One Producer in the City

Two little girls in the Bayou

I'm sure a number of people saw the tweet of this blog title and thought I got spammed, but no true believers, this is actually the title of a performance, that I'm going to tell you about and explain why you should support it if you can. 

Spencer Novich and I met many years ago when I did the U.S. Scholar Athlete games. I was a drama coach for them and we worked with a team of young kids to develop a new production of Romeo and Juliet. Spencer was one of those performers who always had great ideas for a scene and was incredibly physical in the roles he would play. It was clear from very early on that he was one to watch. The show went up and we all went our separate ways, but I made it a point to add all of the kids who had done the games to a yahoo group. This was 2003-2004 so groups meant something completely different. Basically you just added everyone to a mailing list and promised to stay in touch. Many years passed and I went about my business doing my producing work. I added Spencer on Facebook and one day was invited to his thesis show at NYU. They grow up so fast. 

I was blown away. It was this piece that used clowning to deal with serious topics like depression and suicide and was at the same time very funny. Spencer went on to join Cirque Du Soleil and still performs with them to this day. Now he's trying his hand at producing and I couldn't be more proud. Ken Davenport mentioned in his blog yesterday that we are at a shortage of producers under 40 and that we need to find ways to support young producers. This is something I believe in entirely, so I'm putting my support forward and making this young producer's new project a feature on the ol' blog. See below and if you have the resources, donate to this project. The work Spencer does is something special and it deserves a life. After all, if the young producers reading this blog don't support one another, who will? 

Excelsior! 

P.S.- Finding Center is Tomorrow!!!

Our Goal 

We are here to break boundaries and take huge risks in the world of physical comedy. We are an, in-your-face, aggressive, boundary crossing clown duo. We began working together 6 years ago in NYC where we met in school. With elements of bouffon, clown, sketch comedy, and eccentricism we have created comedy and performed in NYC and Las Vegas variety clubs, burlesque halls and festivals. 

We need to raise enough financial backing (a minimum of 10,000 dollars) to fund and support the various departments involved with creating our first class industry competent show. Furthermore, we want to create awareness and generate hype about our upcoming performance. Following our inaugural performance in Las Vegas we will play major festivals and other regional venues.  

Our Project 

With some really bizarre minds we have created a startling story from the depths of our imagination. A story of two little girls abandoned by their family in the vast landscape of the bayou. A darkly comedic, overtly physical, survival guide presented to you by Georgette and Armentine. You will learn everything you need to know about surviving in the swamps, from capturing alligators to purposeful drowning. 

 Your Contributions Make Possible:

• Music Production expenses (original composition, recording and mixing) 
• Projection and Video Design 
• Obtaining and Renting of Technical Equipment 
• Costume Construction and Design

• Aerial Apparatus Fabrication 
• Prop Conception and Construction 
• Running Crew Stipend
• Director Expense
• Make-up Design and Wig Construction 

• Studio Rentals
• Theatre Rental
• Theatrical Design Construction 

Allow us to introduce ourselves…

Brett Alters (Actor, Writer, Producer):  currently performs as a clown/character in Franco Dragone’s Le Rêve-The Dream at the Wynn Las Vegas.  He received a BFA in Theatre from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.  In 2010 Brett received a Golden Nose Award from the New York Downtown Clown. Other performing credits include: Le Crazy Horse Paris, The Box, Tournament of Kings, ComedySportz, Moisture Festival, NYC Clown Theatre Festival and Cirque De La Mer among others.

Spencer Novich (Actor, Writer, Producer): currently performs as a character in Cirque du Soleil’s KÀ at the MGM Grand Las Vegas.   He holds a BFA in Theatre from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He recently competed in the 33rd Cirque de Demain, an internationally renowned circus festival, where he received the Medaille de Bronze, as well as the Moulin Rouge Prix and Cirque Eloize Prix. Other performing credits include: The Box, Del Close Marathon, NY Downtown Clown (Golden Nose Award winner - 2009)… among others.

