COM 117/4: Multimedia Storytelling

On Wednesday, April 13, 2011, the Black Artisit League invited Hollywood’s Gentleman, Derek Watkins, commonly known as Fonzworth Bentley, to speak encouraging words to students that would motivate them to take charge of their life.

“Manners + Confidence + Style= Swagger” – Mr. Bentley

Mr. Bentley started as a regular country boy from Atlanta, Georgia, but through his bold personality, bold touch of color, and bold sense of etiquette, he found his purpose in life. He has become an accomplished author, musician, actor, fashion icon, and motivational speaker. Mr. Bentley has recently finished his first mixtape, entitled C.O.L.O.U.R.S (Cool outrageous lovers of uniquely raw style), which will debut April 22, 2010, but he spends most of his time traveling across the nation speaking to young men and women about standing out amongst the crowd so that they can fulfill their purpose in life.

 Mr. Bentley discussed three topics, which he presents in his book, Advance Your Swagger: How to use Manners, Confidence, and Style to get Ahead. He explains how etiquette, self-confidence, and style are crucial traits to acquire in order for people to reach their goals.

Etiquette.

 Mr. Bentley states, “This is the golden age of disrespect.” He believes that we are losing a sense of connection with people. For example, when we are walking down a street consumed in our phones, we lose the connections we could make with people by simply showing a smile. Etiquette is the trait that makes one stand out from the rest, because it has become so uncommon. Mr. Bentley also explained that men need to give respect toward women, and in the same fashion; women need to demand their respect. Etiquette earns a person a certain level of respect and showcases their professionalism.

** Live by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you wish them to do unto you.”– Fonzworth Bentley

Confidence.

Confidence is the most important trait to have, because without confidence it is difficult to get to where you want to be. Mr. Bentley uses the example of his experience in getting into the VH1 Fashion Awards. He woke up the morning of the awards show and decided that he was going to attend it. At this time in his life, Mr. Bentley had just moved to New York City, and was working at a restaurant. Despite his position, Mr. Bentley not only attended the show, but also walked down the red carpet with Russell Simmons. He did all of this by dressing the part, and acting—in confidence—as if he was supposed to be there. This story, among others, has inspired his audience to reform their lifestyles and practice on building up their confidence levels.  

** Stay confident in yourself. “Refrain from using the following sayings: I Can’t and I’m trying.”–Fonzworth Bentley

Style.

Fonzworth Bentley’s style comes at no surprise. He has dressed to impress all his life. Mr. Bentley describes how, style is just as important in advancing in life, as confidence is.  Mr. Bentley discusses how a person’s appearance can say a lot upon meeting them for the first time. He stressed to the men the “the suit” is the universal uniform for business, no matter what kind of business it is. Dressing appropriately for an occasion displays  professionalism, respect, confidence, and definetly makes one stand out from all the rest.

“You can have the confidence to go to the party, but it if you don’t how the style to get in; what are you suppose to do?”–Fonzworth Bentley

So… Work on your etiquette, build up your confidence, and add some style into your life so that you can advance your SWAGGER and fulfill your pupose in life.

As this lecture started, I recalled a vivid memory of walking out of the Apple store the week the iPad was released. That day, my friends had dragged me in there despite my opposition to Apple’s latest product.  I wasn’t sold on the idea of the iPad; in my mind it was just another way for Apple to make money- I mean, how was it any different from a larger version of the iPod touch? As time has gone on since this incident, the iPad has grown on me, but I still wasn’t convinced that it was any different from other Apple products.

However, my mind has been changed. The discussion panel showed me the major differences between uses for iPads and other Apple products, as well has how applications are changing industries. I was particularly interested in learning about the effects of apps on the magazine industry, and print journalism in general, as it is my hopeful future career.

One major difference between an iPad and an iPhone is the difference between portable and mobile. News sites, such as the New York Times, are more conducive to apps on mobile devices, because the news is always changing and updating, and can be checked quickly and often. Apps based off magazines, on the other hand, prove more effective on portable devices such as the iPad. The iPad provides an ideal place to read magazines because it gives readers the longform journalism they are yearning for once again.

Another major difference between magazine apps and others is that those for magazines are “off.” There is no need for interactivity, as opposed to “on” apps requiring touchable interactions and movements. The panelists noted that magazines have never truly embraced the web the way some of their media counterparts have, and they need to change their frequency to keep up. However, as the old adage goes “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” There is no need for interactivity solely for interactivity’s sake.

I think that these presents an interesting conundrum for the future of magazines as far as web applications go. However, according to the panelists, magazines can (and should) capitalize on their “off” status. People want to relax and sit back with a magazine. It should be a time of leisurely browsing, as opposed to constant movement and updates. The iPad grants a perfect platform for this sort of application, the kind that would be difficult on a phone or iPod.

