Home Blog Page 1936

Guy Catches Foul Ball At Baseball Game. With a Go Pro Mounted On His Head.

Ever wonder why some guys walk around with a Go Pro mounted on their head during sports games? This is that reason. Let’s go to Biloxi Shuckers’s first home game on June 6, 2015 at the MGM park in Biloxi, Mississippi. A line drive hit into the right field side stands by Biloxi Shuckers pitcher Tyler Wagner was caught by Micah Graves barehanded. This amazing footage was captured on his GoPro Hero 4 with the head mount.

240 audio cassettes, 5,600 feet of video tape, 108 floppy discs, 1 retro walkman = Brilliant Music Video

Jonathan Chong of Dropbear Digital has created a brilliantly animated time-lapse music video for the song “Quack Fat” by Melbourne-based DJ Opiuo. He uses 240 audio cassettes, 5,600 feet of video tape, 108 floppy discs, and 1 retro walkman to create something you’ll want to watch twice.

Opiuo – Quack Fat from Dropbear on Vimeo.

Measuring the Economic Importance of Culture in Canada

Developing a portrait of the economic value of culture to the Canadian economy, both at the national and provincial/territorial level, is an important component of making a case for governments to provide support, funding or otherwise, for the arts.

This week, we have some new tools, provided by Statistics Canada with support from the Department of Canadian Heritage and its partners: the Provincial and Territorial Culture Satellite Account (PTCSA). An offshoot of the Canadian Culture Satellite Account (September 2014), the PTSCA measures the economic importance of both the culture and sport industries to the provincial and territorial economies from two perspectives:

  • Product perspective: output, GDP, jobs that result from the production of culture or sports products whether or not they’re made by businesses in the culture or non-cultural industries (sports/non-sports as well).
  • Industry perspective: output, GDP, jobs that result from the production by establishments classified as belonging to cultural industries and sports industries.

What doesn’t the report cover? It only measures direct impact – increase in GDP, jobs, output tied to production, not indirect impact (an example – changes in the impact of the spending made by people employed in the cultural or sports industries).

What are some of the main findings?

  • Culture GDP equalled $47.7 billion, and contributed 3% to Canada’s GDP. These figures are from 2010 (the benchmark year of the report).
  • In total, culture jobs accounted for 642,486 jobs in 2010, contributing a total of 3.7% to total employment at the national level.
  • The GDP of the cultural industries was $53.4 billion, and contributed 3.4% to Canada’s total GDP.
  • There were 707,012 jobs in the culture industries, which is a 4.1% share of all jobs in the economy.

Broken down by province:

Newfoundland & Labrador: Culture contributed $379 million towards the GDP in 2010, which is 1.4%. Culture jobs accounted for 2.4% of the total jobs in the province (5,155). Looking at the industry perspective, the cultural industries accounted for 1.6% of total GDP ($424 million), while the overall output of cultural industries topped $711 million.

Prince Edward Island: Culture contributed $121 million towards the provincial GDP, which was 2.5%, accompanied by 1,947 jobs (2.8%). On the industry perspective, the cultural industries accounted for $190 million (3.9%) of the total GDP, while adding 2,355 jobs.

Nova Scotia: The province’s culture GDP was $868 million, and contributed 2.6% of the total provincial GDP. Culture production created 14,305 jobs, which was 3.1% of total jobs in the province. Moving to the industry perspective side, the GDP of the cultural industries was $1.1 billion, with 17,195 jobs through the province – accounting for 3.7% of total jobs in the province.

New Brunswick: The culture GDP was $641 million (2.3%), and contributed 9,381 jobs (2.6%) to the province’s total jobs. On the industry perspective side, the GDP of cultural industries in NB accounted for $628 million (2.3%) while contributing 9,546 jobs to the provincial economy.

Quebec: Quebec’s culture GDP was $10.9 billion, which was 3.5% of Quebec’s economy in 2010. It was also the second largest share of Canada’s culture GDP, and cultural jobs totalled 153,155 for 3.9% of total jobs in the province. On the industry perspective, the GDP of Quebec’s cultural industries was valued at $12.8 billion, or 4.1% of Quebec’s economy with 174,790 jobs in 2010.

Ontario: The value of culture GDP in Ontario was $21.9 billion in 2010, representing 3.7% of Ontario’s economy. This was the largest share of Canada’s culture GDP, accounting for 45.9% of Canada’s culture GDP. The number of culture jobs was counted at 278,801, or 4.1% of the total jobs in the province. Notably, Ontario was responsible for more than half of Canada’s culture GDP in the sound recording industries, counted at 52.4%. On the industry perspective side, the GDP of cultural industries was valued at $23.8 billion with 301,090 jobs.