Loppo Martinez (Artistic Director, Writer, Composer): is a multi-talented Artistic Director, musician and visual artist.  He studied Fine Arts through the 60’s at Versailles Art School, Estienne Universty in Paris, and Villa Medici in Rome.  He later returned to Estienne University as a jury member and professor. Featured artist for Andre Agassi’s Grand Slam for Children 2001 and 2010, a painting in the White House, designer for Food Network challenges, etc.  As a musician and member of SACEM since 1976, he composed and arranged numerous scores for movies, TV shows, singers, conducted the Symphonic Orchestra of Opera in Paris, etc. As an Artistic Director he met Franco Dragone in Las Vegas and joined Dragone as the Artistic Development Director (costume design, music composition and arrangement, show concept development, stage design, casting, etc.)  He works as a scriptwriter for two featured movies and gives lectures and master classes at Performing Arts Universities. 

Didier Antoine (Props Concepteur, Performance Coach): began his circus career in 1988 after extensive training in gymnastics and trampoline.  He fell in love with the flying trapeze while coaching at the National Circus School in France.  At 24 he joined Cirque Du Soleil where he performed for many years.  He created the aerial act “Bateau” for Cirque Du Soleil’s, O, at the Bellagio.  In 2003, Franco Dragone hired Didier to conceptualize and design all the aerial apparatuses for Le Rêve-The Dream at Wynn Las Vegas.  Since Didier has continued to perform in Le Rêve-The Dream and conceptualize aerial acts for numerous live shows and television events.  Credits Include, Performer: Nouvelle Experience, Fasicnation and O by Cirque Du Soleil, Le Rêve-The Dream by Franco Dragone, Flic Flac Circus and Circus Krone,,.among others.  Aerial Conceptor: Le Rêve-The Dream by Franco Dragone, O by Cirque Du Soleil, Television Consultations: Pitbull, Marc Anthony, Laura Paolini, Brandon Flowers, Alexandra Burke, Il Divo and The Latin Grammys…to name a few.

Devlin Mann (Video Concepteur, Director of Photography): is the Artistic Director of ‘The BackLight Theatre Group, Inc.' and the Co-Director of 'Le Centre' a multi-disciplanry arts centre located at L'Abbaye de Pontlevoy in France's stunning Loire Valley and is currently an Artist in Residence at Jacksonville University. He holds a Masters in Advanced Theatre Practice from the Central School of Speech and Drama London, England and has directed theatrical works in: London, Paris, Berlin, New York and L.A. He has been a guest director at the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama and the Embassy Theatre in London and a ‘Shadow Director’ to Emmy Award Winner Shelley Jensen on multiple network sit-coms. Devlin has directed and produced two full-length feature films, and is working on a third with Dr. Rob Clare formerly of the Royal Shakespeare Company, London.  His current and former students have been seen on True Blood, The Wire, Grey’s Anatomy, Mercy, Chuck, Mad Men, Criminal Minds, and numerous national commercials

John P Cartin (Actor, Choreographer): has been performing as a soloist in Le Reve for the past five years. He received full scholarships to both the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City and the Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. He has had the opportunity to perform on stage with A Few Good Men Dancin', Tokyo Disney Resort, Opera Pacific, the North Star Ballet Company, Evolution Dance Company, and Anti-Gravity. His television credits include principal roles in  Everybody Hates Chris, America's Got Talent, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Latin Grammy Awards, Dancing with the Stars, the World Cup Opening Ceremony, All My Children, and As the World Turns. He has performed along side artists such as Brandon Flowers, Marc Anthony, and Laura Pausini. He has taught on national dance conventions, set work for the Chicago Bulls half time show, and the French National Synchronized swimming team, which can be seen at the World Championships and the future 2012 Olympics in London.

FAQ

How do I receive my tickets/rewards?

Tickets will be booked and distributed closer to December via email, we will inform you of the available dates of our inaugural run and you will have the option to choose which performance date you would like to attend.  Rewards via mail we be distributed by December 2012.

Where does my contribution go?

Your contribution will be deposited directly into the LLC we created for our show!

Can I still contribute once you reach your goal?

Yes! Our goal is only a portion of what we need to raise! Any contributions post our goal are greatly appreciated!

Can I contact you?

YES! We would love to hear from you! Give us a hoot and a holler at [email protected]

Finding Center

A while back I created a class that deals with helping people focus and deal with being overwhelm. I am doing another one of these on Saturday and I hope you'll join me. You can read more below and find tickets HERE. 

