Please follow along and contribute on Twitter using hashtag: #GDbook

Roger Smith Round Table; Converstations at the Roger Smith Hotel

At a round table there are no corners. Conversations occur, ideas are explored, and relationships are built around a round table. The Roger Smith Round Table series brings together 6-8 people to discuss current topics in a purely conversational format. The show takes place in the Penthouse of the Roger Smith Hotel where ideas are shared and relationships are built.

Production and broadcast brought to you by Panman Productions

Share on Facebook

you are cordially invited to attend a screening of the 2010 Roger Smith Shorts this Wednesday July 28th 9pm @RSHotel. The screening will be held on the second floor in the Starlight ballroom.

Six handmade short films: by us, for you.

The Roger Smith Shorts Series started in 2009 as a short film festival /workshop and was designed to facilitate filmmaking opportunities for up and coming directors. The Roger Smith Hotel has become the backdrop for filmmakers as they put their creative talents to the test. The 2010 Roger Smith Short Directors are John Knowles, John Birdsong, Aleks Degtyarev, Melissa Gonzalez and Abianne Prince.

Facebook invite, Eventbrite invite

Film Trailers and information:

Title: CHECK MATE
Directed by: Abianne Prince
Written by: Robyn Day
Running Time: 3min 30 seconds

Cast: Robyn Day, Lars Gerhard
Crew: Screenplay by: Robyn Day & Abianne Prince – Executive Producer: John Knowles – Producers: Abianne Prince – Line Producer: Cedric Youngelman – Director of Photography: John Birdsong – Lighting Design: Pete Eilenberg – Sound Director: Pete Eilenberg – Editor: Abianne Prince
Email – abiprince@gmail.com
Website: www.rogersmithsshorts-myshorts.tumblr.com/

Synopsis: This short experimental film explores one woman’s active imagination and how it keeps her mate in check.

About the Director: When Abi was 6 years old her Uncle Bob told her that life wasn’t worth living if she didn’t find a passion and follow it no matter what. Once Abi discovered photography and filmmaking she realized that she had found her vocation.  As a Producer, Director, Editor & Director of Photography, Abi has seen all sides of filmmaking. Her experience spans from live television production to commercials, documentaries and webisodes. Her passion is storytelling. Abianne  started her professional career at Plum TV as a “preditor” (producer/director/editor) and continued to practice all the tricks of the trade with Panman Productions in New York City.  Her recent endeavors also include working with the art news website RogerSmithLife.com, as well as projects with Voluntary Instinct Productions. V.I. is a non-profit media company, whose purpose is to enhance public awareness of under-represented social and environmental issues. When not making films, she enjoys swimming in the ocean, lost causes and painting.

Film Title: THE COUNTERPANE FAIRY
Director: John Knowles
Running Time: 15 minutes

Cast: Justin Hall, Lauren Frances, Aleks Degtyarev, Betsy Holt, Craig Russell , John Knowles, Phoebe Knowles
Crew: Assistant Director: Melissa Gonzalez – Directors of Photography: Adam Wallace and Abianne Prince – Editor: John Knowles – Line Producer: Cedric Youngleman – Special Effects Supervisor: Aleks Degtyrev – Sound: Aleks Degtyarev – Set Design: Peter Eilenberg – Light Design: Peter Eilenberg – Assistant Set Design: Lucinda Lin -Production Assistant: Rex Leung – Costume design /Hair and Makeup: Joel Yapching – Hair: Katie Arbore – Makeup: Denise Mojica – Wardrobe: Veronica Zhou
Email: jknowles@panmanproductions.com
Website: www.thecounterpanefairy.tumblr.com

Synopsis: Teddy (played by Justin Hall), an 11 year old boy left alone in a hotel, decides to wander after his parents go out for the evening. In an empty penthouse he encounters The Counterpane Fairy (Lauren Frances) who takes him on a storybook adventure. He is put to the heroic task of saving an enchanted princess while freeing her from a spell that has been cast on her by a little gray spider (Aleks Degtyarev).
In the real world, the adults around him are constantly trying to box him into a conformed norm. His adventure reminds us that a child’s imagination is pure. The Counterpane Fairy is a modern day fairy tale that takes place at the Roger Smith Hotel.
The story of the Counterpane Fairy is an adaptation from the “The Counterpane Fairy” by Katherine Pyle.

About the Director: John Knowles is the CEO of Panman Productions, an interactive production company based out of New York City that focuses on live broadcasting, film, fashion, art and social media.  Panman Productions consists of a five member team that operates collectively with the understanding that ours is a company where “All of your dreams come true.”
After being introduced to Live production at Plum TV, John worked to adapt the Live production model to his endeavors online.  In the last several years, John has worked in collaboration with the Roger Smith Hotel on a number of projects.  He helped to create and build the Roger Smith Social Media program and was the executive producer of the 2009 Roger Smith Shorts Film Festival which generated six original short films.