Manitoba: Culture GDP was $1.4 billion in 2010, which represented 2.9% of Manitoba’s economy, and was counted at 21,863 culture jobs. The industry perspective showed that the GDP of cultural industries were $1.4 billion in 2010, and 21,970 jobs.

Saskatchewan: Culture GDP in Saskatchewan was $854 million in 2010 (1.4% of Saskatchewan’s economy) and there were 12,048 culture jobs in the province (2.2%). On the industry perspective side, the GDP of cultural industries was $1.2 billion, and there were 15,102 jobs in the culture industries.

Alberta: Culture GDP in Alberta was $4.7 billion in 2010 (1.8% of Alberta’s economy), and accounted for 55,923 jobs (2.7%). On the industry perspective side, the cultural industries GDP was $5.5 billion, and the number of jobs in culture totalled 62,309.

British Columbia: The culture GDP for British Columbia was valued at $5.7 billion in 2010, which is 3% of its economy and 12% of the Canadian cultural GDP. 3.8% of the jobs in BC were culture jobs, for a total of 87,996. On the industry perspective side of things, the GDP of the cultural industries was 6.1$ billion, with 94,839 jobs.

Yukon: The culture GDP of the Yukon was $46 million in 2010 (2.0% of the territorial economy), and the number of culture jobs in the territory was 743 (3.5%). The industry perspective showed that the GDP of culture industries was $48 million, with 764 jobs.

Northwest Territories: Culture GDP in NWT was $64 million in 2010 (1.4%), with 691 culture jobs (2.7%). The GDP of culture industries, for their part, was valued at $66 million and was counted at 744 jobs.

Nunavut: Culture GDP in Nunavut was $53 million in 2010, which was 2.7% of the territorial economy. At the jobs level, the report counted 473 jobs, which is 3.8% of jobs in the territory. The industry perspective pegged the value of the cultural industries GDP at $56 million, with 526 jobs.

For more information, you can check out the PTCSA here: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/150609/dq150609b-eng.htm?HPA

Via CIMA

Music Promoter Harvey Goldsmith: ‘Live Aid Killed Creativity in the Music Business’

While there’s no doubt Live Aid, the huge fundraising concert, first organized by Harvey Goldsmith and Bob Geldof in 1985, proved that musicians were prepared to use their global reach for good reasons, it also birthed the era of the “celebrity musician,” said Goldsmith.

“Live Aid was the start of the rot that killed the creative juices of great bands and great talent and turned them into pop stars and celebrity-based stars,” he explained.

“Before Live Aid, national newspapers only ever talked about rock music and musicians if they’d been busted or there was a divorce. Suddenly, newspapers realized they could sell newspapers off the back of our business and the whole era of the celebrity artist started to become important.”

Via Billboard

Iconic Downtown Building Repurposed to Accelerate London, Ontario’s Music Sector

The Manuel family, owners of London Music Hall, Rum Runners, and Saddle Up Country Bar and Eatery have purchased 182 Dundas Street with a vision to create a dynamic environment dedicated to help accelerate Londons commercial music sector.

The working name of the project, The London Music Division is proposed to create a collective centralized resource for the commercial music sector.  Included in the vision is to develop a Music Incubator, London Music Hall of Fame with media, industry reception and showcase space.  The London Music Division also eventually could house a future Music Office.

The music incubator is a new model for creative business development. It would bring together under one roof all the tools commercial artists and entrepreneurs require to pursue a career in music. Other well-established music incubators, such as Coalition Music in Toronto, offer programs that run 10 weeks and focus on artistry, technical development, and entrepreneurship. Incubators also offer workshops, host networking functions and other educational initiatives.

“This is good news for London and another example of how our collective vision for our downtown is coming to life,” said Mayor Matt Brown.  “The music industry is important to our local economy and it’s great to see so many partners coming together to support our local talent.  Initiatives like this one will help transform London into a music city.”

This announcement comes just as Music Canada released a new study, The Mastering of a Music City, which outlines how communities of all sizes can realize the full potential of their music economy. The report highlights the importance of music-friendly policies, music offices, music advisory boards, engaging the broader music community, increasing access to spaces and places, audience development, and music tourism.

“A strong commercial music sector generates a wide array of benefits, from economic growth, job creation, music tourism and cultural development,” said Chris Campbell, Director of Culture and Entertainment at Tourism London. “Our vision is to organically develop and promote London as a music city in collaboration with partners and to engage the music community in the process,” he added. 

