Grammy's Shakeup: 24 Hour Countdown

With just 24 hours to go until the Grammy's are live, producers of the show have gotten an unexpected curve ball thrown right at them. Due to the very recent passing of Whitney Houston, producers have one day to rework their show rundowns to include a musical tribute to the legend Whitney Houston. 

Neil Portnow, the CEO of the Recording Academy, which hosts the Grammys, issued a statement calling Houston "one of the world's greatest pop singers of all time... Her powerful voice graced many memorable and award-winning songs. A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice." 

With a statement like that coming from the CEO of the Grammy's there is most definitely a tribute in the works. I am sure with all the artists that she has inspired over the years they will not have a hard time getting artists to pay tribute through song. If you ask me I think Adele will sweep the awards and close with a Whitney medley as the rest of the music community joins on stage. It will certainly be interesting to tune in and see how the passing of Houston changes the feeling and flow of Grammy show tomorrow night. 

Admeter: Super Bowl Ratings and Commercials

NBC's broadcast of Super Bowl XLVI marks the seventh straight year that their has been an increase in its audience. Just topping last years 111.0 million viewers this years big game between the Giants and Patriots delivered 111.3 million viewers. Neilsen ratings stated that among adults 18-49, the game garnered 40.5 rating.

Check out this top 5 list of the Most-Watched Programs in U.S. Television History and see how the big game really reigns supreme:

1. 111.3 Million - Super Bowl XLVI, NBC
2. 111.0 Million - Super Bowl XLV, FOX
3. 106.5 Million - Super Bowl XLIV, CBS
4. 106.0 Million - M.A.S.H. Finale, CBS
5. 98.7 Million - Super Bowl XLIII, NBC

These numbers have come a long way from the first Super Bowl ever that was seen by just over 24 million people and recorded a rating of 18.5.

With such a large number of people tuning in yearly for the big game it is no wonder why this sporting even over the years has become a mass-media event. Advertisements ran for $3.5 million for 30 seconds of air time during the game this Sunday. For $3.5 million you could have 583,333 six packs of beer for one kick-ass Super Bowl party!

When the Super Bowl just began in 1967 the average cost of a 30 second commercial was $40k. It was not until 1995 that the average cost of an ad had broke $1 million. Since then prices have increased by about $100K each year.

With a hefty price tag attached advertisers give it their all at creating an add that is going to create great buzz and chatter the next day in the news and at school and work. So what was your take on this years commercials? In my opinion the M&M "Just My Shell" commercial takes the number one spot on my best commercial list. It really had everything needed packed into 30 seconds to make it the most memorable one out of the pack: a household brand, a funny story that makes you laugh, and a catchy current well known song. 

Another approach at making commercials that people will love is by incorporating things that people love such as animals. This years USA Today top 10 most popular commercials go to show that those commercials that incorporated dogs really hit home and connected to many. Second on my list of favorite commercials was hands down the Bud Light "Here We Go" commercial. It had such a entertaining concept with a great punch to helping rescue dogs. 

USA Today Top 10 Most Popular Ads

1. Doritos - Dog bribes cat owner - 8.82
2. Volkswagen - Dog gets fit, Star Wars - 8.73
3. Sketchers - Dog in sneakers wins race - 8.57
4. Doritos - Baby grabs Doritos - 8.48
5. M&M/Mars - Introduces Ms. Brown - 8.47
6. Bud Light - Rescue Dog retrieves beer - 8.42
7. Hyundai - Cheetah won't race Veloster - 8.16
8. Honda - Ferris Buerller reprise - 8.11
9. CareerBuilder.com - Chimps on business trip - 7.94
10. Fiat - Seduction - 7.91

Doritos seems to have the right idea by hiring real people to create their ads and not ad agencies.  I think that allowing people to create in their own environment alone with little restrictions will produce commercials that connect with consumers better than those that are done by an ad agency that is analyzing ever aspect of the spot. The contest that Doritos holds each year for spot submissions defiantly is working as they have two commercials in the top 10 and one happens to be at the top of the list.

What commercial made it to the top of your list!? 

