We’re gathering ideas for ConvergeSouth 2008. Currently, we have a new piece of the schedule (and a sponsor!) and we’re taking suggestions for breakout sessions for 2008. Because ConvergeSouth will likely be next to BlogHer’s Reach Roadshow in Greensboro, we have a one-day (Friday) conference with our new feature on Thursday (10/16/2008) afternoon (leave the date open; it’s going to be fun). With eight breakout sessions available on Friday, October 17, 2008, we’d like ideas on what you’d enjoy attending (or you think is good for CS’ers). So far our certainly-not-final list includes
Blogging 101 (that’s real 101, fundamentals)
SEO 102 (SEO session was oversubscribed, much enjoyed; worthy of increasing)
Better Video (that’s a catch-all topic for now, but we’re holding Tom Lassiter hostage)
Want to build the ConvergeSouth 2008 Web site? If you can build the site and get the programming done for registration, it’s all yours! Please contact Sue if you want to help in this really important function. You can put your brand (judiciously) on the site. Heck, you can have an “about” page. Goal: simple, text-based, have graphics, easy-to-update. Free Linux hosting.
So far I’ve received nothing but great feedback from the other night (I had a great time, but I’m more than a bit biased).
There’s no way it could’ve happened without the effort of a bunch of people. A big shout of thanks goes out to:
Simonne McClinton, Matt Bennett, Mikey Tourek and the entire staff over at The Green Burro: Thanks so much for hosting us. If you’re up for doing this again next year, I promise there will be no BBQ overlap to screw with head count. Thanks again for your hospitality and understanding
Little Mascara (Jessie Derusha, Chris Micca, Melissa Micca, Toaster and Max Diablo): Killer, rockin’ set; you guys brought it, put it on the table, unwrapped it and whipped our asses with it! Thanks again for putting your hiatus on hold for the show. We’ll see you Friday for Chris’ B-Day party if TDR isn’t playing.
Sue Polinsky: Thank you for the trust you showed in me to do this right and for providing the budget for the bands. There’s no way I could’ve raised the money myself this year with my schedule. I’m still pissed about the BBQ scheduling overlap which cost us at least 40 people turning out, but I can file that experience under “Shit Not To Do Again� if you can.
Andy Coon: My brother from the same mother. I’m really looking forward to collaborating on editing these music videostogether. Thanks so much for all your work and support (and filming pointers).
Desmond Sharpe via Carey Sound: Great job with the setup, on-the-fly sound checks and mixing. I’m looking forward to hearing the audio tracks!
Jeri Rowe: I know for a fact that your timely article on Andy, myself and ConvergeSouth influenced at least than a handful of people to come out to the conference to learn how to publish their voice online. Thanks again for the well written story and your shared passion for a more creative Greensboro.
Jordan Green: Thanks for pushing the music details over to Dave and the be there! section at Yes! Weekly. I’m sure we got at least a few folk to attend just because of that little promo. I’ll catch you at a nearby show soon, I’m sure.
Bob Lefsetz: I got turned onto Bob’s rants a few months back and he’s greatly influenced my approach to promoting independent talent. He had nothing tangible to do with the event, but everything to do with unfurling my creativity. Thanks, Bob!
I’ve got a bunch of plans for local music promotion in the works, but still have a few conversations ahead prior to committing running a bigger and better event (read: a real music festival) next year.
Here is the 2007 ConvergeSouth Film Festival. Well, most of the films from the film festival were already online. Some are not. All the filmmakers will get links to their sites. If you want to comment to the filmmakers feel free. I did not upload any of these films to the web. I found them on a search on youtube. Some of the films are on the artist’s site so click on the picture and it will go to the video.
Why did I choose these films? Well like I said before I really didn’t have too many to choose from. I downloaded each of the films from the DVDs i received and put it on a timeline. I then sorted through the films and found a narrative to them. It just felt natural. That what was going through my mind when I was selecting the films for this. It might of been to long especially if everyone went to all of ConvergeSouth’s events. I didn’t even consider that when I produced it… I was exhausted myself. But proud of the Festival. The winner will be announced shortly.
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TITLE: Deadly Finger
CATEGORY: Short Film
DIRECTOR: Jose Montesinos
RUNNING TIME: 4:01
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TITLE: Game Over
CATEGORY: Short Film
DIRECTOR: PES
RUNNING TIME: 1:35
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TITLE: Broken
CATEGORY: Short Film
DIRECTOR: David Wendelman
RUNNING TIME: 15:22
TITLE: Honey I’m Home
DIRECTOR NAME: David Branin
CATEGORY: Short Film
RUNNING TIME: 5:40
Trailer
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TITLE: 80’s Man
DIRECTOR NAME: DC Douglas
CATEGORY: Music Video
RUNNING TIME: 3:28
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TITLE: Roof Sex
CATEGORY: Short Film
DIRECTOR: PES
RUNNING TIME: 1:10
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TITLE: Winds of Time: The Proposition
CATEGORY: Short Film
DIRECTOR: Jose Montesinos
RUNNING TIME: 4:57
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TITLE: F2
CATEGORY: Short Film
DIRECTOR: Jesse Knight
RUNNING TIME: 6:33
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TITLE: Falling Together in New Orleans Vignette 3
CATEGORY: Citizen Journalism
DIRECTOR: Organic Process Productions Mitchell Davis & Farrah Hoffmire
RUNNING TIME: 18:28
*****************************************TITLE: Gi Ho Lo: The Legacy of Richard Long
CATEGORY: Short Film
DIRECTOR: Jason Marc Pierce
RUNNING TIME: 8:01
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TITLE: Marriage Is For…
CATEGORY: Short Film
DIRECTOR: PES
RUNNING TIME: :15
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TITLE: Been You All Along
DIRECTOR NAME: Ajit Anthony Prem
CATEGORY: Vlog
RUNNING TIME: 2:31
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TITLE: Winds of Time: Querida
CATEGORY: Short Film
DIRECTOR: Jose Montesinos
RUNNING TIME: 4:59
ConvergeSouth Jobs - Yours for the Volunteering
Contact info: admin@convergesouth.com
(Volunteer and get your very own email address!) Process:
Read the jobs available for ConvergeSouth 2008 (below). Decide which one you want to do. Make sure the job meshes with your talents and patience and then commit to it. When you are ready to commit to the whole thing with a “no matter what� caveat, please let me know and the job is yours. (OK, not “no matter WHAT,� but you get the idea.)
Jobs marked with $$ mean that you might have to put out some of your own money and be repaid by ConvergeSouth, usually 2-4 weeks after we make the check request.
Team Rule
No one speaks for the conference alone. No one commits money (outside your budget) or to a speaker without team approval. We don’t trash each other in blogs (or anywhere else) because we might disagree; instead, we embrace compromise where appropriate.
