Posted in Tech

Five apps to stay connected

For personal or professional these five apps are the must haves for your cell phone!

It can be difficult to stay connected with friends and family even if you’re in the same city. We are all busy with our lives, rushing to work, looking for a job, trying to date and just keep our heads above water. But you don’t want to lose touch with people we care for. You have to nurture friendships and thanks to my five favorite apps you can do it at the tip of your fingers! 

I love to stay connected with my tech peeps with Discord it’s the one I started using when I dipped my toes back into gaming. I can chat with my online friends using voice or text and I’ve found it’s simpler to use than platform chat feature (less distracting for me). I plan to use it more when I start my twitch channel for my fans and digital hangout to create a community or to figure out the bestprank appsince I plan to incorporate comedy video on my channel. 

Everyone I know is on Facebook! Billions of people can’t be wrong and Facebook Messenger app is one of the most widely used chat platforms in the US.  A lot of people are concerned about security or privacy but my mom told me it’s not a secret when you tell someone else so I don’t post anything online I care about anyone knowing. So it’s the perfect way to stay in contact with my parents and older relatives! It’s been heaven sent after slowly getting them to stop calling me at all hours of the night (my time) since I’m in California and their in the Midwest. Instead keeping up on messenger means we can take advantage of it being user friendly to exchange photos, family news, plan out trips, and talk 2020 politics. It avoids awkward silence when asked pointed questions ‘when are you getting married’ <sigh> or my nephews crazy conspiracy theories!

Now communicating isn’t always fun and games! I have a side hustle managing social media accounts and event management. So have used Slackwhen managing my projects. It is cloud-based tools makes it great to pick and choose what I need. I can archive chats and search them pretty simply. One of my favorite things about Slack is that if I want to reach out to an individual from a group project I can take it ‘side line’ by chatting or sending a direct message. It’s simple and surprisingly user friendly.

I have a few clients who are very concerned about security so I sue Signal for them. The app has the ability for chat functions, sharing files and hyperlinks, voice notes and works like regular texting. 

If you really like how FB Messenger works but want something more secure I find MeWe is the perfect alternative. It’s privacy by design philosophy means that it you can use to be social with friends, join groups, chat, make GIFs, make calls using the app, shoot video, and offers 8GB of free storage for content. It also allows you to customize and you can set it up to decide who gets to see what you share. If you want to have even more privacy they have secret chats for $4.99 a month with 50GB. It also offers the MeWe Pro for businesses that I find is very similar to Slack.

