Originality – Page 3 – universal positive

Sharing secrets: Venture capitalist Charlie O’Donnell

March 21, 2024February 23, 2015 by Roger Darnell

I love finding people who are so successful in business that I learn great deals and become inspired just by reading their blogs and following them on social media. A few years ago when I was getting up-to-speed for a new client based in Brooklyn, I learned about venture capitalist Charlie O’Donnell, who founded the seed-stage investment firm Brooklyn Bridge Ventures in 2012. I’ve been doing my best to keep up with Charlie ever since! Here’s an introduction to his background from his personal This Is Going to be Big blog, where he’s been writing about sales, hiring, the venture business, startup communities and New York in his very straightforward, no-BS style for over 10 years.

Charlie is a partner at Brooklyn Bridge Ventures working on very early stage investments in the Greater Brooklyn area, which also includes Manhattan and the other boroughs of New York City. He was previously with First Round Capital, where he sourced the firm’s investments in GroupMe (sold to Skype), Backupify, chloe + isabel, Refinery29, Docracy, Singleplatform, and Salescrunch.

Read moreSharing secrets: Venture capitalist Charlie O’Donnell

“Off Camera” enters year three of the best conversations

May 10, 2024February 10, 2015 by Roger Darnell

It’s been a year since I last spoke with the acclaimed photographer and director Sam Jones, who is the publisher, host and editor-in-chief of the Off Camera website, magazine, TV show and podcast. Sam launched his on-camera interview series in 2013 with these words: “…as much as I have tried to create a multi-platform technologically relevant episodic blogpodzine, I am really just using new tools to do the same thing I have always done; which is follow my interests, and try to get in the room with some really interesting people.” Last February, I published a story about Off Camera’s first anniversary, and Sam surprised me with a call to touch-base. That connection with such a respected and accomplished artist inspires me every day.

Over the past 12 months, new print/iPod issues and episodes of Off Camera have appeared with these fascinating guests… all sharing insights from in-depth conversations with Sam, who is their trusted friend: Michael B. Jordan, Sarah Silverman, Matt Damon, Ed Helms, Jackson Browne, Judy Greer, Jeff Bridges, Taylor Goldsmith, Laird Hamilton and Jon Brion. Sam’s thoughtful Off Camera theme builds on his experiences working with high-profile luminaries… where they would regularly discuss various subjects, including their work. The best conversations were happening off-camera, Sam observed… and this passion project is the result.

On traveling to learn, and introducing “Rare Air”

March 21, 2024June 23, 2014 by Roger Darnell

In the famous words of St. Augustine, the world is a book, and those who don’t travel read only one page. I agree that traveling is a great means for learning, but at the same time, I know that most often, it’s a luxury. According to the Travel Effect Study, travel improves educational attainment and future success. If you’re a parent, that gives you two excellent reasons to get out and go, when possible. Ready to hit the road? If so, I highly recommend this list of awesome experiences compiled by Bryan Kitch for Afar.com.

“If travel is the best form of education, this is a Master Class. These experiences go off the beaten path, and likely outside average tourists’ comfort zones.”

On the other hand, if you are not free to cut loose at present, I have something for you, too. It begins with a story.

Forces for good: Creativity + John Cleese

March 21, 2024June 9, 2014 by Roger Darnell

Today’s post is a mash-up featuring clever ideas from a highly esteemed master of creativity, and 99U, which is the education arm of Behance, the world’s leading online platform for showcasing and discovering creative work. So literally, there should be something here for everyone. Let’s begin!

Case Study: Shilo

May 9, 2024April 15, 2014 by Roger Darnell

Last updated on Apr. 15, 2014: Shilo’s Filmmakers Shine Ever Brighter as Partners for Brands and Agencies Seeking Provocative, Original Commercials and Films

“Inspired and United Client and Agency Contacts Keep Global Media, Professional and Industry Targets In Steady Contact with Shilo’s Projects, Vibe and Culture”
See also: SHILO MEDIA COVERAGE

Shilo is an Emmy Award-winning creative production company representing a group of filmmakers led by director Jose Gomez. Internationally known for creating provocative, design-infused original film and HD video content, Shilo’s artists in New York and La Jolla, California, produce spellbinding short films, music videos and commercials for leading advertising agencies and brands. Shilo also published its own book in 2007 (“We Make It Good”) and curates the popular website WeMakeItGood.com.