“A vibrant music economy drives value in cities through job creation, city brand building and artistic development” said Andrea Halwa, Executive Director, London Arts Council. “Access to a full range of venues and a network of people is essential to furthering growth in London’s music industry”.

“I believe that music and entertainment play an integral roll in our downtown. You see it all the time when there’s an event at Budweiser Gardens, London Music Hall, The Grand Theatre or any great venue downtown. You see that music and entertainment have a positive effect on our community and that ultimately ripples into our downtown businesses,” said Mike Manuel.

The iconic building at 182 Dundas Street has been home to Nash Jewellers for almost a century. Nash Jewellers will continue to operate in the present location until mid-2016,at which time the downtown and north-end stores will merge at a new location at the corner of Oxford Street West and Wonderland Road.

“We would like to thank the Nash family for all of their contributions to the downtown,” said Janette MacDonald, CEO and General Manager of Downtown London. “Along with a few other longstanding family businesses, Nash Jewellers helped sustain downtown through tough years. Their presence will be missed, but we are also looking forward to this very exciting new addition to Dundas Street. A music division like this will retain talent, promote London, and compliment local arts and culture.”

Under the leadership of four generations of the Nash family, Nash Jewellers has grown to be one of London’s most well respected and recognizable establishments.

“This is an opportunity to help convert the downtown location into a vibrant, exciting, tourist destination,” said Colin Nash of Nash Jewellers. “We wouldn’t leave unless we had a great purchaser of the building.”

For the Nash family, the move is another story they look forward to sharing on the business’ 100th Anniversary in 2018. “There is a lot of emotion behind this decision and it is a decision that was made slowly with great consideration,” said Colin Nash. “Mike’s new project, along with the talk of a flexible Dundas Street and rapid transit, is something that can only benefit the city as a whole. Great things are happening.”

In collaboration with Tourism London and the London Arts Council, the City of London will be posting on the City’s website www.london.ca under its City Hall Employment Careers pages for the hiring of a two year Music Industry Development Officer position in the coming weeks to further accelerate the implementation pilot project of London’s Music Strategy.  The London Music Strategy, available online at http://prosperityforlondon.ca/, was developed by London’s Music Industry Development Task Force in 2014.  It forms part of the implementation of London’s Cultural Prosperity Plan, which will foster a strong economy and vibrant and diverse community.

Will Ferrell And Kevin Hart’s Failed Audition Tapes

Before starring together in ‘Get Hard,’ Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart competed against each other for some of their most iconic roles.

Could Homer Simpson Still Be Collecting Royalties From The Be Sharps?

How are the Simpsons able to afford a large home, two nice cars, and hundreds of adventures and trips on Homer’s salary? A theory from Reddit postulates that Homer still receives royalties from The Be Sharps, his Beatles-esque barbershop quartet from the episode “Homer’s Barbershop Quartet.” This theory is supported by the fact that the other members of the band (Barney, Apu, and Principal Skinner) also have unexplained wealth. Barney has a bar tab so high that only NASA can calculate it, Apu drives a nice sports car, and Principal Skinner lives in a nice house in an affluent area.

Via 7 Wild ‘Simpsons’ Fan Conspiracy Theories

Well, they did strike it rich before the music streaming era. Or…you know…it’s a cartoon.

Canadian Arts/Media Job Posts For June 9, 2015

An innovative, progressive, leading Company Swift Green Filters is currently looking for an experienced, multilingual Public Relations Consultant to join their team as soon as possible.

TIFF, a vibrant not-for-profit arts organization, is accepting applications for the contract position of Assistant Philanthropy & Major Gifts.

With universal brands, including The Laughing Cow, Mini Babybel, and Boursin, Bel brings smiles to nearly 400 million consumers in over 130 countries, including Canada. They have an opening for a Junior Brand Manager.

Young People’s Theatre is currently searching for a candidate to fill the full-time position of Web/Graphic Design Associate.

EV Logistics, BC’s leading logistics’ warehouse is looking for a full-time contract visual storyteller that is part director; part sounds man and part editor.

National Arts Centre in Ottawa has an opening for an Archivist/Curator.

99.9 Virgin Radio Toronto has an opening for a Swing Announcer.

The Art Canada Institute is seeking a qualified Assistant to the Executive Director to manage administrative affairs.

The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group in Medicine Hat has an exciting opportunity for a full time Anchor/Assistant News Director to join their award winning news team. CHAT TV was named Best Small Market Newscast on the Prairies for the second year in a row in April.

