music award

When the President calls you something unflattering, you know you have crossed the line? What are the etiquette lessons we can learn? It doesn’t take money to have class.

What are the etiquette lessons we can learn from such a terrible incident? Interestingly enough, we have seen examples of both things to do and not to do. Unfortunately in a moment of misjudgment a decision that was made will forever live in the minds and hearts of millions of people. We have also seen in both the responses from Taylor Swift and Beyonce Knowles how to handle a situation with grace and aplomb to make the best out of a bad situation.

First we all make mistakes, but ones like these will have an impact for years to come. The perception camera is always rolling regardless if we are on a stage in front of millions of viewers, or having lunch with a colleague. The same rule holds true, it takes 3 to 5 seconds to make a first impression. It also takes years to build a reputation and only 5 seconds to ruin it.

Here are some tips to help process your behavior before there is no turning back. I call it the new K.I.S.S. Method- Keep It Simply Savvy.

Ask yourself the following questions to be sure you are following the K.I.S.S. Method to determine if your behavior is having a positive or a negative impact on your personal brand.

* Does my behavior offend, insult, ignore or interrupt another person?
* Would I consider this behavior rude, awkward, unprofessional, or tacky if I witnessed someone else doing it?
* Have I assessed the situation to have a clear understanding of the possible implications of my actions both personally and professionally?

Your life will tell a story. What do you want your story to be?

A band or music artist at some point in their career will probably be faced with the decision of whether to enter a talent, vocal, singing, battle of the bands, composing, or lyric/songwriting contest. Your friends and family might be telling you how great they think you are and suggest that you enter. Possibly a teacher recognizing a talent, might be the push. Whomever it is, why would you want to and why should you enter a music competition?

In the USA, one of the biggest singing contests now of course, is American Idol, a televised contest where the viewers vote, and the finalist wins possible fame and fortune. Across the globe are Australian Idol, World Idol, Latin American Idol, Rockstar: Supernova, Superstar, You’re A Star, the list goes on for these hugely popular events.

Having your singing voice, writing skills, or instrumentation judged by a panel of industry experts is not for the weak of heart, but neither is the music business. The cash and the prize lists are sometimes enough of a temptation to enter, but think more along the lines of what is your ultimate music goal. Is it a career in music? Then the potential exposure that a contest may bring could be of far more value.

Your chances of winning, as long as you do have good musical skills could be better than you anticipate. Sometimes it just depends on who else enters, the category you enter, or that particular contest. Not to be skeptical, but it may not be that you are the preeminent singer, writer, or musician in the entire world, but you are the best that entered at that time. That being said, it still shows that you won!

What are the benefits of entering

Various contests across the globe offer a variety of prize packages, some with a lot of potential for the winners. Prize packages can include cash, recording contracts, a live showcase, radio play, publishing, career development, music instruments and gear, professional evaluation of your submission with feedback, computer software, music books, and cool online music service memberships.

Competitions can launch a career. Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and JC Chasez all made the cut in The New Mickey Mouse Club auditions. Fantasia, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, have all moved from American Idol winners to holding their own in record sales, touring and fame. Kelly Clarkson even won two Grammy Awards!

A song or artist may not be the ultimate winner of the entered contest, but in the judging process, a prospective stand out could earmark that artist for other opportunities. Something may not “win” the category it is in, but a savvy music expert may see the potential for use elsewhere and contact you about it.

An entry in a contest that wins, places or receives honorable mention is a good mark to add to your music profile. You are keeping your music profile online and newsletters updated with your latest exploits, right?

The validation that you won, your work was recognized by industry experts is a huge ego boost and confidence builder. Insert all those gushy Oscar and Grammy acceptance speeches here, but it sure does give you the warm fuzzies.

The publicity received could compensate the entry fee. Exposure can include not only the possibility of being seen by an accredited music professional judge and panel, but magazine, press, and online coverage no matter if you are the ultimate winner or not. Also, some contests do offer reviews on all entries, so that could garner some interesting feedback. Nonetheless, the process itself may add to the overall learning experience.

What might be the drawbacks perceived

There seems to be some ill-perceived notions about some contests, justifiable or not. Some people take the notion that competitions are rip-offs or “they are out to steal my music” mentality. The cost of entering may be a deterrence (the fee plus possibly postage, traveling, etc.). The thought of not a snowball’s chance in hell in winning, or even the discouraging thought of having your creation or talent rejected might be a hindrance to the music artist.

Low odds perceived? The motto from the lottery is “you gotta play to win”. Millions of people enter lotteries every day. Think about it, not nearly that many are entering contests, though American Idol lines may seem that long. In listening to music artists across the web, there is a general misconception of contests as scams. True, there are and have been some “competition” scams out there or some new contests that didn’t raise enough funding, thus destroying the integrity of all involved. Savvy musicians need to filter those out.

