#Video Marketing Atlanta

[year3000magazine]

LISHA G -  GUCCI BANDANA [@Y3KMAGAZINE EXCLUSIVE]

[juxtmarketing]

Comprehensive Digital Marketing and Branding Services in Atlanta | Juxt Marketin

 Discover Juxt Marketing's array of digital marketing and branding services in Atlanta. From web development services in Atlanta to brand identity design, graphic design, and video production, our expert team delivers tailored solutions to elevate your brand's online presence and visibility.

[boltentertainmentusa]

The Power of Business Video Production: Elevating Brands through Digital Videography

In today's digital age, video content reigns supreme. From captivating commercials to informative training videos, businesses are increasingly turning to video production to convey their messages and engage with their audiences. This shift towards video content is not without reason; studies have shown that videos are more likely to be shared, remembered, and acted upon than other forms of content. As such, investing in professional business video production services has become a crucial component of any comprehensive marketing strategy.

Digital Video Production Services: A Holistic Approach to Visual Storytelling

Digital video production services encompass a wide array of activities aimed at creating visually compelling content. This includes everything from conceptualization and scriptwriting to filming, editing, and post-production. The objective is to craft videos that resonate with the target audience, effectively communicate the brand's message, and drive desired actions. Whether it's a product launch, corporate training, or brand awareness campaign, video production has the potential to transform how businesses connect with their customers.

The Stages of Business Video Production

Pre-Production: This phase involves meticulous planning and preparation. It includes tasks such as scriptwriting, storyboarding, casting, and location scouting. The goal is to establish a clear vision for the video and ensure that all necessary resources are in place before filming begins.

Production: This is the actual filming phase. It involves capturing the footage according to the script and storyboard. A skilled production team will ensure that the filming is done efficiently and effectively, capturing the desired shots and angles.

Post-Production: This is where the magic happens. Post-production involves editing the footage, adding graphics and special effects, and creating the final product. A good post-production team will bring your vision to life, creating a polished and professional video.

Distribution: Once the video is complete, it's time to share it with your audience. This may involve uploading it to your website, sharing it on social media, or using it in a presentation. A strategic distribution plan will ensure that your video reaches the right people at the right time.

Bolt Entertainment: Setting the Standard for Digital Videography in Atlanta

When it comes to digital videography in Atlanta, Bolt Entertainment is a name that stands out. With a team of experienced professionals and state-of-the-art equipment, they offer a wide range of services to meet your video production needs.

Corporate Video Production: Bolt Entertainment specializes in creating compelling corporate videos that showcase your brand values and engage your audience. Whether you need a promotional video, a training video, or a company overview, they have the expertise to bring your vision to life.

Commercial Video Production: If you're looking to promote a product or service, Bolt Entertainment can help. They have experience creating high-quality commercial videos that drive sales and increase brand awareness.

Event Video Production: Whether you're hosting a conference, a trade show, or a corporate event, Bolt Entertainment can capture the highlights and create a video that showcases the best moments.

Training Video Production: If you need to train your employees or educate your customers, Bolt Entertainment can create engaging training videos that are informative and easy to understand.

Animated Video Production: If you're looking for something a little different, Bolt Entertainment also offers animated video production. They can create custom animations that bring your ideas to life in a fun and engaging way.

In addition to their video production services, Bolt Entertainment also offers video marketing and distribution services. They can help you create a strategic video marketing plan and distribute your videos to the right channels to reach your target audience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, business video production is an essential tool for modern businesses looking to connect with their audience. From corporate videos to commercial videos, the possibilities are endless. By understanding the process of digital video production and working with a trusted partner like Bolt Entertainment, you can create high-quality videos that drive engagement and achieve your business goals.

[cartermagazine]

Today In History

Shelton Jackson “Spike” Lee, Oscar winning filmmaker was born in Atlanta, GA, on this date March 20, 1957.

His production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, has produced more than 35 films since 1983, and they include: She’s Gotta Have It, School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Mo’ Better Blues, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, Crooklyn, Clockers, Girl 6, Get on the Bus, He Got Game, Summer of Sam, Bamboozled, 25th Hour, She Hate Me, Inside Man, Miracle at St. Anna, Red Hook Summer, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, Old Boy, Chi-Raq, BlacKkKlansman, and Da 5 Bloods.

Lee’s outstanding feature documentary work includes the double Emmy® Award-winning If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise, a follow up to his HBO documentary film When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts, 4 Little Girls, Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall, and the Peabody Award-winning A Huey P Newton Story.

He is also known for his legendary Air Jordan TV commercials and marketing campaigns with Michael Jordan for Nike. In 1997 he launched the advertising agency Spike DDB, a fully integrated agency with a focus on trendsetter, cross-cultural and millennial audiences.

In addition to his films, TV series and commercials, Spike Lee has Directed a number of music videos and shorts for artists such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Public Enemy, Branford Marsalis, Bruce Hornsby, Miles Davis and Anita Baker.

YA’ DIG, SHO NUFF.

CARTER™️ Magazine

[nessatwene-art]

TPP Prime team BIOS

Emilia Ocasio - Prime age: 25-38. Current age: 42. Poten type: Manipulate- Uses raw energy manifestations to fight. Core color - Blue

TPP squad's charismatic and talented leader. She's lively and pretty darn spunky, Emilia takes what she does with a lot of heart and cares about her family, friends and the city she grew up in. Though it puts the weight of the world on her shoulder. She can be a hot-headed sometimes she figuring out what it means to be a good leader among many aspects of her adult life. Currently she's playing the worlds hardest game of Carmen sandiago

Jaylen (Jay) D. Franklin - Prime age: 28-41. Current age: 45. Poten type: Manipulate- produces powerful energy shock waves. Core color - Green

Jay was the second in command and the easiest dude to get along with. He's a close family friend and close friend to Emilia since she was young (He dated her sister but it didn't work out lol) So she's like a little sister to him. After the team disbanded he opened a record store that the go-to place for many people. He's happy to tell the stories from his past to the kids but does his best to stay out of hunting business to protect him and and his family.

