Healthy Living Styles For Dancers

 Dance Nutrition.

Our culture has become very focused on diet and exercise. Increasing percentages of Americans have health and cholesterol problems. It is important for human beings to implement a healthy living style. However, more pressure is put on athletes and performers to live up to certain dietary expectations. The ideal dancer is viewed through talent and appearance. It is important to be thin and strong. Thin does not mean sick. The performer must know the basics of healthy eating, to keep muscles strong and active. Many studios have nutritionists. Some cannot afford a certified doctor and need other ways of reaching out.

            I have found a web site, “The Center for Dance Nutrition.”  The Center is affiliated with Atlanta Ballet. The diet and nutritionists have formed an interactive website for dancers who do not have contacts close. The site is formatted for dancers to ask questions, set up meal plans, and be held accountable to a certified nutritionist all online. According to the article, “The vision of the Center for Dance Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles is to assist dancers, and dance companies in achieving the best possible performance with fewer injuries by ensuring that health and nutrition are an integral part of each dancer’s education and experience” (2011). The site sends out daily articles as well as having a page on Facebook.

            It is so important for dancers, or athletes, to take care of their bodies. The body is the tool used to perform. Because many people begin training at a young age, it is hard to follow proper nutrition as the body begins to mature. This website allows teenagers to be educated on proper eating, as their body changes. Many young dancers will go to extremes to keep up the perfect silhouette. If we can educate children and young adults early, the chances of eating disorders decrease.

For more info: http://www.dancernutrition.com/index.html

            

The beauty of an allegory

The job market for entertainment is competitive. Getting written work published is just as cutthroat, if not more. The fascination comes in research for what will be published. Fiction and allegorical writing draw the reader in. Writing is an art form in itself. Words that appear on paper come alive to the reader. Different forms of writing tell different stories. Categories vary from fiction, scientific, historical, nutrition, and allegorical.

Allegorical writing tells a story with a moral. Characters in the writing represent something more to the author. The symbol, of the future dance studio has an allegorical background. As many types of writings are done for dance. The allegory finds a way to focus the passion of the author.

For example: Once upon a time there was a beautiful garden. In this garden lived two flowers completely in love. These flowers grew along side on another, believing that no other would separate the two. As spring arrived in the garden the lovers began to bloom. Terror struck in the realization one was a rose and one was a bluebell. How could two such different flowers have fallen madly in love? The flowers now must make a decision. Sadly, the decision was made for them. One afternoon a Gardner came and picked each flower, placing both into separate bouquets. The rose decided being picked hurt too much and it was time to let her blue bell go. Time after time, she would peer into the spring bouquet to watch her bell grow with flowers of its own. How would she ever learn to love another? No one would forget those days in the garden, where only love defined each flower.

This allegory, tells a story of love and diversity. Using the character of flowers the art is defined through the moral. Writers continue to research and practice the art. Beauty lies in so many parts of the world. Writing is just the beginning.

Dance through body and mind

            Arts and entertainment are usually defined by categories. Most people will focus on one element such as dance, music, or writing. If a person decides to master a field, he or she, does not always realize the depth. In researching more on the study of dance, one comes to realize the complexity of the subject. Movement of the body is just the beginning. Dance incorporates all levels of the arts, and requires the skill of writing them down.

            Samantha Joy Pearce of Freelance Writing.com explains,

The number of people attending dance classes has increased, the number of men becoming more involved in the art of dance has increased, and the number of aerobics classes and keep fit videos that now incorporate some form of dance have also grown in number. It isn't surprising then that there has been a corresponding increase in the demand for written material on this subject (2011 ¶ 1).

There are now major publications that are writing material specifically for dancers. People want to know more information about classes and health benefits. As the demand increases, requirements for publications do as well. There are more print magazines and online newspapers hiring people for dance publication.

            Interestingly, dance writing can help entertainment expand. As dance is being used in film, the producers are looking to writers for information on the subject. People are curious about what is popular in dance. With the hit new reality dance shows, more people desire knowledge in dance vocabulary. As books are written passion and desire will spread. Publishing in all art forms increases knowledge. As knowledge increases, newer generations will learn the art form and continue on.

The best dance authors are those that have practiced. Dancing may be considered on of the most graceful art forms accomplished through the human body. Writing about the experience incorporates the mind. Writers should continue looking into freelance for dance publications. A new piece of the entertainment puzzle will unfold to those who keep searching.

For more information go to: http://www.freelancewriting.com/articles/writing-for-dancing-magazines.php

Entertainment Laws Protecting New Businesses

The Use Of Copyrights In Digital Media.

