DJ JennaBeatz: The Website Final

 

Creating a website has always been a goal of mine in reference to my social media projects. I have several endeavors that I use to fill my spare time with but my most favorite is that of my dj persona. DJ JennaBeatz is my musical outlet that I have been passionate about for eight years and counting. Creating a website to showcase that outlet was the perfect way to tie in the skills I have acquired over the last few projects.

This website is the perfect platform to collect and present the different social media platforms that I have for JennaBeatz. Now, instead of supplying links to several different platforms, I can supply a website link that will allow users to navigate between those platforms with ease.

            Not only is this project a nice presentation but I think it also adds credibility and advertising for myself as this persona. The entire site is essentially a portfolio of not only my work but the direct links to established points of contact for my dj profile. Facebook, Blogger, Twitter and Soundcloud links were all added and helped to round out the necessary foundation for this project.

            Viewing tutorials on how to structure the site helped me to get the best flow for my work schedule. I was able to navigate between the tutorial videos and creating the site by each step without losing my place or having too much difficulty completing the next task. The breakdown of the videos also made them easier to view, in my opinion, because I could access one specific tutorial if needed without having to access a large file and sift through more video than necessary.

            The experience of coding was the biggest hurdle from within this project that I experienced. I found it painstaking in the beginning due to the meticulous effort needed to ensure that all code was correct. Once I started to copy, paste and examine the code closer and more consistently, I started to recognize patterns and found it easier to read error codes to show me where there were mistakes that needed to be corrected.

            Another hurdle that I faced in the final stages of completing the website was adding the audio. Although I had instructions on how to do this, the instructions could have been a more direct step by step explanation in order to get me to the desired result. I had a little bit of difficulty navigating some of the ‘obvious’ parts of the instruction and had to investigate online help centers to complete the task. Once I found what I needed, I was able to add the audio and complete the task.

            The final product is something that I am proud of, but I do wish to learn more and extend myself past my current capabilities. This current version of the website is a great starting point, but I believe that I can make it even better with more time and a bit of extra work. This was a great experience and I hope to continue learning in the world of coding and website building.

BSC: Quarantine & Me

    Creating video content can be a daunting task but compiling that video into an appealing piece is another task all in itself. There are many subject matters to consider but the project ‘BSC: Quarantine & Me’ is from the point of view of a college student while in quarantine. The content, storyline and production were all completed in a South Buffalo apartment. With limited space, this project was completed with a cellphone, a laptop and a desire to show a personal flair for conveying my daily life.  

     Perspective is all about an individual’s way of seeing things and this project tapped right into the heart of that concept. In order to offer that perspective, it is imperative to create structure to the story you are trying to tell. When creating this structure, you must analyze the components of your day that consume the most time. This will tell you what to start to focus on and portray to the audience. It can be daily habits, crafts or anything within your space that is important. For some, not all their personal content is preferred to be shared with the public, especially on a popular host like YouTube. For me, I was happy to share the content of my day-to-day life with others.

       Taking videos to later compile seems like an easy concept but you can run into obstacles once you get to that later stage. My main obstacle of this project was in reviewing the footage once I was ready to edit. The footage was shaky and often stalled in many of my original clips and this delayed the editing process. On one hand, it caused delay but, on the other hand, it was an opportunity to correct any images that were not satisfactory. I reshot scenes that weren’t quite fitting and this was a perfect opportunity to restructure the original idea.

     Editing the videos was not difficult because I have experience with music editing programs, and it was a very similar structure. It took me a few minutes to gage the platform and move around in some of the features but I caught on quickly to the main components that I would need to use for this project. For some, the task could be daunting because the software is not necessarily ‘easy’ to navigate. Even with instructional videos, working with this program could be cumbersome for individuals. Inserting the intro and exit credits was the most difficult part of the editing process for me. I had to figure out how to incorporate them without causing too much disruption to the film concept.

      I found no real issue with sharing the content of my space because my life is ‘kid-friendly’. I have a child that has many toys and activities, so it was a joy to display that for others to see. In addition to that, I shared my art projects, collectibles and antiques. These are all things that I am proud to have and even more proud to share with the public.

        I had no issues sharing the video, both full-length and teaser, to social media. Because of the audio, even though it was legally purchased, there had to be a disclaimer added to the file to avoid in any copyright claim issues. Each file uploaded without issue and the first video uploaded has received over 30 views.

          I thoroughly enjoyed this project as I have always wanted to learn video editing. My nature is to get discouraged if I cannot learn a program immediately and my ability to pick this up quickly made the task satisfying. I decided that my first edit was not quite the perfect representation of my quarantine life, so I recreated it and made adjustments based on what I wanted the end goal to be. This made the experience that much more satisfying because I realized how quickly you can start over if necessary.