Gadiel Marques - Prime age: 26-39. Current age: 43. Poten type: Elemental- Fire. Core color - yellow

Team pretty boy who use to have gorgeous long hair (sorry not picture ;.;) , now is a humble family convince store owner in of Center city who has a confusing but cozy sense of fashion. He can be a little eccentric at times but is pretty laid-back, sarcastic, and pragmatic when it warrants it.

Charlotte (Lottie) Rockwall - Prime age: 22-35. Current age: 39. Poten type: Materialize- gun blaster. Core Color - "Chartreuse"

Lottie is a real cutie with a Atlanta accent. team's weapon specialist and sharpshooter. will not hesitant to sprint after you in high heels. Currently she's a well traveled and fashion critic writing blogs and making videos. You might see her riding down the street on her green moped.

Eira Drake - Prime age: 25-38. Current age: 42. Poten type: Ice. Core color - blue (like an icy blue)

Hot, brooding one with a cool sports motorcycle. Eira tends to keep to herself and needed a chance to warm up to Emilia because she didn't quite trust her as leader yet. But Eira is Emilia worth rival as they have many similar skills. since the over saturation Eira's hair began to turn icy white as a strange side effect. Currently Eira works as a hired gun and is working a very weird job at the moment of watching over this rich guys son named Blake who likes to call her Elsa. Pays a lot of money. Eira also has a crazy romance going on with a chemistry teacher named Ellie who is much more than she seems.

Damien Lee - Prime age: 23-36. Current age: 40. Poten type: Materialize- Bow staff. Core color- Red

An asshole who has a huge crush on Emilia lol. wears those glasses because he thinks it makes him look cool. despite that he is very good at getting his hands on information. The stress from the over saturation gave him a white streak in his hair. not as cool as Eira tho lol. Since the team disbanded he's been difficult to contact. Apparently his been doing some black market unnatural trade, commiting heist etc etc with his own band of cronies. He gets caught sneaking into the Union Institute by Nick but makes a deal with him to get classified Info about the original tpp from UHA in exchange for not getting arrested.

[bedlamsbard]

how the FUCK am I supposed to change the lightbulbs on the twenty-foot ceilings in this apartment????

ALL of the overhead lights in this apartment are like this. (there are a handful of hanging lights that I can change myself.) I understand that there's some kind of grippy lightbulb changer suction cup or basket on a pole you can get at Lowe's or Amazon but a lot of these lights aren't normally recessed, they're beneath covers. And a lot of them are already burned out. (I can also tell that several have normal bulbs behind the cover, which means they were replaced before with the wrong kind of lightbulbs -- the one in the laundry room has two regular bulbs, one burned out, and there's literally no way I can get at it. I'm not climbing on a sixteen-foot ladder, I will die.)

*dubiously* I guess this is what handymen are for. (I mean, in a college town I'm sure I can always hire an enterprising college student to do various things, but perhaps not for the lights. I'm sure one of them would buy my excess mattress, though.)

I'd honestly be willing to try the lightbulb changer on a pole, but I'm not sure I can physically manage it with all of these lights, and the ones behind covers (which includes both bathrooms and the laundry room) I definitely can't. Also I guess I'll send another plaintive text to my property manager. (I am still trying to figure out where trash goes.)

this is a recently renovated apartment, but it is immediately evident to me that the reno was designed by (a) a man who was (b) COMICALLY taller than me (not hard, I'm 5'2.5"), (c) probably left-handed, and (d) didn't actually cook much despite the nice kitchen. (I do have SUBSTANTIALLY more counter space than in the Decatur house, but it would actually be difficult not to have more counter space than in that house -- I dealt with it by having a kitchen cart.)

on the other hand, there are FIVE MILLION outlets in this apartment. so it has that going for it. literally, from where I am sitting in the not-quite-open plan kitchen/dining/living room I can see thirteen outlets and I know there are two more in the office nook (built-in desk!). on the third hand it is a second-story walk-up and if I'd known the stair situation I'm not sure I would have rented it. (I had a video tour but didn't realize the stair situation until I got here.) probably the restaurant below also has twenty-foot ceilings.

this is the kind of apartment that would be a few grand in a city (I looked up the rent for an equivalent apartment in Decatur and it was $3-5K a month), but this is small town South Dakota, so while it's more expensive than my duplex in Decatur, it's not actually that much more expensive, especially considering that it's larger, new appliances, washer/dryer, 2 full bathrooms, and parking. also I wanted an apartment that made me feel like a Real Adult Professor and not a graduate student, especially if I had to live in rural South Dakota. (As I have bitched about endlessly, I didn't want to leave Atlanta and I didn't want to leave the Deep South; I'm one of the people who actually wants to live in the South (apparently rare? at least of people I know at my previous institution who were all like 'I don't know how I ended up here') and I do expect to go back on the market in an attempt to move back, TT job or not, unless I absolutely fall in love with this school/town. though if I absolutely hate living here, I can move to one of the nearby cities and commute (there's one half an hour away over the state line, and one an hour away in the same state). but like, I wanted to stay in the South and the universe said the best it could do was South Dakota.

but also jesus. this light situation makes me nervous. I do own floor lamps (because the Decatur house actually had terrible lighting), but come on, man. also I haven't yet found where I packed the cover for one of the floor lamps. I also can't find the bulbs for my regular non-floor lamps. found the bulbs for one of my floor lamps because they take E12 chandelier bulbs and they were packed in one of my 'random things' boxes. I will be unpacking for...a while.

[im-a-king-baby]

I love the laura bonus ficlet! Do you maybe can write about her thoughts of when she found out that it was Wilhelm who was there with Simon in Bjärstad?