            This blog post structures around three video casts. This week I was able to watch the “TWIL” (this week in law) episodes on YouTube. The Internet show hosted by Denise Howell and Evan Brown invite different entertainment lawyers to discuss recent legal activities in the industry.

            The first episode, TWIL 123  (August 5, 2011) guest starred: Fred Von Lohmann, Trevor Timm, and Michelle Sherman. Lohmann is the senior copyright council for Google. Trevor Timm hosts’ lasisblog.com and Michelle Sherman is a lawyer from socialmedialawupdate.com.  The topic of discussion was Zediva. This company tried to make a business out of a DVD tower. To avoid the piracy law of streamlining movies, Zediva allowed people to rent the DVD players and watch in their own  homes.

            According to Fred Von Lohmann, “Zediva only received a preliminary injunction order from the court. They would be able to appeal using the Cablevision case.” (2011). Cablevision created a remote that would let people streamline movies with in the privacy of their home. Cablevision won the case because the court cannot define privacy rules. The copyright act does not control private performances (Lohmann 2011). As the issue was being discussed Michelle Sherman made a good point. The act of Zediva was to get around the law. They would not be able to appeal, with out a good cause.  In the end this company was pirating DVD’s.

            The Second highlight of the episode is about the new laws in the United Kingdom. The entertainment law was able to  have ISP block domain names from an off shore sight. When the company is not based in the country it is now able to block domain names. This way people will not be able to find them on the Internet. In the United States, According to Timm, the Protect IP act is pending in Congress. This act will allow companies to block domain names  here. The law was intended for child pornography and keeping children away from pornography. However, will the action become abused and cause an “arms race” for companies dealing with infringement?

            TWIL 124, August 12,2011.

The guest appearances are from Carolyn Write photoattorney.com, Matt Buchanan Ohio BNIP.com, and Wendy Seltzer Princeton’s center with technology staff attorney.

            The discussion here was Andy Baio and “Kinda Bloop.” It was an 8-bit remix to Miles Davis “Kind of Blue.” Baio made sure the all of the legal rights were in place for the music. However, he took the photograph for the cover art and pixilated it. After this Andy Baio found himself in a copyright infringement for photography. Some try to argue that Baio did not need licensing for the artwork, it fell under the fair use act. According to Carolynn, photograph artist do not get the same respect that others do. This was not fair use it was taking a photograph and changing it.

            Wendy believes encouraging artist to really think about fair use before they take another artists work. The use must be a parody or a complement to the artist. Baio should have asked the photograph artist for permission to use the picture as well.

            TWIL 125, August, 19, 2011

Invited Patent Lawyers Nipper and Matt Macari.

The discussion was Google purchasing Motorola for $12.5 billion dollars. This purchase included 24000 patents at half a million a piece. The lawyers agreed that these major corporations are beginning their own “nuclear arms race.” Because of the Android Litigation and the Oracle settlement. Companies are buying out others with good patents, which they can pull out later in a lawsuit. This does not include small businesses, mainly large corporations. In the end it’s the people that lose out. As the companies hold onto patents and spend large amounts of money on the portfolios.

I have learned in starting a new business it is important to watch out for all issues. The new IP laws that are being established for technology will effect the entertainment industry. It is important to remain current on cases and to protect any original work as well.

For more information:

http://www.bagandbaggage.com/

http://waxy.org/2011/06/kind_of_screwed/

Intellectual Property Investigation: How is it working in entertainment?

            Many people believe justice is only served through hiring lawyers. However, the ordinary “man on the street” is able to stay knowledgeable about the law with educational help. Basic legal jargon teaches about Intellectual property and how people in the entertainment business have rights to keeping their work safe. All artists are taught that they do not have to “recreate the wheel.” But is always good to make sure your work is your own. There are many example’s in the entertainment industry right now discussing disputes on original work and I would just like to talk about a few of them.

The first example was May 24 2011. Everybody remembers the disruption the hangover part 2 cause right before it opened. According to Pop Eater.com “Mike Tyson’s tattoo artist Victor Whitmill, was suing the movie for stealing the creation of his tattoo.” (¶2).  Whitmill has the tattoo under copy wright law making his claim liable for Warner Brothers.  In their defense, Warner Brothers claims, “Using the tattoo in the movie was simply part of a joke. It’s also transformative . . . it’s in a scene that adds value to the original design” (Piazza, 2011). However, even with credit given to a star, as big as, Mike Tyson, Warner Brother’s will still have to pay Victor Whitmill some money due to copy wright laws.

