raedfletch-blog

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Last week I declared  myself as a writer in the sands of a beach in Gulfport, MS.  The experience was revitalizing and very stimulating!! It allowed me a chance to reflect and be thankful for my gift.

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3 Examples of Effective Branding

3 Examples pf Effective Branding.

Apple

Apple Picture Reference Link

For years, Apple products have managed to secure the simple, cost-effective, and user-friendly market for technology.  Apple’s simple logo and scheduled release dates have had America on the edge of their seats wanting the next iPhone.  Face it, no one stands in lines for the latest droids.  The Apple brand is sleek in nature, cool at heart, and simple for its complexity. You just have to have one!  High-quality products have created loyal users, a blueprint that other companies have tried to adopt.  Apple is the epitome of effective branding that has thrived on products that are exclusive to Apple accessories, backed by quality devices, and supported by a customer service team that would make Chick-Fil-la blush.

 Adidas

Adidas Picture Reference Link

Impossible is nothing! Adidas uses this motivational tool to reel in athletes from all walks of life. Combined with its sleek dark branding options, Adidas has created a need to be classic and cool, all while motivating their customers to believe in the impossible. This is an example of effective branding to appeal to the emotions of a person trying to reach work out goals, someone competing in sports, or someone simply wearing the brand for style. Almost everyone sets goals and almost 99% of the population doesn’t mind being motivated.  The Adidas brand has done an amazing job at capturing motivational and competitive needs within one market.

Capital One

Capital One Picture Reference Link

Capital One credit cards and Capital One Banking has done an excellent job at capitalizing on asking: “What’s in your wallet?”, pun intended.  For years, Capital One has coined this phrase to get people conscious of decisions regarding their money.  Whether it be what type of credit cards you have, what type of savings options you apply, or what type investments you are making for your future.  Capital Once has created an empire dedicated to all facets of monetary needs.  From IRAs, life insurance, retirement, credit cards, or banking, capital one will have you reconsidering what’s in your wallet.  This is an example of effective branding to create an urgency of prioritizing how the world allocates their money.

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So true. And even though I know the difference, I still tell my kids to go lay down!!! Lay is for objects. Lie is for people and animals. You lay down your book on the desk. I will lie down when I get tired.

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Yesterday at the Vision Board Luncheon...I came across a small vision board that surprised me. It was made by a lady there who is in her 60s. She has been through several life trials including major surgery. What she put on her vision board surprised me. It was simple and sweet. It said :"TRUST GOD". And she looked at me and said..."I have been working on this for a long time." My mouth dropped. I'm thinking, this lady is in her sixties and she has faith of a mustard seed. I've seen her life. I've known her for years. It just goes to show that trusting God is a daily practice that everyone must work on. Very enlightening. But God!!! #vision #visionboard2016 #fcp #frontcoverpresents

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What Are You Going to do With Your Lemons?

by Rae-Shell D. Fletcher

I'M OBSESSED. "When life gives you lemons...you make LEMONADE." And that's exactly what the Mega Boss Business Beauty Beyonce does. Beyonce's Lemonade is the anthem for any woman that has experienced betrayal, infidelity, and hurt. I don't care who you are, if you are a woman and have been in 3 or more meaningful relationships, you have experienced a cheating mate (and by meaningful I mean you have given someone your soul, on a satin pillow, and have allowed them to compromise your heart by giving away a piece of your sacred physical being). And if you think you haven't been cheated on, bless your heart, you just never found out. Don't just look at "cheating" for what it is on the surface because it's much deeper. "Her heaven will be a love without betrayal."-Beyonce.  For the female nation that has had their love taken for granted...my goodness beloved...prepare to go through the grieving process with this icon.

The talented songstress captures the authenticity of black women, the broken heart of black culture, all while cleverly lacing the entitled liberation that women must claim. Whether Jay-Z cheated or not, who cares?  The point is: what do you plan to do with your lemons?  He ain't the first and he damn sure won't be the last. Whether she capitalized on what really happened or what people think happened...it was BEASTY and done in class. Some people act out and fight in an elevator to address their anger, others make a Grammy award winning album out of it...which supports the line: "Me and my baby we gone' be alright," and "Always stay gracious best revenge is your paper."  I could go on!  

 This may be what is arguably her best work yet. The Beehive never ceases to amaze me. What a way to transform life's lessons into a work of musical art saturated with poetry, fashion, voice, ancestry, and empowerment. Incorporating rhythm & blues, hip-hop undertones, country bama flare, reggae substance, pop layers, and rock & roll influence while collaborating with some of Billboards most relevant artist, she took a visual representation of her psyche and drowned it in symbolism.   Showcasing “real” powerful black women such as England’s Resident Poet, Warsan Shire, with sentiments like:

 "Why do you deny yourself heaven?"

