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CES 2020: Mark Christopher Lawrence & Jonathan Winbush Awarded DreamlandXR “Best Director

_{Congrats to Jonathan Winbush, Mark Christopher Lawrence and Hugh Hou on this VR Win. Such a fun project, when technology and comedy meet...}

San Diego, CA (For Release) - The creative team behind actor and producer Mark Christopher Lawrence’s virtual reality (VR) comedy special, “Live at the Mad House Comedy Club,” has been honored with the Best Director Award at the 2020 DreamlandXR Festival. The Festival took place in Las Vegas January 6-10, 2020, in connection with the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES). In addition to Lawrence, the team included award-winning motion graphics artist Jonathan Winbush and immersive technology guru Hugh Hou.

DreamlandXR Red Carpet

DreamlandXR Red Carpet CES 2020 SHOW. 

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The DreamlandXR Festival brought together the best and newest in virtual reality and augmented reality entertainment, music and E-sports. The organization is dedicated to being a driving force in the immersive technology industry. “Live at the Mad House Comedy Club” took honors alongside such industry giants as the Cartoon Network, The Lion King Movie, CNN, and Lego Batman. The judging panel included experts from HTC, Paramount, Dell, Google, Lenovo, and HP. A full list of DreamlandXR winners can be found at dreamlandxr.com/voting.

The project began more than a year before, when the VR360 technology it featured was still new. Merging the 360 and 180 formats used required a number of platforms and some creative mixing of the 8K footage. Because it was filmed in an actual comedy club, lighting presented an additional challenge. Adding to all this was the fact that, as a stand-up comedy show with a live audience, the team had only one chance to get it right. 

“Filming VR in the dark usually is very costly,” explained Hou, who is a Co-Founder and Creative Director for production studio CreatorUp. “We had to be very creative on camera placement and remote monitoring to make the camera angles feel like an audience so viewers can feel like they are really there.”

“This is a big win because we did create something that's the first of its kind, being a standup comedy special in VR,” said Winbush, who has been rated as one of the top 25 artists in Hollywood by Inferno Development. “Since releasing the project we've been invited by Chinese VR company VeeR to do a virtual Q&A about the project, we've had the project featured by software company Mettle, and it was FireFox's VR pick of the week for December.”

“Working with Jonathan and Hugh on this project was just amazing,” said Lawrence of the collaboration. “These two guys simply worked magic. It was an honor and a pleasure to put this show together.”

Mark Christopher Lawrence is available for media interviews on his current projects. For more information about Mark Christopher Lawrence, visit markchristopherlawrence.com. Learn more about projects by Jonathan Winbush at winbushimmersive.com and by Hugh Hou at creatorup.com. Media and PR inquiries please contact KamatoyMediaGroup.com by clicking here. 

Masters Hall of Fame Mourns the Loss of Sensei Thomas Boganski

Master Thomas Boganski was simply a cool guy.  He was an ambassador at Masters Hall of Fame and I recall him being a judge at a Martial Arts conference. He was never pretentious, never postured in an environment where that is commonplace. 

"Master Thomas Boganski inspired you by seeing the greatness within you, your job was to live up to that vision." - David Kamatoy

Thank you for being in our lives Master Boganski. 

Condolences, thoughts and prayers to Cassandra and Natasha, family and friends.

Sincerely, 

David Kamatoy 
Master Hall of Fame 2013

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(Press Release) The Masters Hall of Fame is saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected death of Sensei Thomas Boganski, a 10th Dan Black Belt in Taekwon-Do, at his home in Henderson, NV, on December 5. Sensei Boganski was a long-time Ambassador for the Masters Hall of Fame and was presented with a Life Achievement Award in 2007 in recognition of his many years in martial arts. Sensei Boganski also proudly served in the U.S. Air Force.

“Master Boganski was a good man who treated me very well,” recalled Sensei Jason Carlage, who was inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame in 2011 by Sensei Boganski. “I was introduced to him by my teacher, Grandmaster Vernon Kam, and I became fast friends with Master Boganski. I was given the privilege to teach kenpo karate myself and I sought Master Boganski's advice for how to become the best instructor I could be. I was humbled and honored when Master Boganski told me he would like to nominate me for induction. Attending the ceremony with him is one of the highlights of my life,” Carlage stated. 