Title: THE END
Directors: John Knowles & Melissa Gonzalez
Running Time: 10 minutes

Cast: Starring: Melissa Gonzalez, Jerome Richards & David Henry Gerson
Crew: Screenplay by: Melissa Gonzalez & Michael G. Richards – Executive Producer: John Knowles -Producers: Melissa Gonzalez & Abianne Prince – Line Producer: Cedric Youngelman – Assistant Director: Lucinda Lin – Director of Photography: Aleks Degtyarev – Lighting Design: John Birdsong – Sound Director: Pete Eilenberg – Editor: John Knowles – Costume Design: Veronica Zhou – Production Assistant: Rex Leung – Makeup: Denise Mojica – Hair: Katie Arbore
Email: Melissa Gonzalez, Lion ‘esque Productions mg@lionesqueproductions.com
Website: www.theendfilmblog.tumblr.com

Synopsis: In the mid 1940s Sam Clarke fell madly in love with a young woman named Clare Hayes. It was WWII in Europe, a time of heightened emotion and adventure. Their time together lived in his heart forever and inspired the project of his lifetime. With hope and doubt, he hires actress Alex Keyes to assist in his endeavor.
Will Alex be able to embody the woman who stole Sam’s heart half a century ago? “The End” is a screenplay adaptation of the novel “A Century of Dust” by Michael G. Richards.

About Director Melissa Gonzalez: Melissa is no stranger to the camera or producing. Melissa, former co-host of Latin Beat on BET, has made numerous television appearances on NY shows including Chappelle’s Show, SNL and the FOX Pilot NY-70. In addition she produced and starred in the indie feature Spanglish Girls and Broken Hearts which premiered at LAIFF. Currently you can catch Melissa online hosting Homemade BFF’s and uncovering new fashion icons on http://www.rspopshop.com

Film Title: HAIR BALL
Directed by : John Birdsong
Running Time: 13min

Cast: Brett Siddell, Bari Hyman, Matt Semler, Mala Wright, Wayne Soares, Fanny (Cat), Tomas  Terstad
Crew:  Written by Morgan-Jo Teller and John Birdsong Director, Producer, DP, and Editor: John Birdsong – Executive Producer: John Knowles – Producer: Melissa Gonzalez – Assistant Camera: Abianne Prince – Sound Designer: Aleks Degtyarev – Wardrobe: Morgan-Jo Teller – Boom Operator: Victor Reznik
Email: john.birdsong@yahoo.com
Blog(trailer): http://hair-ball.tumblr.com
Synopsis:
The only thing Louis loves more than being a bellboy is dancing. He makes the most of guests’ unattended rooms and personal possessions, practicing dance moves for nights at the club. Using a stranger’s toothbrush or sleeping in their bed was a victimless crime till now. Could a lude act with a suitcase send him back to prison? Can you taste another man’s mouth by sharing his toothbrush?  Hair-ball is loosely based on a phone call from “Car Talk” on NPR.

About the Director
John Christopher Alexander Michael Birdsong was born March 19th, 1981 in Brooklyn and raised in Texas and the Hamptons. His first job was as a counter boy at a Chinese take-out restaurant. John is not Chinese. He studied photography before interning and working as a Producer/Director/Editor for Plum TV. John’s passions include looking for the end of the internet, smelling things, and staying up late. John works with Panman Productions in midtown and lives with his girlfriend Morgan-Jo Teller in Brooklyn with their cat Fanny and a Siamese Fighting Fish named Rufio.

Title: MOTHER TERESA’S HIATUS
Directed by: Abianne Prince
Written by: Robyn Day
Running Time: 2min 30 seconds

Cast: Staring Kana Sato Supporting cast: Jay Cutler, Anwar Uddin, Dennis Lowell, Chad Miller,Sunjay Mishra,Chris Cotten, Rocco George, John Knowles, Roni Mazumdar, Dan Chen, Klive Robinson
Crew: Screenplay by: Robyn Day – Producer: Abianne Prince – Line Producer: Cedric Youngelman – Assistant Director: Melissa Gonzalez – Director of Photography: Aleks Degtyarev – Lighting Design: John Birdsong – Editor: Abianne Prince – Sound Director: Victor Reznik – Costume Design: Lucinda Lu – Art Direction: Lucinda Lu – Production Assistant: Susanna Lewitt – Makeup: Denise Mojica – Hair: Katie Arbore
Email: abiprince@gmail.com
Website:  www.rogersmithsshorts-myshorts.tumblr.com/
Synopsis:
A woman’s epiphany about the role she plays in the lives of the men that surround her.