I am interested to see how these emerging technologies change the magazine industry. There is definitely going to be some overhaul in the near future, and I look forward to observing it.

I am not a Public Relations major, nor is it a field I am interested in studying. I do not watch “The Hills,” and I do not watch “The City.” Despite previous lack of knowledge about PR heavyweight Kelly Cutrone, I found her talk both interesting and inspiring.

One of the things I found most riveting about Cutrone’s talk was her no-nonsense point of view and blatant advice. She speaks her mind, which is definitely something important in today’s media industry. As she shared her background story, she was not afraid to swear and expressed zero apprehension towards speaking her mind. While making a name for yourself in the media industry involves starting at the bottom and working your way up, Cutrone emphasized that it is imperative not to lose yourself, and I think this is an extremely relevant point. She exemplifies someone confident in their beliefs and their ability to perform their job well. Confidence is paramount in making a name for yourself.

Cutrone inspired with her advice to know who you are and find your sense of self. She accentuated finding spiritual guidance, and shared her journey to finding happiness in herself. The reason I think this is so relevant today’s media industry is because it can be so easy to get caught up in what you want to be and where you’re going, thus losing who you are. I found this inspiring because it showed me that you can pursue whichever dreams you choose, and still be yourself. You may need to grow some tougher skin and put up with rejection at times, but you never have to abandon who you are.

The B.O.D.Y. (Beautiful, Original, Definitely, You) campaign focuses on empowering and educating people with eating disorders.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4q1gY83n1g[/youtube]

Jess’s PSA – Bulimia

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYvgOdrBNFA[/youtube]

Shy’s PSA – Anorexia

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F84_k8poYU8[/youtube]

Matt’s PSA – Men and Eating Disorders

After hearing Kelly Cutrone speak, I felt a new spark of energy inside of me that seems to have been hiding for a long time. I admire her sass, spunkiness, confidence, independence, and love for her career. Overall, she is just a woman I aspire to be like because she has many traits that I feel like I lack. She inspires me mostly because she said how she went through a stage where she couldn’t truly find herself, which is what I feel like I may be going through now, and that empowers me to push through the hard times.

There’s always that point in a persons’ life where he or she needs to find himself or herself and I feel I’m going through mine. She said that the most vital, influential part in her life was once she found herself. She went through a variety of little part time jobs, her one small nursing job before quitting, and many other obstacles before she finally became the successful self-assured woman she is today. She even had to go through one of the hardest times when she had to couch surf through New York City before finally being able to get out in the world financially. I think those types of events that make Cutrone the snotty, straight-up person she is today, and personally I think that she deserves it one hundred percent.

Another statement that Cutrone said that made me aspire to be like her was when she said, “Being normal won’t get you anywhere, but lying will get you f****** far!” I find it hilarious how she used cheating the system to make herself successful, and how she encourages it now. I feel like many people who I have heard of becoming rich and successful have cheated the system one way or another, but say nothing about it. On the other hand, Cutrone takes full responsibility for doing so and even says how she is proud of it. Yes, she may be a big “b****y,” and a little pushy, but that’s because she has worked for everything she has, and went from being nothing, to the huge fashion sensation she is today.

Overall, I admire Kelly Cutrone as not only a fashion legend, but also as a person. She was nothing but honest, and was more than willing to help everyone who came to her speech. My friends and I approached her and she welcomed us with opened arms, encouraging us to ask as many questions as we’d like. Her performance over all shocked me, because if it wasn’t because of this class, I wouldn’t have wanted to attend a person’s speech who I saw on the TV as such a rude, bad-mannered individual. I’m more than happy I went to her speech because she is nothing like the woman I saw in the Hills or in the City. She truly inspired me to move to the city next summer and apply for jobs until I get hired.

For those of you who didn’t see Kelly, here’s a video of her on Chelsea Lately.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U42V81GI9I8&feature=fvwrel

Before attending the Editorial Apps Panel Discussion from Eric Gillin, David Griffin, and Jennifer Brook, I rarely knew the meaning behind the iPad, as well as the reasoning behind having a high tech phone such as the iPhone. Upon entering the room my heart was open and extremely relaxed because of the environment they set. Each one of them had high-paying, prestigious jobs yet had the personality to joke around and make the audience laugh by cracking jokes about each person’s answers. I used to think many people in these industries were stuck up, but they immediately set a comfortable environment that made me want t listen even more!