TIFF, a vibrant not-for-profit arts organization, is accepting applications for the contract position of Coordinator, Talent Lab.

Step On magazine seeks a Freelance Film Reviewer who is an avid watcher and critic of current film as well as films on Blue Ray, streaming (Netflix etc.) or older films.

Alberta Ballet is Canada’s second largest ballet company and is renowned around the world for the contemporary and classical productions that encompass its repertoire. They are seeking a Special Events professional who will use their exceptional skills, vision, passion and leadership to elevate their special events to greater heights.

Enbridge in Calgary has an opening for a Brand & Creative Services Advisor.

Canadian Music Publishers Association has an opening for an Administration and Communication Coordinator.

Dream is always looking for the very best to join their community. They currently need a Marketing Coordinator for Dream Office REIT, who will report to the Senior Manager, National Marketing & Communications.

Match Marketing Group is North America’s leading shopper marketing agency. They have a current opening for a Brand Specialist seeking a long-term opportunity to join the team and represent their client, a leader in the pet care industry.

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is a not-for-profit organization and North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market. They are seeking a Director of Programming, a key member of the organization’s senior management team.

The Body Shop International plc, the natural and ethical beauty brand, is uncompromising in its adherence to its Values, and they have an opening for an Assistant eCommerce Manager.

The Lavin Agency is a speakers bureau that represents authors, scientists, and other remarkable people who are making the world a smarter, and better, place. They are now hiring a marketing producer for their Toronto office. The ideal candidate is a voracious reader and pop culture fanatic.

HUAWEI have an exciting opportunity for Marketing Coordinator based in Markham, ON, Canada. This position will start with a 6-month contract and is renewable upon successful performance review with opportunity for a permanent offer.

Canada Goose in York, ON is looking for a Marketing Coordinator.

The City of Saskatoon has an opportunity for a Marketing Consultant to develop and implement a long-term marketing strategy and action plan for Saskatoon Transit that support the Strategic Plan and relevant strategic goals.

Canadian Tire in Toronto has an opening for a Lead Creative Copywriter responsible for providing creative copy leadership in the development and production of all CTR print advertising (flyers, catalogues, assortment/specialty catalogues, newspaper ads, and a variety of miscellaneous projects (e.g. posters, internal/external communications).

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Operational Cluster, Election Readiness division, seeks an innovative and motivated leader to manage the strategic development, implementation and delivery of electoral event communication and education programs that support electoral and referenda events in Ontario.

The Canadian not-for-profit corporation, Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION), is the culmination of over a decade’s worth of collaboration between the former not-for-profit organization Music and Film in Motion, Inc. and the charitable organization Cinéfest: The Sudbury Film Festival, Inc. They have an opening for a Communications Officer to play a key role in developing and disseminating Music & Film in Motion’s (MFM) various communications to promote programming services (web content, media releases, etc.) and events – Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards (NOMFA), InSight & Sound (ISS) Series, regional showcases.

At GoodLife Kids Foundation, their purpose is for every Canadian kid to have the opportunity to live a fit and healthy good life. They are currently seeking a Marketing & Public Relations Specialist.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 Trailer Debuts

Join The Revolution! The first teaser for the finale of Lionsgate’s blockbuster franchise is here and it is awesome. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 is in theaters November 20th.

Forget It. It’s Over. John Waters Just Did The Commencement Speech Of 2015

Lock it down. It’s over. John Waters just speaks the truth and nails every single word during his commencement speech to the Rhode Island School of Design’s graduating class of 2015.

I should say right off that I am really qualified to be your commencement speaker. I was suspended from high school, then kicked out of college in the first marijuana scandal ever on a university campus. I’ve been arrested several times. I’ve been known to dress in ludicrous fashions. I’ve also built a career out of negative reviews, and have been called “the prince of puke” by the press. And most recently a title I’m really proud of: “the people’s pervert.” I am honoured to be here today with my people.

You’re lucky. When I went to school, my teachers discouraged every dream I ever had. I wanted to be the filthiest person alive, but no school would let me. I bet RISD would’ve. You could possibly even make a snuff movie here and get an A+. Hopefully you have been taught never to fear rejection in the workplace. Remember, a no is free. Ask for the world and pay no mind if you are initially turned down. A career in the arts is like a hitchhiking trip: All you need is one person to say “Get in” and off you go. And then the confidence begins.

Never be like some of my generation who say “We had more fun in the ’60s.” No, we didn’t! The kids today who still live with their parents who haven’t seen them in months but leave food outside their bedroom doors are having just as much fun shutting down the government of foreign countries on their computer as we did banning the bomb.