Digital Entertainment World Conference for creators

If your in the tech, startup, entertainment, music, and creator/influencers field the upcoming 2019 Digital Entertainment World (DEW) is the place to be if you are creating or monetizing digital entertainment content. This year DEW is focusing on ‘The Power of Creativity and Influence’ with a list of speakers, breakout sessions and opportunity to network with the movers and shakers of numerous fields. The two-day conference includes five tracks: Video/TV/Movies; Brands/Advertising; Games/Interactive; Music/Rights; and Creators/Influencers. Sponsors and and media partners include Akamai, McLaren Beverly Hills, Jam City, Sheppard Mullin, CloudFlare, O’Melveny & Myers LLP, StackPath, Dataclef, Exactuals, Rumblefish, Eurofins – Digital Media Services, Variety, Fusicology, ITA (Interactive Television Alliance), CMO Asia, Westside Digital Mix, Digital LA, Hypebot, The Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.), Parks Associates, Canadian Music Week, Dialoguefeed, WITI (Women in Technology International), Virtual Reality Reporter, VR/AR Association, IGDA (International Game Developers Association), AListDaily, IAEL (International Association of Entertainment Lawyers), Innovation & Tech Today, and WIGI (Women In Games International). 
This year attendees will listen to what creators, brands and platforms look towards the future from audience, to fan engagement, and how platforms are changing entertainment. DEW is being held at the Marina del Rey Marriott just steps from the beach and located in the heart of LA’s thriving Silicon Beach with easy access to Santa Monica, Venice and Playa Vista. The event includes keynotes, fireside chats, presentations, panel discussions, tech demos, startup competition, innovative exhibitions, daily DJ music and performers and the best networking in the hotel’s Sinder Lounge.
DEW includes more than 75 unique sessions and 200 speakers on topics essential to the future of video, music, brands, marketing, gaming, AR/VR, and AI.
Speakers include:
Confirmed Keynotes & Fireside Chats:
Celiena Adcock, Head of Streaming-Entertainment, Facebook
Benjamin Grubbs, Founder & CEO, Next 10 Ventures
Jason Lake, CEO and Founder, Complexity Gaming
Gerrit Meier, CEO, Red Bull Media Network
Halsey Minor, Founder & CEO, Live Planet
Katie Nelson, Executive Producer, News Content, ABC News
Andrew Wallenstein, Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety
Confirmed Speakers:
Wesley A’ Harrah, Founder, Hyper Orange
Karen Allen, President, Karen Allen Consulting
Fabian Alsultany, Director of Business Affairs, RChain Cooperative
Rene Amador, CEO, ARwall
Ray Annes, Marketing Director, Sony Music Entertainment Lauren Apolito, SVP of Strategy & Business Development, HFA/Rumblefish
Kimberlee Archer, Head of Development Marketing AR/VR, Facebook
Russell Arons, SVP, General Manager, Machinima
Jonathan Azu, Senior Manager, Red Light Management
Tom Bash, VP, Product, ChefsFeed
Noah Becker, President, AdRev
Dwayne Benefield, Vice President, Head of PlayStation Vue, Sony Interactive Entertainment
Nancy Bennett, Chief Creative Officer, Two Bit Circus, Inc.
Eric Berman, Head of Business Development and Content Partnerships for VRV,  Ellation Lisa Bilgrei, Branded Content Expert, Google
Lauren Bissell, Producer and the Founder, Immutable Music
David Bloom, Consultant and Columnist, Tubefilter, Forbes
Dae Bogan, Co-Founder and CEO, TuneRegistry
Hale Boggs, Partner, O’Melveny & Myers LLP
Chris Borelli, VP, Brand Partnerships, IMGN Media
Tripp Boyle, SVP, Connekt
Josh Brooks, SVP, Brand Strategy & Marketing, Jam City
Antony Bruno, Director of Communications, Royalty Exchange
Beau Bryant, GM of Talent, Fullscreen
Shelita Burke, Popstar
Jacob Carlson, Venture Capital & Senior Manager, Manatt Digital
Teri Nelson Carpenter, President & CEO, Reel Muzik Werks LLC
Jayne Charneski, Founder, Front Row Insights and Strategy
Jesús Chavez, CEO, Vertical Networks
Kevin Chernett, EVP – Global Partnerships & Content Distribution, Live Nation
Dawn Chmielewski, Technology Editor, Deadline Hollywood
Ted Cohen, Managing Partner, TAG Strategic
Jenni Cook, Head of Development, Dreamscape Immersive
Greg Cross, Chief Business Officer, Soul Machines
Eric Dahan, CEO and Cofounder, Open Influence Kevin Day, VP Business Development & Strategic Relationships, Sound Royalties
Franco De Cesare, Director of Global Console & Online Gaming, Facebook
Robert DeFranco, VP, Sales and Development, The Future Group
Hayley Delaine, Founder, Trending All Day
Casey Dickinson, CEO, FTX Games
Colin Dixon, Founder and Chief Analyst, nScreenMedia
Allison Dollar, CEO, ITV Alliance
Tony Emerson, Managing Director, Worldwide Media & Entertainment, Microsoft
Zaid Farooqui, Product Manager for Stream, Cloudflare
Samantha Fernandez, Senior Director, AEG Global Partnerships
Rafi Fine, CEO, Fine Brothers Entertainment
Aubrey Flynn, former Chief Digital Officer and SVP, REVOLT Media & TV
Sid Fohrman, Partner, Sheppard Mullin
Javon Frazier, EVP, Strategy and Business Development, Studio71
Andi Frieder, Global Head of Industry, Entertainment, Spotify
Rob Gelick, Executive Vice President and General Manager, CBS Entertainment Digital
Jon Giegengack, Founder, Hub Entertainment Research
Gayle Gilman, CEO & Co-Founder, Ripple Entertainment
David Grant, President, POPSUGAR Studios
Keatly Haldeman, CEO, Riptide Music Group
Minard Hamilton, Managing Partner, Driver Ventures
Ann Hand, CEO & Chairman, Super League Gaming
