Celtx (pronounced “SELL-ticks” I believe) is the world’s first all-in-one media pre-production system. It replaces ‘paper & binder’ pre-production with a digital approach that’s more complete, simpler to work with, and easier to share.

I first became aware of this program when I was working with Inside|Out New Zealand (a week-long workshop in Auckland that teaches under privileged students to tell their story through film). It was only until I downloaded the FREE SOFTWARE that I really realized all it was capable of doing.

Celtx helps you produce all types of media – film, video, documentary, theatre, machinima, comics, advertising, video games, music video, radio, podcasts, videocasts, and however else you choose to tell your story.

You can use Celtx for the entire production process – write scripts, storyboard scenes and sequences, sketch setups, develop characters, breakdown & tag elements, schedule productions, and prepare and circulate informative reports for cast and crew.

Celtx is designed to help your entire production team work together on a single, easy to share project file – eliminating the confusion of multiple project files, and the need for ‘paper and binder’.

Together, Celtx and Celtx Studios give you the most complete media pre-production system available. The free Celtx desktop software delivers the most fluid writing experience. You can always keep your fingers moving as fast as your thoughts and your creative flow is never interrupted. Low-cost Celtx Studios complete your system with an advanced toolset for collaboration, workflow management, and project storage.

Celtx puts a choice of fully integrated development tools right at your fingertips, giving you total flexibility to determine how your story takes shape.

More than 500,000 media creators in 160 countries create with Celtx in 28 different languages. Celtx is used by independent filmmakers and studio professionals, and by students in over 1,800 universities and film schools – many that have adopted Celtx for teaching and class work submission.

ScanLife is a great app that’s making the Print medium more interactive. “Interactive Print” does sound a bit like an oxy-moron, but this just seems to be the next step in the Evolution.

ScanLife produces a 2D boxcode that can be programed to do a multitude of tasks. One code may take your smart phone to the ad’s website, or if the article or ad is about an artists’ debut album, the code might take you to iTunes to download an exclusive single. Or maybe the code is on your business card. Once someone takes a picture of it with their camera phone through the ScanLife app, all of your contact information can be automatically inserted into their contact/address book. That, is cool.

The way it works is simple. Download the ScanLife app from the App Store, “scan” (take a picture) of the boxcode/barcode within the app and let it take you to where you need to be. That’s it!

Now print ads can offer you more information about the product they’re talking about. Stores can now offer exclusive incentives to those with the app. Artists and musicians  can now sell tracks right from a print ad. Who knew?

Below are examples of how business are using ScanLife:

Esquire Magazine is using ScanLife as part of their  “Esquire Collection” which details the essential wardrobe that every guy should have.  25 codes are connected to each individual item throughout the layout which gives readers a menu of options in one-click.

Morgans Hotel Group celebrates their 25th anniversary with a code that links to video and offers.

Scan this code to see blooper videos of a Fanta commercial in Scandinavia.

This code links to the book’s Amazon.com page for easy on-the-go online purchase.

Scan this code to get animated desktop wallpaper from NIKE.

How can you and/or your business use ScanLife?

Alec Brownstein needed a job. And he got one with this VERY original idea.

I’ve been looking at the analytics for this site and I’m excited to start serving up some slices of advertising pie. There are currently four (4) available for immediate consumption. Those run $50 a month. Who’s hungry??

The site is generating 700+ views a month (THANK YOU!!) so this is a start. Pretty cheap rates if you ask me.

I reserve the right to decline your ad if I feel it’s not a good fit for the site. Payment will be due upon file submission and be paid via Paypal only. I’ll send you a link when your ad is approved.

Contact me with your design and I’ll send over a paypal link if it’s approved. Good luck!!

I first saw this ad, “5 Ways to Add Elegance to Dresses” on Saturday and I fell in love. (I’m guessing part of that has to do with my love for puppets… or in this case, “Zuppets.”) But also the use of witty humor.

Take a look:

And then there’s this one, “Different Direction.”

Apparently these are all real phone calls into Zappos. Here’s “Jesse.” BRILLIANT.

Zappos, Powered by Real People

These are great ads that use the power of their brand. They’re taking actual phone calls and using them to create quirky, witty scenes inside Zappos. It’s touching, humorous and is true to their brand. This has great legs… I hope to continue seeing them around.

Last night I had the incredible experience of tweeting live for the Dove Awards under their name, @GMCtv. I blew it up.

