Yesterday started the whirlwind tour for a month Fortunately for you I won’t be selling out arena’s and coming to your town. But I thought you might want to get a sum up of all that’s happening. Starting with yesterday I flew to NYC and based on all that happened i wonder if it’s a bad omen - I missed my flight. I’ve never done that before but I was running behind. So I got to the airport 20 minutes before my flight left and in an airport like LAX you could be greeted with sniggering when you ask a question like “I can still make it, right?” So I flew standby on the next flight and all was well(I saw Gone Baby Gone and Michael Clayton on the plane - you must see them, so good)). When I reached JFK Airport I then made the long journey into Manhattan. After 2 train exchanges and interacting with a few men who smelled of “hot garbage” I was well on my way. Except I was supposed to get off at Lexington/53rd St and I didn’t. I also didn’t notice until I was 3 stops passed it.

So I got to leave the train, the station and head up top side to take the subway the other way.

I asked the nice lady for directions for the east bound station and she directed up and out.. unfortunately it was also around the corner and led me right back to her. Came back, she laughed (I didn’t) and set me straight this time. On my second venture I had to cross 8th Ave. No big deal for a guy like me….. except if there’s a 18 wheeler blocking the entire street a crowd of people and a light that turns green as soon as I’m in the middle of the street.

I had to negotiate around the giant truck so that forced the group of pedestrians into a bottle neck and since I had luggage - I was SOL. I get around the truck and realize I’m now in the middle of a 4 lane street dragging my gear so I try to hurry.

This was a bad idea.

In trying to hurry my luggage that I’m pulling trips me up which results in my impersonation of a grizzly bear on roller skates for about 200 people to see. I recovered, no falls, no road rash and also no horns. I took that to mean that everyone in their cars was laughing as I went across the street looking like an albatross landing.

After all of that was done Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Richard Belzer (Law & Order: SVU) walk by so I say, ‘hey” and continue on my way, catch the connecting trains and arrive at my lodging.

I went to the Belmont Lounge last night, really enjoyed it. Good atmosphere and a serious burger.

As for today and the rest of the trip here’s the rundown.

Today: I’m headed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art - It’s my most favorite place to go in NY. Especially because they have a Superhero exhibit right now.

Tonight: The Fund for Women in Asia is hosting a benefit for The SOLD Project and it’s real reason for my trip but it doesn’t hurt to see old friends. We’ll be showing an extended trailer with some clips from the upcoming film. A HUGE thanks to them for hosting us.

After that I’ve got stops in Washington DC and then into Virginia for a while.

After I fly back to Los Angeles, I’ll have 24 hours to repack before heading to Southeast Asia for Round 2 of The SOLD Project. I’m really looking forward to experiencing the culture of a place that I’ve only been able to read about. (and see in the moving pictures!)

I’ll be updating more regularly since I’m on the road.

Welcome to May

May 12, 2008

It’s back on again!

Get “SOLD”

April 14, 2008

SOLD LogoIn an effort to continue to raise awareness on the plight of the millions involved in child trafficking YOU can make a huge difference. Starting Today (4/14) we’re asking the thousands that are connected with The SOLD Project to bring the idea of human trafficking right to their corner of the internet. Keep your picture on your profile until at least 4/22 (Earth Day) to raise awareness and start conversations about child sex trafficking. Read the rest of this entry »

Cult of SincerityTuesday is another brick in the changing landscape of digital communication. Cult Classics, LLC. launches it’s “Cult of Sincerity” film and releases the entire thing…. yes the whole thing to YouTube.com (Check it out here)

The trailer is fun, professional and well done. Personally I hope this is a sign of more things to come. Can you picture just trolling the web and finding the films that are big at Sundance, Tribecam etc right after the festival wraps? Now as for the financial model - as far as i can tell.. there isn’t one. I’m sure they’ll sell merch (which I’m ordering, it’ll go well with my Chad Vader collection.. no seriously) and then they’ve got options for you to buy the film for download (it’s just 3 bucks, courtesy of AmieStreet.com). This is a HUGE risk and have to applaud it. I think the guys releasing this are taking a great leap and that takes cajones (ie: stones). So what’s the angle? Creating content for digital dwellers is noble, no question. But what a great way to show the world their skills. I’m sure they are taking orders for their next project right now.

Check out the Cult Of Sincerity on Youtube.com

Check out Cult of Sincerity.com

Radio Magazine
I sat down with Radio Magazine about a month ago to give the skinny on Radio options in the digital age. and they highlight The DROP - So that’s always a nice thing.