Recalling their many conversations after the birth of his own children, Sensei Carlage said, “The way he spoke about his two daughters and his two grandchildren made it clear to me how much he cherished each of them. He encouraged me to love my children and made me realize how much of a blessing they are in life. I am one of many who have benefited from Master Boganski's service and acts of kindness as a veteran, a teacher, a father and a friend. As a Catholic man and member of the Knights of Columbus, Master Boganski had very strong faith and he believed in the power of prayer. I pray for his family and for the immense loss of their father and grandfather. 

Master Boganski's daughters Cassandra and Natasha have started a GoFundMe page to help with the expenses of his funeral and associated needs. According to the GoFundMe page, Sensei Boganski had no life insurance to put toward funeral expenses, and his daughters also must move all of his belongings out of his apartment. The funeral alone will run some $10,000 in order to give Sensei Boganski the memorial he deserves.

With the help and support of family and friends, Sensei Thomas Boganski will be laid to rest at noon on Friday, December 20 at the Veterans Memorial at 1900 Veterans Memorial Dr, Boulder City, NV, 89005. Preceding the interment there will be a Funeral Service at Davis Funeral Home located at 6200 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV, 89119 at 10:00 a.m.

For more information or to donate, visit the GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-fundraiser-for-thomas-boganski.

Tip: Keep your Trackball Mouse Dust Free with a Swiffer.

(Blog, Tip) Using a Trackball Mouse comes with the inherent problem of dust blocking the sensors and then suddenly you lose the ability to move your onscreen pointer horizontally or vertically. This is typically followed by some sort of expletive before you realize what the problem is.

Air cans, blowing on your mouse, cleaning your trackball is the next obvious step. 

Tip: Place a Swiffer Duster sheet below your trackball mouse to keep dust at bay.

After a few days or a week lift it up and you'll see all the wonderful dust collected and then maybe you'll buy a HEPA filter as I did.

Also now you have easy access to a Swiffer Dust Sheet to keep the rest of your workspace dust-free.

"TMI Baby!"

Translated, "Too Much Information hip person."

 

• Did you know that the original trackball was invented in 1946, patented in 1947 and was actually a military secret?
• The original Kensington Trackball Mouse used a Billiard Ball. Love to get one of those, I would think about rotating the ball and then end up using the 8 ball. 

Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trackball

#Tip of the day, although I do not think there will be one tomorrow.

#Kensington #Actorlife #Actorslife 

David Kamatoy, Multi-Creative Entrepreneur. A juggler figuratively and literally has blogged since 2005. A juggler comedian, producer of nationally syndicated TV/ Radio, etc. He is the founder of Jugglemail.com a CRM, Email Marketing, Web Platform. For media and business inquiries please contact us via email, KamatoyMediaGroup.com. 

Disclaimer: This post or site may contain links to affiliate links associated with the post. Every little bit helps to keep the bytes burning. (We often burn old emails in the fire when we need kindling.)

I can honestly say use these often. lol

Join the email list, database, fan base, circle of influence, (cult), to network and get random updates. 

Congrats to Hanshi Dan Cliff Belschner, Shichidan Michael Gregson and Shichi Dan Jacqui Wendling Inducted in Masters Hall of Fame

Congrats to these three incredible martial artists who over the years have inspired and taught generations the values and discipline of the martial arts.

Costa Mesa, CA (For Release) -Grandmaster Darryl Vidal, a 10th Degree Black Belt (Ju Dan) in Chinese Kenpo Karate, honored three members of his own dojo with induction into the Masters Hall of Fame at the 20th Anniversary Awards Banquet at the Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa. Hanshi Dan Cliff Belschner, and Shichidan Michael Gregson and Shichi Dan Jacqui Wendling joined the ranks of such martial arts luminaries as Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Cynthia “Lady Dragon” Rothrock and Dr. Robert Goldman.

“In order to be nominated and inducted [into the Masters Hall of Fame], we’re looking for twenty to thirty years of teaching and training experience,” explains Vidal in a red carpet  interview he conducted with the inductees following the ceremony. In addition to experience, candidates are nominated for their work in and contributions to their communities. 

Hanshi Dan Belschner is one such example of inspiration and contribution, having continued to teach following an accident that confined him to a wheelchair. “I think it made me a stronger teacher,” he tells Vidal, “to show those students you just need to overcome. You can rise.”

