True North Media House – Kids with beards making media in 24 Hours

Vancouver 24Hours

KK and DaveO discuss TNMH while sporting beards and hats

True North Media House is shaping up, pushing forward and making its own path to the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Seeking to form a partnership with the W2 Community Media Arts Centre, TNMH is hosting a pivotal meeting today (Thursday, 6pm, Catalyst Internet office).

The mainstream media is paying attention with coverage by Business in B.C., Business in Vancouver The Vancouver Sun, CBC, BBC and most recently 24 Hours. Indeed the message of inclusiveness, variety, free expression, and creativity is getting out there, beyond the massive coverage on the web o’ world.

In today’s 24 Hours article (featuring myself, Kris Krug and our rocking beards) Kris is quoted: “We’re just a bunch of kids who are doing social media and online media and we just want to cover the Olympics [...] We’re banding together to share sources, resources, photographers, places to work, press briefings.”

And that’s all true, except maybe the kids part ;-).

Sign up to the mailing list, visit the website and follow TNMH on Twitter!) as we plan a friendly parallel for new media which seems to be undervalued by modern dinosaurs.

Bonus: Add speech bubbles to imagine what KK and I were talking about during the shoot my Carmine Marinelli from 24 Hours.

City of Vancouver Media By-law Report

Rock N Roll Photo Panel Pitch for SXSW Music 2010

Here’s a pitch for a panel for SXSW Music Conference remixed from a panel at Northern Voice 2009 Rock n’ Roll Photo w/ Bev Davies + Kris Krug at Northern Voice 09. Like that panel, I’ll moderate a group of experienced band and concerts photographers about a variety of creative and technical and licensing issues.

ROCK 'n ROLL PHOTO. Photo by Uber Lexy

Starting August 10, you’ll have a chance to vote for SXSW Panels and Presentations until Aug. 28th and your vote constitutes a portion of the selection process along with staff and an advisory board.

Read the whole submission below.

Also, for your voting consideration:

Hitchhiking to the Boardroom – Presentation Pitch for SXSWi10 – Dave Olson

‘From a Web of Pages to a Web of Streams’ Presentation for SXSW 2010 – Kris Krug  

Intelligent Online Media Monitoring Tools & Strategies Panel for SXSW Interactive – Kris Krug, Amber Case et al

Panel: Rock N Roll Photography

Madonna's 1st Ever Concert by Bev Davies via Uber Lexy

Blurb:

Photos are an integral part of building a music scene and attracting audience but there’s a chasm between amateur snapshots and pro photos which truly capture the band’s aesthetic. This panel explores how bands and photographers can work together (technically & creativity) to produce images which enhance the artist/fan relationship.

Questions:

1. What do photographers want from bands when shooting them?
2. What can bands do to be better subjects for photographers?
3. What are characteristics of a great band or concert photo?
4. How can photographers get great shots at shows with low light and fast action?
5. What are the differences between shooting for love or money? Does it change your shots?
6. Who are you shooting for? Yourself, the bands, the fans, the future?
7. Everyone has a camera of some kind – how does this change the reasons/importance of your photos?
8. What are rights licensing options for photographers?
9. How can photographers build an audience by sharing and using Creative Commons?
10. How can photographers build relationships with promoters/bands/labels?

Bios:

Dave O presents at SXSW - Photo By KK

Moderator Dave Thorvald Olson is a writer, podcaster and documentarian who frequently appears in media from High Times to CBC to BBC discussing counter-culture, art, hockey, and public policy.

Note: Dave Olson presented  F@ck Stats, Make Art spiel at SXSWi 2009 with solid reviews.

Why i am qualified to speak:

I’ve seen hundreds of rock shows, published punk rock fanzines, followed the Grateful Dead plus Elvis died on my 7th birthday. I presented this panel at Northern Voice conference in Vancouver BC – recap with video, slides, photos, reviews and live blog.

Also, I gathered up exceptional Panelists:

Bev Davies photographed most every punk rock band in, or through, Vancouver in the 1977-85 from DOA to Dead Kennedys to The Clash plus “emerging” major acts like U2, Motorhead and Madonna. Her intimate and distinctive B&Ws, which appeared regularly in the alternative press together form a compelling chronicle of Vancouver’s music history.

Bev Davies & Kris Krug: Rock 'n Roll Photo @ SXSW. Photo by riacale

Kris Krug regularly shoots bands along with fashion shows, tech conferences, Olympic Games and international travel. Known for his cross-processed style, he shares his shots with Creative Commons licensing, regularly organizes photo walks and contributes to conferences including TedX Shanghai, Gnomedex, PopTech, Petcha Kutcha and Northern Voice.