I was set up in the press room with 60+ media outlets including reporters, camera crews and TV networks. Artists would be introduced to us and then take the platform for pictures and questions. I was able to tweet from my desktop using Tweetdeck allowing me to track everyone’s @replies as well as keyword searches for “#DoveAwards” and “GMA Awards” so I could see what everyone was talking about. In other words: I could see (in real time) when anyone in the Twitterverse used the words “#DoveAwards” or “GMA Awards.” It meant that I could introduce myself (as @GMCtv) and engage them. Most of those people were in the audience and sending out TwitPics of their view of the stage.

That I have the 3GS iPhone meant I could be mobile and have a greater impact covering behind-the-scenes pictures and even a Twitvid of TobyMac’s (@therealTobyMac) dancers on their “down time.” Fans loved it.

I made it a point to engage the GMCtv audience. I asked them questions and wanted to see if anyone had a prediction for an upcoming category.

I was also sure to do a fair share of @replies and ReTweeting (RT).

Being ReTweeted by a company like GMC can be a big deal for people. [It was a big deal for me when EXPRESS (@ExpressLisaG) and Nordstrom (@Nordstrom) both @replied me in the same week.] That kind of interaction only strengthens brand loyalty.

I also tweeted the winners, of course. I was sure to stay on top of this as to be the first one to tweet it.

How is your business using Twitter or another form of social media to strengthen your brand/company? It’s not going away anytime soon and if you haven’t embraced it, then you need to. I’m actually looking to move into a social media role like this full time so if you have a company that’s in need, please contact me!

All in all, it was a great night. I’m thankful for the opportunity and the exposure it created both for GMC and for myself.

But seriously… I want to do this full time so get in touch with me today.

Those of you that know me know I went to New Zealand last September. It was a trip that changed my life.

I had wanted to go for so long that when the opportunity came along, I took it. I can’t wait to go back again and maybe stay a little longer :) When you see this video you’ll understand why I fell in love and left part of my heart there.

Friday, April 16, 5:30pm | Jamison Hall at the Factory at Franklin | $125/person
Sponsored by: Tennessee Bank & Trust

On Friday April 16, the Sommelier Preview Party will be held in the courtyard outside Jamison Hall from 5:30- 7 pm.  It will feature fine cigars courtesy of CAO, special wine tastings, champagne, and fabulous hors d’oeuvres presented by Sperry’s.  Reservations to attend the Sommelier Preview Party are $125 per person, and this price includes your reservation to the Main Event.  Reservations may be purchased online.  Dress is business casual.

Friday, April 16, 7pm-10:30pm | Jamison Hall at the Factory at Franklin | $75/person
Sponsored by: Tennessee Bank & Trust

At 7 pm, the doors open for the Main Event featuring numerous wine tasting stations, several fabulous food stations and many wonderful live and silent auction items to bid on, including hundreds of desirable wines.  A reservation to attend only the Main Event is $75 per person.  The dress for this event is business casual.  Reservations may be purchased online or at the door.  There is a $10 additional charge to purchase reservations at the door.

Thursday, April 15 | Boxwood Bistro, 6pm-9pm | $250/person
Sponsored by: Tennessee Bank & Trust

An annual favorite is the black tie pre-event social held on Thursday, April 15 from 6-9pm at Boxwood Bistro in Historic Downtown Franklin.  Each vintner will bring their finest wines, and guests will enjoy learning about these wines directly from their creators.  Reservations for Meet the Vintner are limited, may be purchased online, and are $250 per person.  This price includes reservations to both the Sommelier Preview Party and the Main Event.

Wednesday, April 14 | Green’s Grocery in Leiper’s Fork, 6pm-9pm, $125/person
Sponsored By: Suncrest Home Health & Mallory Lane Wine & Spirits

Back by popular demand – this event was a favorite last year, and space is limited, so be sure to purchase your reservations early! The event will be held Wednesday, April 14 at 6:00pm at Green’s Grocery in Historic Leiper’s Fork. Guests will enjoy all aspects of this boots and blue jeans event, including fine champagne, wine, cold beer, and live music in a comfortable, country atmosphere. Mickey Roos will provide the food, bringing their great ribs and much more. Transportation will be available from Downtown Franklin to Leipers Fork. Reservations for Vintage Champagne and Vintage Country Music are limited and are $125 per person.