         

 Sharing media with the public can be intimidating because of the many layers. You must have content that is interesting to others, but you must also layer it together in a way that is visually appealing. You can learn programs and technical styles from many different mentors or platforms but the most basic of the need for a successful media file is the style and way it is presented. That is most truly an art form that cannot be learned. Like with most things nowadays, you must tell a story in order for something on social media to be affective. Telling a story about yourself may not always be intriguing to another, but if you are able to complete a compelling storyline, you are sure to grab the attention of an audience.

 

Living in Today's Twitterverse

 

The world of Twitter is an ever evolving one. Twitter is a communication-based application that allows users to express themselves in a count of 280 characters or less. The limited amount of characters can be restricting when one is trying to make a specific point or explain themselves in a way that requires more character space. However, the benefit of this limitation is that information can be delivered at a fast pace that can allow for more information received in the end.

            Although this application is primarily used for user to user communication, it has evolved over the years to become a marketing tool as well as and educational one. Everyone from actors to politicians to scholars express themselves with tweets. Users have their right to free speech, but this can also allow for misinformation to be published. As proven by the article “Political Advertising” even the POTUS can share information that is questionable, at best. This can often cause for misleading and confusing stances on any given subject matter.

            The Presidential election was used by Twitter recently to express political preference and campaigning. In this instance, it was used in both a positive and negative way. Supporters of the current president often used this application to encourage others to vote for him and were able to express negative narration when they so choose. This consistent, albeit overloaded, amount of information helped to shape the election and its outcome.

            Another instance of Twitter and its recent narration of an event would be the Covid-19 crisis. Users from around the world have accessed this platform to talk about what is going on in their part of the world and also reaching out to others to collect information. This also can allow for misinformation because tweets can sometimes be opinion biased. However, in this instance, most information is truthful because the population wants the situation to be improved.

            WHO (World Health Organization) and the Buffalo Bills Public Relations Department were two pages that offered a varied perspective of subject matter to follow on Twitter. There seemed to be more regular interaction from other users for the Buffalo Bills page and the WHO offered insight into third-world problems that are relevant in the culture of today. As a contrast, Joe Biden’s Twitter page offered a political view on content and what is regularly consumed by that arena of followers. Consistent and relatable content were displayed by the three pages, even in a world of Twitter posts that are not always such.

            Twitter has always been a different ‘type’ of social media that focuses mainly on sharing short bursts of information. This concept can sometimes be difficult to adjust to because this may not be a common writing style for many. In order to be efficient in this world of micro-blogging, one would have to adjust their writing accordingly. The Twitter world is not always correct, but it is always constant. Overcompensating for a limitation in writing style is often a driving force for Twitter users and continues the loop of never-ending need for information.

How to Organize Your Holiday Decorations

Keeping a family’s worth of holiday and seasonal decorations organized and stored can become stressful if not done efficiently. This article will show how to do so in a convenient way.

Step One – Gather supplies and list how many totes you have available. Clean the inside of the totes before next step.

Step Two – Your family religion (or lack thereof), hobbies and other interests will determine how your chart should be made. This step is listing out each of those holidays or special times of year that are important to highlight by decorating.

Step Three - Separate those previously determined interests in to four categories most closely associated with the current season. (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter). Determine how many totes you will need per season or holiday.  

Step Four - Separate the physical items into the four categories and organize totes according to what category is next. This can also be a good time to clean out any unnecessary items to ensure less clutter in the system.

Step Five – Finalize your inventory. This will include pictures of your completed system as well as list that has been handwritten to keep track of the items.

List of Items: Paper, Marker, Totes, Decorations, Cleaning Wipes

wikiHow - Decorate Your Holiday

 How to organize holiday decorations – Keeping a family’s worth of holiday and seasonal decorations organized and stored can become stressful if not done efficiently. This article will show how to do so in a convenient way.

 Step One will list all the items needed to create the organization system. This will include writing utensils in order to plan the year’s schedule as well as a picture of all the storage items needed.

Step Two is going to explain that based on the reader’s family religion (or lack thereof), hobbies and other interests that will determine how their schedule should be made. This step is listing out each of those holidays or special times of year that are important to highlight by decorating.

 Step Three is separating those previously determined highlights in to four categories most closely associated with the current season. (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter). This step will also have the reader decide on whether to use a full tote (or other boxing system) or a half one to share with another highlight.

 Step Four will advise the reader on how to separate the items into the four categories and organize totes according to what category is next. This can also be a good time to have the reader clean out any unnecessary items to ensure less clutter in the system.