Phil Hickey, EVP Brand and Marketing, Seriously
Hilary Hoffman, Global Executive Vice President Marketing, NBC Universal
Adam Hua, VP of Partnerships, CitizenNet, a Condé Nast company
Dick Huey, Head of Partnerships, Jaxsta
Mike Hurst, CEO & Co-Founder, Exactuals
Katie Ioffe, Director of Marketing, Digital Strategy, Mattel
Chauncy Jackson, CEO/Founder, Siri Music Group
TQ Jefferson, Vice President of External Development, FoxNext
Mike Johns, Executive Producer, Tech This Out
Ewan Johnson, Chief Creative Officer, Arcturus Studios
Gigi Johnson, Executive Director, UCLA Center for Music Innovation
Jocelyn Johnson, Startup Advisor
Kat Jones, Founder, Motiv PR
Brittani Kagan, Head of Talent, Portal A
Greg Kampanis, SR VP Business Development and Operations, Blue Ant Media
Gabrielle Kessler, VP of Experiential, Future Plc
Chang Kim, CEO & Founder, Tapas Media
Sam Kling, SVP, Creative Operations, SESAC Holdings, Inc.
Albert Kugel, Strategy Director, Giant Spoon
Harry Lang, VP of Product, Hallmark Labs
Folayo Lasaki, VP, Marketing, SoulPancake
Damon Lau, Head of Esports, United Talent Agency (UTA)
James Leaverton, VP of Ecosystems and CoFounder, StackPath
Kamiu Lee, CEO, Activate
Max Levine, Cofounder, MC Projects
Jim Louderback, General Manager, VidCon
Dave Madden, SVP, Global Brand Partnerships, Electronic Arts
Ashley McCollum, General Manager, Tasty
Yvette McDowell, Board Member, CCIA (California Cannabis Industry Association); Former LA City Prosecutor
Kate McGuire, Talent Manager, Fullscreen
David McTiernan, Director, Label Relations, Vevo
Marco Mereu, CEO, Framerate
Mickey Meyer, President of Network, Group Nine Media
Grant Michaelson, VP, Business Affairs and New Media, ABC Entertainment
Halsey Minor, Founder & CEO, Live Planet
Chris Misner, President of International, Roblox
David Mok, Director of Developer Partnerships, Skillz
Julia Moonves, VP, Sales & Business Development, pocket.watch
Karen Morgan, Co-Founder & Creative Director, Soma Innovation Lab
Helene Muddiman, CEO & Founder, Hollywood Elite Music & Media
Candice Mudrick, Senior Client Director, Newzoo
Dan Murray, President, Skybound Interactive
Vickie Nauman, Founder/Owner, CrossBorderWorks
Doug Neil, Executive Vice President Digital Marketing, Universal Pictures
Kym Nelson, SVP, Client Strategy, West, Twitch
Teri Nelson Carpenter, President & CEO, Reel Muzik Werks, LLC
Lisa Ong, Chief Culture Officer, CIVIC
Adam Ostrow, Chief Digital Officer, TEGNA
Panos Panay, VP, Innovation and Strategy, Berklee College of Music
Verena Papik, CMO, TuneMoji
Tony Parisi, Head of AR/VR Ad Innovation, Unity Technologies, Inc.
Sahil Patel, Media Editor, Digiday
Jennifer Perri, Vice President, Univision Creator Network
Tim Peterson, Senior Reporter, Digiday
John Petrocelli, CEO, Bulldog Digital Media
Chris Petrovic, SVP & Head of Corporate Strategy, M&A and Business Development, Zynga
Tina Pukonen, Head of Entertainment Strategy, Pinterest
William Quigley, CEO, Clearstone Ventures, OPSkins, and WAX
Neeta Ragoowansi, SVP. Biz Dev & Legal Affairs/Co-Founder, NPREX
Thai Randolph, EVP & General Manager, Laugh Out Loud
Phil Ranta, Head of Creators, Mobcrush
Leif Cervantes de Reinstein, Partner, Sheppard Mullin
Nelson Rodriguez, Global Director, Media Industry Strategy, Akamai Technologies
Carter Rogers, Principal Analyst, SuperData, A Nielsen Company
Jeff Rosenfeld, VP of Product, Music Audience Exchange (MAX)
Jessica Rovello, CEO, Arkadium
Ira Rubenstein, Chief Digital & Marketing Officer, PBS
Tom Ryan, Co-Founder and CEO, Pluto TV
Tracy Ryan, Founder & CEO, CannaKids
Johanna Salazar, EP & Head of Content, Strategy and Production, Two Goats
Robert Schefferine, VP Production, ABC Entertainment Marketing, Disney ABC Television Group
Ted Schilowitz, Futurist, Paramount Pictures
Russell Schneider, Head of Brand Partnerships, 9GAG
Lori Schwartz, Governor, Interactive Media, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Janice Scott, Chief Operating Officer & Head of Sales. Dataclef
Ari Segal, President & COO, Immortals LLC & Los Angeles Valiant
Michal Shapira, SVP of News Content Partnerships, Turner Ignite
Sephi Shapira, Founder & CEO, Escapex
Bennett Sherman, Co-Head, Digital Ventures, Gaming, ICM Partners
Ned Sherman, Partner, Manatt Digital; Founder, Digital Media Wire
Ketaki Shriram, Co-Founder, Chief Technology Officer, Krikey
Clark Stacey, CEO, WildWorks
Curtis Stafford, Former Head of Business Development, NCIA (National Cannabis Industry Association)
Steve Stewart, CEO & Co-Founder, Vezt
Jackie Subeck, CEO, Hey Jackpot!, Door Number Six
Chris Sumner, Senior Vice President, Business Development & Strategy, Refinery29
Josh Swartz, COO, Popdog
Daniel Tibbets, President & GM, El Rey Networks
Peter Trinh, Managing Director, International and Independent Film | Esport Groups, ICM Partners
Jay Tucker, Executive Director, Center for Media, Entertainment & Sports, UCLA Anderson School of Management
Rasty Turek, CEO, Pex
Benoit Vatere, Founder & CEO, Mammoth Media
Chrystine Villarreal, President, MIXhalo
Mia von Sadovszky, SVP / Group Strategic Planning Director, RPA
Mike Vorhaus, President, Vorhaus Advisors
Tina Walsh, VP Content Strategy, Tongal
Dan Weinstein, President, Studio71
Chris M. Williams, CEO & Founder, pocket.watch
Shelley Zimmerman, Co-Head, Awesomeness
To register, please go to http://www.dewexpo.com/registration/.
For information on limited sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tinzar Sherman at tinzar@digitalmediawire.com.