Thank you for loving Laura! (The previous Laura ficlet is here to give context)

Also for the reblogs, this is a bonus ficlet from my longer YR fic Everybody Loves You Now!

This picks up from slightly later in the conversation in the car between Simon and Laura.

Laura considers her next question for all of thirty seconds before going with her gut. “Is ‘Fuck this Motherfucker’ about Candace?”

Simme laughs. She made Simme laugh! There's a little buzz of pride in her stomach. “Is that what people think? You guys know I didn’t write it, right?”

“I know, but you said you always try to have a concept in mind when you sing, to make the songs about something.”

He gives a little nod, acknowledging her point. “True. I guess it’s about Candace a lot.” He shrugs. “But one time it was definitely about this stretch of highway we’d been on the night before that was so full of potholes -”

“Atlanta to Nashville,” she says, instinctively, like this is some Simme trivia game and not just her knowing a weird number of facts about his actual life. “Sorry. I just… I saw the video.”

She glances sideways at him again. He looks amused rather than mad, and he hasn’t refused to answer any of her questions yet so she kind of has to. “Can I ask… Who do you think about when you sing the love songs?”

“Wilhelm.”

There’s no hesitation to it. No equivocations, no questioning. Just the name, said so softly that it takes her a moment to connect it to the reality of Crown Prince Wilhelm who gives speeches on Year with the Royal Family and gets photographed in suits hugging babies and opening hospitals.

It’s a weird crossing of streams, realising The Crown Prince is a person and there are people he dated in high school who say his name like it’s something precious they want to keep hold of.

But like, that was four years ago. And Simme hasn’t even been back to Sweden since. “Still?” she finds herself asking.

“Yeah.” He’s looking out the window, at the shadows of trees in the darkness. “He’s the only… there’s never been anyone else.”

There have been four years of constant wall to wall news coverage of Simme with this popstar or that actor or this reality TV star. Simme laughing off his high school relationship with the Prince of Sweden like it was nothing at all. “I thought… I mean we all heard about Alfonso…”

He laughs something bitter lingering at the edges to it. “I thought it was a marketing stunt, he thought it was true love. We didn’t last.”

“But you and Wilhelm are still…”

“No,” he says. “We’re not.” His fingers drum against the door handle. “Can you pull over? Just for a minute. I need to do something.”

*

She’s at that point where she’s basically awake but is refusing to admit it, nestled down into the covers trying to avoid opening her eyes, half thinking that if she does everything that happened last night is going to turn out to be a wild dream and she’ll be back in Gothenburg about to wake up and drive to Stockholm to meet Stan and see the show.

Then there’s a gentle knock on the door and an unmistakable voice says, “Hey? Can I come in?” and Laura opens her eyes to a closet-sized bedroom with posters of horses on the walls.

She’d found a nightshirt to sleep in that falls all the way down to her knees, so she’s decent enough to sit up and say, “Okay?”

Simme steps into the room. He’s changed into a purple hoodie, but otherwise he looks much the same. Like he hasn’t slept or showered since he dug out a silk pillowcase from the depths of the linen cupboard. His eyes catch on the horse posters, lingering a moment too long before he looks down at her. “There’s lunch. If you’re hungry.”

She wants to ask ‘are you okay?’ but his eyes keep darting back to the walls, his hands are twitching and he had to pull over multiple times so he could snort a powder that she’s really hoping was not cocaine so she’s not sure she’s ready for the answer.

Also now he’s mentioned food, she’s realising she’s starving. “Sure.”

He nods, takes a step back so she can stand up and then leads her back down the tiny hallway, past family photos that she resists the urge to stop and peer at, and into the kitchen where there are two strangers setting the table and one of them is Crown Prince Wilhelm.

She lets out a noise that might be a yelp, starts a, “You’re-” but thankfully cuts herself off before she can say something completely idiotic like ‘you’re here’ or ‘you’re the prince’ or ‘you’re taller than you look on TV.’

It turns out there is a difference between knowing there is something going on between Simme and the Prince and actually seeing said prince in the flesh wearing Simme’s white hoodie instead of a neatly pressed suit and setting out plates on the kitchen table.

Only the hoodie was oversize on Simme but clearly fits Prince Wilhelm just fine so that’s… a thing.

“Hello,” she says, trying to get back to normal only this isn’t normal because he’s a prince so like. “I mean, your majesty.”

Prince Wilhelm smiles. Up close, it’s the same kind of smile Simme keeps giving her, the one he seems able to paste over whatever he’s really feeling in the moment. “Your majesty is my mother,” he says. “Call me Wilhelm.”

Which of course just reminds her of being in the car the night before, the way Simme’s voice softened on Wilhelm’s name. And Simme had said they weren’t still… but Wilhelm is here, in this middle-of-nowhere town. Not Simme’s team, not Candace, just Wilhelm.

A good half of the internet would pay a large fortune for a glimpse of what she's seeing now. The way Wilhelm's eyes track Simme's progress through the room, the way Simme's whole body seems angled towards the Prince even when they're not interacting at all.

"Have you told anyone you're here?" Wilhelm's bodyguard asks her.

She hasn't. And as Wilhelm and Simon both reach for a plate at the same time and flinch back a moment before their fingers brush, she knows she never will.

[whiskeyswriting]

Hold My Hand

{ RPF Masterlist }

{ Danny Ramirez x Reader } | { Song Inspiration: Hold My Hand by Lady Gaga }

{ Dedicated to @bayisdying | Love you wifey and wishing you many more years of thirsting over your husband!! I hope to get invited to the wedding! }

- -

Danny kept counting down the minutes and seconds until he could see you. The last few months he had been in Atlanta filming, leaving you states away. However, despite his busy filming schedule, he made sure to prioritize your video calls.