Book Review: Hollywood Drive by Eve Light Honthaner

This is a great book chock full of great information that gives readers an inside look into "what it takes to break in, hang in & make it in the entertainment industry."

Author Eve Honthaner shares tons of invaluable advice from her years of experience working in the film and television industry. She also has a wide network of professionals who hold many different roles in the industry that also share many tips that any person wanting to make it in show biz should know before pursing it.

Here are just a few things you can expect to learn about in this informative book:

• The importance of networking and ways to do so.
• Effective ways to set goals and work towards achieving them.
• A look into the many career paths one can take within the industry.
• Egos, Egos, Egos! Check them at the door.

I found this book to be extremely useful and would most definitely recommend it to anyone that has that dream and fire burning inside them to work in the entertainment industry. Being a film school graduate I found so many topics in this book to be things that were left out during my studies that are so important I don't understand how they skipped them. Honthaner really puts the industry into perspective by making the reader aware of the realities of the business and the pros and cons that come along with choosing this career path. Overall I have to say this is a excellent book and I have learned tons of information and little tips that I plan to use as I climb the ladder in the entertainment industry. 

Youtube: "The Annoying Orange" heads to Television

Youtube has been used for years to share all different forms of video content either legally or illegally. Those who take the legal route seem to be using it in a way that they are spotlighting there own talents with original programing that they either write, direct, sing, or star in. This is becoming more and more popular these days as these "youtubers" are connecting to an audience, gaining fans, and even catching the attention of Hollywood agents who can take your youtube dream to the next level.

Dane Boedigheimer is one of those individuals who has used youtube channel as a way to create what can be considered an annoying but profitable empire. Dane used his wild imagination to dream up a concept for his channel based around an Orange. "The Annoying Orange" is what he titiled his project and it is all done from his own garage. Each week Dane releases a three minute video based around some fruit who talk and basically are taken on an adventure throughout the three minutes, talk a lot, tell jokes, and laugh. 

Boedigheimer has a set in his garage where he films his videos. He writes his scripts, reads the lines while recording his mouth and eyes, then heads to the edit room to superimpose his images onto the fruits.

Pretty simple concept, but complex enough to draw a huge audience. Just recently Dane's orange channel on youtube surpassed 1 BILLION VIEWS, which makes being the one with the ninth most subscriptions on all of Youtube. After gaining so much attention and creating such a following you would think that some smart producer in Hollywood would jump right on this. Low and behold "The Annoying Orange" has captured the eye of the right person and will be saying goodbye to Youtube and hello to your tube!

Cartoon Network has teamed up with Boedigheimer and signed him on to create an Orange TV series to air on the network. If all goes as planned it will hit the air sometime this summer. The management company behind this annoying orange, the Collective, is even working on getting plush fruit toys in stores as well as Halloween costumes to roll out this Fall.

Rob Sorcher, from Cartoon Network says that he was attracted to obviously due to its huge following. All the work is done already, so many kids already know about the Orange that Sorcher says the show "comes with a pre-built awareness." There is big money to be made in this as this is a concept that Boedigheimer, the Collective, and Cartoon Network are working to model it like Nickelodeon's Spongebob Squarepants.

The best part of the whole shebang is that the cost of production is dirt cheap. Shot in his basement, using an EX1, some lights, and an Apple computer production costs are just over $2,000. The only difference the orange will see once it hits television is that episodes will be eleven minutes long instead of three. Also cost will rise over time as writers are added on as well as addition editors.

Talk about yet another amazing empire that is about to grow over the next few years, all from a few videos some guy dreamed up and uploaded to the well known site of Youtube. Boedigheimer himself is shocked he is quoted saying "to upload a video and get millions of hits. Thats insane, a bigger number than I could even fathom."

So get to it! What do you have up your sleeve? Get out the camera and start uploading. Who knows you might have something bigger than you can even imagine on your hands.

Check out "The Annoying Orange" on its Youtube Channel and www.annoyingorange.com for tons of videos, downloads, and more.