More about Rock N Roll Photography panel:

Photos are a key component of building a music scene or movement as well as engaging audience for a musical act, but there is a huge difference between some snapshots and photos which capture the band’s aesthetic and essence. Plus, photographers shooting for magazines or freelance don’t always want to share the licensing which allows the band to use the shots for their own promo use.

This panel with noted rock n roll photographers explores how bands and photographers can work together to produce images which thrill the band and inspire the fans. Beyond the technical points of photography, moderator Dave Olson will discuss how the manner of working, point of view, and setting are key contributors to quality results and ask the panelists how they find inspiration, develop a unique style, capture atmosphere, and form working relationships with the artists ~ plus technical tips to get in the pit and make a great rock shot.

Also, for your voting consideration:

Hitchhiking to the Boardroom – Presentation Pitch for SXSWi10 – Dave Olson

‘From a Web of Pages to a Web of Streams’ Presentation for SXSW 2010 – Kris Krug

Intelligent Online Media Monitoring Tools & Strategies Panel for SXSW Interactive – Kris Krug, Amber Case et al

F@ck Stats, Make Art spiel at SXSWi 2009 – Round-up Jamboree

Art Makes the Future. Art is the Future by KK.

F@ck Stats, Make Art at SXSWi 2009

I presented my soliloquy for personal expression called “F@ck Stats, Make Art” on March 13 at SXSW in Austin, TX as a Core Conversation.

While I was spieling, I couldn’t help to recall all the others times I’ve stood before groups – from Rotarians to Mormons to Deadheads to strangers on buses to students in Germany – to tell my stories. When I spoke about my ole dead Gramps from whom I heard I alot of tall tales, I realized that so many of the mundane and amusing talks I’ve busted out at one time or another were all coming together in that room.

Thanks to everyone who listened while the stories were in development and when they were really happening. To everyone who showed up, Thanks. To everyone who came up for a hug and a kind word to to show off their hero/project/metaphor cards – big thanks. I feed off of you to lay it all open. I gotta trust you or I can’t tell it real-style.

DIY Analog Power Point by Unkown - did you take this?

At the risk of waiting any longer to post *everything*, here is an evolving wrap-up of the related content from F@ck Stats Make Art at SXSW 09.

Consider dropping a vote for my pitches for SXSW10:

Hitchhiking to the Boardroom prezo for SXSW Interactive
& Rock N Roll Photography panel for SXSW Music

You may also enjoy this recap of F@ck Stats, Make Art at Northern Voice 2008 and this podcast episode SXSW Stories from Middle Earth – Choogle On #79 in which i both preview and recap SXSW09, finally, here are all my SXSW 2008 Choogle on podcasts – 6 episodes to soak in the chaotic flavour of the music and parties.

What’s next? I have a closet full of stories – literally. I plan to tell them. Perhaps a tour, more books, more artifacts – Wanna help spread this message of tolerance, translucency and creativity? Subscribe to Choogle On! podcast.

Photo Slidedeck

I didn’t use this deck in the prezo but it includes most of the photos in the envelopes of Heroes, Metaphors and Projects.

Treats! Photo By James Chutter

Twitter updates

@SimpleScott :

#sxsw insight #2: “be tolerant and translucent” – Dave Olson

@SquanderingTime :

I think the food thing needs to happen before the next set of talks. Btw, the fuck stats make art talk was incredible.#sxsw

@MezzoBlue :

@uncleweed’s “F@&$ Stats, Make Art” was so compelling I forgot to check Twitter for an hour. #sxsw

@MeJayne :

http://twitpic.com/22fk0 – MoJo talk’n tasty nuggz with rockstar Dave Olson, preacher of truth and rebellion

@SarahDavies :

“Even if you’re one in a million, find the 300 other Americans just like you, and have a party!” – Dave Olson #sxsw

@LeslieBradshaw :

At my first session, from Dave Olson: “embrace translucency” (not everything about you is interesting) #sxsw

@AustinJardinera :

Inspired by Dave Olson to try presenting stories to customers via arts and crafts projects #sxsw

@TexasBrat :

#sxsw F*&K stats make art tolerance & translucency makes people able to get along and share with others ~Dave Olsen

(TexasBrat was rocked the coverage of the spiel! Check these: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven! whoa!)

Think you're clever? Express with Vigor! (I Love Fish Tacos) by KK

Blog etc.

CAN YOUR LIFE’S WORK BE DIGITAL? (Sarah Davies)

Is there a digital Thoreau? Will we discover a currently neglected philosophy blogger in a hundred years and suddenly realize that we ignored someone whose ideas would come to change the world?

