I love hearing about first time filmmakers making a splash. This week Fede Alvarez was added to that number. In a deal similar to Neil Blomkamp mentoring by Peter Jackson, Fede Alvarez is now being overseen by Sam Raimi. Check out his 4 minute short on alien invasion (below). Also check out the original article about all of the Hollywood deals swirling around Fede.

I find this news very inspiring and I think the lesson learned is to make something small, make it well and then release it. Sign with an agent and manager and then you make your own luck.

How do you make your own luck?

It’s just a few weeks away and I’m literally counting the days to Idea Camp. I think this whole idea has been a bit of a phenomenon. Idea Camp wasn’t even a glimmer of an “Idea” a year ago and to be already posting it’s second event – it’s really unheard of.

Here’s why I like it:

The distance between the facilitators/presenters and attendees is tiny.
This is a lot like the Blog World Expo in Vegas. The guys/gals at the front of the room are talking to relative equals not newbies vs experts. As a result it keeps presenters from giving bad info because they’d be called on the carpet. It also guarantees that with so many good brains in the room everyone leaves with some new knowledge.

The networking is amazing
If there has been one event that has been paramount in making connections during the last year and a half in California – it’s idea Camp. I met organizations, non profits and thought leaders that I would never meet otherwise. On top of that I got to share meals with them and got to have my socks knocked off. This is also a good place to tell you my most embarrassing moment. The very lovely Cynthia Ware (The Digital Sanctuary) lead the Facilitators luncheon, it was going great until she gave some small instructions: “We’re going to go around the room and tell us a little bit about yourself, why your here and really take your time.”

She then looked to her right and I went first… and as it turned out I followed her directions exactly but, in fact, too well. I took the lions share of that time… Looking back I was mortified at my actions and thankfully a few different presenters didn’t let me forget it (You know who you are!!)

The attitude is so different
The best part about the luncheon (and the weekend) was that just about every person was surprised to be counted in the same group with people at the table. It was great servant leadership and I was thrilled to be a part of it. It also doesn’t hurt to be helmed by Charles Lee, if you’ve met him, you know what I mean. He’s so humble and he’s brilliant – so it’s tough to buck that trend.

Workshops, workshops, workshops!!
At the first event the workshops were varied and it was easy to navigate which ones interested me. But for DC, I’m already seeing the lineup and I’m going to have a tough time making choices. The amount of guys who are coming into DC on their own dime to share their expertise in really unheard of.

You get out what you put in
The whole ethos of the 2 day “un-conference” is to hear ideas. Ideas come and go – the genius is there.. and then it’s gone. The beauty about Idea Camp is that if you’re coming to the table with some ideas – there are a lot of people at the Idea Camp who will give your idea a whack and see if it holds up.

It’s FREE
Looking back – I would’ve paid at least $50 for the first Idea Camp, but you don’t have to!

So Dan, what are you doing with it?

So glad you asked! I’ve got the fortunate pleasure of talking about video/film as a device to tell stories better. You know it’s done, you know it’s obvious. The wild thing to me is that although it’s simple.. it’s not easy to do it well. I’ll be sharing some examples I’ve found that show both success and failure.

And the best part about it – I get to set the table. I already know some serious digital storytellers will be in the room and they’ll be bringing a ton of great info. I hope you can make it!

The Idea Camp is taking place in Arlington on August 28th and 29th – Click here to register This installment is all about compassion and social justice and already over 40 organizations will be represented. See you there!

I’ve been working with Union Rescue Mission (URM) recently. It’s the countries oldest and largest homeless shelter in the country serving over 20,000 meals to the poor and homeless of Skid Row weekly. The homeless community in LA County is at epidemic proportions with numbers ranging from 70-90,000 and URM and the other missions on Skid Row are leading the charge to equip individuals with skills and services to break the cycle. What I’ve been learning over the last few months is that homelessness is a complex issue. The reasons for a man, woman or family on the street are as diverse as the people themselves. One of the staggering statistics is that the average age of someone who is homeless on the streets of America is 9! I’ve had a chance to be at URM a lot more recently and what always strikes me when I come into their facility is that people are fighting for life and death on the streets all around them. It feels like the country gas station on the side of the road after a long journey and you’re almost out of gas. Having just recently traveled through the desert and almost breaking down, I can really appreciate that.

Over the past 6 months Chronicle Project has been working with URM capturing some of the stories of what’s happening at their facility and a glimpse into the lives of their residents. A few weeks back we launched a video podcast of these stories and the iTunes staff selected it as “New and Notable” and since then it’s been in the top 100 of Non-Profit Podcasts on the iTunes Network.

So here’s my encouragement – subscribe to this podcast, especially if the issue of homelessness is important to you. In the coming weeks we’ll be adding a video FAQ hosted by URM’s CEO Andy Bales as well as some seriously great stories about Skid Row’s finest.

Check out Stories from Skid Row and don’t be afraid to share it

So the rumors are flying about what Apple will be releasing this September. Alleged phone calls of insiders saying that financially they would be having an explosive quarter. And then it’s reported that Apple stores aren’t renewing iPod stock. Plus, subscription based iTunes and Leopard for PC’s!!!

Is it true and what does it mean?

iTunes Unlimited – The subscription thing sounds totally on the level, Apple is changing before it has to and that is always a good thing. It’s going to hurt current monthly music subscriptions like eMusic, Rhapsody, Amazon and other providers. If the reports of $129.95 for a year of the service are on the level I don’t think that’s too bad – but I may be on the far side of the pendulum swing. I haven’t bought a CD in years and my download dollars are in the thousands. Depending on how the service would work, users could see some real value. The ramifications would launch AppleTV well ahead of the pack. Even to the point that there wouldn’t be a need for regular cable, satellite, etc. It has potential to usher in the full TV On Demand model. If you gain access to all the shows listed on iTunes by paying for your subscription why wouldn’t the masses flock to get the HD Appliance. I tend to think there will be another shoe to drop on that. That’s too much to my benefit for what I think Apple normally does, but then again it would really do some hurt to Comcast and Cox and if they could do the same thing in the TV market as what they’ve done over the last year to the phone market – I’m in.

The 2nd quarter results – With the new iPhone 3G and over a million phones sold in 3 days kind of seals the deal, don’t you think?

New iPods – Pretty standard for September in Apple’s history. My guess would be that a newer larger iPod touch would only accentuate the iTunes Unlimited service. The larger size would accommodate for HD movies easier and allow for more music storage. Plus with touch, it allows all the 3G goodies of maps, GPS, and widgets.

Leopard on a PC – Why wouldn’t Apple make it’s move against Mojave, ahem, Vista? Microsoft got ginormous on software and with out the platform architecture limitation I think it’s a golden opportunity.

As with any kind of rumor there’s a good possibility that it’s all a house of cards and Apple is notorious for doing the “end around” drill. What do you think about Apple TV? What are the implications?

I just finished up the bulk of the heavy lifting on a site for the Young Professionals of Central Virginia. In addition to working with YPCV on the site, I’ve been getting more involved with their “Connect” initiatives as a way to get others 20-30 somethings informed about what’s happening and getting us all linked together. I think this organization is more than overdue for this area and I’m thrilled that Region 2000 and The Regional Chamber of Commerce have been behind the scenes putting this group together.

Take a look at the website by clicking here.

Join us Thursday at Macchu Picchu Peruvian restaurant for August’s 5:35 event. It’s going to be a great time and I expect a BIG crowd. Door prizes abound… email your RSVP to events@ypcentralva.org