Steve James: Thanks for the documentaries

May 9, 2024January 16, 2014 by Roger Darnell

Once again this year, the pre-Sundance buzz is headline news worldwide, with The Daily Telegraph asking if, at age 30, the renowned festival still has its edge. There and in widespread coverage, the latest news from filmmaker Steve James leads the way. Steve’s new Kartemquin Films feature documentary “Life Itself” executive produced by Martin Scorsese will have its world premiere at this year’s festival, and he will also be honored during a 20th anniversary Sundance screening set for “Hoop Dreams,” his very first film, which is also one of history’s highest-grossing and most-acclaimed documentaries. Steve continues breaking new ground as a director and I am definitely a huge fan. I also have much love, respect and admiration for Loretta “LJ” Jeneski of Nonfiction Unlimited, the LA-based commercial production company that has represented Steve and many of the planet’s best documentary filmmakers for commercial and creative assignments since 1995.

Success builds for Sam Jones on and off camera

May 9, 2024January 8, 2014 by Roger Darnell

One of the many highlights of my work handling PR for Tool of North America back in 2004-2006 was having the opportunity to meet the acclaimed photographer and director Sam Jones, and handling the campaign announcing him joining Tool for commercial representation. Since then, Sam has hooked-up with RSA Films for commercial representation, while also following his passions to very impressive new heights in the fields of publishing and production.

Last year, Sam launched Off Camera as a website, magazine, television show, and podcast drawing upon his passion for the long form conversational interview, and his connections with a myriad of high-profile artists, actors, musicians, directors, skateboarders, photographers, and writers. In May, Rob Haggart – the former director of photography for Men’s Journal and Outside Magazine – ran a story about “Off Camera” on his popular website, A Photo Editor. Here is an excerpt:

Sam Jones is a go-to photographer for many magazines, studios and ad agencies when it comes to shooting actors. In over 20 years of shooting he’s noticed an unfortunate trend working for magazines. Less time; less control over wardrobe, location, heck even what side of the face you get to shoot; less choice in what to shoot with; which in his mind equals less exciting pictures. No unguarded moments or glimpses into their real lives. So, he decided to do something about it and created his own vehicle for “more” called offCamera.

Read moreSuccess builds for Sam Jones on and off camera

Brilliant directors: Roman Coppola

March 22, 2024June 12, 2013 by Roger Darnell

Just last August, writers around the world were invited to become part of a very tantalizing short film competition. In short, filmmaker Roman Coppola had teamed-up with Intel and W Hotels to create an original series of four short films to be written by you or me. Here are a few details that appeared with the original announcements in Portable and many other high-profile media outlets across the creative industries.

“Write a screenplay for a short film set in a W Hotel, featuring an Intel-inspired Ultrabook. Roman and a panel of judges, including Chloë Sevigny, Michael Pitt, James Ransone, Jeff Baena, and other notable filmmakers, might just choose your screenplay to be developed into a short film by The Directors Bureau! Your story awaits behind a hotel door. Submit your script by August 30th. Come make a film with us.”

The opportunity absolutely sparked a great deal of interest… but before I knew it, the winners were being announced, and the resulting films, too. Above, I’m embedding Coppola’s own contribution. Below you can also find the project’s official trailer. Enjoy!

Cinema’s Past, Future and Present

May 9, 2024January 14, 2013 by Roger Darnell

The film industry’s creative and business sectors are at an intersection of great possibility, and new tools and practices are emerging every day. To guide industry leaders and filmmakers and to help creatively tackle the challenges of this evolving industry, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts has recently launched the Cinema Research Institute.

Adventures in publishing: Maria Popova

May 9, 2024January 3, 2013 by Roger Darnell

The Marginalian is the brain child of Maria Popova, an interestingness hunter-gatherer and curious mind at large, who also writes for Wired UK and The Atlantic, among others, and is an MIT Futures of Entertainment Fellow. The Marginalian is a record of Maria’s reading and reckoning with our search for meaning: sometimes through science and … Read moreAdventures in publishing: Maria Popova