That’s why you RESEARCH. You learn what competitions are solid and exactly what you need to do to enter correctly. Watch for any wording in the TOC and throughout in the entry process that comes anywhere near saying that they will become the owner of the entry. Usually a contest that’s been around a few years and has proven industry sponsors, partners, judges and founders shows the commitment to excellence needed.

Check out online comments on particular contests. You may find a comment in a forum that is a bit off-color. Take that with a grain of salt, as a disgruntled “sore-loser” may have posted something based on his/her disillusionment, rejection or for not entering properly.

Entry fees are standard procedure for entering many competitions. The cost of advertising, organizing and promoting contests, let alone the prize money and gear offered add up. Staff for accounting, processing entries, booking and countless other business processes are needed. Possibly even the professional judges time may need to be paid for.

If a contest says $50K in prizes, read the rest of the text and know how that is split up. Be aware of any taxes due on cash on prizes won and the law applicable in your state or locality.

What you need to do

Thoroughly read all rules, criteria, Terms and Conditions (TOC), use of your name and music and understand in detail the process and what to expect. Any wording that states that your music will become the property of the contest, steer clear of. They should have the right to promote the winners list, play the song, use your name of course, as the writer/creator of the music as well as image – but you remain the sole owner.

Research which competitions would be a best fit for your level and experience, to enhance your career in music. Is the competition open to anyone, amateurs, semi-pros and/or professionals? Is it open internationally or locally only? Can you enter online? Does everyone get something out of it? Look for well established competitions that can prove and deliver what they state.

Correctly fill in your application form, and recheck your spelling. If filling out a form for several entries, fill in critical info and copy it, then fill in the individual entry sections.

Take notice of how the judging process works. Is the emphasis on the lyrics only or the recording? Songs or lyrics may be first judged by an “in house” panel; if the piece passes and surpasses the criteria set for that category, it may then be passed on to the next level or round. Check out the judges panel, some contests have top names across the industry that could possibly listen to your work.

If you win or place well – get every ounce of mileage you can from the free publicity. Not only announcing it on your web page(s), bio page, online press release, but get local news coverage, school, TV, and radio. Make an announcement and soak it up for all it’s worth.

Where to find contests

Nearly every country, city, and many towns have some kind of music awards, competitions, contests or battle of the bands for any instrument played, singing or writing style. By searching online for any of those keywords will bring an assortment of results. Some contest are specified only to certain genres or instruments, while some are open year around and some open and close at different times of year.

Search music magazines, music stores, music schools, college music departments, and radio/television press. Some competitions you will need to be a member of an organization and some require that you do not. Many contests have early bird entry fees, or multiple entry discounts. Entry confirmation is something that should be offered.

Don’t enter a contest too early if you are an impatient person, as some contest cycles may take as much as a year from opening to winners announcements.

One gifted artist may have reasons for not wanting the limelight and frills of a competition; for another it may be a goal or milestone. The sheer volume of competitions available are a testament to some basic human need of acceptance within us all.

If exposure and publicity are desired to get your foot in the door, contests can be invaluable. A career in music is an ongoing process, filled with years of blood, sweat and tears. They can be tears of pain and rejection and tears of joy. Dream big and strive bigger, and may you hear one day as the envelope is opened, “And the winner is…”.

Filmmaking > Buisness > Academy Awards, etc.

Are you one of the millions who ask themselves every time a television ad pops on the screen for another “Awards” show, “Does anyone even watch these things anymore??”
A
Admittedly, even those of us in the Entertainment world can’t keep up with the plethora of self-aggrandizing ceremonies that dribble out of L.A. and New York.

Let’s see, you’ve got the Academy Awards, a.k.a. the Oscars, Tony awards, SAG awards, Golden Globe awards, Emmy awards (Daytime and Primetime), Grammies, Country Music awards, Independent Spirit awards, the Image Awards, MTV movie awards, People’s Choice awards, Teen Choice Awards, Kids Choice Awards, BAFTA Awards, European Film Awards, Internet Movie awards, Genie Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music awards, the Razzies (my favorite) and well over 3 times as many that aren’t even televised.

HollywoodReporter.com reported that the Academy Awards of 2008 “hit an all-time ratings low” and the Emmy’s had its lowest viewer ship in 18 years. Most in the Entertainment Award circles blamed the writer’s strike. Sorry, the public isn’t buying it. The only part of the strike the public cared about was the fact that the final season of Scrubs was tragically cut short.

Many people stopped watching Award shows when obvious losers won over obvious winners, or a winner was chosen more out of political correctness than outstanding performance, or perhaps some of us were just tired of being preached to from the Hollywood pulpit by the usual cast of characters holding onto their golden “calves”. (Ooooo, that stings. Oh, well.)