Excelsior!

Are you currently doing way too much? Are you a business owner, singer, actor, writer, producer, activist, dancer,entrepreneur or all of these things at the same time? 

 

Everyone will tell you that when you are feeling dizzy that you need to find a spot to look at it and keep looking at it until the dizziness goes away.

 

It's referred to as Finding Center.

 

The same principal applies to your career. If you are focusing on 4 things you are only giving 25% to any one thing 

 

Which means you probably are not moving forward in any of them! 

 

In Finding Center you will take the time to de-clutter your life and CHOOSE where 75-85% of your focus will go. We'll cover:

 

• A system to break down your day and separate the things that need to be done NOW from the things that can be done later
• The three roles in any business and where you fit best
• A system for tapping into your existing network to get you unstuck
• A system for making money from your existing skill set. 

 

If you are constantly spinning, you cannot move forward. It's time to stop and FIND CENTER 

 

Due to the intimate nature of the class, seating is limited to 10 participants only. 

 

The class will run for two hours and include support materials

 

The next class is Saturday August 25th from 10am-12pm and seating is on a first come, first served basis.  

 

I look forward to helping you Find Center.

 

 

 

Finding your North star

As many of you know, I meet a lot of people in the course of a week and whether it be a getting to know you meeting, a consulting meeting, or a business meeting, the same thing always comes up:

Some sense of confusion about direction. 

Sometimes it's a writer who wants to produce, an entrepreneur who has a new idea for a business, or a new producer about to raise on their first Broadway show. The list can go on and on. Many will tell me about how overwhelmed they feel about all of the things they have to accomplish to get to that level. They'll spend a good deal of time explaining the steps, and how far away they feel from each goal. I usually stop them and ask this question:

"If you could walk out the door today and have the life you want, what does that picture look like?" 

Sometimes the other person will respond that they don't know and sometimes they'll tell me something very vague like, "I just want to act and make money doing it" 

This leads me to the idea of the North star. If you are ever lost anywhere, you look up and find that star and since you know where North is, you also know where South is, etc. In the world of art, business, entrepreneurship, whatever your fancy is, there is something that you want more than anything and the more specific you are about that thing you want, the easier it is to plan and get more done. 

If you are currently feeling lost, the best thing you can do is stop and ask yourself what is the thing you want most. What is your North star? Once you know where that is, you can make plans to head in that direction, but until you identify it, you'll be wandering around wondering why you're not moving fast enough towards those goals. 

So take some time today, say five or ten minutes, to identify your North star. Be as specific as possible. If you're an actor, don't say you want to get paid to act, say you want to be a series regular on Game of Thrones or something as specific. If you are an entrepreneur, ask yourself specifically where you want your business to be one year from now. Once you have some direction, you'll be amazed at how far you can go. 

So go out and find that North star. Also, if you're brave enough, share it in the comments below. You never know who may be reading this blog and help you achieve that goal.

Excelsior! 

P.S.- Finding Center is This Weekend! Make sure to get your tickets HERE! 

Awesome Person Thursday: Melanie Zoey Weinstein and Sanity is for Suckers

This week's A.P.T. is all about actress/playwright/ Entrepreneur/Force of nature Melanie Zoey Weinstein. Melanie has been a great supporter of this blog, leaves awesome comments, and is one of my favorite people. Her latest project is helping new playwrights get their work out there and supporting arts education. I hope you'll take a moment to read about it below. Take it away Melanie!

Excelsior!

Last year, my friends (Alissa Bachner and Paul Karp) and I produced a night of one act plays called SANITY IS FOR SUCKERS. Some of you may have attended. Some of you may have donated. Some of you are hearing of this for the first time. Regardless, we are going to produce a sequel this fall right here in Hollywood, and it's called SANITY IS FOR SUCKERS: THE EDGE OF REASON. The event serves to cultivate and showcase up-and-coming talent in a collaborative environment while raising funds for The Young Storytellers Foundation. YSF provides underserved children in the public school system an opportunity to write stories and see them brought to life through performance. (http://www.youngstorytellers.com/). Last year we donated nearly $2500 to 826LA - a nonprofit writing and tutoring center for children.

What's next?