FutureTechLive is putting the Tech in SDCC

I’m beyond excited that the geek fun is coming with VR, Games, Tech, Panels, Swag and more for San Diego Comic Con! As technology changes how we ‘play’ it is logical for the expansion from past years! I always try to check out the VR/Gaming at SDCC since it’s always cutting edge ‘next big thing’ for consumers and I know I won’t be disappointed!  FutureTechLive@ COMIC-CON is taking over the Omni and is bringing Star Wars, Deadpool 2, Ready Player One, Blizzard’s Overwatch and so much more to immerse you in new and exciting ways!    

AI & Robotics Innovation Fair, Space Zone, and Coinfest/Blockchain Added

Debuting Comic-Con’s first-ever Hackathon!

Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality / Mixed Reality 

  • STAR WARS: JEDI CHALLENGES – from Lenovo – smartphone powered augmented reality Star Wars experience, enabling lightsaber battles.
  • READY PLAYER ONE – from Warner Bros. – 5,000 square feet of immersive experiences and pop culture iconography.
  • DEADPOOL AR – from 7-Eleven – an AR activation based on the snarkiest Marvel Comics superhero and Fox movies rolled out by 7-Eleven Digital.
  • GHOSTBUSTERS AR – from Sony / 433 Games – remember Pokemon Go?  Soon people will be able to hunt virtual ghosts via their smartphone.
  • OVERWATCH AR – from Blizzard – from the gaming giant behind this mega-game, now you can virtually jump into the game.
  • APE-X – from Starbreeze and Luckyhammers – Fight for your freedom atop a towering building while battling bots high above city streets in this location-based VR experience.
  • HOLOGATE – multi-player location-based VR experience providing exhilarating adventures in which multiple people fight robots, dragons and zombies, throw virtual snow balls or bond together and try to escape a sinking submarine.
  • TAKE PAUSE  – VR-based toolkit that helps teens improve focus and resilience by making mindfulness accessible and engaging using virtual reality.
  • STIMULI VR – Stimuli glasses replace big, bulky VR headsets to make VR more accessible.  Get ready to nab some being given away.
  • WAREPLAI  – uses AR to make clothing into an interactive gaming experience, with the goal  to pioneer experiences to bring people together using our blended reality platform which successfully blends the virtual world, the real world, and physical items through any device.
  • e360TV – making videos bleeding edge

Gaming / eSports

  • ARCHANGEL: HELLFIRE – from Skydance Interactive – an action-packed multiplayer mech game, and a successor to the award-winning story-driven VR shooter Archangel.  From a war torn cityscape to a snowy mountain terrain, mechs can battle it out in free-roaming warfare in open combat environments.
  • WAX – from the founders of OPSkins, the world’s leading marketplace for online video games assets, WAX is a decentralized platform that enables anyone to operate a fully functioning marketplace among the 400+ million online players who already collect, buy and sell in-game items.
  • ROBOT CACHE – the gaming industry’s first-ever decentralized video game distribution platform, dramatically reducing the fees publishers pay and for the first time, allowing gamers to resell their digital PC video games.
  • ULTRA – a new game publishing platform, bringing the blockchain revolution to the gaming industry and creating a fair ecosystem for the future of games distribution.
  • TEAM LIQUID – one of the most influential and dominant teams in eSports; it includes some of the winningest players ever. Their eSports wiki, Liquipedia, has grown to become one of the most useful, most detailed, and most up to date wikis in all of gaming.  Team members will be on hand to interact and sign autographs.

A.I. Innovation / Robotics

  • OZOBOT – makes award-winning coding robots for the next generators of creators… preparing kids for a future where they’ll collaborate with robots every day.
  • HORIZON HOVER – founded by former NFL player Thomas (“TJ”) Wright, Horizon is developing autonomous hovercraft and heavy lift drones for businesses and consumers; TJ will be on hand for show-and-tell.
  • #AISHOWBIZ ROUNDTABLE – thought leaders in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and entertainment from around the world are converging to share their ideas and interact.

Coinfest / Blockchain  

  • CONSENSYS  – Ethereum founder Joseph Lubin launched ConsenSys as a software foundry to develop decentralized software services and applications that operate on the Ethereum blockchain.
  • CELLARIUS  – a collaborative transmedia universe integrated with blockchain technology that hopes to span every conceivable artistic medium — film, fiction, animation, music, games — with user-generated content that collectively tells the story of humanity’s ceaseless quest to push the limits of technology.
  • BLOCKCHAINBTM – this company is rolling out Bitcoin ATM (i.e., “BTM”) machines across the country, with nearly a dozen already deployed in So. California.
  • NEWAFRICARADIO.NET – a 24/7 internet radio channel that covers what is going on in cryptocurrency and blockchain across the continent of Africa.

Space Zone

  • THE LIGHT IN THE VOID – From GRAMMY-nominated composer Austin Wintory (Journey, Abzu, Assasin’s Creed Syndicate) and 3-time EMMY-nominated writer-director Anthony Lund (Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman, National Geographic’s Breakthrough) comes a compelling narrative-driven symphonic theater piece that combines real, modern science with the universal question of how we must confront the unknown.  A Light in the Void tells a classic hero’s journey.  Along her path, she’ll tangle with an unforgettable cast of unique characters, all portrayed by legendary actor Troy Baker (The Last of Us, Bioshock Infinite, Shadow of Mordor). Celebrated scientists Carolyn Porco (NASA, Cassini), Maria Spirapulu (Large Hadron Collider, Caltech) and Alice Roberts (Univ. Birmingham, BBC) will present the antidote. We also spotlight A Light in the Void in some our panels.
  • SPHERES: SONGS OF SPACETIME – a three-part VR series that lets viewers explore the depths of Space in VR, which sold in a blockbuster deal at this past year’s Sundance Film Festival.
  • SPACE ODYSSEY – a PC game, VR series, and on-location attraction in development which enables exploration and colonization in deep space.

