FREE Screening of 'Black Swan'

BLACK SWAN
Starring Natalie Portman,
Mila Kunis, Wynona Rider,
Barbara Hershey and Vincent Cassel

I am pleased to report that L.A. Link readers have been invited to preview the film 'Black Swan' for FREE before its opening next Friday, December 3, 2010.

I only saw the trailer for the first time today and I'm already intrigued by what I see. And, of course, I LOVE Natalie Portman (Star Wars, V for Vendetta and The Professional) who stars as a young ballerina, Nina, in a twisted friendship with a newcomer to the ballet company (Mila Kunis), as they both compete for the lead role in 'Swan Lake.'

Here's what the synopsis says:


A psychological thriller set in the world of New York City ballet. A Fox Searchlight Pictures release by visionary director Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler), 'Black Swan' follows the story of Nina (Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her retired ballerina mother Erica (Hershey) who zealously supports her daughter's professional ambition.

When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth Macintyre (Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, 'Swan Lake,' Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan.

As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side with a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.
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I'm not much of a ballet fan, but I am a thriller fan and from the trailer and previous awards, this film promises to be just that. Don't take my word for it. Go see a FREE screening of the film.

For FREE tickets BEFORE Friday, December 3, 2010, please click here and enter code SHOPA72J. Enjoy! (You have to sign up with Gofobo but that's free, too. Sorry.)

Give Until It Hurts

HOW MUCH WORK DO YOU GIVE AWAY?

Since the collapse of our economy and job losses at an all time high, people are starting side businesses to make ends meet. Now that they have a small business, they have to conduct business as usual. But, what is business as usual?

It use to be that a client would court an agency or freelancer for a meeting or two, then decide if they wanted to work with them based on those meetings, their work and whether or not the client was serious and ready to get started. All are important factors to consider as a small business owner or independent contractor when you are being courted by a potential client.

What happens if the client needs to meet with you three or four times before they make a decision to work with you? Then what? You're not getting paid to meet with the potential client and there are no guarantees that a client will sign on. As an independent contractor, how do you gage the amount of work you give away?

GO WITH YOUR GUT

There are certain tell-tale signs that a potential new client is not serious about starting a project. For example, I always ask for a deposit before I give too much time and effort away. If the client is serious about working with me and starting their project, they pay me the deposit and we get started. If the client is not serious about starting a project or not sure about working with you, this is there moment to say 'thanks, but no thanks.' In either case, this is the time to put up or shut up.

Sometimes, a client will need a little more caressing than a meeting or two with you, alone. If this is a big client working on a potentially big project, you will meet with more than one person from the beginning and have many bridges to cross before approval. As an independent professional, you must gage whether or not this potential new client is worth the time and effort it may take to win them over versus the amount they will be willing to pay for your services. Either way, there are many things you must take into consideration before you give away too much of your time or ideas.

A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING

One thing is for sure, a 'real' client will rarely waste too much of your time deciding whether or not to work with you. Ninety-percent of the time, a 'real' client will have already made up their minds to work with you before they meet you and meeting you is just to seal the deal. Unless you show up late or not at all, this client will have a clear understanding that time equals money. They will sign your contract or estimate and have no problem getting you a deposit check to get started.

However, you must be clear in your contract or estimate about how much time it takes to do the work you are being asked to do. I always break down my estimates by the number of hours and cost per hour. If the client needs to cut the budget, it is clear they will be losing something in the process (unless you agree to a lower rate). It is important to have a clear understanding of how much work you are willing to give away in order to get a project. But keep in mind: no one is in business to give away business.

BREAK IT DOWN

When an artist gives a client an estimate for work, it should detail the amount of time it takes to create the artwork, in phases. Nothing is 'zippity, dippity, do' and done. If you working on an important project, creating artwork is always a process. Especially, to do it right.

The client does not know how much time it takes to brainstorm or to scan in some sketches and convert to digital format, so everything you can think of should be included in your estimate.

KNOW YOUR LIMITS

The bottom line is you have to know your limits and your business well enough to know if a potential new client is going to add to your business in any way, shape or form. Once this is determined, you will know how much time to give away, as well as when to walk away, from a potential new client.