So if the ratings are plummeting, and the general public doesn’t care anymore…

…then why the H. E. double hockey sticks do we still have award shows??

Why do the major and minor studios spend boo-coo bucks on promoting certain films to the various Academies just to win a nomination the public, in general, doesn’t care about?

Don’t get me wrong, I may come off a little harsh, but growing up in the business my dream was to win an Oscar, a Tony and a Grammy all in the same year! It wasn’t until I grew up and became more involved in the reality and business of Hollywood and filmmaking that my feelings changed. Winning one of these awards is important to me, but for a completely different reason. And this reason, in my opinion, is the purpose for which award shows were created in the first place.

Some will say the reasons we still air these award shows are:
# 4. Tradition. Sorry, this reason just doesn’t hold up for me. For a reason to continue to do something that appears to be failing, “tradition” is weak.

When traditions begin to fade out because of cultural shifts, corruption of its intended purpose or the mere fact the public becomes more educated and realizes “Hey, this is stupid” or “Hey, this is dangerous,” the tradition becomes more of a nuisance or just flat out illegal.

(Human sacrifice was a tradition among ancient Americans. We see how well that worked out.)

# 3. Satisfying the Ego. This one, I happen to agree with, but not as the primary reason.

Look, if you’re not an artist, you may not understand this one. Artists, especially entertainers, more especially actors, are the most neurotic group of people you will ever meet. We need constant reassurance that we’re doing a great job and that we’re important or we become nervous, slightly unstable and unsure of ourselves.

The only way we know we’re doing a good job, is if we’re told we’re doing a good job and if no one tells us we’re doing a good job then we begin to wonder if we’re doing a good job and spiral into an abyss of self-doubt.

I know, it’s a mental disease. Why do you think it requires so many takes to shoot one scene? Technical issues aside, it’s not because Ben Stiller is making everyone laugh, it’s because both the director and actors (generally speaking of course) don’t trust their artistic instincts and keep trying to get the “perfect shot.”

All the while it’s the producer banging his/her head against the wall watching money going down the drain with each take.

(More on this in a future article.)

# 2. Recognizing accomplishments in one’s craft. Okay, that’s fair, but how many ceremonies do you need for that? You don’t see a slew of big guys in tuxes showing up on a red carpet for the Steel Workers Union awards, do you?

Recognizing achievement is good for any Industry, but it doesn’t answer the question as to why the Entertainment Industry seems to go overboard.

So… the #1 reason why we have grandiose award ceremonies, regardless whether or not anyone cares, is…

**MARKETING**

Think about it, doesn’t it add reassurance to your decision to see a movie if you hear the deep voiced announcer say, “Starring Academy Award Winner So-and-so, Academy Award winner such-and-such, by Oscar winning director What’s-his-butt, with music by Grammy award winning composer What’s-her-face.” Don’t you feel more confident that it will be a better movie?

Even if the plot seems a little silly, you’ll still think, “Hmmmm, I bet that’ll be pretty good.”

If the movie employs Nominated performers, you’ll see that plastered all over the advertising in Gold letters!

Why?

Because it makes you feel “safe” about seeing that movie. It’s the film industry’s version of a product guarantee.

If you were presented with two dramas you have never heard of before, A and B, each with the same budget, same script, same title, Movie A features Award winning and nominated actors, directors and composers and Movie B is cast with a fair mix of B-listers and nobody’s, which do you open your wallet or purse for? Hmmmm?

Marketing!

Studios and retailers want your money and they know that when it comes to spending money on a movie, you, the customer, are going to put your green down on “Award winning” artists to deliver a better film almost every time, even though logically you understand that Movie B could be just as good, or maybe better.

Even the pre-ceremony circus we know as the “Red Carpet” is marketing because from the studios to the producers to even the actors (the smart ones) understand that to stay relevant, you have to keep your face in front of the public as much as possible, even if it means putting on a ridiculous evening gown while Ryan Seacrest tells you you look stunning.

Still don’t get it? Let me put it this way

Why does McDonald’s, the #1 fast food chain in the world, still spend millions on TV commercials and billboards?

Because they get it!

They understand that to stay on top, they have to stay in front of the public’s mind, and to do that, they have keep sending out the message “We are here! We are here! We are heeeere!” That is the role award ceremonies play for the Entertainment Industry.

Just like a movie’s theatrical release is just an advertisement for the DVD. (Topic for a future article.)

In conclusion, although I’d never turn down a nomination or an award from anyone, it’s no longer my primary focus as a producer/actor/director/composer. It’s no longer “What can I do to give an Oscar-winning performance,” it’s now “What can I do to make the kind of movies I want to go see?”

(That’s actually the PIXAR philosophy and I’d say it’s worked out fairly well for them.)

It’s called Show-”Business.” The Award shows serve many purposes to many people, but the bottom line is business…and it’s all about -

MARKETING!