Educational

  • FLEET SCIENCE CENTER – The acclaimed San Diego institution is bringing fun its celebrated “Two Scientists Walk into a Bar” experience — which means dozens of the best and brightest of the area scientists and innovators will be on hand to answers attendee’s questions!
  • UCSD – THE CULTURAL HERITAGE ENGINEERING INITATIVE (CHAI) / CENTER FOR ASTROPHYSICS & SPACE SCIENCE (CASS) / ARTHUR C. CLARKE CENTER FOR HUMAN IMAGINATION – includes 3D video wall with augmented reality for experiencing archeological sites

Art 

  • ROB PRIOR – the official artist of Star Wars & Game of Thrones will be painting live on-site.
  • VR ART – digital art in an immersive setting.

Diversity 

  • ESA LOUNGE Presented by RED BULL – We Are exhibit – Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Foundation and Red Bull Media House will showcase We Are, an educational photography exhibit, in the Diversity in Gaming and Tech Lounge. The exhibit shines a light on incredibly talented women contributing to the gaming community

HACKATHON 

FutureTechLive! & FanHacks League is producing the first-ever Comic-Con Fan Engagement Hackathon.  Participants will work on prototyping mobile device apps.  This includes:

  • Gaming Challenge – presented by Ultra
  • Blockchain Challenge – presented by Consensys

Prizes and Goodies provided by:

  • Red Bull
  • Halo
  • Team Liquid
  • 7-Eleven / Deadpool 2
  • The Void 
  • iFLY 
  • Omni Hotels
  • Punch Bowl Social 

For additional information and registration for the Hackathon: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comic-con-hackathon-2018-tickets-47750687592

Giveaways and Swag

This year will feature some terrific swag. Giveaways include:

  • Deadpool 2 limited edition FUNCO Pops and Trolli Gummy Baby Hands, courtesy of 7-Eleven
  • Overwatch limited edition pins from Blizzard
  • Star Wars: Jedi Challenges swag from Lenovo
  • eSports swag from champions Team Liquid
  • Surprise giveaways throughout the event

 

PANELS
FutureTechLive! is also curating dynamic panels with industry leaders and pacesetters.
These are:

The Science of Cool
Thursday, 7/19/18, 5:00p.m. – 6:00p.m. |  Venue: 5AB in San Diego Convention Center
An all-star panel of scientists and creators discuss how the rise of immersive technologies, robotics, rocketry, AI and have made science cool again and continue to bring us closer to solving some of the greatest challenges and mysteries we face.

  • Moderator: Dr. Erik Viirre, M.D., Ph.D – UCSD Departments of Neurosciences; Co-Director, Arthur C. Clark Center for Human Imagination at UCSD;  Qualcomm XPrize.
  • Dr. Brian Keating – USCD Astrophysics professor; Director, Center for Astrophysics & Space Sciences; Co-Director, Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination at UCSD;  author, “Losing the Nobel Prize: A Story of Cosmology, Ambition, and the Perils of Science’s Highest Honor.”
  • Xabi Uribe-Etxebarria – Founder & CEO, SHERPA
  • Kim Salzer – CMO, OZOBOT
  • Katie Kelly, Head of Engagement – AltSpaceVR, MICROSOFT
  • Sinclair Fleming, Lead Engineer – STARBREEZE STUDIOS
  • Thomas “TJ” Wright, CEO – HORIZON HOVER (and former NLF player)

Going Crypto: How Digital Coin Technology Is Changing How We Live Our Lives
Thursday, 7/19/18, 6:00p.m. – 7:00p.m. | Venue: 5AB in San Diego Convention Center
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Dash, LiteCoin…  Crypto Currency or Digital Currency or Digital Coin or Blockchain or whatever you want to call it is arguably the most talked-about topic in the ether right now.  Beyond the speculation of altcoins, tokens, and ICOs, at the heart of it all is an innovative tracking technology that is now also impacting gaming, entertainment, animation, video, and everyday life.  Come find out what is coming down the pike in the world of crypto!

  • Moderator:  Anthony Appollo – CELLARIUS / CONSENSYS
  • Jonny Peters – CEO, GAZE COIN / DREAM FRAMES (film tokenization)
  • Mike Dunn – CTO, ULTRA (Blockchain based games publishing platform)
  • Patrick Dees – President, FAN CONTROLLED FOOTBALL LEAGUE / FAN TOKEN
  • Brian Mac Mahon – CEO, EXPERT DOJO (Crypto Advisor)
  • Evo Heyning – Strategic Development, FLUID BLOCKCHAIN ACCELERATOR
  • Timothy “TimTayshun” Curry – Co-Founder & Blockchain Educator, BLOCKCHAINBTM (Bitcoin ATMs) and NewAfricaRadio.net / Regional Organizer, Coinfest

To Infinity & Beyond: Our Dreams for the Future Take Flight
Friday, 7/20/18 4:00p.m. – 5:00p.m. | Venue: 23ABC in San Diego Convention Center
For generations – from Copernicus to Jules Verne to Elon Musk — visionaries have offered their dreams of the future, and in doing so inspired mind-blowing innovation.  An all-star panel of creators and innovators discuss their greatest influences and what they envision for our future.