Shichi Dan Wendling, who has taught high school chemistry in addition to Kenpo, explains the similarities between the two endeavors, saying, “Once you have the basics, you can build off of the basics. And that’s where the confidence comes, the ability to think on your feet and respond to uncomfortable situations.”

The Masters Hall of Fame was founded in 1999 and is recognized as the premier Martial Arts event on the West Coast. The association recognizes exceptional Martial Arts Leaders and Legends through induction into the Masters Hall of Fame. Honorees are chosen for their dedication to and support of the martial arts and their work in the community. Find more information on the Masters Hall of Fame at mastershalloffame.org

Press release by Stephen Prendergast, Kamatoy Media Group

David Kamatoy inducted to the Masters Hall of Fame in 2013. Kamatoy Media Group has been working with Masters Hall of Fame for several years. Media and Red Carpet inquires please contact us via this website or KamatoyMediaGroup.com 

Join the David Kamatoy circle of influence by clicking here. More MHOF videos can be found at our original Youtube channel Youtube.com/thejuggler. 

#Twizzlers vs. #Redvines, Who you got?

Today we ask the ultimate question one that may continue to reinforce the great emotional divide occurring in our country.

Twizzlers or Red Vines?

I recently picked up a pack of Red Vines after rewatching Fringe a few months ago. Today I was inspired when I walked past the two packages on the shelf and was listening to the impeachment hearings.

A quick history lesson...

“Red Vines is a brand of red licorice candy manufactured in Union City, California by the American Licorice Company. ... The original Red Vines were raspberry-flavored, but in 1952, with a slight formula change, the Red Vines Original Red Twist flavor was introduced.” Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Vines

Twizzlers is the product of Y&S Candies, Inc., of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, now a subsidiary of The Hershey Company.

“Twizzlers are made of corn syrup, wheat flour, sugar, cornstarch, and in smaller amounts palm oil, salt, artificial flavor, glycerin, citric acid, potassium sorbate, Red 40, and soy lecithin.

While the original flavor introduced in 1845 was licorice, in the late 1970s the company began to expand its flavors to include strawberry, grape, chocolate, cherry, and watermelon flavors, and a variety of shapes and sizes.” Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twizzlers

I did not expect that Twizzlers history dates back farther than Red Vines.

The Facts

Both use Corn Syrup which is lame but that’s just the reality of the candy world. Neither contain Licorice in the Red variant.

Twizzlers has more ingredients  vs. a more simple recipe for Red Vines. 

Also Red Vines is owned by a small company vs. the behemoth that is The Hershey Company. 

I think its clear why Red Vines seems to climb to the top of the gelatin rope here. Also Red Vines gets our vote from packaging as well. They actually have copy on the packaging, telling a story and Twizzlers has no copy  on the package I bought.

Personally I seem to prefer  Red Vines. Its interesting to note that I read a review that mentioned the softness of the Twizzlers but my two batches. The twizzlers were hard and honestly it was like eating plastic. I am open to testing other flavors etc. 

Even though Red Vines seems to be the winner here. As I was writing this, at the end of the day I still reached for some grapes which were sweeter. 

The Alternative Fact (Just Kidding)

 

 

Who you got?

Let me know and I will include some references and comments in the final post.

David Kamatoy has been blogging since 2005. The Multi-Creative Entrepreneur is a juggler literally and figuratively. After producing Nationally Syndicated Radio and TV for the last 5 years he returns to the blogosphere with entertainment and entrepreneurship. Join his circle of influence via the email list which will give you first right of refusal to join the cult. 

 

Starting a movement is a weird thing. Re-brand is about to launch

(BLOG JOURNAL) We are about to start rebranding projects under a movement, self -development things, cult? Not sure what to call it really. 

Since the inception of the show years ago and my work with start-up and emerging companies to variety artists, martial artists, actors, and performers. There have been these philosophical traits, strategies...guideposts. As we got closer to figuring out what to call it, comically the bottleneck got smaller as we realized we were onto something.

I am all for being productive and in the world of social media, just talking about and sharing the process has value.

But I also think there is a reason that studios don't allow you to talk about a film until you get distribution. I think there is a balance. If you are closer to a start-up and you're young then you definitely want to figure out how to grow the audience while growing the business. The more established you are the more you want or feel the need to show up "perfect." 

The only problem with that is if you do not have an audience to be perfect with. It's like performing in the desert with no audience and no recording devices.