If you'd like to submit, please send us a one act play (10 pages or less) inspired by or connected to the theme: SANITY IS FOR SUCKERS. Let those words inspire you as they will, and, most importantly - have fun!

Are there any guidelines?

Please keep your production simple - limited props, lights, sound and set.

Cast size: 1-4 actors

For support transitioning from screen to stage for your 10 minute play, here are some resources: 
http://www.10-minute-plays.com/how_to_write_a_10_minute_play.html
http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-10-Writing-Producing-10-Minute/dp/0325003122

How do I submit?

Please email [email protected] no later than 11:59 PM PST on Tuesday, September 4, 2012. 

Also if you'd like to donate to the project, you can do so by going HERE.

Any profits from the event will go directly to YSF.

What if I have a director/actor(s) in mind? What if I am the director/actor I have in mind?

Great! Please include that information in your submission.

Anything else?

Have fun and feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. We will be notifying you of our decisions in mid-September. Good luck and we look forward to reading your work!

Melanie

Thanks Melanie! 

P.S.- The Next Finding Center is next week, be sure to grab your tickets! 

 

Last chance to catch me speaking!

Hey folks,

I will be speaking tonight at ELNYA on my favorite topic: Networking. More info is below and there still may be some tickets left. Grab them HERE. 

Excelsior!

8/14 Is “networking” a dirty word for you? Find out at ELNYA’s Relationship Building Event

by ROCHELLE SONNENBERG on JULY 27, 2012

Careers in the arts are built on and survive through relationships. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to develop the crucial connections you need to be a relationship architect, and use the tools that you have to connect with the contacts you need. This event will focus on finding and using those tools so that you are on the tip of everyone’s tongue in your industry.

You’ll learn how to tap into the network that you currently have and how to grow that network to help you reach your goals.

You’ll learn how to turn a one-on-one meeting into a fountain of opportunity.

You’ll learn about the psychological principals that are running behind the scenes of every interaction you have with members of your industry.

Most importantly, you’ll learn about managing your relationships so you can get the most out the network you currently have and the network you have yet to build.

WHERE: Municipal Art Society
111 West 57th Street, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10019

WHEN: Tuesday, August 14th
5:30-6:30 Drinks
6:30-7:30 Speaker
7:30-8:30 Relationship Building

We’ll be selling tickets for $20 at the door, but suggest buying in advance for $15, as space is limited! Get your tickets today!

Our Speaker, Michael Roderick:

Michael has produced over 60 shows since his arrival in NYC in September 2002. Michael is also a serial entrepreneur having founded Small Pond Enterprises LLC, The Independent Producers Alliance of NY, and PLAE – Program For Launching Arts Entrepreneurs. Michael was an associate producer of ROOMS: A Rock Romance Off-Broadway and a producer with R2D2 Productions on the Broadway production of The Scottsboro Boys.

He holds a BA in Secondary Ed English and Theatre Performance from Rhode Island College as well as an MA from NYU in Educational Theatre Colleges and Communities. Michael also taught English and Drama for eight years at LaSalle Academy on New York City’s Lower East Side and has served on the board of Theater Resources Unlimited and currently sits on the board of Boomerang Theatre Company as well as Shotgun productions.

He blogs daily at www.oneproducerinthecity.typepad.com and is available to speak or run a workshop by emailing [email protected]

 

 

Oh a Fringe-in I will go- Zebra shirts and Abductions

I have mentioned many times before on this blog how the festivals are a great place to scout new talent for any aspiring producer as well as to see shows that are in stages of development that you may want to pick up. Each year, a number of shows ask me to come and check them out and each year I choose a few to feature on this blog, so my readers can hear about some of the hidden gems in the festival.  This weekend was my first dive into the Fringe pool and here's what I found: 

The Zebra shirt of lonely children- The title along is intriguing for this one, but when you sit down to watch this touching piece by the talented Matthew Trumbull, there is so much more to it than that. Trumbull uses little more than a chair, a coffee cup (very important), and a single lamp on a table to weave his tale and that's all he needs. Having seen his work in a number of other indie theatre productions I was always aware of his acting talent, but his facility with language is also extraordinary. The story is about the life and death of his father and while many would worry that this could turn into something maudlin, what instead comes out of the hour we spend with Trumbull is a great deal of comedy mixed with some very emotional moments. Many one person shows tend to drag on and on, but Trumbull's piece chooses only the most important details and keeps you laughing, thinking, and at times crying all in one sitting. It's not surprising that Trumbull's director is Matthew Freeman (also a playwright) as the attention to story and detail is evident in the direction. There is no elaborate staging or labored multiple character creation, just one man sitting there telling us a beautiful story. You can still catch it if you grab the remaining tickets HERE. 