They talked about the differences between “good” apps vs. “bad” apps which was really interesting. Since I don’t own an iPhone or an iPad I am not very familiar with apps, besides on my iTouch. Gillin and Brook went into how a “good app” is something that you tell your friends about and are really excited about having. Another feature that makes an app “good” is that it’s simple. You don’t want to have an app that is average at everything, but one that is just amazing at one thing and keeps you addicted. A “bad app” is anything that has too much complexity and if confusing to use. As Griffin said a bad app is like an “overstuffed turkey,” with way too much going on that it makes it’s user not want to continue using it, and who would want that!

The trio also talked about the intimacy of the iPad and why it is such an amazing product for their users. They talked about how the touch screen really pulls the user in showing that they are the ones in control with the touch of their finger, rather than wasting time with a mouse. The more powerful the user feels, the more inclined they will be to buy the product. Also they talked about the smart phone and it’s difference from using an iPad. On the smart phones you get all of this condensed information that can take forever to read. Brook said that smartphones are better for quick, simple forms to get information, while the iPad has a whole different reason behind it. The tablet is used to get long engaging information that a person needs, but Gillen said how it is more of a “consumption” device, not a creative.

Griffin compared user apps to a ride in an amusement park, which really stuck out to me. They have to know how to get people to go through the gate, as he said, “again, and again, and again, and again, and again.” Something must compel the user to move forwards, which means that the app itself must be exciting. If the app is too complex, like a roller coaster that has too many loops, people will not want to use it. They made the message clear that an app must do one thing and one thing only really well. That is what will compel it’s users to purchase it.

Going to this speech truly changed my mindset about all of the new technology. In the beginning I always used to say, “What is that?” or “Why do I need that, it’s basically exactly what I have with a few extra apps on it.” After listening to each one of them speak about apps and how vital it is to keep up with the digital age as a whole I realized I really needed to get my act together. I have officially created a twitter and a tumbler just so that I can be prepared and broaden my horizons by trying new websites on the Internet. Gillin, Griffin, and Brook all stated how vital these skills are when interviewing for a job, and the more experience you have with these websites the better. Thanks to them I am going to buy an iPad and become a computer savvy genius over the summer and become obsessed with Twitter. Oops. :D

For those of you like me who don’t own iPads, here’s a nice little YouTube clip of how cool they are and what they do. It’s long but the stuff is completely amazing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F4RKlnzUYg

On Monday, April 11, 2011, my day was truly completed after hearing Kelly Cutrone, most known as the founder of People’s Revolution, speak in the completely crowded Shaffer Auditorium.

After attending the lecture, I discovered Kelly is a native of Camillus, New York, a small town about twelve miles off of campus.

Kelly’s humor and wisdom was shown right from the beginning of her lecture, as she dropped the f word numerous times and added humor to almost every sentence she spoke. She began her lecture by talking about her initial career choice as a nurse. Kelly talked about how her patient died on her first day of work, giving her a sign that nursing was not her speciality.

Kelly ended up in New York City where she took an interest in Public Relations. I truly fell in love with her as she talked about her passion for Public Relations, for I, also, hope to land a Pubic Relations career in the future. I was drawn more into her speech as she used great, yet odd examples, of good Public Relations, such as that used of Paul Revere who stated “The British are coming,” repeatedly, to successfully get his message accross.

After being a die hard fan of “The City,” an MTV show where Whitney Port interned under Kelly Cutrone, I viewed Kelly as somewhat demanding and very stern. However, during her talk, I got to see her down-to-earth personality as she spoke about her love for her daughter, Ava, and taking time outs from her hectic life to find out who she was an individual.

From an academic stand point, Kelly filled me with useful tips that I know I’ll use in the future. Below are a few of her tips:

1.) Don’t wear a lot of make-up when going to an interview for an internship.

2.) “Lying will get you really f***ing far.”

3.) Don’t bring your emotions to work.

4.) Sometimes you just have to stand strong and do things on your own (Kelly has been without an assistant since February 16, 2011.)

5.) Use repetition like it’s your job. Don’t stop even if you keep failing.

Kelly inspired me to do many things after attending her lecture:

1.) I will now buy her book “If You Have to Cry, Go Outside.” (of course)

2.) I will live in New York City at some point in my life, even if my apartment costs 32,000 a month.

3.) I’ll take time out of my hectic life of school and partying to spend atleast 30-40 minutes finding out who I am as an individual.

Kelly left me with a reality check and yet still gave me ambition to follow my dreams and enjoy the journey while doing so.

I’ll end this with a quote from her book, “If You Have to Cry Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You:”

“This is an important lesson to remember when you’re having a bad day, a bad month, or a shitty year. Things will change: you won’t feel this way forever. And anyway, sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are the ones your soul needs most. I believe you can’t feel real joy unless you’ve felt heartache. You can’t have a sense of victory unless you know what it means to fail. You can’t know what it’s like to feel holy until you know what it’s like to feel really fucking evil. And you can’t be birthed again until you’ve died.”