Step Five will be a finalization of inventory. This will include pictures of a completed system as well as list that has been handwritten to keep track of the items.

Drive Responsibly

    Gone are the days where we coded our favorite songs into our Myspace account or spent hours coming up with the most creative AOL  screen name. Ten or more years ago, when I entered into the internet and social media scene, it was merely the beginning. Access to several accounts and massive amounts of information were not the norm at the time because they simply did not exist yet. 

    Facebook was established in 2004 and that opened the 'flood gates' for new and exciting applications that could offer us variety as well as more connection or less. Social media can be intrusive to individual lives as the general population not only has access to view your world but also comment on it. This can cause people to feel violated and uneasy about the amount of information that is available on the internet through social media platforms. 

    Social media has instilled a power within each individual to assess and dissect others without real concern or much personal accountability. It is quite easy for an individual to take their opinion to one of many hundreds, if not thousands, of social media apps and proclaim their personal views as right or truth for the world to see. It is easy for the world to forget the responsibility that they have to protect the human decency within us as well as the good nature that we must always prioritize towards others. 

    In recent news, Chadwick Boseman, an American actor, passed away after battling colon cancer for four years. He kept his condition private and continued with his profession creating a major motion picture, Black Panther. While doing so, he suffered weight loss due to treatment and other health complications. The internet and social media users took this opportunity to belittle the actor and put their opinions of his weight loss on the front of his image. This most surely did emotionally damage as many comments and posts were offensive and without any consideration for the possibility of what the real story was. 

    This is our failing as the drivers behind the wheel of the information super highway. Most don't often check themselves for human decency or for the ability to see beyond their discomfort or hate. It is within this downfall that social media has become intrusive in a way that is not held accountable. Words are said, memes are created, laughter is echoed through each permanent stain on the keyboard of the world wide web but yet we struggle to guide ourselves in a loving and comforting nature when humanity needs it most. 

    With all of these unacceptable guides for being on social media, there is a silver lining. Tolerance for hate, bigotry and shaming is starting to dip. There are internet heroes who defend others in order to keep humanity alive and there are some that seek justice in the "real world" for crimes committed in the internet universe. The community of social media is becoming stronger and it will do better.

‘Adventure Club: A Superheroes Halloween’

           Electronic Dance Music, or EDM for short, is a corner of the music industry that has created a world of millions of followers. Every day, around the world, there are many events that showcase the reason behind this genres sensation. These events display artists and the projects that they’ve created or are promoting. There are live musicians, djs and artists that provide visual aesthetics as well.

            For a Halloween celebration this year there was an event held called ‘Adventure Club: A Superheroes Halloween’. The world-famous dj duo Adventure Club headlined this event on Friday, October 26th, 2018 at Buffalo Riverworks. Eptic, SubDocta and Dirt Monkey were the other opening acts that warmed up the crowd starting at 8pm. “There’s nothing quite like the arena of electronic music today. Everyone has their favorite things in life and coming to shows like this one is mine” says James Turner, an attendee that shared his perception on the sensationalism of the EDM industry.

            Adventure Club specializes in the genre known as Dubstep. Dubstep is bass heavy, computer generated sound that runs at around 140 beats per minute. Many patrons find themselves dancing around during these shows to these sometimes slow but heavy beats. There are many hundreds, if not thousands, of djs that can be seen on any given night across the world but finding the genre that most intrigues you is a start to figure out which event you’d be the most happy at. 

            When entering Riverworks, the bass of the music could be heard from afar and was inviting by its rhythmic tones. Stepping inside the doorway provided a warm relief from the outside crisp October air and the sensation of the sounds were enticing. Scanning the tickets and getting bags checked was all that stood between us and the venue filled with hundreds of people.

            Like zigzags on a screen, people were already buzzing back and forth with excitement and energy from the music. Bass beats permeated from the stage, which was set back against a wall and built high on a platform so as to look out at the growing crowd. Laser lights rocked back and forth from the hardware that was built into a portion of the platform. The lighting continuously bounced off the faces in the crowd and, for seconds at a time, would highlight the patrons emotions to all.

            Riverworks is a venue that often holds major events and offers plenty of space for any level of organization with a capacity of up to 5,000 people at a time. One of the great features of this venue is the upper level which provides additional viewing and an alternative angle to being in the middle of the crowd below. From this higher angle a patron can see most of the space set out below and it gives for a great perspective of the crowd. The light show displayed on stage can also provide for an additional experience and is often another type of talent that is showcased.