This last one he could feel, aside from visibly see, the stress you were under.

“Amor, take a deep breath. For me. Start again from the beginning telling me what happened.”

As you recount your latest stress with work, as well as with family, he can’t help but wish he could just hug you and tell you it will be alright. So he decides he will do that.

That night he takes a red eye flight to be at your place by the time you wake up. He knew the next day was your day off from work. As he was getting you coffee and breakfast, he also made some very important calls.

When he arrives at your place, he’s loaded up with flowers, baked goods, coffee, and so much love for you. You’re completely taken by surprise when you open the door and see him there.

“Danny!”

“Mi reina!”

You help him with setting all the bags down. Once his arms are free, he pulls you in for a tight hug and a deep kiss.

“Te amo… Te amo muchísimo. El ver que estás trabajando mucho y sin relajarte me duele. So hoy nos vamos de vacaciones.”

“I love you… I love you so much. Seeing that you are working too hard and not relaxing hurts me. So today we are leaving on vacation.”

You stare at him in shock at his words and then you start crying. Danny pulls you in for another tight hug. “It’s okay. Let it out.”

You pull away just a bit to look him in the eyes to thank him. “Never did I imagine I’d get so lucky with you.”

“I’m the lucky one, Mi amor.”

The first stop of your vacation is right in town. He takes you to the open air market for lunch and then to ride the Ferris wheel.

“Hold my hand! I know heights aren’t your thing but the view is worth it.”

You nod and keep a tight grip on his hand. And he’s right. The view of the lake next to the Ferris wheel is just beautiful. Your eyes full with tears as you can feel yourself truly relax for the first time in perhaps years.

Danny notices and wipes the tears from your cheeks. “You deserve to be treated like the queen that you are. You deserve to have more days where you’re happy and not about to break.”

He slips his hand into his pocket and takes out a ring. Still holding on to your hand, he kneels down in front of you. “Marry me, cariño. I want to be there for you every day. Not just the good ones. I want the bad ones too to show you you’re not alone.”

The happy tears flowed freely and you nodded. “I’ll marry you.”

He kisses you once again. “Happy birthday mi reina.”

--

Whiskey's Barrel: @askmarinaandothers @bayisdying @breadsquash @callmemana @callsignscupcake @cycbaby @dragon-kazansky @gracespicybradshaw @hisredheadedgoddess28 @ladylanera @starlit-epiphany

--

A/N: To be added to this (or other tag lists), please fill out the form located in this post.

[poledancingdinos]

You’ve Got Me Hooked - Chapter 7

Pairing: Captain Syverson x OFC (Riley McKenzie)

Word count: 2.7k

Warnings: Sex work, Stripper, OnlyFans, Strip Club, Lap dance, Alcohol, F Masturbation, Angst

Catch up: Series Masterlist

Taglist: @amberangel112 @utterlyhopeful-fics @marantha @kebabgirl67 @littleone65 @omgkatinka @luclittlepond @marytudorbrandon @enchantedbytomandhenry @foxyjwls007 @peaches1958 @identity2212 @summersong69 @liecastillo @islacharlotte @evansabove1981

A/N: If you want to be added or removed from my taglist, let me know!​

Divider by @firefly-graphics​​

Masterlist

Riley (5 hours earlier)

I spent the last several days working on my proposal for Don. This is more than just an advertising project. Don seems to think he will need a significant investment in order to really make a lasting effect on his business and keep the place afloat and I’m pained to say that I have to agree with him.

Yesterday I called around and got quotes from various contractors in Atlanta and the neighboring towns to run a proper analysis and I think we can make this work if we take it one step at a time.

Don and I agreed on the top three most important improvements to make on the garage and then made a list of the "nice to haves". I don't want Don taking out a personal loan any bigger than it has to be and I'm hoping the extra income from the urgent improvements will allow him to eventually tackle the rest of the project list.

I've done the math three times now and it always turns out the same. If they keep going like they are, Don will have to close up by the end of the year. He asked me to keep that little detail between the two of us though since Sy apparently doesn't know how dire the situation is.

I prepare the folder with all my notes, designs and the various contractor quotes and pack it in my bag by the door.

I have a few hours before Sy gets home and before I have to leave for work. I hadn’t really planned to film today but I guess I could get ready at home and film something before heading off to the club.

I do all my makeup and change into an outfit that, with any luck, will attract attention without getting my videos blocked on Tiktok. I’ve just gotten my account back up and running after the last time I was reported.

I film enough to splice together a few posts then change my makeup and my outfit to something a little more bold and repeat the whole process. Hopefully, no one will notice that everything was filmed the same day.

The big problem is that I don’t have a video to post to OnlyFans tonight because I worked double shifts at the diner all week on top of the work for the garage. Not posting might make me lose over a hundred dollars of tips and subscriptions which I really can’t afford.

With a sigh, I pull out my good camera and set up the tripod in its usual spot. I dig through the box of toys I keep hidden in my closet and decide on a small bullet vibrator and a pink realistic-shaped dildo. It’s nice and veiny like I picture Sy’s cock would be. God that makes me sound like a creepy stalker, doesn’t it?

I feel like those girls in high school who have a crush on a male teacher. When we talked about his ex-girlfriend, I could tell how much he longed for a different life, one where he could have a house with a white picket fence, a wife to kiss when comes home and a couple of mini Syversons running around and raising hell. He deserves to have everything he dreams of.

Sy’s already had an entire career in the army and now he has his new job at the garage. I’m a failed marketing assistant with mountains of debt and the only relationship I’ve ever been in lasted all of two months back in college.

I know I can’t be with Sy. I’ve done my best in the weeks since he’s moved in to keep him out of my head but seeing him with his shirt off the other day? That left me all hot and bothered in the kitchen. Just thinking about it now has my stomach fluttering with interest. Why does he have to be handsome, kind and caring?