The Abduction of Becky Morris- Fans of Craig Lucas will really enjoy this wacky piece by Alison Crane who has similar writing style and imagination. The play tells the tale of a woman in Oklahoma who believes she's psychic due to her strange dreams coming true and as we go through the world of her dreams and her reality, we start to wonder the same thing. In the story, Becky dreams that a guy she barely talked to in high school is going to die and somehow turn into her unborn child and that's not even the craziest moment. The dream sequences are a mash-up of X-Files moments, and instances of Becky roaming around Target enjoying the Target fair. The show is very inventive with some really excellent performances. Crane's Morris has some delightful twists and turns and Thom Christensen's portrayal of Mark Stuart, the guy that Becky dreams of who now is in a state penitentiary, is also very entertaining and at times downright frightening. Crane is definitely a playwright to keep an eye on as she has a great ear for dialogue and a very extensive imagination. To catch Becky before the aliens get her, you can go HERE. 

And there you have it. As more Fringe shows come my way, I'll be sure to let you all know what I think. Happy Fringe-in! 

P.S.- The next Finding Center is coming up! Grab your tickets HERE! 

Guest Blog #71: Baby steps towards success

This week's guest blog comes to you from Ashley Carter of Double Take Dance Company. I met Ashley after seeing her work in a dance concert and following up. Like all great producers, she has drive and tenacity and she talks about that here. Take it away Ashley!

 

We've all heard from our friends and seen on TV stories of celebrity and success because someone who knows someone who knows someone else hooked them up with a great opportunity, and look at them now!  These stories are true, and they do happen occasionally, but how do you get places without knowing "anyone"?

I was a late-joiner in the dance world, I didn't dance as a child, I didn't have "stage parents", I didn't do baby ballet, pre-adolescent tap or teenage competitions.  I didn't take college dance courses and I didn't even grow up knowing anyone who wanted to be a dancer when they grew up.  But somehow, late in life, I realized that this was what I was meant to do!  It just took me a really long time to figure it out...

But getting back to to the initial question; especially in a city so chock full of talents and successes as New York, how do you "make it" without that plug-in, a special connection, a favor from your dad's friend?  I don't know what "the" answer is, I only know what my experience has been, and I can only call it baby steps.  Having the patience to recognize that each show performed, large or small, is another important step.  That for every person who sees my choreography and is interested or moved in some way is a tiny landmark.

It's frustrating to watch peers get to take shortcuts because of their special connections, or be hired because they've made certain friends, and that is definitely the way of this industry.  But for the rest of us pedaling along at a slower but steady pace, it takes a lot of strength and endurance to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps and make your own success the old-fashioned way.

This year my company DoubleTake Dance ( www.DoubleTakeDanceCo.com) was selected to perform as part of this year's SummerStage festival.  For those who don't know, City Parks SummerStage presents a variety of free performances throughout the summer of various Dance, Music and Theatre artists ranging from internationally known (Complexions, Florence and the Machine) to more locally known...  which this time includes us!

Ok, so it might not be a spot on So You Think You Can Dance, or in a Broadway show.  But for people like us who don't have any famous friends, special hookups or even wealthy parents to help us out, it's not a bad little step on our artistic journey.  This isn't to say that I don't get discouraged, or that sometimes progress feels so slow that I'm moving backwards, or that I don't have to sometimes choose between paying rent and paying for rehearsal space; but it is one of those times that I can look back at the hundreds of thousands of tiny steps that I've taken, and be really proud of where I have ended up.

Of course I didn't do all of this standing alone, I have a group of wonderful dancers who make my visions come alive on the stage, soloist Vanessa Martinez de Baños who always pushes the envelope, and wonderful supportive friends who over the years have come to watch the bad as well as the good!

