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Prince… memory time.

Prince. memory time..

I’m so sad, way sadder than over Bowie’s death & it’ll take a while to process. Over the decade+ of DJ-ing I played so much Prince. Almost every Saturday night at the Dance Cave, every Monday (thanks A!) at the Phoenix. I’d mix him in at the Bovine, at the occasional Fetish Night at Buddies, at more clubs and speaks than I can name or remember. Bowie I’d play occasionally mostly in the early 80s & usually only stuff from the 1970s. I always had Prince & he was my go-to for the down & dirty sexy or the sparkle of Kiss or Alphabet Street, or the late late night groove of Sign of the Times. I’d bring multiple 12 inches, albums then cds for the unusual request. B-sides. Lesser played tracks.

What I’m remembering the most right now is LOVING lining up Prince for right after some indie/alt rock/ metal track with a heavy head banging beat & SLAMMING that into a Prince track – White Zombie’s Thunder 65 or Nine Inch Nails’ Head Like a Hole or Jane’s Addiction Stealing into Kiss, Nirvana Smells Like Teen Spirit into Alphabet Street, Nine Inch Nails’ Closer into Gett Off, and carrying an entire dance floor of hard core alt-indie rock /metal fans into an irresistible Prince funk groove. And it worked. Every time. Who could resist the pull of that bass? rhythm of the drum/percussion tracks? the vocals? the guitar?

I really really can’t believe he’s gone. What a giant giant loss. Having a little cry.

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Ah.. Memories of DJ-ing… Pariah & Twilight Zone (Toronto 1980s)

Just stumbled on this ‘trace‘ of another life …

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In an era before cellphones & digital cameras this is the only pic I can find of the Twilight Zone … some interior pics but none of our night…

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I actually remember the night described below… I didn’t exactly through the Beasties out of the booth… didn’t let them spin though..

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Nice mention of DJ-ing at Pariah here:

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DJ-ing before the era of cellphones & digital cameras, there are almost no traces of Pariah, Twilight Zone, so many clubs I spun in. 1981-1994. L7 Rivoli, Dominos, Nuts & Bolts, The Dance Cave, RPM, Buddies & Bad Times Fetish Night, The Phoenix Side Bar, clubs, bars, speaks… Still have the vinyl though 🙂

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Update! there is ONE teeny clip from Pariah – no audio

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True Detective Season 2: What a Disaster….

Watched the finale of True Detective Season 2 last night. Couldn’t quite believe it. Ham-fisted dramatic foreshadowing. Never ever have your characters do the ‘when we get to blah speech… you where the…. ‘ cuz then you KNOW they’re going to die.

So then those characters died…. for their sins???? Those characters survived & now they’re doing what??? Seriously??? Disaster. That script should have never ever left the writers’ room.

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The Business of Transmedia | TIFF Industry Conference 2013

SUCH a fun panel with Andy Merkin & Evan Jones!

Published on May 16, 2014

‘Monetization’ is now a dirty word. Transmedia experts will deconstruct the decision-making process behind the successful and the non-successful business models within the transmedia landscape. We will discuss the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind budgets, wire-models, deliverables, releasing schedules, and operating as platform-agnostic.

Siobhan O Flynn
Co-Founder, Canadian Rep, Transmedia Alliance (MODERATOR)

Dr. Siobhan O’Flynn consults on digital/interactive storytelling, is the co-creator of the online resource site, TMCResourceKit.com, & co-founder of Transmedia 101, a community building & education initiative for Canadian storytellers moving into the digital sphere. She has mentored across Canada, in the Digital Development Lab (CBC/BC Film/New Media BC), Melting Silos (NFB/SFU Praxis), and for the Sheffield Doc/Fest Design to Deliver, & with the Crossover Lab/Sheffield Doc/Fest Convergence Catalyst. She has published numerous articles, given keynotes, workshops and masterclasses around the globe on topics ranging from transmedia and crossmedia development and design and interactive/web documentaries. Siobhan has presented at MIT, StoryWorld SF, the NFB French Program, the CBC, the Screen Edge Forum, Auckland New Zealand, & Transmedia SG, Singapore. Siobhan was a Jury Member for the Sheffield Doc/Fest Innovation Award 2012, twice a Juror for the CMF’s Experimental Fund.

Evan Jones
Founder, Stitch Media

Evan is the founder of Stitch Media, an interactive media production services company which tells stories using new technology and timeless techniques. A two-time Emmy Award winner, Evan’s work combines television, radio, web, mobile, games & the real world and were recognized in the ‘Top 10 New Media Groundbreakers’ by the Bell Fund. Stitch Media projects range from interactive documentary to branded entertainment. Evan has guest lectured on the art & business of interactive story internationally at the Canadian Film Centre, the Australian Film, Television & Radio School and the University of Southern California. International clients include Microsoft, Disney, FOX, Discovery, CBC, Bell & The Movie Network.

Andy Merkin
Head of Special Projects and Transmedia, Mirada Studios

Andy Merkin is the Head of Special Projects and Transmedia at Mirada Studios. Overseeing cross-platform and nontraditional storytelling projects, Andy develops narrative for traditional and digital media and production management for the complete pipeline. Since joining Mirada in 2011, his production credits include the interactive music video, Ro.me; the THINK exhibit and mobile apps for IBM’s Centennial, the departmentofhumanmanagement.org site for The Strain trilogy, andMirrorWorld by Cornelia Funke on iOS. A true believer that interesting storytellers (hopefully) have led interesting lives, Andy’s previous work experience includes development and production for Sony Pictures Television, training teachers and entrepreneurs in the Peace Corps in Bangladesh, performing improv, and educating students in zoo keeping for Busch Gardens.