I start my recording and stand in front of the camera so my body is visible from my lips to my mid thigh. I squeeze my breasts for the camera as I welcome the audience with a dirty introduction. I dart my tongue out, wetting my lips before blowing a kiss to the lens, then walk backwards toward the bed.

I get on my knees, facing the camera while wearing nothing but lacy black underwear. I grab the bullet and run it slowly over my breasts. When I reach my nipple, the sudden intense sensation makes me hiss. I close my eyes and imagine it’s Sy’s tongue teasing me rather than a little piece of battery-powered plastic.

In my fantasies he’d wait until I was soaked and begging before even getting anywhere near my pussy. I wonder how his beard would feel on my skin or between my thighs. I bet it would be rough but that the scratching would only add to the sensation.

I switch positions getting on my back and reach for the dildo. With my knees pulled up and my legs spread wide, I tease the tip through my folds. I beg out loud, telling the viewer behind the camera how much I need their cock even though there is only one man in the world that I truly want in my bed.

The dildo I’m using is the biggest I have but it’s by no means enormous. It’s a modest seven inches and no more than an inch and a half thick. I push the tip into my cunt and moan at the intrusion. I picture Sy’s wide body above mine, whispering his dirty desires in my ear and praising how well I’m taking him. After I get used to the girth, I turn the bullet back on and hold it against my clit.

My eyes are still closed and my thighs quiver violently when I pump the dildo, relentlessly against my G-spot. Sometimes I make it last, pulling back every time I’m close to my peak and denying myself until I can’t hold it anymore. Right now, I’m too pent up to stop when I start teetering over the edge.

Sy’s deep southern drawl echoes in my head. “Takin’ my cock so well. Be a good girl and come for me.” The imaginary words are my undoing. I fall apart and I almost call out Sy’s name but manage to turn it into a moan before it’s too late.

Fuck, that was so intense that I feel droplets of sweat running down between my breasts and the evidence of my release dripping on the bedsheets below me. Shit. I’m going to have to shower before I get to the club.

I look at the clock by my side and my eyes go wide when I realize that I’m absolutely going to be late by the time I make my post. I don’t technically have to be at the club before opening, I just choose to get there that early to get opening credit. Getting there later tonight will mean paying an extra sixty for house but it’s better than if I hadn’t had anything to post tonight.

I jump out of bed, turning off the camera and dropping my toys in the sink to deal with later. I rip off my wig and carefully pack it in my bag. Hopefully the curls will be fine and I won’t have to redo them at the club.

I just recently started working at this club but I’m lucky because my online reputation precedes me. They contacted me on social media, inviting me to come work with them without the usual audition process. What they really want is the free advertising that I can provide if I post about their club on my page.

Nevertheless, I tried it out. The girls were welcoming and the house rules were similar to what I am used to so it was an easy match. The fact that it’s in Atlanta also means we get clients with deeper pockets. I have yet to post about it publicly but if I choose to make it a permanent part of my work week, I will definitely be inviting my followers over.

I’m especially happy about the special performances they hold for birthdays. The birthday package doesn’t actually require it to be the person’s real birthday. As long as someone shells out the cash, the owners don’t much care who is on stage. It’s expensive enough that it doesn’t happen every night which helps keep the appeal alive for the regulars. One of the clubs I performed at in Vegas used to make the lucky guest strip down to their underwear in front of everyone so the version of the show that we perform is actually tame compared to some I’ve been a part of in the past.

Tonight, I am intent on making the performance memorable because I haven’t worked the room beforehand. I got here just in time for the floor manager to put me on stage. There are a lot of girls working on weekend nights and the competition makes it harder to earn good money. Most of them already have regulars in this club which is an added level of difficulty for me.

The outfit I brought with me for the evening just so happened to scream “I make men like you bow and lick my boots” which is perfect for the situation. Sugar is playing the role for the first time and her inexperience shows in the tentativeness of her strikes. I tell her to really go for it but even then, the spank is more of a gentle tap so I offer to show her how it’s done. The man at our feet flinches and groans but he doesn’t use the safeword we gave him. He takes his ten strikes and earns his reward.

With the bright stage lights, I don’t notice Sy sitting in the audience until it’s too late. The look on his face when we lock eyes perplexes me. He looks… guilty, maybe even ashamed but he doesn’t seem surprised.

I don’t miss the way Kira is perched on his lap or the kiss she gives him as she leaves. I am very much ignoring the wave of possessive jealousy the kiss instills in me when in the blink of an eye, the man behind Sy pushes him to his feet and practically drags him out while a younger man runs after them.

I don’t have time to wonder what’s wrong, not with four hungry looking men waving bills in my face. I’m busy dancing for the birthday boy when the younger man comes back to the booth. Alone.

The birthday boy’s friends aren’t subtle about following me online or subscribing to my OnlyFans. I do my best to keep in character until it’s time to move on to other customers but as uncomfortable as the extra attention makes me, it ends up being a blessing. After other patrons hear me being called a “pornstar”, I get asked for more bed dances than I’ve done in all my months as a stripper combined.

I take my time removing my wig and makeup after the club closes. I’m the last to leave and I can tell the bouncer is annoyed at having to wait for me before he can finally call it a night. When I tell him I’m ready, he locks the backdoor behind us and walks me to my piece of shit car. Once I’m safely on the road home, the weight of this evening’s event comes crashing down on me. When I make it up the stairs to my front door, I feel like I’m about to burst into tears.

I freeze on the fourth floor landing, clutching my keys in my hand with the other wrapped tightly around the strap of my duffle bag. I know Sy is home, his truck was parked in his spot. It’s well past 4 am and logically, I know he is most likely asleep but some part of me is worried that he might have stayed up. Worse, some part of me wishes that he’s stayed up thinking about me.

“Fuck, I can’t do this.”