"If we are going to heal, let it be glorious."

"What are you going to say at my funeral now that you have killed me?"

"I whipped my own back and asked for dominion at your feet."

"Did you get on your knees daily?"

"You spun gold out of this hard life."

Showcasing power such as tennis player Serena Williams, fashion model Winnie Harlow, The Hunger Games star Amandla Stenberg and Disney Channel Zendaya, Academy Award nominee Quvenzhané Wallis, YouTube stars Chloe and Halle Bailey, Musical duo Ibeyi – twin sisters Lisa-Kainde and Naomi Diaz, and ballerina Michaela DePrince. 

  The Pop icon goes further by honoring the mothers of the demised effects of police hatred of the black male. Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, who died July 2014, Lesley McSpadden, mother of Michael Brown, who died August 2014, and  Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, who died February 2012.

 Lemonade is relatable, empowering, heartfelt, accurate, spiritual, it's needed, it's real, it's entertaining, it's the truth, and it will forever remain relevant. It's epic. Even the cinematography is soulful. It tells the story of:

 Intuition

Denial

Anger

Apathy

Emptiness

Accountability

Reformation

Forgiveness

Resurrection

Hope

Redemption

 I am forever changed.  I have been inspired to write more poetry.  I have been inspired to go deeper with visual stories.  Dig deeper. Who will view my work?  How will my films help someone?  My life and experiences are various colors of paint, and film is my canvas.

-Rae-Shell D. Fletcher

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Here are 2 images from my Story Board assignment.

Animation Summary for “Maggie’s Monophobia”

Written by Rae-Shell D. Fletcher

Maggie’s family is at home and they have just finished eating dinner.  Everyone has showered so it is time for bed.  Jordan is doing homework at the kitchen table, and their middle sister Kayla is washing dishes with their mom.  Their dad is on his laptop paying bills and Maggie stands in the center of the living room looking clueless.  Her mom tells her to go ahead and go to bed and instantly Maggie begins to whine.  Maggie pleads with her mom, knowing that she has to face going upstairs and being in her room alone.  She pleads with her parents, begging them to allow her to wait on Kayla or Jordan. They deny her request and remind her that she needs to grow up and there is nothing to be afraid of.   Jordan suggests that Maggie creates an imaginary friend to help overcome her fear of being alone.  Kayla joins in, adding that it’s not a bad idea. 

Together the 3 sisters sit in a circle and their creative minds begin to work.  They come up with a delightful imaginary friend to comfort Maggie when she is alone. Pleasant images begin to dance around the sister circle and the girls create a friend.  Their parents alert them that their time is up, just as Maggie’s new imaginary friend “Shayna” appears bouncing on her shoulder.  Maggie is all smiles.  She gallops up the stairs, to her room, and jumps in her bed with “Shayna” right by her side.

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It what we all have been waiting for! Series premiere April 24, 2016 on YOUTUBE!!! Sundries to Front Cover Presents to claim your seat now! @iammisspinky @actsdivine @mpressivphenom @johnjllandry #trgmoh #fcp

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I HAD A BLAST TODAY SHOOTING WITH CRAZY PEOPLE!!! The Real Group Members of Houston Web-Series premieres April 24th @ 7pm on www.youtube.com/c/frontcoverpresents @iammisspinky @actsdivine @johnjllandry @mpressivphenom

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So I was talking with the manager at #Starbucks about how I have to see 2 movies a week for school...I told her I was going to see #mybigfatgreekwedding2 She asked me if I had seen #mybigfatgreekwedding part 1. I told her I hadn't but I'm sure I could find it on Netflix or something. I drive up to get my usual this morning and look at what she greets me with!!!! Such a sweet gesture. She found it at a goodwill and thought about me!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️😍😍😍😍☕️ #filmmaker #director #payitforward #🎬 (at Starbucks)

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Here is the preview for my new web series....press play and prepare to laugh.

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Gamification and Media Convergence

4.11 Mastery Discussion: Gamification and Media Convergence

1. Bottle Bank Arcade: The creators of the “Bottle Bank Arcade” believe that the easiest way to change people's behavior for the better is by making it fun. During an experiment, a conventional Recycling “Bottle Bank” was used twice, while the “Bottle Bank Arcade” was used by over 100 people.  Arcade style lights blink indicating which slot to deposit empty bottles in for recycling.  If the player deposits the bottle on time, the player will earn points. This is a brilliant form of gamification to encourage recycling and the results prove that the project was successful and needed.