  • Eliza McNitt – Director, Spheres VR Experience, Oculus/Intel
  • Dr. Carolyn Porco – Imaging Lead, NASA, Cassini Project – Star Talk All-Star
  • Kiki Wolfkill – Kiki Wolfkill – Studio Head, HALO Transmedia and Entertainment / 343 INDUSTRIES / MICROSOFT
  • Cliff Plumer – CEO, The Void (Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire and other experiences)
  • Austin Wintory & Tony Lund – Co-Creators, A Light in the Void
  • Jordan Vogt-Roberts – Director, Kong: Skull Island and the upcoming Metal Gear Solid

Hollywood & Emerging Tech — The Next Level of Entertainment
Saturday, 7/21/18, 3:30p.m. – 4:30p.m. | Venue: 24ABC in San Diego Convention Center
A diverse panel explores where Hollywood and technology are headed in 2018 and beyond.  Celebrates the intersection of entertainment and VR, AR, XR and other cool technologies making the world a more exciting place.

  • Moderator:  Anastasia Staten – Executive Director, ESA FOUNDATION
  • Chris Young – SVP, Entertainment Lab, NICKELODEON
  • Ted Schilowitz – Futurist, PARAMOUNT STUDIOS
  • Arvel Chappel III – Manager Emerging Technology, WARNER BROS.
  • Nick Eisele – Associate Producer, Games & Virtual Reality, NBC UNIVERSAL
  • Joanna Popper – Global Head of Virtual Reality, HP
  • Tareng Sethia – VP Product Management –Digital, 7-11 / DEADPOOL 2
  • Mark Harwood – Senior Producer, STARBREEZE STUDIOS

Gaming + Blockchain = A New Way for Gamers to Win Big!
Saturday, 7/21/18, 5:30p.m. – 6:30p.m. | Venue: Room 5AB in San Diego Convention Center
Blockchain is rapidly changing the way that both developers and players interact with video games and esports.  Learn how gaming gurus are pioneering new types of games and business models with this disruptive technology. And how gamers are making out big time owning and trading digital assets from games.  Hear from the vanguard.

  • Moderator: David Bloom, Gaming Journalist
  • William Quigley – CEO, WAX
  • Lee Jacobson – CEO, ROBOT CACHE
  • Tony Shen –  Product Lead, DECENTRALAND

Enter the Fun Zone – New Immersive Arcades and eSports Stadiums
Sunday, 7/22/18, 11:00a.m. – 12:00p.m. | Venue: 29AB in San Diego Convention Center
Dynamic and immersive virtual reality arcades are springing up around the world, as are eSports stadiums and studios.  Location-based entertainment is evolving, and these panelists are leading the way.

  • Moderator: Mark Murphy – Co-Founder, Future Tech Live! & Space Media Ventures
  • Gregg Katano – VP of U.S. Operations, HOLOGATE
  • Sinclair Fleming – Lead Engineer, STARBREEZE STUDIOS
  • Guy Constantine – VP, Global Interactive Marketing, SKYDANCE
  • Team Liquid
  • Blizzard

Making it As a Pro in Gaming and eSports
Sunday, 7/22/18, 1:00p.m. – 2:00p.m. | Venue: 24ABC in San Diego Convention Center
What does it take to become a Pro Gamer – traveling the world and winning big at gaming and eSports competitions?  How about a game designer? A programmer? This panel will give you the insights and inspiration to make your mark and even your livelihood in the world of gaming and eSports.

  • Moderator: Anastasia Staten – Executive Director, ESA FOUNDATION
  • Trey Smith – TEAM LIQUID – League of Legends
  • TEAM LIQUID  competitors
  • Winter – TEMPO STORM – Fortnite
  • Sicairos – TEMPO STORM – Fortnite
  • Overwatch League players (2)

Diversity in Tech and Gaming – An Evolving Conversation
Sunday, 7/22/18, 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. | Venue: 24ABC in San Diego Convention Center
Inclusion and equality is a hot topic everywhere, and that includes the Tech and Gaming worlds. These sectors are making major inroads, and these panelists are part of the vanguard leading the way.

  • Moderator – Anastasia Staten – Executive Producer, ESA FOUNDATION
  • Kiki Wolfkill – Studio Head, HALO Transmedia and Entertainment / 343 INDUSTRIES / MICROSOFT
  • Joanna Popper – Global Head of Virtual Reality for Location-Based Entertainment, HP
  • Katie Kelly – Head of Engagement, AltspaceVR, MICROSOFT
  • Eliza McNitt – Filmmaker / Director of SPHERES
  • Lori H. Schwartz – Governor Interactive Media, ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES
  • Shirin Laor-Raz Salemnia – Founder, WHIZGIRLS ACADEMY / CEO, PLAYWERKS / Faculty, USC
  • Dianna Cowern – “PHYSICS GIRL” internet sensation

Special category events within FUTURETECHLIVE! @ COMIC-CON include:

#AISHOWBIZ ROUNDTABLE – Wednesday, July 18  (Invite only)
Thought leaders in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and entertainment from around the world gather to interact and exchange ideas.