Dane Boegiheimer and his Orange character

Digital Platform: Syndicators Holding Back Content from Web

It may be frustrating to those who here of this awesome new show that came out that they here so much about but may not be home to catch it and may not have a DVR system in their home and end up missing some of the newest shows out. The first thing one would think to do is hit the web and search video platforms such as Hulu for their shows, but you will quickly learn that they these firstrun syndication shows just are not available.

Many industry experts feel that you will never find a full episode of every show, or even full libraries of entire seasons. Why is this? What it really comes down to is ratings and money. The television stations want to have to tune in and catch the shows on their air.  Interesting thing is you will find segments of shows like Ellen, Regis & Kelly, and Nate Berkus on digital platforms, but never will you find a full episode of any other these shows. All these snid-bits of the shows are strategically chosen and placed throughout the available digital platforms as business and marketing tactics.

Again it comes down to the syndicators really trying to force you to tune into the television stations. Ken Werner president of Warner Brothers makes a great point; "Why would we ever jeopardize or barter ratings. That's an enormous source of revenue for us. A tenth of a ratings point translates into meaningful dollars." Although deals are eventually made for previous seasons of shows with platforms like Netflix, it is crucial to guard the firstrun syndie shows from hitting the net. If syndicators just let the content out to these platforms no money would be made and in turn audiences would loose the content that they are trying so desperately to watch.

What's new in First-Run Syndication?
Talk

Katie Couric (Disney-ABC) – clearance level at 93 percent
Bethenny Frankel (Warner Bros.) – cleared on the Fox-Owned stations; six-week summer tryout
Trisha Goddard (NBCUniversal) – no update at NATPE
Steve Harvey (NBCUniversal) – clearance level at 85 percent
Ricki Lake (Twentieth Television) – clearance level at 93 percent
Jeff Probst (CBS Television Distribution) – cleared in 24 of the top 25 markets

Court
Justice for All with Cristina Perez (Entertainment Studios) – no update at NATPE

Game
Baggage (Sony Pictures Television) – reported clearances at 70 percent of the country; no update at NATPE

Magazine

America Now (Raycom) – current slow roll-out
Dish Nation (Twentieth Television) – clearance level at 70 percent
The Electric Playground (PPI Releasing) – upgraded from weekly hour to half-hour strip
RightThisMinute (Sony Pictures Television) – current slow rollout

Sitcom
The First Family (Entertainment Studios): 104 half-hour episodes ordered
Mr. Box Office (Entertainment Studios): 104 half-hour episodes ordered

(source: tvmediainsights.com)

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Casey Anthony: Back in the spotlight, publicity stunt?

The name Casey Anthony is one that no one will forget, especially if you are or were living in Florida during the time the case became public knowledge. After being acquitted of killing her daughter Caylee this July, Casey has been keeping in on the low, until today.

Anthony is back in the spotlight today after a video diary of herself has gone viral on youtube. In the nearly five minute video Casey does not mention her family or her daughter that is no longer here. But is quoted saying the following:

"It's just so surreal how many things have changed since July

and how many things haven't changed. But things are starting

to look up and things are starting to change in a good way, they

can only get better."

Casey also reveals that this could be the first of many video diaries, saying: "I'm extremely excited. I'm excited that I'll be able to Skype and keep a video log."

I don't know how you look at all this but to me something is up here. You have a woman that hated by so many people in America, that possibly killed her daughter, posting video updates of herself on the internet?! I'm thinking she has some producers behind her telling her to do these videos to get her back in the media. Why get her back in the media? A movie or major television special is in the works, no doubt about it. 

There has been lots of speculation over the past year since she has producer Scott Sternberg and his production company behind her pitching the story. Many networks have said they would never touch the topic. In 2008 Lifetime networks was one of the many to people thought had a deal on the table based off Casey and her story. Lifetime Movie Network's Director of Corporate Communications, Gary Morganstein said that all he can say is "its not true." 

Since the rumors began in 2008 there has been plenty of time to spark a deal somewhere and keep it "hush-hush." So I see these video diaries that she will be putting out as a publicity stunt possibly being lead by this producer all leading up to this big announcement that their is going to be a television special or motion picture.