While less dramatic than the overnight success stories, mine is still sincere and came with (a lot of) sweat and tears.  Because for many of us, successes are measured in millimeters, not miles, but we still need to recognize these millimeters and love them for the distance they will ultimately take us.

On that note, please come to this free show!!!  Friday August 17th at 8pm, East River Amphitheatre, master class with Desmond Richardson at 7pm

http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/calendar/white-wave-young-soon-kim-dance-company-doubletake-dance/

Also, please consider donating to our company, this is funded entirely out of pocket!

http://www.gofundme.com/DoubleTakeDanceCo

 

Thanks Ashley! 

Everyone, be sure to check out Ashley's work. She's great. 

See everyone next week.

Excelsior! 

P.S.- Finding Center is coming up! Grab your tickets HERE

 

Awesome Person Thursday: Chef Carla Contreras

 

 

 

This week's A.P.T. goes out to Chef Carla Contreras. Some of you may remember the Throwdown I did for the Theatre community a few years back, and know what a fan I am of food competitions. Carla recently competed on Chopped, and is working on a fantastic entrepreneurial venture, as you'll see from her Kickstarter video above. You can read more about her and her project below. I've had the good fortune to meet with her and know that she is the real deal. You'll want to get to know her as well. You can check out her campaign HERE. 

Also, tickets are still up for grabs for the next Finding Center. You can get them HERE. 

Excelsior!

Want to look good, feel good and cook even better? Support my kickstarter project to develop a 6-week healthy cooking video series.

 

• Launched: Aug 7, 2012
• Funding ends: Sep 6, 2012
• Remind Me

Hi, I'm Carla Contreras chef and founder of Red Clog Kitchen and recent contestant on The Food Network show Chopped! 

I’ve been a chef for the last 15 years. I have helped my private clients lose 20 to 35 pounds, and in the process even lost 45 pounds myself by simply eating smarter, not less. Now, I want to take all of the best recipes from my work as a private chef and create a six-week healthy cooking online video series but I need your help to make it a reality. You don't need to be a super star chef to eat great food at home. What you do need is to learn some techniques and recipes so that you can be a successful healthy eater right in your very own home. 

What does the Online Video Series do? 

In each of the six weekly episodes I will show you how to make or cook a unique healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner and hearty snack until we've created 24 different meals together! In the videos, I will teach you how to bring the recipes to life utilizing seasonal produce, cooking whole grains, and using lean protein such as chicken, fish, tofu and beans. I will give you all the tools you need: recipes, shopping lists and prep lists. Plus, I will be cooking the dishes in the videos as well so you can watch the videos while you are cooking! 

Cooking is just like going to the gym or to yoga -- you can't get anywhere if you just lay on the mat. You actually have to cook. Red Clog Kitchen can help you get the healthy cooking going and teach you recipes and techniques that will remain with you for the rest of your life. 

More Information on the Video series: 

I will use ingredients that can be found in most grocery stores and use basic pantry items you can use over and over again. The point is to get cooking. You will be amazed at how much better you feel and look and it will actually save you money – as opposed to eating out for every meal. 

I shop at the Farmer’s Market – the food tastes so much better - but you don’t have to. You may want to order your groceries from a site likeFreshdirect.com if you are in the NYC area. 

My recipes have a ton of flexibility so people with food allergies can participate. I’ll give alternatives to using allergens– such as dairy, nuts, soy, and gluten. For those of you who don’t have cooking equipment, I will work with suppliers to offer discounted packages so you can purchase them online.  

I will make bonus videos showing additional cooking techniques and offering weekly challenges, such as drinking more water and adding more exercise to your life, for backers and fans. 

This is all about learning how to shop, cook, eat and enjoy food. There is no nutritional info, no counting calories or point systems. If you are into those methods, there are plenty of systems out that that can be used in conjunction with participating in Red Clog Kitchen. 

How You Can be Part of Red Clog Kitchen: 

I believe in my mission. I know this can work but I need your help for start up money for production costs, the food used in the videos, some cooking equipment, and building my website. Your Kickstarter support will let us make a great six-week pilot series, start sharing this food and create a business to help people get healthier. After that we are going to work on further funding and sponsorships, to continue all the great work and share Red Clog Kitchen with the world. I’m hoping for a full launch in January 2013 – just in time for all your resolutions. 