Bottle Bank Arcade

http://youtu.be/zSiHjMU-MUo

2. Street Ping Pong: A great example of media getting remixed and reimagined is a version of Ping Pong available in a city called Hildesheim. Hildesheim is a city in lower Saxony, Germany where a group of developers are focusing on the importance of traffic matters.  While pedestrians wait for the street signal to change allowing them to safely cross, a game of street ping pong is available on the street post to pass the time away.  “Player One” can play “Player Two” who is located across the street.  Each player has their own console which is attached to the street post.   Perhaps this is a way for pedestrians to engage in an activity and subconsciously discourage jaywalking or unwanted street activity.

Street Ping Pong

http://youtu.be/Oe3TsxVSnpg

3. Contrex's Exercise Bike Campaign: The Contrex's exercise bike campaign provided a line of stationary bikes that linked up to an oversized giant neon dancing male stripper.   As more people joined in and cycled, the lights traveled up to the large wall where a dancing neon man appeared and performed a striptease for the audience to enjoy.  Afterwards, the neon man exits the make believe stage and tosses his underwear out.  He reappears with a sign that covers his important parts that read:  “Congratulations, you’ve burned 2000 calories”.  This form of gamification promotes exercise with an incentive of “eye-candy”.  Very clever!

Contrex Exercise Bike Campaign

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO7iCbtlcIc&sns=em

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Episodic & Serial Writing Master Journal

This month I had the pleasure of completing a class entitled “Episodic & Serial Writing”.  I must say, this class forced me to dig deeper into a creative realm that I enjoyed.  Several optional assignments were offered, and I completed them without a second thought often times causing me to soar past the required deadline! However, I knew that by completing these extra assignments, it would make me a stronger writer as it relates to episodic and serial writing. 

As I reflect upon my experiences of being apart of an ad-hoc writing staff this month, it made me take a closer look at the critiquing process.   I was faced with a daunting task of offering a list of corrections to one of my peers and I had to force myself to be meticulous in hopes that they would take my evaluations as a launch pad to become a better writer, as a oppose to someone who just had time on their hands.  I never deem myself to be the “guru” of anything, but, when I know something…I just know it.  And in that situation, I just could not stand by and let those mistakes fly by without helping a fellow writer.   Feeling this way opened my eyes to the possibility and reality that one day, I may be sitting in that same position as this said peer.  One day, I may have to face the harsh, eye-opening reality that I will have a number of corrections that need to be made as well.  I pray that I will be just as accepting as I hope that my peer was. How does this mesh with my goals as a writer?

How was this different from other writing experiences I've had?   I have never experienced writing with a group of people.  I have always completed projects on my own.  In the past, when I received feedback, I normally just nod and smile if I feel the person has no clout.  This class provided a new experience for me.  The rules provided within a show bible that gave me structure in which I desire on a daily basis anyway. To work on something that was not my own creative property did not feel abnormal as I thought it would. Instead, it allowed me an opportunity to explore my creativity.  I could definitely see myself doing this for a living, in fact, before I began the outline for my treatment, I watched a few of my favorite networks for inspiration. On Fox, I re-watched a few episodes of “Empire”, and on ABC, I re-watched 3 episodes of “Scandal”. Based on the notes I took, I changed my teaser plus 5 act structure to a teaser plus 6 act structure.  

  Both networks average

(2) minute teaser of a B story

(5) minute ACT two of story A&B

(6) minutes ACT two primarily A story

(5) minute ACT 3 primarily B story

(7) minute ACT four primarily A story

(8) minute ACT five primarily B story

(9) minute ACT 6 primarily A story.  

 This is the structure I chose for my premise.  To make this a reality, I may have to convince my husband to move away from Houston!!

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People need to rid their selfish pride and stop letting their bitterness cloud their judgment as parents. The picture is an example of a blended family.  A family where the children are the priority.  A family where the adults realized that although the may have not been able to work things out as young adults, as they grew up, they grew apart and were able to co-parent in separate households.  We were able to come together and realize that it is not about “us”.  Its about the kids.  It’s about the kids seeing that the parents can work together so that the kids can have a great relationship and continue to grow up together and get the benefit of love coming from all directions.  Love from the biological parent, and the love of the step parent which is the greatest love all of all because its a “choice” to love.  The biological parent loves their biological child because its natural - - it’s normal.  A step parent walks into a pre-made situation and accepts the past for what it is and loves the child as their own.  I love my “baby momma” Traci Robinson (That’s what I call her).  Because she loves my babies like they were her own and she doesn’t have to.  And guess what? I love her baby just  the same.   My prayer is that  people start accepting the choices that they have made in life and move on.  So it didn’t work out, get over yourself.  Life is short.  Teach your children not to make the same mistakes.  Teach your children not to mate with just anybody.  Teach them that their body is a treasure, not an experimenting platform.  If you are keeping your children from your ‘ex’ because they have moved on, SHAME ON YOU!  You are creating a child destined for drama.  And where is it going to lead you anyway?  What are you trying to prove? REALLY? The kids grow up and get smart and will resent you. You are depriving your child from the same love you probably didn’t get.  Well look how you turned out. I’ll wait.