Title: SHOE FITS
Directed by: Aleks Degtyarev, aka Marlo L. Brown
Running Time: 21 minutes

Cast: Aleks Degtyarev, Kelly Jo Johnson, John Larmor, Lucinda Lin, Frank Martinelli, Brett Siddell, Rich Staab

Crew: Written by: Aleks Degtyarev – Executive Producer: John Knowles – Line Producer: Cedric Youngelman – Assistant Director: Lucinda Lin – Director of Photography: Abianne Prince – Script Supervisor:  Melissa Gonzalez – Casting Director:  Melissa Gonzalez – Lighting Design: John Birdsong – Sound Director: Pete Eilenberg – Costume Design: Veronica Zhou – Boom-Pole Operator:  Vic Reznik – Choreographers:  Alex Smith and Eric Jacobson – Graphic Art:  John Larmor – Special Effects and post production:  John Chiarelli
Email: floatingopera@gmail.com
Website:  www.shoefits.tumblr.com/
Synopsis:
The Original Hooligans are back. Another shoe fit another dolla! This time Marlo Lovely Brown has missplaced his dancing shoes. Confidant and partner in deviance, Pipe Adams is back on the scene to help Marlo locate his magical footwear. Marlo’s lover LuLu beckons from another dimension, while friend, and maddened inventor Bradrian W. Tangaurey laments at Camp Villain. Will Marlo be able to navigate his way through this fever dream to find the shoes or will humanity be doomed forever? If the Shoe Fits…

About the Director - Written by Pipe Adams
Born into a family of fur traders working their way through the Aleutians and the Bering Strait in the late 16th century, Marlo Leelan Brown was not always destined to make films. His name, literally translated, means the universal, or invincible prince. Young Marlo’s conception was nary cause for celebration, and his gestation and eventual birth a mere insurance policy to guard against the stark, endless Siberian winter. Just another maw to feed and, with hope, hands that would eventually grow strong enough to tear and render the priceless flesh from countless seals to add to the meager family coffers.
Time however, was on Marlo’s side and so Marlo danced the earth, a being reflected in the eyes of G-D, but yet a dead man inside, until the mid 90s. It was at this time that Marlo fell in with a bunch of like minded gents. Not immortals per say, but timeless characters nonetheless. For posterity’s sake, we shall call them the Original Hooligans. It was with the hooligans that Marlo discovered his true passion. Slowly, the hidden embers inside his mind, cold with age, began to warm, to glow. A fire was ignited inside of him. No longer the dancing dead, little Marlo Leelan was born anew. And the vehicle that brought young old Marlo back from the dead: Making Films.
But as he discovered his new found passion, changes began to occur. Each time Brown would look through his viewfinder a wrinkle would appear, a gray hair would sprout. Marlo Leelan Brown the foreverman, was now becoming just man.
Over the past decade Marlo has aged. Less like a fine cheese and more like a rusting washing machine in a dewy Bedford-Stuyvesant project courtyard, Marlo has forsaken eternal life for mortality to join the ranks of the Original Hooligan brotherhood and make films.

Share on Facebook

(announcement from webinknow.com)

Brian Halligan and I just announced our new book Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead: What Every Business Can Learn from the Most Iconic Band in History

Join us in our Follow the Band Book Tour (hashtag #GDbook) as we conduct book signings, host virtual events, and follow Furthur (Bob Weir and Phil Lesh) and Rhythm Devils (Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann) this summer! Brian and I are out to have some fun, meet fellow marketers and Deadheads, and boogie at some shows. We hope to see you at one of these events.

Home base for the tour will be our Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead Facebook page.

Hashtag #GDbook

Wednesday, July 28th

Book signing and Tweetup
at the Roger Smith Hotel New York City at 5:00 PM

Share on Facebook

Love can be painful to swallow. In this blacker than black comedic treatment of a lost romance, director Daniel Brothers touches on more than just pain caused by lost love. Coping is just half the battle.

Directed by Daniel Brothers

Roger Smith Shorts Film Festival Workshop 2009

Cast: Bryant Sullivan, Serene Aandahl, Cameron Mayo, Anna Bauer, David Green
Crew: Executive Producer: John Knowles, Brendan Crane – Associate Producer: Thomas Henwood – Assistant Director: Joseph E. Torres – Camera: Mitchell Frye, Daniel Brothers – Editor: Janna Hochberg – Sound Mix: Anton Kreisl

About the Roger Smith Shots
With support from Ghetto Film School, Brooklyn Brewery and the Roger Smith Hotels patronage to the arts, the Roger Smith Shorts 09 (Festival Workshop) was conceived. The concept was envisioned as a collaboration of creativity and ingenuity among visual storytellers and those who form the structure behind it.

http://www.crashrecordsfilms.com

http://www.panmanproductions.com

http://www.rogersmith.com

Share on Facebook

Share on Facebook

“Powerful Women”

Paul Tschinkel

The documentary filmmaker will talk about “Powerful Women” films he has made of Louis Bourgeois, Alice Neel, and Kiki Smith.