Some clients want a year's worth of free work before they throw you a project. If your business can afford it and that is the type of client you want to serve, then you are doing something right and you should be writing your own blog. Otherwise, you have to know when it's time to cut your losses and move on.  You're not in business to lose money, are you?
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Red Flags: Listen to your gut – ProjectDesignLA
Beware of bad clients: Red Flags II – JRey

Old Friends and Family:

'The Torrances' from a series of color pencil
drawings featured in the Crazy 4 Cult at show
at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles by
next month's Featured Artist, Kirk Demarais.

TO CALL OR NOT TO CALL 
DURING THE HOLIDAYS?

It's that time of year again, when we all start thinking about our childhoods and how grateful we are for our lives and for the adults we have become. But now that we are all grown up and have our own opinions and ideas for ourselves, there's a whole group of people that might not have noticed how much you've grown nor how far you have come.

I'm talking about old friends and family. Friends you have kept for more than twenty years and, of course, you can't get rid of family. No matter how hard one tries. They're family, after all.

But the real question is, do you enjoy calling them during the holidays or do you feel obligated? Does it make you excited to think about talking to these people or does it stress you out to think about having to pick up the phone and call someone you may not talk to much during the year to say 'Merry Christmas?' Is it forced? Am I just a scrooge?

I ask this question because I am always stressed out around the holidays and I hate it. Why do I have to spend money to express my love? Especially, in this time of lower incomes and smaller budgets. The people I love know how much I love them because I tell them all the time throughout the year. I don't need to spend money on someone to make myself feel like a good person. I work on myself in so many other ways that how much I can spend on someone for the holidays seems so trivial and wasteful. Not of that really matters, anyway. It's what you do in your every day lives that makes the difference. Not how much you spend during the holidays or whether or not you call on a certain day.

If you are part of my family or one of my oldest and dearest friends, you already know how much I love you and vice versa. You don't have to spend money on anything for me during the holiday season because there is nothing you can give me that compares to the time and energy you all spend by just loving me. You know who you are and I appreciate all that you do all year long. Just continue to be yourselves and available to hang out with every now and then and I am happy. Hopefully, that is all you will expect from me in return.

Solid, true friendships and love are not about purchasing material objects to show how much you love one other. Those relationships can not be bought. They are earned. They should treasured. They are the most valuable of things because they can not be bought. I guess what I am trying to say is that actions speak louder than words and you don't have to buy someone something once a year because you feel obligated to, anymore. It's 2011, people. It's a new age. A new time. Save your money and lower your anxiety levels. It's going to be okay.
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What do you think? How do you feel about the holidays? We want to know.

Weekend DVD Review – How To Train Your Dragon, Toy Story 3

Toy Story 3

If you haven't seen it, rent it. Order it. Buy it.

Pixar Studios does it again with the third and final installment of the 'Toy Story' saga and there are tons of new characters, as well as some old favorites. This film takes the adult viewer back to childhood when it was time to 'fly the nest.'

The story centers around the toys being mistakenly sent to a day care for children instead of being stored in the attic when Andy heads off to college. The toys don't know it's a mistake and the adventure is off! Featuring the voices and talents of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, Don Rickles, Michael Keaton, John Ratzenberger and Estelle Harris, to name only a few, you will laugh and cry out loud. If you aren't touched by the story of this film, you're probably evil.  It does help to have seen the first two films but it's not necessary.

With tears streaming down my face from memories of my own childhood, I watched as the toys were packed up and shipped off as if no one cared about them. And, so will you. Watch what happens!

How To Train Your Dragon

This film was a lot better than I had anticipated. The animation was great and the story was well thought out. It's the story of a young viking who wants the approval of his father but is conflicted by a moral and ethical judgement – whether or not to kill the dragons.

When the young viking injures an elusive night flying dragon while trying to kill it, he learns more about dragons than he had been led to believe.

With the voices and talents of Jay Baruchel (The Sorcerer's Apprentice), Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Craig Furguson, Kristen Wiig, Jonah Hill and T.J. Miller, you can already tell that the actors will be amazing!

I enjoyed this film a great deal and I recommend it for viewing with your kids or your friends.