Forget the recording contract.

I was reading this article about being your own artist manager, when it occurred to me that there was a time when an artist’s ultimate goal was to get a contract. An artist would spend all of their money trying to make a good demo and sell himself or herself to an executive. As a young artist, I would see hundreds of guys running backstage with their demo tapes in hand. They were just trying to give it to whoever might be important. Then the evolution of sound happened and the game was changed to compact disk.

My question now is, WHY? With the invention and easy access of the Internet, you tube, iTunes and more, why would and artist try to enslave themselves and literally owe thousands and sometimes millions to a company. We have all heard the stories of artist who gets signed are asked to change their hair, weight, name and what is worst their music to appeal to a broader audience. An artist has to ask themselves if they really what to be told to change their names. It is a form of modern day slavery.

When an artist does get a contract, there are so many documents that they have to sign to appear loyal to the company. They have to agree to a certain amount of records in a certain time and are forced to give it even when their creativity may not be speaking a tune.  We all understand that it is called the music “business.” These companies are only in it to make money. They don’t really care about an artist’s inspiration or desire to even put out an album every two years. It’s all about the money.

I also recognize that there are some artists who only want to record for the same reason as the companies. The artist sees becoming a recording artist as a way to become famous, rich and powerful. I know that I am going to get in trouble for this but I going to say it anyway. This is how I feel R&B music is today. I can’t even listen to the radio without wanting to take a bath. I am so disgusted by the themes. The artists only want to make music about sex, crime, game and themselves. It is a sad state. These kinds of artist have no heart to me. They have sold themselves to the companies and have become ponds to the system. They have no creativity and hopefully they will eventually die out in the business.

My message to a true creative spirit and artist is to, “forget the recording companies.” Find and keep your own voice. Record your own music and never, never sell out! Vivia la artist!!!

Can an idea be marketed through the arts?

Hello Gorgeous, 

I was watching the entertainment show Omg!Insider and I was intrigued by one of the stories that featured viewing numbers on the new mini-series, The Bible. Omg!Insider stated that 27 million people tuned in to view the series and the day after the hash tag #thebible was trending number one.  This made me think about the possibilities of spreading the word around the world. This new mini-series proved that through entertainment, the message of Christians could be channeled into every home in America. 

My class right now at Full Sail is Artist and Product Management. When I saw this show in my hotel, I was writing a script about Noah's Ark. I thought, "What if your product was the bible?" How would that work? Mark Eriksson, who is a product manager, wrote in his article, What, exactly is a Product Manager?, “that a product manager must learn how to maximize the business value of the product.”  Does the bible have a business value? Can you make money off spreading the word of God? In my opinion, yes. However, I feel that your product is not the actual bible itself but more of an idea. Can use manage an idea? This was seen when President Obama was running for office in 2008. Through the message or idea of hope and change, a movement was started and eventually lead to the Obama’s election. The business value was implemented through t-shirts sales, buttons, artwork, dvd’s about his life, jewelry, bedding and so many other products.

Eriksson also add that, “you need to know everything about your market and your customer, and then mix all that information with a healthy dose of creativity to define a vision for your product.” This could be done through many diferrent medians.

Everyone feels as though they are familiar with the stories of the bible and the teachings of Jesus.  However, to see this interpretation of the Word is inspiring and engaging. If a product manager for a Christian company was looking at these trends and ways to capitalize on this growing interest, I feel that there is money to be made.

Spreading the word of the bible in this technological age has gotten much easier. With applications like Bible gateway the word is emailed to you daily and even motivational messages.

All a product manager would have to do is represent a Christian entertainment company and use the bible’s messages to sell their book, movies, apps and much more. This is a new way to think about product management.

An interview with a friend

I met Vonzel Reynolds in 1992, after I had just graduated from high school in Tallahassee, Florida. Vonzel and I were attending the local community college at the time and were very involved in the arts. Both of us came from a musical background and sort of gravitated into theatre in college.  I chose to interview Vonzel because we are entering into a new theatrical venture this year together and wanted to get to know him better. We haven’t seen each other for over 12 years.

Here is our transcript:

“Vonzel, now that we have laughed for two hours now, I think its time to do my assignment.”

“Yes, yes of course. Only if we can continue laughing through it”

“Oh, of course. Well, you know that Noble (husband) and I are moving our animation company and theatre company to new heights this year and we are both in a masters program at Full Sail University. The course that I am currently taking is Negotiation and Deal-Making and this interview is part of an interview blog.

“OK.”

“I going to ask you a few questions listed in our assignment.”

“Shoot.”

“Ok, Positional bargaining as explained in our text, “Getting to Yes”, is a strategy. It is two groups or individuals that are bargaining but have their own positions. It explains that often times when people bargain this way they usually end up compromising or leaving the table not being able to agree. They each have a position and they are sticking to it. Have you ever heard of this term?”

“Not that term but of course I have been in this situation before.”

“Yes, Please tell me when you have ever had to negotiate and you noticed that you were going no where?