SXSW Diary – Friday (Pete Ashton)

It worked for me because he’s sort of a fellow traveller having done the zine thing. I’m still processing my thoughts but it tied in with some thinking I’ve been doing about what I might end up getting involved with next…

jewgonewild @ identi.ca

Watching David Olsen put on a robe.. lol (look closely) #sxsw http://pikchur.com/pan

Kris Krug @ Friendfeed

Looks like Dave Olson’s ‘Fuck Stats Make Art’ talk is gonna be standing room only. Come be a part of history. ;) #uncleweed #fbombs #sxsw

Catchin' a buzz with Elvis by Michael Barnes

Photos

Do you have photos from F@ck Stats, Make Art at SXSW 2009? Please tag them “uncleweed” and “fsma” “sxsw09″ or something and i’ll pick ‘em up.

Kris Krug – Dave Olson – Fuck Stats Make Art – SXSW 2009 – photoset – see above for samples

James Chutter – Dave Olson Read Thoreau

John Biehler – SXSW09

Love these annotations by So Misguided, Monique Trottier

+

Joey Zornes – Dave Olsen at SXSW

Remix

Mojo makes a slide about Transluscency

Mojo Remixes Art Make the Future or a slide deck

Special Thanks

To John Biehler, Peter Andersen, Jeremy Crowle for helping me bring it all together – and to all of you who took the time to show up and/or rate the prezo.

Stats?! Fuck em'... Ratings on the other hand...

Hero/Project/Metaphor cards

Make your own from the attached .pdf (attribution, non-commercial use only – note: while I took most of the photos, some photos’ origins are unknown or undocumented but presumed to be in public domain-ish).

{coming}

What Else? You tell me @uncleweed

Rock n’ Roll Photo w/ Bev Davies + Kris Krug at Northern Voice 09

Building A Scene – Rock & Roll Photography Panel Re-cap

Blurb:

Photography isn’t always clean, in a studio with great lighting, patient models, or beautiful subjects.

Iggy Pop decades apart by Kk and Bev Davies at NV09

In a panel with two noted Vancouver photographers Bev Davies and Kris Krug, host Dave O will explore how they find inspiration, develop a differentiating style, capture atmosphere, and form relationships with the artists, plus technical tips to make a great rock shot.

They’ll also discuss sharing your work to build a common experience and a “scene” for fans to self-identify with and participate in as well as compare and contrast favourite shots.

Video:

Thanks to Bruce Sharpe – 25 Hour Day via Blip.Tv, who sets up the clip in Rock N Roll Photo:

Using several well-chosen photos of rock ‘n’ roll stars as a backdrop, Dave Olson finds out from noted Vancouver photographers Bev Davies and Kris Krüg how they are permitted access (or not), how they work with the musicians (or not) and what it takes to get that iconic, memorable photo. From Northern Voice 2009.

It takes a minute or two for the video to settle down. Stick with it, it’s worth it!

Slides:

Complete Rock N Roll Photography slidedeck (Google) by Dave Olson featuring photos of Kris Krug and Bev Davies.

Live blog:

Northern Voice 2009 Rock and Roll Photography Kris Krug Dave Olson Bev Davies by Miss 604 Rebecca Bollwitt

Excerpt: I first started delving into the works of the legendary Bev Davies only just over a year ago but after discovering what I have (which is simply scratching the surface) I realized what an important person she is to rock and roll history, along with Vancouver history.

Along with Kris Krug, whose rock photography is recent yet not any less inspiring and captivating, Dave Olson will guide these two through a journey of their craft both on and offline.

Reviews:

Northern Voice – Dean H (SubPop New Media)

I also saw a great talk moderated by Dave Olson on rock ‘n roll photography featuring Kris Krug and Bev Davies. Both of Kris and Bev take fantastic pictures (that you should really take a look at) but, in particular, some of Dev Davies’ early pictures (there are some in a Flickr set here) are must see if you’re a fan of early ‘80’s punk and hardcore. Bev was basically the only one taking pictures at these shows in Vancouver in the early ‘80’s and her collection of shots of DOA, The Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, The Adolescents, Gang of Four, Duff McKagan-era Fastbacks (and on and on and on) are amazing. You may have seen her photography in the punk rock calendar that Nardwuar put together a couple years ago—all the photos in the calendar are her work.

Randy Stewart at Stewtopia: Northern Voice 2009 – Vancouver’s Finest

Dave Olson’s interview with Kris Krug and Bev Davies about rock and roll photography was fantastic. I had met Bev the day before after an intro by Peter Andersen and I had a lovely conversation, but had no idea she was so punk rock. Her pictures speak volumes.

Maryam ghaemmagha​mi Scoble says:

Finally, I especially enjoyed watching Dave Olson interview Bev Davies and Kris Krug about taking photographs from Rock and Roll bands and watching all the historic and amazing photos reel on stage.