            Another aspect of this event that added to its uniqueness was the Halloween costume concept that many patrons participated in. Hippies, gangsters, cartoon characters and superheroes alike were spotted throughout the night. Many smiles were traded with the acknowledgement of their alter-egos being shown through creative costumes, face-paint and a lot of glitter. Going to an event where you can trade in your ‘regular’ clothes for those that emulate a different side of your personality can often help to free some anxieties and apprehensions that a person may have.

Turner, a regular patron of EDM events, considers himself to be an unofficial expert in the music arena based on the hundreds of shows and festivals he’s attended over the past 10 years. Turner explains that through many difficult times in his life, the music ‘scene’ helped him to face issues with a more steady hand. “Sometimes the things you’re most passionate about are the things that can heal your most darkest places. These events are my passion. Songs like ‘Youth’ by Adventure Club really hit a soft spot for me and help to motivate me on some off days”.

There are many forms of art expression that are offered at EDM events. The music itself, light shows, and dancers just to name a few. Lisa Peacers, a well-known WNY performer, has spent the last few years developing the love that she has not only for the music but for the environment of freedom that the music offers. “The EDM scene is known to be a safe space for people to creatively express themselves” and Peacers does just that when dancing or performing to her favorite artists, including Adventure Club. “I loved high fiving fellow Spiderman impersonators and especially loved those who took the time to create their own super hero character!”

            There were about four and a half to five hours of music and the night was packed with a massive amount of bass, neon lights and dancing bodies. The night was over faster than anticipated but the memories will surely last a lifetime.  No matter the genre, EDM has a place inside for just about anyone that is looking for a space to belong to.

Swedish House Mafia Reunites!

     2018 has surely been a memorable year for EDM but one of the most memorable events has been the relaunching of 'Swedish House Mafia'. The musicians that form the Swedish house music super-group, originally founded in 2008, independently pursued projects during their recent and extended break. The coming years will show what the group is looking to do for the brand that they have been on hiatus from for the past five years. Find the some of the details here:

https://weraveyou.com/2018/10/swedish-house-mafia-reunion/

The Money Motive of EDM

     In the age of electronic music there is a great draw of fame, power and, most notably, money. Although it is not everything, money can often intrigue djs and musicians to go after what they thought was impossible only to discover that while some make it big, it is not always the case for every artist.
     Local artist and dj Charles Cirrito, also known as AudioPrizm, recognizes how difficult the struggle to become successful can be. “One of the hardest things for and up and coming dj is getting heard and finding a niche in an overly saturated culture of thousands of djs. Marketing yourself plays heavily on how much you get booked and, ultimately, how much you get paid per gig”. 

  Electronic Dance Music, or EDM for short, has become its own sector of the music industry and has carved out a corner of the “cash grab” frenzy that comes from fame. From small club shows to 100k attendee festivals, there is no doubt in the economy of the genre and the growth that it has had. It has earned many billions in the 20 (or so) years that it has existed but some say it seems to have slowed down due to variety in its presentation.

  More variations in the production of the music have allowed for it to be categorized in other genres. According to magneticmag.com's article ‘IMS Report 2018’, based on the International Music Summit meeting held in Ibiza, Spain, the industry revenue has witnessed a small decline. “One of the main takeaways is that after years of growth, the estimated value of the global electronic music industry seems to have potentially peaked and fallen 2% to $7.3 billion.” While this number may seem staggering, it is currently being analyzed due to the small decline it has faced. 

  When considering where the money comes from and where it goes, there are many factors that have to be taken in to account. Djs can earn anywhere from $50 an hour to a staggering six-figure payout for a one to two hour ‘set’ of music. The variance in these profits come from experience, notoriety and whether or not they make the music that they are playing. For many, the higher pay comes with many years of hard work and constant dedication.

  Leading the charts for the highest paid dj is Tijs Michael Verwest, known in the music community as Tiesto. According to celebritynetworth.com “DJ Tiesto is a Dutch DJ who has a net worth of $150 million. DJ Tiesto is a widely successful DJ, producer, and musician who DJs for massive audiences around the world.” He has been in the industry for a little over 20 years and has most certainly benefited from his longevity in the EDM scene. Although many djs will never reach the net worth that Tiesto currently has, there are many other artists that consistently build their financial wealth.

  The abundance of money that is earned from the fame that djs can attain does not always mean that they will find happiness. Most recently, Tim Bergling, better known as Avicci, was the center of electronic music fame and its downfalls after he committed suicide in April of 2018. Avicci rose to fame in 2011 after a few years of hard work in the industry and quickly gained money, fame and all that seemed to come with it. He struggled with mental and physical health issues late in his career that ultimately contributed to his demise. Even with a net worth of $85 million at the time of his death, money could not positively motivate the world-famous dj to overcome the internal struggles he suffered from.

