reversing the trend of jobs and revenue related to moving image industries shifting to other states.
This is an effort which should concern ALL Texans, not just those of us working directly in the industry, because television, film and gaming production in the state brings more jobs in various related industries, and because we at one time were considered “the third coast” for film production, and we have seen it seep away. There are many projects where Texas would be the first choice for production, because of the great locations available, and well trained, well equipped crews, but we are losing out because of the incentives offered by our neighboring states, and others around the country. Once this business is completely gone, it will be hard to bring it back.
Please support HB 873 and SB 605. It’s important to all of us.
Get involved! Join Texas Motion Picture Alliance
Read the story from Associated Press
From Don Stokes, President of Texas Motion Picture Alliance:
“Our lobbying effort is a community affair. It will take the efforts of all of us in the industry to make the enhanced incentive program a reality. Lobby Day 2009 was a phenomenal success and certainly raised industry awareness among the legislators. It is my honor as President of TXMPA to be part of this immense team.
We participated in the initial hearing on HB 873 on Wednesday, March 4 during our Lobby Day efforts. The witnesses that spoke on our behalf did so passionately and from the heart. Their testimonies spoke to the problems facing our industry in Texas and to the solutions for bring the business back. The committee members listened and I believe understood our message. I think we will make it out of committee and look forward to the placement of our bill on the House Calendar. At this juncture I feel good about our legislation passing but I know there will be challenges ahead especially on the appropriation front.
I would like to thank everyone for their efforts. Without all of you we wouldn’t stand a chance.
Don Stokes
President TXMPA
From David Friedman:
“Throughout TXMPA Lobby Day 2009, it became evident that legislators from across Texas were gaining a better understanding of how the moving picture industry impacts the economy. Many legislators were already onboard; whereas, some legislators were early in their understanding. The force of everyone pulling in the same direction, starting with Governor Rick Perry and the 700+ constituents at the Capitol, was felt by all the legislators. It was hard to miss on the Senate floor, the House floor, and on the front lawn of the Capitol. It was a great day for the state of Texas and our economy will be better off for it. The bottom line; is, creating and retaining jobs in Texas. Our collective efforts on TXMPA Lobby Day 2009 contributed to the bottom line in a significant way. Many thanks to all who attended in person and to those that were there with us in spirit.”
David S. Friedman, TXMPA, North Texas Regional Representative
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Tracy Ready is an independent Writer / Producer / Director of Photography based in Dallas, Texas
See: www.tracetv.tv