MEDIA PREVIEW – Wednesday, July 18 at 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.  (Media only)
Allows for media, bloggers and influencers a first experience of the event. Comic-Con passes are not required for this session.

DEVELOPERS/GAMERS PREVIEW – Wednesday, July 18 at 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Developers & Gamers)
This exclusive session allows for developers, designers, gamers, and other industry folks to get a sneak peek of the event.  COMIC-CON passes are not required for this session.

VIP RECEPTION – Saturday, July 21 at 9:00 p.m.+  (Invite only)

Regular days and hours are: Thursday, Friday, Saturday (July 19 – 21) 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday (July 22) 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.   

The event is in the Grand Ballroom of the Omni San Diego Hotel at 675 L Street, which directly faces the city’s Convention Center, home of San Diego International Comic-Con International, and is next to Petco Park stadium.

For more information about FUTURETECHLIVE! @ COMIC-CON visit www.futuretechlive.com

#futuretechlive

 

Science of the Expanse Panel at the International Space Development Conference

The 2018 International Space Development Conference welcomes the stars and producers of ‘The Expanse’ to discuss the science of the series. The Expanse is a series that takes place in the future where mankind has conquered our solar system and spread but we learn we aren’t the only intelligent lifeforms after discovering the protomolocule. The series is a mix of humanity, special effects and the use of the true concepts of science and physics. It’s why it’s exciting that they are appearing at the West Coast gathering of the world’s greatest scientist, engineers, astronauts, and space entrepreneurs who have been inspired by science fiction greats from Star Trek to Star Wars to Doctor Who to Battlestar Galactica and future innovators will include The Expanse on that list. SYFY channel did not renew the series but passionate fans have launched a renew The Expanse campaign and have appealed to Amazon Video, Netflix, Hulu, and the Networks.

This year Jeff Bezos will be accepting the Gerard K. O’Neill Memorial Award for Space Settlement Advocacy at the 2018 ISDC hopefully they will cross paths and Mr. Bezos will choose to add The Expanse to the Amazon Prime lineup. The Expanse fandom is looking at numerous streaming platforms to renew the science fiction series with a 100% approval on Rotten Tomatoes the SyFy #1 series is still seeking a new home in our galaxy! If you want to attend the conference or the panel details are below.

The Science of the Expanse panel moderated by Kyle Hill is at 5PM with Naren Shankar, (Showrunner/Creator), Cas Anvar (Alex Kamal), Wes Chatham (Amos Burton), Steven Strait (Jim Holden), Shohreh Aghadashloo (Chrisjen Avasarala), and Cara Gee (Drummer) if you haven’t seen The Expanse (SyFy Network). The series is set in a future which finds the solar system is populated and prospering. The writing team on The Expanse works hard to keep special effects and concepts true to science and physics whenever possible. Cas Anvar, who plays starship pilot Alex Kamal, will join fellow cast members to discuss the science of the show.

Register to attend the conference 

If you would like to attend the panel only you can email Aggie Kobrin, National Space Society aggie@cecglobalevents.com 

Join me at the 3rd Annual Out Web Fest

Revry Presents 3rd Annual Out Web Fest (OWF) May 18-20 celebrating independent LGBTQ digital storytelling. Buffer Festival LA, YouTube Space LA and the London Hotel are partnering to celebrate the queer web festival. 

The three day festivities will include industry speaker panel, parties, screenings, digital pitchfests and the Revry Visibility Awards! OWF is the must attend event for creators and fans who want to support diversity in entertainment with established and new storytellers. YouTube Space LA on May 18th will host the opening night event and all other festivities will be at the London Hotel. The closing night awards will include prizes like free sound stage rentals courtesy of Shamrock Studios, Revry Development and Distribution deals, as well as an Audience Award with automatic entry into Rio Web Fest including travel and accommodations to beautiful Rio de Janeiro.

This year OWF is partnering with the New Zealand Web Fest, International Online Web Fest and Buffer Festival for their first Buffer Festival LA on May 17th (including Dodie Clark, Louis Cole, Matthew Santoro, Mikey Murphy & Sabrina Cruz).  “We’re incredibly excited to join forces with Revry’s OWF in the very first Buffer Festival LA.  Revry’s OWF has been a leader in promoting diversity through elevated content and stories about real people and real circumstances, something Buffer Festival is passionate about as we make our expansion across North America,” shares Scott Benzie, CEO of Buffer Festival.

A discounted ticket for both festivals can be purchased at: https://www.showpass.com/buffer-festival-la-combo-pack/  (Note: The OWF ticket will be a discounted optional add-on once the Buffer Festival LA customer gets to check-out.)

 

“OWF has made a mark in the world of content creation in highlighting unique, groundbreaking, and sometimes subversive content that is too often overlooked by the mainstream festivals,” says Revry CEO, Damian Pelliccione.  “In the 21st Century, short-form content leads as the hottest and fastest growing category in digital entertainment and OWF creates the perfect forum to share multiple perspectives of queer culture that makes our stories some of the most innovative, ground-breaking and unique in the world.”  