I am coming back online. We are launching this THING. But we are going to do it slowly and build a following in the process. 

This blog and twitter will be my most raw thought process. 

The original intention of a web blog was just that an online journal. Weblog or Web log. A log that is available on the worldwide web. 

Here we go, again. This is going to be interesting. 

 

 

Congrats! to First Responder Jamie Cashion Honored by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Congratulations! to Jamie Cashion on continuing to serve the community as a first responder.

Fort Worth, TX (For Release) - Jamie Cashion, a fire department first responder and American Karate Grandmaster, was honored by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation during the 2019 Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk at the Shops at Clearfork in Fort Worth, TX, on Saturday, October 12. The event, which raised nearly $4000 to support the Foundation, honors the memory of New York City Firefighter Stephen Siller who lost his life while saving others during the tragedy of September 11, 2001.

In Siller’s memory, the Foundation honors the military and first responders who every day put their lives on the line for others. Since its inception, the Foundation has spent more than $100 million towards these efforts. The signature event, The Tunnel to Towers National Run, Walk, & Climb Series, honors the final steps of Sillers who, in full gear, ran through the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (formerly the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel) to reach the Twin Towers.

Cashion, who has served since his teens as a volunteer and reserve firefighter, EMR and Deputy Fire Marshall, was honored for his continued service to the public. His first major incident, during which he nearly lost his life, was a 1984 wildland fire near Crowley, TX, at age 16. Since then he has served in numerous natural disaster incidents, most notably the 2013 Granbury, TX, EF-4 tornado and Hurricane Harvey in 2017. He was also instrumental in raising funds to support firefighters following the 2013 fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas.

In addition to his first responder efforts, Cashion has set a strong example in his life through both his martial arts success and his commitment to giving back to the community. He has worked with at-risk youth and underprivileged children in Texas and as far away as Costa Rica and Uganda. Cashion, who was promoted to 9th Degree Black Belt by Grandmaster Pat Burleson on April 21, 2018, has also dedicated more than three decades of his life to the martial arts as a student, teacher and advocate.

“There are many more worthy than I am to receive the award, but I am blessed and honored to receive it,” said Cashion. “This award recognizes those hurt in the line of duty who continue to serve. I continue to do this because I love to serve my community.”

To learn more about the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, visit tunnel2towers.org. For more information or to schedule an interview with first responder and American Karate Grandmaster Jamie Cashion, visit his website at www.jamiecashion.com. For media inquiries please contact KamatoyMediaGroup.com Click here to email.

"Typewriter Blog Theme" on Typepad, David Kamatoy's original Blog gets retro update.

It seems like a typewriter blog theme on typepad make perfect sense. I did a version of this in the past but I am trying to get a bit more detailed. 

My design idea for the blog is a typed paper sitting on a desk.  Iv'e been trying to get warmer tones out this last website build for a client and I think that carried over to this idea. I wanted to keep our red, black and white Kamatoy Media Group and Jugglemail theme but give it a warm retro typewriter feeling. Here are the elements I used to create to piece this blog theme together. It is a work in progress...

 

Element #1: Special Elite Font

The font. I ended up choosing the "Special Elite" Google Font by Astigmatic, Principal Design that mimics the Smith Corona Special Elite Number NR6 and the Remington Noiseless typewriter models according to the Google Font website. Which can be found here. https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Special+Elite

I really think the effect of this font on top of the paper backdrop really works well. I want add some white out or a coffee stain. 

Using CSS in Typepad is a little tricky but not too bad. I used the customized template with adding the CSS. I could have really gone deep with it and played with the HTML but for now, this worked. 

Element #2: Paper Post Background

I chose a paper background from Envato. I had to play with a texture that was not too distracting. As close to white as possible. In case the image doesn't load. The color behind the image is white or near white.

I am a true believer of white backgrounds especially for email marketing. Image backgrounds on email is never a good idea.So typically in order for us to continue the style guide from website to email on the Jugglemail (our project) platform I typically choose white. 

Element #3: Desktop Backdrop

I also went with an an Envato wood backdrop for now. After playing with a few options,  Ideally I need an image that is repeatable that has warmth without drawing attention away from the text. I uploaded this as 4000 px accross, the reason is that I found that the repeating image worked better on a 1920 screen. Above the fold with one scroll kept the theme. There are other wood options that I played with but this was the one that did the best job of being a background vs. a "Ooh look at that background." background. 