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Voting Millennial Fail

The recent outcome of voter representation in Houston, Texas was upsetting.  I’m a proud registered voter and resident of the fourth largest city where this tragic set back took place. Our newest mayor is the second African American to be elected into office after a historic run-off election this past week. Democrat Sylvester Turner barely defeated Republican Bill King, 51% to 49%. There were 950,000 eligible voters in the city, and only 212,696 votes were submitted. This translates into 737,304 people not feeling that their voice was important enough to be effective. Let’s take into consideration that some may have been in the hospital, ill, unable to get off of work (there is Saturday and early voting), military (there is proxy), some may have been in jail (ineligible), along with many other valid excuses.  But what is the real problem here? Why have people over the years become less and less motivated to vote?  There has been a steady and fast decline of voter turn out since 1979. The average age was 67 for voters this run-off election. This is a sad testament to the years of death, blood, determination and sacrifice applied to the rights that the younger generation should benefit from.  It is pointless to encourage today’s young minority voters by reminding them what our ancestors fought for. What the “Baby Boomers” fought for, and the “X Generation” respects, is what the “Millennials” take for granted.

 The Y and Z Generation are known as the “Millennials”.  Millennials were born between the 1980s and early 2000s. This is a group of young adults and teenagers that thrive on instant gratification. They are the technology culture. They live in the “now” and lean on their parents far longer than their predecessors did.  Delayed gratification is not in their vocabulary. Voting today will have no lasting effect on their lives tomorrow. They can’t see the bigger picture. They can’t see far enough down the road where change will happen after the necessary bills are created, passed, and made into laws in congress. Currently, everything is at their fingertips. If effort is apart of the process to gain anything in life, a detour will be made.  Blood, sweat and tears is frowned upon. They are a lazy society where everything is handed to them. You need a ride somewhere?  There is an app for that. Do you need to order a last minute gift for your boyfriend?  There is an app for that.  Do you need to check your math problem before you turn in your homework?  There is an app for that.  Want to learn how to build a bomb to blow up your step mom’s vanity mirror? There is an app for that.

 On a daily basis technology is decreasing learning capacity, diminishing the desire to learn and earn knowledge, and weakening basic necessary core life values in the process.  Millennial don’t know what a dial tone sounds like, know what the inside of a post office looks like, can’t back up a vehicle without a rear view camera, can’t spell without auto spell correct or “Siri” (well most adults can’t either), and most have never seen more than one button on a cell phone. Cursive writing has been eliminated from curriculum's in several U.S. schools due to the use of internet document signing, the use of symbol signatures, and because cursive writing was originally created to increase writing speed. The need for note writing speed can be satisfied with any iPad or tablet where a “word finishing” or auto-fill feature is available. The next time you are sitting in a restaurant, take a look around.  See if you can locate a table where no one has their head buried in a cell phone. It's impossible!  Soon the physical use of the U.S. dollar will be insignificant and all purchases will take place via cell phone quick pay. Grammy award winning artist Beyoncé was awarded Video of the year for “7/11”, which was filmed entirely on her iPhone.  A dermatologist can diagnose a skin rash via video conference and prescribe medication for a patient, without the patient ever leaving the comfort of their home. What am I saying?  In order to get Millennial to vote, there will have to be an app for that!

 -Levi Franklin Bloch V, 32 “An Old-Soul-Millennial exception to the rule.”

CEO Bloch Memorial Funeral Home

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Facebook Character Research:

I have decided to enhance my current assignment using social media. I also plan to make a social media page for my character as well.  I urge other student to do the same!!! Here is my initial post:

Hey MEN: I have been assigned to create a character and utilize this person throughout the duration of my degree. I am stepping out of the box and choosing a male. Lets just say his initials are LFB the fifth. I will be posting periodically on his behalf. Gentlemen...please respond and interact with LFB the fifth to enhance my writing journey! Ladies...you do the same.

Disclaimer: LFB the fifth is a 32-year-old successful, African American male with Polish and Jewish roots. He is single, with no kids. He speaks 3 languages and humbles his arrogance. He knows he is a catch but he'd rather spend his time devising ways to make money rather than nurture a relationship. He is a devout Christian that believes Africans are the true Hebrews and if today's black pastors told us the real truth, every church member would get up and walk out!

First comment: What turns you off? Why?  You can keep to yourself if you feel you don’t need a man, if you “wear the pants” in the relationship, or you are some power hungry, nagging, self-centered, alpha woman running for president of a local feminist group.  If you want to turn me off, lead with this mindset!

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And..........her are some interest that my Protagonist may have,

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So here we go...character development.  Here are some interest that my antagonist may have.