“Uh, I can’t really say, well, yes, as you know I direct my own plays. Plays that I have written. Well, right now I am writing a black history play for my brother and before we started he was constantly asking when was it going to get finished. I keep telling him that I would not be rushed or I couldn’t just turn a script out in one week. We both had valid issues. He wanted to start promoting and I hadn’t put one word to paper. I had my own position and he had his. For weeks we didn’t even talk because he just couldn’t understand that I couldn’t just turn the switch on. Well, you know the end to the problem. I asked you to come in and help keep me focused and writing and well, it has kept him off my back.”

“Ha, and for the record now on mine.”

“Yeah, but you answer his calls.” (Laugh)

“This leads me to my next term, “separating the people from the problem.” Do you think that because he was your brother that that played an issue in your negotiations? You are the older brother right?”

“Yes and he was ordering me around and sending me text messages. He knew that was not the best way to get me to do something.”

“Were you not able to see the real issue and just talk with him about the script getting done? What I am asking is, did you find yourself thinking more about him being your little brother than him being the persons asking you to write a script for him?”

“Um, I don’t know. I guess that could have been an issue but I didn’t care.”

“(Laugh) I know, I just had to ask.”

“Vonzel, you mentioned that you eventually had to bring on other writers for the project. You said that you did this in order to get your brother off your back and to complete the script. Mutual benefit is a term that is used in negotiating to describe a possible outcome to a bargaining situation. A party or group would look for a solution that would benefit each. Is this a tool or should I say concept that you used?”

“I mean of course I never thought of it that way, but I would say, yes. Of course I wanted to write. I love to write. I live to write and I told my brother that I would do it, but I didn’t know that I would get hounded. I asked you and other ladies to help write because I felt that I didn’t have to do it alone. I talked with him about it and we both agreed to move forward and that’s when he called you right? I didn’t know he was going to call you first but I was glad when I talked with you. Yes, we did find a way to get to where we wanted to go.

“Ok, well, that’s all the questions that I have for you.  Thank you and I look forward to seeing the production.”

“Thank you and I hope you will also help direct

The too busy stage mom

Greetings,

"I am so selfish!" These are the words that I said to myself this morning. As a theatre professional, graduate student and mother of five creative artists, I have a very busy week coming up. “I can’t get all that I need to get done.” Then I paused. "I am so selfish!"

This past Saturday, my husband of 16 years buried his mother. All this past week he spoke of memories that he would cherish forever. She was a principal and highly devoted mother. So many of the speeches at the wake and service described her as a family oriented person who would give anything to her family. She cared so much about her family. “What will they say about me?” Do I need to sacrifice time, energy and sanity to do it all?

My kids are in violin, tutoring, fencing, dance, gymnastics, and piano. They have play dates and I home school them. I want my kids to have what I didn't.  I want them experience EVERYTHING and then have a choice of the direction that they want to go. I want to be a supermom so that my kids can have fond memories of me giving my all to them. 

A friend of mine called me to give her condolences and I told her that I was doing my homework. She laughed and said, "Girl you are always doing something. What are you doing now?" It made me think. I have my kids schedule and then there is mine. I am in grad school, writing a movie, two books, two plays and starting another theatre company. It is too much. If I don't settle down then my kids might not have those memories.

I am writing this blog for those entertainment moms that drive their kids everywhere for everything. I know how you feel about having well-rounded children but when do you decide that enough is enough? When do you look at your kids and decide that too much enrichment might be hurting them?

I took a moment to pray about week and just ask for strength. I can't do it all in one day. My homework will get done, my house will be clean, my kids will get to their classes and I will make it to my rehearsals and auditions, but it won’t all get done today. Today will be my day.

All things creative, 

Enrika M. Sissle 

You try, you fail

Whoever thought that watching a movie with your kids, that you would learn a life lesson? Last year, I was in the process of opening my first theatre company, the Sissle Heritage Center. It was designed to be a place for the creative people in Tallahassee, Florida living on the southside. I spent hours upon hours painting, moving, designing, building and much more. The same week that I was to open, I had a disagreement with my landlord about monies owed. He thought that I would just give in and pay more. He was asking for $500 more than what was agreed. Needless to say, I did not agree.

I was devastated. All this time, all this money, and I didn’t know what was I going to do. Then I sat down and watched a movie with my kids. The character, Madame Leota in Disney’sHaunted Mansion then said, “You try, you fail, you try you fail; the only real failure is when you stop trying.” I know that I have heard quotes like this in the past, but at this moment, it was a wake up call.

I started researching successful people and the companies that they started. Did they ever fail like I did? Did I really fail? What I learned was that with each “failed” attempt, the successful people never let it stop them. With many, the failure was the success.

My advice to anyone that wants to build something from the ground up is to not ever stop until you get it right. It might not work out the way you want it to the first time or even the second time but you are bound to get it right eventually.

As for me, I decided that I needed a little more training and knowledge before I went at it again. I am currently in graduate school to receive my masters degree in entertainment business from Full Sail University. This time, I am ready to try again.

All things creative,

Enrika M. Sissle