The next two examples are the same star but different offenses. The first was Lady Gaga’s “Born this way.” The album appeared on February 11, 2011. The song became a hit right away. Many people noticed how closely the song sounded to Madonna’s 1989 hit, “Express Yourself.” According to John Mitchell, another writer for Pop Eater, “To us, Gaga's new tune feels like more of an homage than a rip-off. The 'Bad Romance' singer has made no secret of her respect for Madonna, and with that in mind, there's no way the thematic and musical similarities between 'Born This Way' and 'Express Yourself' were not purposeful” (Mitchell, 2011). It appears that when the artist has an utmost respect for another, the imitation is a compliment not a liability. In many ways, the two songs sound very similar but if two Pop Diva’s can respect that enough and claim their own title, then legal liability is not a problem.

The final example is a recent hit on Lady Gaga.  Rebecca Francescatti, an artist from 2005 is suing Lady Gaga for the song “Judas” on her newest album. In reading an article from Hot mamma Gossip, the case went to trial in Northern Illinois on August 3, 2011. Francescatti claims that Lady Gaga stole her song “Juda” and used it as her own. In referencing the article, “According to Francescatti, she recorded her song “Juda” in 2005 under the supervision of DJ White Shadow’s Brian Gaynor. The same group also worked with Gaga on “Born This Way” and that gives her claim more weight.” (¶4).  This claim is more intense for Lady Gaga right now because she had the same team of people involved. Right Gaga and her team are keeping quiet on the issue. Did Lady Gaga steal the song? That is for the court to decide. The song Juda is under copy wright law, and although Gaga added her own flare and personal style, there were still elements of stealing the song.

Legal issues in the entertainment world are just as serious. You hear all of the pirating commercials. The law is there so that artist, like everyone else, can have a fair claim to the work they have created so beautifully.

Quick to think "The Show Must Go On!"

Creativity in Live art performances.

            The lights go out, a hush runs over the audience, slowly the curtain rises, and then you remember this is an outdoor theatre in July! Summer theatre performances are great ways for the family to enjoy culture. There are many shows and festivals that take place all over the country. However, it takes creative thinking to keep performers in top condition.

            In Arts beat, Daniel Wakin discusses a performance review on the Virginia production of Sweeny Todd. With the summer heat wave, it is difficult to keep the actors hydrated. Thanks to the technicians who raided the stores for Gatorade, the leading ladies and gentlemen, were able to handle the heat of the performance. Gatorade, not only used for basketball players but performers, as well.

            The Tech teams were also creative enough “to use condoms to cover the microphone packs.” The sweat would short-circuit the microphones in the middle of the show. Finally, they would also double microphones the actors just in case one went out in the middle of the performance. The singers were also given ice packs to keep under the costumes. This helps the body temperature not rise quickly. The positive side to the heat wave is that the singer’s voices were in top shape.

            The entertainment industry is a fast-pace business. The technical and back stage team has to be just as creative as the characters on stage. In a live theatre situation, it is important to be flexible and think quickly to save a show.  In developing this job into a business, quick thinking is an asset to any employee. Weather is one risk factor that people will not have control of, but the show must go on. With an imagination and a goal to succeed, the entertainment industry can be one to fully enjoy.

For more information go to:

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/

The insight on Music Industry creativity

Fame: not just a microphone

Ask any little kid what they want to be when they grow up and you will receive answers such as, “doctor, veterinarian, firefighter, and the most popular I want to be FAMOUS.” What children learn as they grow up is that a career in the arts can be more than just singing on a stage.

In researching the industry, most famous actors and musicians have a plethora of people surrounding them. With the support, of fans and publicity, one of the most needed factors in a music career is a fantastic manager.

With the ever-evolving society, the industry changes just as quickly. Music managers are key to booking and keeping relationships with the artist, as well as, keeping a “revenue streamline”. It is helpful for artist and managers just starting out, to be creative. Most new talent does not have a large fan base, so there have to be cheap and creative ways to help them. In a video interview with Aimee Berger, she also discusses creativity in venue booking.

Artisthouse Music.com interviews Berger who is the “founder and President of Alternative Venue Entertainment.” Aimee Berger has been successful in helping artist use ideas such as school campus and other areas of performing to help get started. In the interview, she discusses a band using the Internet to get their songs out to an audience. Berger believes “that most labels will take on clients who already have a good market and fan base.” These are the artists that will make it farther in the business. Labels are not the key to creativity in marketing. If the artist and the manager have a good idea going in, they will have a longer lasting career.

Interestingly, Aimee Berger pushes having goals. Most musicians should want to get their music out to as many listeners as possible. They will also want to establish relationships so that people will remember the artist’s brand. To become famous is not easy it takes hard work. To learn about any art form is to learn all of the elements that help make it possible. All artists need people backing them up. And, that back up need to be just as creative to help any artist establish a career.

To find out more: http://www.artistshousemusic.org/