2018 LINE UP (Full Program & Tickets at: http://www.OutWebFest.com)

DRAMATIC Competition

WOKE – Dir. Maxime Potherat and Jules Thénier
The Y Theory – Dir. Caroline Taillet and Martin Landmeters

Jade of Death – Dir. Erin Good
Two Weeks – Dir. Isabel Stanfield
Stage Fright – Dir. Anna F. Kohlschütter
Sui Generis – Dir. Roberto Nascimento 
She – Dir. Anthonia Onyejekwe
Pinky Gurung – Dir. Gopal Shivakoti
Expiration Date – Dir. Shwenn Shunya Chang

COMEDY Competition

The Feels – Dir. Tim Manley
Femme – Dir. Aiden Peters 
Inconceivable – Dir. Joel Ashton McCarthy
Potluck S2 – Dir. Ness Simons
John Loos – Dir. CJ Arellano
Build A Boo – Dir. Jean-Pierre Chapoteau
Happy Playland – Dir. Elsie Bollinger and Sally Bollinger
Sexy Herpes – Dir. Madeleine Dyer
Little Sista – Dir. Charmaine Bingwa and Reece Jones
Pussy Willow S2 – Dir. Kate Jessop

MUSIC Competition

 

Abbott Kiney – Musician – Junius Frey
Nova – Musician – Alsace Carcione
IRL (If You Really See Me)– Musician – Ysa Yaneza
Harlem Cleopatra – Musician – Cazwell (featuring Peppermint)
Lookin – Musician – Big Dipper

Overthinking – Musician – INA
Crush – Musician – Dark Pink Stars
Dance With Me – Musician – Davis Mallory

Comfortable – Musician – Matt Palmer
Nobody Freakin’ – Musician – Megan Vice

Over the past two years awardees, participants, and sponsors have included Tyler Oakley, Gigi Gorgeous, Hannah Hart, Ari Fitz, Amber’s Closet, Viacom, EOne, Grindr, and Maker Studios.

About OWF  (Out Web Fest)

OWF is the world’s only digital festival dedicated to celebrating web series, short films and music videos by and for the global queer community. OWF’s mission is to provide the opportunity for all queer content creators to connect with the global community and celebrate the progressive evolution of LGBTQ+ entertainment. OWF breaks the mold of other festivals by giving prominence and a voice to the honest and unfiltered digital short-form storytelling that does not rely on access to resources, lofty budgets, or elite “movers and shakers” in the industry.

In the 21st Century short-form content leads as the hottest and fastest growing category in digital entertainment and we believe it is the perfect forum to share multiple perspectives of queer culture that make our stories some of the most innovative, ground-breaking, and unique in the world. OWF introduces international and local digital content creators, producers, and fans to inclusive programming that acknowledges the cultural significance of this revolutionary intersection of medium and storytelling.

This festival will feature screenings, panels with industry experts, and a pitchfest which will allow creators a chance to speak one on one with working industry professionals. The festival will conclude with an awards ceremony and closing night party.  For more information, please visit http://www.outwebfest.com/

About Buffer Festival LA

Buffer Festival is an annual showcase of YouTube world premieres, bringing the most acclaimed digital creators and their audiences together. The festival includes a variety of programming, including a red carpet gala and premiere screenings, with YouTube’s highest quality content on full display. Now entering its sixth edition, the festival will host its annual four day event in September. For Ticket and Show information please visit https://bufferfestival.com

 

About Revry

Revry is the premiere queer digital media network for the inclusive 21st century LGBTQ+ community.  As the first-ever global queer streaming service, Revry offers a uniquely curated selection of domestic and international entertainment that includes iconic, award-winning narrative and documentary films, cutting-edge series and originals along with the world’s largest queer libraries of groundbreaking podcasts, music albums and videos.  Revry is available worldwide on seven OTT, mobile, and online platforms, and hosts an exclusive linear channel on Pluto TV with a reach of over 10 million people in over 100 countries.  Headquartered in Los Angeles, Revry is led by an inclusive team of queer, multi-ethnic and allied partners who bring decades of experience in the fields of tech, digital media, and queer advocacy.  Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @REVRYTV. Go Online to: www.Revry.com.

The London West Hollywood

Welcome to The London West Hollywood, a tranquil oasis that combines cosmopolitan elegance and laid-back California cool to create an unparalleled destination for a discerning new breed of luxury traveler.

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International Online Web Fest

IOWF – The International Online Web Fest is a seasonal online event which specifically helps independent filmmakers to raise their visibility through the web. We do so by creating and taking care of your communication on line and especially on social media channels.

Rio Webfest

Rio WebFest had its inaugural edition held in 2015 in Ação da Cidadania and Casa Porto, two cultural centers located in the Harbour Zone of Rio de Janeiro, where

185 submissions, 65 national and 120 international, competed for more than 30 awards. Headquartered in Cidade das Artes, the 2016 edition grew exponentially, lending to the event real notoriety. The 2017 edition made Rio WebFest one of the most important events of the category in the world, with more than 500 series submitted, of which 206 competed for 54 trophies, cash prizes, co-production contracts and three international trips.

NZ Web Fest

The NZ Web Fest is New Zealand’s festival that curates and celebrates online content, web series and shows — fiction, factual, and anything in between. New for 2018 are submission categories accepting 3D, AR, MR, and VR projects.  #NZWF18 runs each November in Auckland, presenting a conference day of panel discussions and presentations, an awards ceremony, and two days of screenings.

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