The major issue is it is most defiantly not for the big screen, because so many people hate her I doubt many people would go and spend their hard earned money to watch a movie based on a baby killer that got away. Which is why I think Lifetime made a public statement about NOT having a deal in 2008, even though they really may have. If Lifetime aired the movie people without a doubt would tune in to watch it one because of curiosity and interest in the story and two because they don't have to pay to go to the theater. Big bucks to be made my advertising, the network, casey, and her producers.

Who knows I can be completely wrong on it all, but this is just my take. Only time will tell if the world will get a look into the world of Casey Anthony and her story by once again turning on the TV, just like her trial to get the final story. 

                               Any ideas on who might play the role of Casey?

2011 Box Office: Worst in Years

The year 2011 brought in the smallest movie audience since 1995. With fewer people heading into the theaters box office revenue fell drastically compared to prior years, nearly a half a billion dollars! There are so many things that can be causing this drop in theater attendance; here is just a few that may have had an impact on this years box office.

Since 1995 average ticket prices have increased more than 80 percent! Just over the past four years we have seen them rise from an average of $6.88 to $7.96. 3-D flicks also are hurting the piggy bank by adding up to $4.00 extra on top of these ticket prices. These prices may even seem low to you depending on your location areas like New York and Los Angeles typically have much higher ticket prices. With the economic times we are going through, for a family of four to go spend the evenings at them movies may be to steep for their wallets so they are reevaluating where they view movies and go for entertainment. 

Some moviegoers over 30 may be steering clear of theaters because of younger generations being noisy and bothersome in the theater. Younger boys and girls chatter, and text causing a distraction to those around them. After paying such a high price for a ticket the last thing older generations would want is for their experience to be ruined by youngsters. Who knows maybe a way to fix this issue is to have a 21 and older theater to remove this problem and allow for a text and chatter free theater experience for those who wish to have it that way.

One of the greatest reasons I see for this years box office flop is the lack of movies that one can consider a "must-see." There really were no flicks this year besides the conclusion of the Harry Potter series that gave potential audiences that feeling of missing out on something if they do not hit the theaters as soon as possible. 

We all know the  snacks and drinks that go hand in hand with our movie experience cost nearly pennies to make, but why is it that theaters are charging such a premium price? It is interesting to see how everything is sold in such ginormous sizes all just to justify their high inflated prices. I do not think this is a direct reason for people not attending movies but I think it fuels the fire. As a family  with young children its hard to walk past this attractive stand and not allow your child to get a snack, again making you spend way more money in the theater than you should be. If I am not mistaken AMC theaters is one of the only places that actually allows you to bi-pass their snack stands by permitting theatergoers to bring their own outside snacks in. (I hope this is a fact because I know my bag is filled with goodies.) But then again nothing beats a nice bucket of movie theater popcorn drizzled with butter.....mmmmm I can smell it now. 

A growing form of delivery to audiences is online services like Netflix and television video on demand. Consumers now have more than just the theater to go to to enjoy an evening with the family watching movies. How can you pass it up; its cheaper and it is all available at the click of a button. You may not get the newest release as an option to watch but their is such a large library of choices there is defiantly something that you can find to check out every night. Netflix is becoming such a popular substitution for the theater that they report that their service accounts for 30 PERCENT of all internet traffic in the evening! Now this is most defiantly creating a major issue for the box office and it is only going to get greater over time. 

One final issue that I see with movie theaters is that they seem to restrict what shows on their screens to the major Hollywood blockbusters. If you look into it you will see that this year was huge for Independents, Foreign, and Documentary films. Box office reports show that one of these titles over a weekend can take the number one port in per-screen-average receipts. If this is the case why is it so hard to find local theaters with independent, foreign, and documentary flicks? Its time for movie theaters to embrace this change into an independent world and take these smaller "art movies" onto their screens and maybe over the next year they will see an increase in audiences and ticket sales.

When it comes down to it everyone loves going to see a movie on the big screen. I think it is the theaters that are really driving their audiences away. Its time for them to wake up and lower ticket prices, snack prices, and some variety so they don't loose us all to Netflix and video on demand. As of right now if they keep it up this is exactly what is going to happen.