I turn around and run down the stairs. I get back in the car and scroll through the names in my contact list. I select a number for another waitress from the diner who does the opening shift and lift the phone to my ear.

“Riley? What are you doing up at this time on your day off?” 

“I just got off at my other job and I… I must have dropped my house keys in the breakroom without noticing. I can pick them up when I go in for my shift later but for now, do you think I can come sleep at yours?”

I hate lying to Kathy but I’m not ready to talk about what happened nor am I willing to tell her about my secret night job.

“Oh honey, sure. It might be a little noisy once the kids wake up though.”

“That’s fine. You’re doing me a big favor, I promise to cover for you the next time you have a family emergency.”

She laughs on the other end of the line. “I won’t say no to that. Come on over, I’ll leave the side door unlocked if you don’t make it before I leave.”

I thank her again then hang up and put my car in drive. I pull up in front of her house just as she walks down the front lawn.

“Guest bed is ready for you. Upstairs, last one on the left.”

“Thank you, have a good shift.”

She waves as she drives off and I climb the stairs as quietly as I possibly can. Once I’m safely behind closed doors, I fall face first into the mattress, muffling my sobs in the fluffy pillow until I eventually pass out from exhaustion.

I wake up dazed and confused by my surroundings until I remember that I crashed at Kathy’s for the day. I dig through my bag for my phone only to find that the battery has died when it refuses to turn on. I use the black screen as a mirror to check my appearance and once I’m convinced my bedhead won’t terrify Kathy’s boyfriend, I leave the room in search of a charger.

As it turns out, I was asleep much longer than I thought because I bump into Kathy in the kitchen.

“Hey sleeping beauty, you want some dinner?”

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to stay so late.”

She waves off my apology. “We’re having spaghetti. You can sit next to Kade.”

I want to refuse but my stomach answers for me with an embarrassingly loud growl. I was so busy yesterday that I completely forgot to feed myself. Kathy gets me a charger and we sit down for dinner with her family. It’s nice, her toddler is hilarious and her older daughter can’t stop saying fun facts about animals. Apparently, elephants can’t jump. I have no idea if it's true but it doesn’t matter because it makes me smile.

By the time I leave, it’s too late to stop at home before going to my regular Saturday night club. I quickly look at my phone after pulling into the parking lot and see that I have five missed calls from Sy and two voicemails eight hours apart.

I play the first one which was left at five o’clock this morning.

“Um, hey Riley. I was just callin’ to make sure you’re alright. Ya didn’t come home last night and…” There’s a pause and for a second, I think he might have hung up. “Could ya just send me a text so I know you’re safe? Please?”

The annoying voicemail beep pierces my ears before the next message plays.

“It’s me again.” Sy’s voice in the last message sounded concerned. Now, however, he just sounds pissed. “Just lettin’ ya know that I’ll be back for my things as soon as I get a new place. Keep whatever food’s in the fridge.”

What? I stare at my phone, completely dumbfounded before playing the message again, then again for a third time as if it will magically change the words.

Sy is gone. Sy is gone and it’s all my fault.

Chapter 8

[fragile-practice]

Week in Review

October 23rd-29th

Welcome to Fragile Practice, where I attempt to make something of value out of stuff I have to read.

My future plan is to do longer-form original pieces on interesting topics or trends. For now, I'm going to make the weekly reviews habitual and see if I have any time left.

Technology

OpenAI forms team to study ‘catastrophic’ AI risks, including nuclear threats - Tech Crunch; Kyle Wiggers

OpenAI launched a new research team called AI Safety and Security to investigate the potential harms of artificial intelligence focused on AI alignment, AI robustness, AI governance, and AI ethics.

Note: Same energy as “cigarette company funds medical research into smoking risks”.

Artists Allege Meta’s AI Data Deletion Request Process Is a ‘Fake PR Stunt’ - Wired; Kate Knibbs

Artists who participated in Meta’s Artificial Intelligence Artist Residency Program accused the company of failing to honor their data deletion requests and claim that Meta used their personal data to train its AI models without their consent.

Note: Someday we will stop being surprised that corporate activities without obvious profit motive are all fake PR stunts.

GM and Honda ditch plan to build cheaper electric vehicles - The Verge; Andrew J. Hawkins

General Motors and Honda cancel their joint venture to develop and produce cheaper electric vehicles for the US market, citing the chip shortage, rising costs of battery materials, and the changing market conditions.

Note: What are the odds this isn’t related to the 7 billion dollars the US government announced to create hydrogen hubs.

'AI divide' across the US leaves economists concerned - The Register; Thomas Claburn

A new study by economists from Harvard University and MIT reveals a significant gap in AI adoption and innovation across different regions in the US.

The study finds that AI usage is highest in California's Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area, but was also noted in Nashville, San Antonio, Las Vegas, New Orleans, San Diego, and Tampa, as well as Riverside, Louisville, Columbus, Austin, and Atlanta.

Nvidia to Challenge Intel With Arm-Based Processors for PCs - Bloomberg; Ian King

Nvidia is using Arm technology to develop CPUs that would challenge Intel processors in PCs, and which could go on sale as soon as 2025.

Note: I am far from an NVIDIA fan, but I’m stoked for any amount of new competition in the CPU space.

New tool lets artists fight AI image bots by hiding corrupt data in plain sight - Engadget; Sarah Fielding

A team at the University of Chicago created Nightshade, a tool that lets artists fight AI image bots by adding undetectable pixels into an image that can alter how a machine-learning model produces content and what that finished product looks like.

Nightshade is intended to protect artists work and has been tested on both Stable Diffusion and an in-house AI built by the researchers.

IBM's NorthPole chip runs AI-based image recognition 22 times faster than current chips - Tech Xplore; Bob Yirka

NorthPole combines the processing module and the data it uses in a two-dimensional array of memory blocks and interconnected CPUs, and is reportedly inspired by the human brain.