  Regardless of the amount, there are ways to increase your stability when dealing with the financial aspects of fame. Kristy Drew, an experienced account representative in the financial industry located in Buffalo, N.Y. says “The easiest way to manage your money is to prepare for the worst and best case scenarios. Whether you have a penny or a million dollars, you have to be educated on ways to protect yourself and your assets.” Hiring a financial advisor, taking classes or just having a savings account are a few of the ways to manage your money confidently.

     Although the money and fame can be enticing, the world of electronic music is not always a positive experience. There are benefits and obstacles that must both be faced with the same openness and dedication involved in every day life. With education and assistance, you can open yourself up to easier coping strategies and properly defend yourself against the struggles of money, both within and beyond the borders of the EDM world.

The Man Behind the Music

        The age of Electronic Dance Music may seem new to many, but for Mike Marshall this ‘scene’ has been an important part of his life for over 20 years. Breaking into the event promotions and party planning circle was not always easy for Marshall, but back in the 2000s it was a prime time to get into the business because of the rise in popularity for EDM. Electronic Dance Music is a sector of the music industry that relies heavily on manufactured sounds. It is primarily created with computer software and often integrated with live music as well. 

The critical wave of popularity in EDM at this stage gave Marshall prime opportunity to create MNM Presents, a music event company that services the better part of Western New York. Dubstep was trending at the time and that really helped to give MNM Presents a push in the right direction.

In the late 90s the EDM scene started at a minimal level in warehouse parties that were usually unauthorized and usually organized. A group of young and passionate patrons started a group called the ‘Gallactic Peace Alliance’ aka ‘GPA’ and threw parties in the abandoned TCI building, then located at Main and Fillmore. The vibes were free and the music was loud as the young men and women embraced the magic of their environment. Marshall was part of those early days which eventually helped motivate his desire to start throwing parties himself almost 10 years later.

Although Marshall has a passion for Dubstep, Trap, Techno and many other genres, Drum & Bass tends to be his overall preference. Each show that he brings takes anywhere from six months to one year to prepare. Some of the most memorable shows that he has brought to Buffalo are Lotus, Ed Rush & Optical and Excision, although he admits there are many more shows that have stayed fresh in his memory over the years. Although these events are topping his list of favorites, ‘The Christmas Party’ is undoubtedly his favorite event. It has been running for 14 years now and packs the Pearl St. Brewery on Christmas night every year. What started as a multi-level house party many years ago now offers people the ability to celebrate the season with their friends and fellow bass music lovers of Western New York.

Marshall’s love of the music scene is motivated by his desire to make the patrons happy and one of his favorite aspects of the events is “Watching the kids get crazy” as he states. The desire to spread the same feelings that he had when he was first introduced to the music leads the charge for his strong work ethic. Through sharing his passions he feel he has gained many friendships that are long-lasting and life-changing.

One of the most memorable EDM shows that Marshall brought to Buffalo was Rusko performing at the former club Soundlab back in December of 2009. He reminisces that “the small club was packed and kids were crowd-surfing and getting wild”. Diplo in 2010 and the ‘Mad Decent’ party in the Summer of 2006 were high ranking on his list of favorite shows as well. Marshall’s favorite show as an attending patron were Marshemello and Excision, which both were thrown at one of his favorite newer local venues, Buffalo Riverworks.

Marshall talks of the ever-evolving scene and reflects back on where EDM started, for him, over 20 years ago and how it has so many possibilities for the future. “Genres will always evolve and the music is here to stay” he proudly declares when asked of the possible changes of this industry. “Many are working hard” Marshall says of the current state of music in Western New York. He believes that there are many other people devoting themselves to the music and helping to bring their favorite genres to the forefront of the music scene in and around Buffalo.

Attendees have seen Marshall throw hundreds of these events over the years and those who work closely with him respect the work that he does. Michael ‘Nico’ Nistro, a local event photographer, shares his thoughts on the man behind the music. “Mike Marshall's work ethic and devotion to bringing new and big artists alike to Buffalo is unparalleled by anyone in the city. His commitment to sound quality and production value are miles above any other promoter in Buffalo”, says Nico. Many like Nico are motivated by the energy that Marshall delivers to the fans.

Festivals are another well-known way to enjoy the music but Marshall loves the intimacy of club shows and believes they are “more personal.” He plans on continuing to spread his passion of music through event planning and hopes to pursue it as long as he’s able. With his small, yet powerful, team he continues to stay dedicated to the vibe of those 90s warehouse parties that first piqued his interest in EDM more than two decades ago.