PS. here’s the softer side which I saw in Kelly…

http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/511337/im-really-proud-of-you.jhtml#id=1643257

This is the cover of Kelly Cutrone's first book.

Kelly Cutrone, one of the most well-known publicists, spoke in the Shaffer Auditorium tonight at 7 p.m.

Cutrone, owner of People’s Revolution and author of  If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You and Normal Gets You Nowhere: Trust Me, They’re Lying to You, spoke to a standing-room only crowd about her journey that led to becoming the fashionista and PR legend that she is today. She told the ups-and-downs of her life, sharing her ultimate low points like having no money and sleeping on a couch in New York City. Cutrone told the audience that although her journey was long and hard, it was well worth it because she ended up finding herself in the process and becoming more than she ever imagined.

Ironically, I have had the opportunity to talk to Cutrone in person before. She is the Aunt of my best friend back home. I’ve actually shared Thanksgiving dinner with her before! When I found out that she was actually coming to campus to speak, I wrote the event down to be sure to attend.

Kelly Cutrone is such an inspiring person. She talked about her past as a lesson to others. She talked about her role as a hard-working mother because she is inspired by her young daughter, Ava, who was also at the event. And she talked so knowledgeably about the industry, name-dropping fashion designers and other PR companies.

Cutrone, a native of Camillus, New York, also spoke highly of the Newhouse school. She told the audience that being in a college as great as Newhouse maximizes our opportunities since it is known as one of the best public communications schools in the nation. She told us to use it for all it’s worth and become whatever we want to become.

I was very impressed with Cutrone’s ability to humor the crowd. She slipped the f-word a few times when getting worked up about topics or questions that the audience members asked, but if she hadn’t done so, then she would’ve been holding back her true personality, which is one of the things she encouraged the fans to express. Her inspirational speech and knowledgeable answers to questions made her event the best that I have attended thus far.

Not to one-up Brad (but yeah let’s be real, I really am), but I also went to see Mike Tirico speak and I am even later to post about him.

Unfortunately due to a Spanish test I arrived at Tirico’s speech as it was already in progress. However, because I view Tirico as one of the best in the business as many do and because this is the same business I hope do one day break into, I felt the need to go, however late I may be.

The majority of Tirico’s speech was simply done in a standard question and answer format. I can’t think of a better way for Tirico to have addressed the audience than through this method. Part of what makes Tirico such a successful journalist is his personality. Tirico is extremely personable and that shined through in the question and answer period. He was able to answer nearly everyone’s questions and show off his insight on the business and sport in general thanks to his friendly demeanor.

The greatest focus of Tirico’s speech though was on social media. During the speech Tirico discussed his newly created Twitter page and the effects that this website is having on reporting in general. During his speech Tirico had a sign with “#Tirico” written on it to allow the audience to connect via Twitter. While we were all obviously sitting in the same room, it would have been otherwise impossible to get everyone’s thoughts on the speech without this tool.

All in all, Mike Tirico was definitely #winning.

After much begging from my friend Allie and recommendations from Professor Goenka, I decided I would go see The Vagina Monologues, hosted by the student organization Students Advocating Sexual Safety and Empowerment, a.k.a. SASSE. It was a cold Friday night in February, and since I’m a big fan of theatre I thought it was something I should experience. Before the performance, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d heard many things about the show, ranging from that it had an intricate plotline to that it was people actually dressed up as vaginas. When I actually went, I was very surprised by what I experienced. Instead of a traditional show as I’d expected, The Vagina Monologues was really only tied together thematically, meaning there was no plotline. It really was just a series of monologues featuring women talking about their identities as women, their perceptions of womanhood, and occasionally, just about their vagina in general.
I must admit, after about twenty minutes into the show, I began to feel a little uncomfortable. The audience was mostly composed of females (I’d say about 90%) and the show got me thinking about some issues that, as a man, had never really crossed my mind before. The event really turned out to be thought provoking and deep, with a little scattered humor including monologues about the “C” word and over exaggeration for comic effect. All in all, I left feeling a little bit more educated than I was when I’d entered, and a little more entertained.
I think the only criticism I might have for the show was its length. A few of the monologues seemed to be sort of similar to each other, and it might have been more effective to simply cut them out to have a tighter, more powerful show. Despite the length and the small level of discomfort I experienced, I would recommend that all men see The Vagina Monologues, if only to educate themselves a little more on female nature and to get them thinking about the kind of respect a woman deserves.