NorthPole can currently only run specialized AI processes and not training processes or large language models, but the researchers plan to test connecting multiple chips together to overcome this limitation.

Apple’s $130 Thunderbolt 4 cable could be worth it, as seen in X-ray CT scans - Ars Technica; Kevin Purdy

Note: These scans are super cool. And make me feel somewhat better about insisting on quality cables. A+.

The Shifting Web

On-by-default video calls come to X, disable to retain your sanity - The Register; Brandon Vigliarolo

Video and audio calling is limited to anyone you follow or who is in your address book, if you granted X permission to comb through it.

Calling other users also requires that they’ve sent at least one direct message to you before.

Only premium users can place calls, but everyone can receive them.

Google Search Boss Says Company Invests to Avoid Becoming ‘Roadkill’ - The New York Times; Nico Grant

Google’s senior vice president overseeing search said that he sees a world of threats that could humble his company at any moment.

Google Maps is getting new AI-powered search updates, an enhanced navigation interface and more - Tech Crunch; Aisha Malik

Note: These AI recommender systems are going to be incredibly valuable advertising space. It is interesting that Apple decided to compete with Google in maps but not in basic search, but has so far not placed ads in the search results.

Reddit finally takes its API war where it belongs: to AI companies - Ars Technica; Scharon Harding

Reddit met with generative AI companies to negotiate a deal for being paid for its data, and may block crawlers if no deal is made soon.

Note: Google searches for info on Reddit often seem more effective than searching Reddit itself.  If they are unable to make a deal, and Reddit follows through, it will be a legitimate loss for discoverability but also an incredibly interesting experiment to see what Reddit is like without Google.

Bandcamp’s Entire Union Bargaining Team Was Laid Off - 404 Media; Emanuel Maiberg

Bandcamp’s new owner (Songtradr) offered jobs to just half of existing employees, with cuts disproportionately hitting union leaders. Every member of the union’s eight-person bargaining team was laid off, and 40 of the union's 67 members lost their jobs.

Songtradr spokesperson Lindsay Nahmiache claimed that the firm didn’t have access to union membership information.

Note: This just sucks. Bandcamp is rad, and it’s hard to imagine it continuing to be rad after this. I wonder if Epic had ideas for BC that didn’t work out.

Surveillance & Digital Privacy

Mozilla Launches Annual Digital Privacy 'Creep-o-Meter'. This Year's Status:  'Very Creepy' - Slashdot

Mozilla gave the current state of digital privacy a 75.6/100, with 100 being the creepiest.

They measured security features, data collection, and data sharing practices of over 500 gadgets, apps, and cars to come up with their score.

Every car Mozilla tested failed to meet their privacy and security standards.

Note: It would be great if even one auto brand would take privacy seriously.

EPIC Testifies in Support of Massachusetts Data Privacy and Protection Act -Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)

Massachusetts version of ADPPA.

Note: While it may warm my dead heart to see any online privacy protections in law, scrambling to do so in response to generative AI is unlikely to protect Americans in any meaningful way from the surveillance driven form of capitalism we’ve all been living under for decades.

Complex Spy Platform StripedFly Bites 1M Victims - Dark Reading

StripedFly is a complex platform disguised as a cryptominer and evaded detection for six years by using a custom version of EternalBlue exploit, a built-in Tor network tunnel, and trusted services like GitLab, GitHub, and Bitbucket to communicate with C2 servers and update its functionality.

iPhones have been exposing your unique MAC despite Apple's promises otherwise - Ars Technica

A privacy feature which claimed to hide the Wi-Fi MAC address of iOS devices when joining a network was broken since iOS 14, and was finally patched in 17.1, released on Wednesday.

Note: I imagine this bug was reported a while ago, but wasn’t publically reported until the fix was released as a term of apple’s bug bounty program.

What the !#@% is a Passkey? - Electronic Frontier Foundation

Note: I welcome our passkey overlords.

[pipelinelaserraygun]

Child murders happened at a Taylor Swift event. Why/how?

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[juxtmarketing]

Comprehensive Digital Marketing and Branding Services in Atlanta | Juxt Marketin

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[thelensofyashunews]

G-EAZY RELEASES SEVENTH STUDIO ALBUM "FREAK SHOW" 

Today, multi-platinum selling superstar G-Eazy releases his 7th studio album, Freak Show.  The album marks an explosive return for the artist as his first full-length project in nearly three years and ushers him into a brand-new musical era as a creative.

Freak Show sees G-Eazy return with abundance, following a three-year hiatus to creatively refresh and process the devastating loss of his mother. The album spans the many musical sensibilities of his artistry, leaning into his roots with “Lady Killers III,” a reimagined version of his viral hit “Lady Killers II,” and a softer vulnerability in songs such as “Love You Forever,” in which he opens up regarding his grief of losing a parent. In “Love You Forever,” he shares “some days I try to ignore it/some days I’m not strong enough for it/I knew I’d have to write this/knew it’d be hard to record it/without breaking down in the moment.” The album title track “Freak Show” features hitmaker MC, French Montana and encapsulates the sound so many have grown to love G on. 

Last week, G released his newest single off the project, “Anxiety,” an upbeat track in which he addresses the ups and downs of his mental state. “Some days I’m high/Throw my pain away/Just to get by/It’s easier that way,” he confesses in the song’s chorus, going on to detail some of his most personal demons and the voice he battles in his own head. “Anxiety” serves as a poignant moment of self-reflection and honesty for G, giving fans a glimpse into his inner world.

In May, G-Eazy surprised fans with “Lady Killers III,” a brand-new version of his explosive viral hit, breathing new life into the much-loved track that has been taking the internet by storm in recent months. The original “Lady Killers Remix” experienced a major surge in viral popularity, rising to #2 on the Billboard TikTok chart, #4 on the Shazam U.S. Chart and #7 on the Shazam Global Chart. The song has broken into the Top 100 of Spotify’s Global Daily Streaming Chart and has led to record-setting engagement and total views on Tiktok after it was posted on his account. 