Share on Facebook

A note from Emily:

Dear Reader,

I am a student from the Swiss Hotel Management School, and in partial fulfillment of my Bachelors Degree, I have to conduct a research paper on a topic that most interests me. I have chosen to write about Roger Smith Hotel’s Social Media, and its influence on participants. Your participation and feedback is vital for the success of my research and is gladly appreciated. Thanking you in advance for filling out my questionnaire.

Yours Faithfully,
Emily Huang

Take the survey

Share on Facebook

Director: Sean Cunningham 2009

Share on Facebook

“XTREEM FAN, a sports show for the uncommon fan.”

Premise: Two sports fans compete for the title of most xtreem fan. Host Wayne Soares will put two superfans to the test in front of a live internet audience.

About host Wayne Soares: 6′4′ 250lb, former announcer for the NY Mets and ESPN Radio.  Xtreemly passionate about his New England sports teams; Pats, Sox, Celts & Bruins.  Loves late night ham n’ cheese sangies w/ a few cold ones.

How to play: from June 29th – July 14th video submissions will be accepted at facebook.com/xtreemfan In order to participate one must submit a video response telling us what makes you an extreme fan. Please title your video with the words “re: (your name here) is the most Xtreem Fan”. Submissions will ONLY be accepted via facebook.com/xtreemfan

Two fans will be chosen to participate in a head to head competition for the glory of being known as the most Xtreem Fan.

How the game works: Based on a bracket/tier system contestants will compete to advance to the next round of competition.
Within each round there are prizes awarded for displays of Xtreem fandom. Each round will be broadcast LIVE as a half hour show, taking place at the Roger Smith Hotel in NYC.

There will be three rounds of competition. Quarter, semis, and finals.

first round prize: Goods and services valued at approximately $250
second round prize: Goods and services valued at approximately $500
grand prize: Goods and services valued at approximately $1,500

Share on Facebook

Name Michelle A.K.A. @MissSarcastic
Location New York
Web YouTube Channel
Bio My vlogging Twitter account, where I lay the sarcasm on thick and nothing is professional.

I have followed Michelle for a while and find her to be entertaining, smart and real. Her above bio makes her fun, the bio below makes her interesting. Bio I have a thing for social media and tech, and a bad beta user habit. I’m part of BrewPR and a NYU Adjunct Professor teaching social media. As soon as I started to mention Michelle’s name around some of my friends I realized how many friends we had in common and they all speak very highly of her!
I believe she may even stop by the hotel today… sure would be nice to cross one off the list before the day even ends.

Name Seth Godin
Bio Seth has written twelve books that have been translated into more than thirty languages. Every one has been a bestseller. He writes about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, quitting, leadership and most of all, changing everything.

American Way Magazine calls him, “America’s Greatest Marketer,” and his blog is perhaps the most popular in the world written by a single individual. His latest book, LINCHPIN, hit the Amazon top 10 on the first day it was published and became a New York Times bestseller.
As an entrepreneur, he has founded dozens of companies, most of which failed. Yoyodyne, his first internet company, was funded by Flatiron and Softbank and acquired by Yahoo! in 1998. It pioneered the use of ethical direct mail online, something Seth calls Permission Marketing. He was VP of Direct Marketing at Yahoo! for a year.

When I think of Seth Godin my thoughts are this; When people say “think outside the box” I imagine Seth asking “what box.” Innovative thinker, inspiring writer and breaker of conformity. Seth’s views on education, the workplace and challenging the ‘norm’ make him a hero to me and someone I think we should all follow. Meeting Seth would complete the circle of books, blog posts and real person.

Name AJ Bombers A.K.A. @AJBombers
Location Milwaukee, WI
Web http://ajbombers.com
Bio Milwaukee’s best new hamburger joint, smoke free and loads of p-nut bombs. Where everybody knows your name. Well, at least your twitter name.

There is not a lot to say… why would I not want to recommend a place that has “gi-normous’” orders of fries and has replied to every tweet I have ever included them in?
I can’t think of a better use of social media from a restaurant… nothing even comes close. I want to meet everyone that works there – in many ways I feel as though I already have!

These are my #followfriday picks for this week. I already follow them all in one way or another and I believe you should as well… If you have ever met any of these people please let me know what you thought (or warn me, especially about those burger people from Milwaukee)
Happy Friday all ~ Enjoy the weekend!

Share on Facebook