While podcasting may at first seem irrelevant to radio, enter the term on-demand radio, unofficially termed by Dan Portnoy.

Is traditional/terrestrial Radio doomed in the light of satellite radio, On Demand podcasting, HD options and iTunes Integration?

Click here for the article

LOST

Join Jerold Franks, CSA (EMMY and ARTIOS winning casting Director and also the Casting Director from the Hit show “LOST”) Ransford Doherty, Actor and Dan Portnoy, Producer - for two dates in Virginia.

A three-hour lecture will be followed by a one hour, Q&A session with the panel.

Topics Include:

  • The Business of Acting
  • Tools of the Trade (Head Shots, Resume & Demo Reels)
  • Acting for Children - Modeling to Acting Crossover
  • A Working Actors Perspective
  • Marketing Yourself
  • Scams to Avoid
  • Music and Movies
  • Digital Distribution
  • Meet the Casting Director Any Questions??? Email: scotty@redcloudproductions.net or press@portnoymediagroup.com

    Click here to see the news coverage of the workshop

    The SOLD Project

    February 11, 2008

    The SOLD ProjectI’ve been in Los Angeles for approximately one week and this is how every person should spend their winter months. It’s gorgeous, 74 degrees and sunny.

    While out here I’ve come on board as an associate producer for The SOLD Project. First order of business was to complete the press kits as we continue to raise funds for the films completion. The are incredible looking and I don’t mind telling you I had NOTHING to do with them. The crew that put them together really out did themselves. But I can share with you the teaser and the “Who We Are” short for the press kits. So check out these 2 vids and let me know what you think in the comments. This next week is huge for the project and I’ll be able to share more very soon.

    Join The SOLD Project group on Facebook.

    Bright Lights, Big City

    February 5, 2008

    I feel a little like Micheal J. Fox or should I say Alex P. Keaton.Hollywood Wednesday I’m headed to L.A. to join up with the crew from The SOLD Project, a documentary on the sexual slave trade of Southeast Asia. I was introdced to this project and the crew working on it last fall while they were doing principal photography. The more I’m learning about the atrocities that are happening in the lives of these children - I couldn’t just sit on my hands.

    That’s why I’d like to ask you, the reader, to check out The SOLD Project and then sign up to be involved. Tell me what you think of the project so far…. I’d be very interested to get your thoughts.

    Winter X12 Games

    January 25, 2008

    Winter X Games 12The X Games are seriously one of the best things to watch on snow. Maybe better than the regular Olympics. But the only way it’s going to pass the Olympics is in popularity is with better commentators. This year… even as I watch, right now. These guys are AWFUL.. Worse than Joe Buck… and that’s saying something. I think it’s a good idea to put younger guys on, they know what they’re talking about, but somebody needs to go back to media training and having something interesting to say. At one point during the womens Big Air Snowboarding when the guy was talking to the Gold Medal winner Gretchen Bleiler, it looked more like he was trying to get her number than interview her and get her thoughts. Dude, what the crap!?!?!?!? Go home.. smoke your weed and leave the commentating to people who can keep it real. (read: professional)

    Road Trip DVD Announced

    January 16, 2008

    Traveling Road Show
    The Great American Road Trip pushed the envelope of New Media by releasing to the web. To keep with the nature of the film, the DVD release couldn’t be anything ordinary. So Spring 2008 the guys from the show will be joining up with special venues and musicians from the soundtrack for an evening of entertainment and independent film.

    The Lineup

    The DVD is only a part of the experience and will feature an additional 2 minutes vignette on each episode, crammed with special features including out takes and blooper reel.

    In an effort to make the arts more accessible, Abandon Films and Superhero Pictures are teaming up with 4 independent filmmakers, the DVD will be pulp in nature with no feature longer than 8 minutes. Interspersed with the episodes of The Great American Road Trip will be 4 original short films by independent filmmakers. The concept of short film makers banding together to create a larger audience than any single producer could get on their own is nothing new but in this way the films will be easily accessible to thousands.

    Roanoke, VA -
    Lynchburg, VA -
    Arlington, VA -
    Washington, DC -
    Virginia Beach -
    Richmond -
    Durham, NC -
    Mt Airy, NC -

    Are you an independent filmmaker? Have you got what it takes? Submit your film for consideration to be added to The Great American Road Trip Traveling Road Show. Please contact us at film@thegreatamericanroadtrip with a link to your posted work online or please mail it to:

    The Great American Road Trip - Traveling Road Show
    PO Box 4434
    Lynchburg, VA 24502