Speakers:

KK + Bev Davies in Rock N Roll Photo by Penmachine

Moderator Dave Thorvald Olson is a writer, podcaster and documentarian who frequently appears in media from High Times to CBC to BBC discussing counter-culture, art, hockey, and public policy. He’s seen hundreds of rock shows, published punk rock fanzines, followed the Grateful Dead plus Elvis died on his 7th birthday. (DaveO’s Library)

Bev Davies photographed most every punk rock band in, or through, Vancouver in the 1980’s from DOA to The Clash. Her intimate and distinctive B&Ws, which appeared regularly in the alternative press, captured both the sweat of the band and the excitement of the audience and together form a compelling chronicle of Vancouver’s music history. (Bev on Flickr)

Kris Krug shot dozens of bands at the last 3 SXSW Music fests along shooting everything from fashion shows to tech conferences. Known for his x-processed style, at SXSW he captured evocative, gritty shots from well-known artists like REM and Flaming Lips to emerging acts and shares his shots with Creative Commons licensing to help bands and fans enjoy the experience. (KK on Flickr)

Business in Vancouver tells the True North Media House story

From Business in Vancouver on, Friday, 12 June 2009 in 2010 Gold Rush by Bob Mackin, comes a  discussion about the True North Media House including quotes from Kris Krug and comments about the “Open Letters to VANOC” i published via Raincity Studios in November 2008.

Posted here for archival purposes. Grab Print version as needed.

##

Countdown: 35 weeks until the opening of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

VANOC slow to get into new media game

Kris Krug is among a small group of Vancouver new media trailblazers aiming to revolutionize how the Olympic Games are covered in this wild Web 2.0 world.

They have devised the True North Media House, and they say it will also be strong and free.

It’s going to be a Downtown Eastside-based alternative for outlets big and small that don’t qualify to be inside the fence at the main media centre in the Vancouver Convention Centre or in the non-accredited provincial facility at Robson Square.

“With the explosive growth of online journalism, citizen journalism and new forms of journalism, we’re going to have huge demand for the services we’re offering there,” Krug said.

The concept was borne out of meetings last fall among disaffected members of the local new media community. Early on, VANOC was wide-eyed about the new media. Krug and others briefed VANOC executives and staff on a new media day back in 2005. But as the Games approached, things changed.

I remember Krug sitting crestfallen outside the Pan Pacific Hotel last November, ruing the fact that VANOC didn’t let him join in the world press briefing. That week, his Raincity Studios’ colleague Dave Olson extended a hand with his famous “Hello VANOC, we’re nice, local and invite you for a coffee and a talk” open letter.

Any VANOC forays into the virtual world have been on the coattails of telecommunications sponsor Bell. The Cultural Olympiad’s intriguing Canada CODE digital collage is the best example. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are used by many individuals at VANOC, but not VANOC itself.

The reluctance apparently comes from top-down. The IOC has tiptoed around the Internet, not fully embracing the new media. To its credit, it opened its own YouTube channel during the Beijing Games while liberalizing its rules to allow athlete blogs. Krug said the IOC’s top Canadian, Dick Pound, told him that the Internet is the second-biggest threat to the Olympics movement, after performance-enhancing drugs.

“They haven’t figured out how to harness the Internet, so they view it as a cannibalization of their broadcast revenues,” he said. “By not figuring out ways to engage the media, particularly the new media, they’re missing out on a whole generation.”

So Krug is intent on showing the IOC the potential.

“We have lots of people who are stoked abut it. You might have a Swedish ski blogger, and we’ll have the Christians blogging about Christians in the Olympics,” he said. “We’ll have other people who are probably anti-Olympics there, too. It’s like a big house, and everyone’s welcome in. It’s about open access for all these locked out, independent new media.”

Greeks to Geeks Spiel from WordCamp Whistler – video by KK

My WordCamp Whistler cohort and ace Vancouver photographer Kris Krug shot video of my entire “Are you Worthy?” spiel with his new Flipcam and posted it in a YouTube playlist in 5 segments for your viewing convenience – huge thanks!

Video of Dave Olson Presentation – NerdCamp Whistler 2009 playlist

Here’s part 4 to whet your appetite:

Kris’ blurb:

‘From Greeks to Geeks’ or ‘Are You Worthy?’ http://uncleweed.com/ Dave Olson (@uncleweed) gave a mind-blowing presentation at NerdCamp Whister (AKA WordCamp) about censorship, copyright, content creation, history, beauty, art, and the internet.

These 5 videos are the 5 10 minute segments from his talk. If someone wants the pieces to string together please let me know and I’ll get them in your hands.

(Krug shooting Olson by Peter Andersen)

(Olson and Krug by John Bollwitt)

Bonus:

See KK in this sweet fisheye crowd stroll by John Biehler

KK Interviews me at WordCamp Whistler (video)

Be sure to catch KK and Bev Davies in the Rock and Roll photo panel at Northern Voice