I have some great rewards ranging from a post card of my red clogs kissed and signed by me to some of my favorite recipes. For those of you that want to give Red Clog Kitchen $10,000 there is a private food & film screening with Chef Carla and BBQ Films which combines Healthy Food, Skinny Beverages, and a Fun Flick of your pick for you and up to 20 guests. To the right you'll find a full list of rewards for different levels of pledges. Please help me make my dream become a reality! 

Why Red Clog Kitchen Cares: 

I have worked for two non-profits, West Side Campaign Against Hunger as the Chef Nutritionist and at CCAP (Careers though Culinary Arts) as their NY Culinary Coordinator. Giving is part of who I am. I currently work with two interns from C-CAP, teaching them about my healthy cooking and exposing them to the film side of food. Red Clog Kitchen is a company that cares about the community as a whole, our members, our future culinary stars and the farmers who grow amazing food. 

How does this Kickstarter Fund Raiser Work?

This Kickstarter fundraiser is all or nothing: if we don't reach our goal, we will not receive any of the donations pledged and your credit card will not be charged. If we do reach our goal (and I hope we do!) your credit card will be charged when the campaign ends.

MORE ABOUT THE REWARDS: 

If you want more than one of these, email us at [email protected] and we'll make it happen.

 

Guest Blog # 70: The Value of the intern

 

 Today's guest blog comes courtesy of one of my readers Jordan Levine, who is putting together an incredible new program for interns. Take it away Jordan!

First and foremost, I have to type out a thank you to Michael. His generosity and support have been instrumental in getting me to this point and I suggest you continue to read his thoughts and insights beyond what you read below since, ya know, these aren’t his thoughts.

 In this 21^st century, the role of the intern, and specifically in the entertainment and arts industries, has become muddled. Where previously a balance was struck between handling minor and menial labor for the opportunity to overhear conversations or become more aware of those necessary insider secrets, the weight has shifted. It has become, in my experience, overwhelmingly about taking advantage of the intern as, for all intensive poorly-paid labor. At the same time, it’s a necessary evil to get those contacts and “valuable” learning opportunities. It doesn’t help that part-time internships don’t provide as much of a full glimpse into the inner workings of an office while full-time internships are financially crippling.

 Part of this blame has to be put upon those companies who have taken advantage of the system (and they’re starting to be caught – Google “intern sues” to see what I mean), but some of the blame inevitably is on those interns who have allowed themselves to be mislead and stepped on. Yes they don’t necessarily know any better, but in my experience interns tend to be passive, quick to say yes to opportunity without getting to fully comprehend the what or why.

 But what if they came prepared to not only handle those basic duties with ease but were also ready to effectively manage advanced tasks? What if those lower-than-entry-level workers came to your company with a full set of skills ready to positively contribute to your office? How much quicker do you think your company would benefit and then appropriately reward that intern? It’s these questions that have prompted me to host the first Next Level Intern Workshop.

 My goal with Next Level is to impart valuable and tangible skills to interns that can put them into practice immediately. I believe that with an honest and candid training program, rising and current interns can positively impact their workplaces, increasing its productivity and making themselves more likely to be promoted or move up to the next level.

 This first session is going to be all about finding and applying for internships: where to look, how to approach the opportunities, and how to write a strong cover letter and resume. These lessons will be followed up by a panel discussion on interviewing, with the panel providing blunt responses about the do’s and don’ts for being a strong candidate. If this is well attended and the feedback is generally positive, additional programs covering topics such as NYC locations, social media, important software (Office, Quickbooks, Raiser’s Edge, Photoshop, etc.), networking, customer service, and more will be offered in the future.

 This session will take place on Monday, September 10^th from 7:00 to 8:00 PM at Ripley-Grier Studios (520 8^th Ave.) in room 16T. Admission is free. To RSVP please e-mail your name, internship experience, level of education and school/institution, and any areas of interest to [email protected]. Interns of all shapes, sizes, and experience are welcome!

 Thanks again Michael and remember, today’s interns are tomorrow’s all stars - all they have to do is get to the next level!

Thanks Jordan! So if any of you are thinking about an internship, take some time to check Jordan's program out. He's a great guy and you'll have a lot of fun. 

Excelsior!