I may go crazy at some point and try to overlay images on my hands on the sides of the blog as if they are sitting on the desk.  If I can set it up so that my hands stay while the background moves. That would be cool. 

Here is the code link for Typepad CSS. https://help.typepad.com/background_images.html

Element #4: The Banner

The banner is using another typewriter font from Adobe, Typeka Regular. I used the same paper backdrop and added a few lines on the blog to help break up the layout a bit. I had to incorporate the 3 ball mark, my name and additional text. 

This typepad format is suggesting a 1000px- 1200px native accross. So I did 1000px. I included a little of my bio which I feel is always going to be confusing but that's one the reasons for the blog. To show the crazy diversity skill set. I ended up going flatter with the logo vs. shadowed. But I did throw in that Typewriter image to carry the retro theme through. 

This is a work in progress and I am going to continue to tweak the code on this and also play with the layouts of blog posts, so that they fit. 

This typewriter theme blog allows me to have a little fun since my other related sites should  take a more traditional tone to them.

Please comment if you are doing something similar or found something similar. I did a cursory search and was surprised that nothing immediately came up. There was a cool typing effect blog theme though so that's cool. 

 

Check out Jill Lublin's Crash Course in Publicity

If you are interested in getting Media to cover you, your event, your company then you have to understand PR, Public Relations. It's that simple.

One of the ways to do that is to learn as much about PR as you can and Jill Lublin, Co-Author of Guerrilla Publicity is a great way to do it. 

Click here for more information & to register for Jill Lublin's Crash Course in Publicity.

As a TV producer of hundreds of TV and Radio talk shows. I can tell you that understanding PR, Public Relations how it relates to marketing is constantly misunderstood.

PR is one of those strange gigs in the business world that almost every business needs to understand at some level and at the same time its a job that requires no degree and no certification.

As an entrepreneur, I try to learn as much as I can about something before I hire someone to do the job. 

Click here for more information & to register for Jill Lublin's Crash Course in Publicity.

Do you need a PR person or can you do it yourself? My answer is YES! Both are true. 

As a producer I can tell you straight out that the best guests are typically represented and pitched by an agency. Why? because they are prepped, the understand the format. 

We get things like

• Press Releases
• Interview Guides
• Question Suggestions
• Talking Points
• B-Roll
• Images
• A media friendly website
• A simple pitch or CTA and if its appropriate for the show.

That being stated, that does not mean that you need PR Agency to prep the above but the truth is that most who approach me without a PR Agency are not prepped correctly.

My other reality is that many of our regular guests are not attached to a PR Agency and have not been for years. 

So how does that work???

The simple answer is that they are great guests and they know how to prep, are media coached, media friendly and can carry a conversation on air.

Rock 105.3 Boo Ball 2018 Rocks San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA - Rock 105.3 Boo Ball in San Diego was a rousing success. We have helped with placing entertainers for this event for the 4th year in a row. Stephen Prendergast and David Kamatoy had a chance to capture the event. Here a few highlighted images from 2018. We will post a few more on Facebook and additionally at KamatoyPhotography. 

 Congratulations to the Rock 105.3 team and the winners from Boo Ball 2018.

 

 

One of the most entertaining lines of the year at House of Blues. 

 

Radio Hosts of Rock 105.3 at Boo Ball 2018 to a packed house.

Art Macias as Freddy Kreuger took photos with patrons of the night.

Go Go Dancer Sam onstage at House of Blues. 

Runner up of the Sexiest Costume.
Winner of Sexiest Costume... SO CLOSE.

Winner of Best Costume.

 

 

One of the last shots of the night. I found this very amusing. 

More photos to be found at KamatoyPhotography.com soon. 

Interested in working in working with the team. Send an email. 

David Kamatoy is a juggler literally and figuratively. A Nationally Syndicated TV/ Radio producer known for The Big Biz Show and America Trends. He has worked proffessionally as a juggler-comedian, actor, musician, photographer, Director of Photography to name a few. Clients have a tendancy to work with David based on wanting to produce media and business development. He teaches once a week acting and performance. He is co-founder of Kamatoy Media Group and Jugglemail.com a CRM email marketing company As an early adopter to social media he understands the long term benefits of self-branding and content creation. He host’s his own show, “David Kamatoy Blog Show” a magazine style format show covering entertainment, entrepreneurship and e-marketing