Earlier this Spring, G-Eazy released his brand-new single “Femme Fatale” featuring two-time GRAMMY nominated and multiplatinum artist Coi Leray and rap sensation Kaliii. Released via RCA Records, “Femme Fatale” is the first new music from the artist in over a year. Highlighting G-Eazy’s expansive musical influences, the track features a classic sample from legendary Caribbean reggae funk group 20th Century Steel Band song “Heaven and Hell Is On Earth.”  The single arrived alongside an artistically styled lyric video that introduces fans to a new creative era for G-Eazy. SPIN said the song was  “easily on track to be one of the year’s most-played summer jams, with feminist power lyrics marbled into a signature Bay Area-style, womp-filled, with a hyphy-sounding beat.”

G-Eazy has also announced his “Freak Show” world tour across North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.Kicking off in Berkeley, CA on October 24th, the 41-date tour will stop in major markets across North America including Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and more. The tour’s international leg will begin in Europe in 2025, including stops in Germany, France, Ireland and the UK before continuing on to dates in Australia and New Zealand. 

Presale tickets and VIP Package sales will begin Wednesday, June 12th at 10:00AM local time with tickets for general onsale starting Friday, June 14th at 10:00AM local time. For more information and to sign up for early access to US presale tickets, visit https://g-eazy.com/pages/tour.

[cartermagazine]

Today In History Oscar winning filmmaker, Spike Lee, was born in Atlanta, GA, on this date March 20, 1957. His production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, has produced more than 35 films since 1983, and they include: She’s Gotta Have It, School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, Crooklyn, Clockers, Girl 6, Get on the Bus, He Got Game, Summer of Sam, Bamboozled, 25th Hour, She Hate Me, Inside Man, Miracle at St. Anna, Red Hook Summer, Old Boy, Chi-Raq, and BlacKkKlansman. Lee’s outstanding feature documentary work includes the double Emmy® Award-winning If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise, a follow up to his HBO documentary film When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts, 4 Little Girls, and the Peabody Award-winning A Huey P Newton Story. He is also known for his legendary Air Jordan TV commercials and marketing campaigns with Michael Jordan for Nike. In 1997 he launched the advertising agency Spike DDB, a fully integrated agency with a focus on trendsetter, cross-cultural and millennial audiences. In addition to his films, TV series and commercials, Spike Lee has Directed a number of music videos and shorts for artists such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Public Enemy, Branford Marsalis, Bruce Hornsby, Miles Davis and Anita Baker. CARTER™️ Magazine carter-mag.com #wherehistoryandhiphopmeet #historyandhiphop365 #spikelee #carter #cartermagazine #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #staywoke #brooklyn #40acresandamule https://www.instagram.com/p/CqAnAtSuGIh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[incarnateirony]

Paramount: 60M subs Max: 123 M Disney: 157.8M, declined rom 164.2M. Hulu, Disney owned: 43.8M Netflix: 238.4, with password shakedown. Has been relatively stagnant compared to competitors though, 221.84 even Q4 2021. Amazon: it's amazon. Peacock: 22M

What I see here: Netflix is hitting just about its peak of growth in market. It had been losing, then password shaked down, and will be rattled by its empty pipeline but will have cash to mostly recover.

Paramount+ and Peacock/Universal need to give it up. Stop trying to make them happen. They're not gonna happen. Their best luck would be CBS and NBC cooperating, while Paramount sells off a chunk of its wares to Tyler Perry, and go in on something together, and if they retained, they'd still be under most of their competition.

Hulu being Disney owned and Disney+ both being there seems like an inevitable merging of their features ala Max/Discovery merger. They could actually break 200M subscribers and be on foot with Netflix while it equalizes.

Amazon is Amazon. It's here to stay.

WBD is in financial crisis despite its looks or how it spins data, but has a successful library and successful individual membership.

Likely future array:

#1/2 Amazon, Netflix

Amazon has 101M Video subscribers notwithstanding prime; including prime, it's about 175M with monthly individual users but can tap into wider Prime bases~; Netflix has 238M+)

#3 Disney-Hulu

#4 Max, if it doesn't implode from the strike aftermath.

If Peacock/Paramount's remaining vestiges band together, and maybe onboard deals like Fox Sports, it may be able to pull in to join 1-5 as a #5, but just as likely is Tyler Perry's black entertainment plans to fill a similar role. On the other hand, Paramount has been working very very heavily with WB since before WBD and continuing since, so there's a potential it ends up more like:

#1/2 Amazon, Netflix

#3 Disney-Hulu (200M current collective, if done right)

(The above 3 streamers as-such would make the above-200M club respectively)

#4 Max-paramount (180M current collective)

Disney could choose to import from Fox Sports since it already had relations with Fox with the 21st buyout, to try to get an edge on sports lives.

Think linear TV "Big 4 + smaller option like CW", but in streamer mode. That's what's really being fought for here. And then the weird independent streamers and breakoffs will be the equivalent of tiny cable channels mostly airing reruns and weird stuff.

From there, like for example whatever Tyler is planning, he could bring in his--cough, I mean Atlanta--cough--I mean Gray's pipeline deal with NBC Universal and snap up Peacock, then bring in what he bought off of Paramount with BET/VH1/et al once that finalizes. And it eventually will. And there's your #5 with a heavy favor on black entertainment like original TBS before Time Warner picked it for parts.

There. There's my "what this shit is gonna look like by 2025-2026" projection. Obviously scale up membership gains accordingly, I'm using their current bases plugged together, everything might gain something like 33-50% over 2~ years, so 300M club, and so on.

Expect average streamer price to end up around 10/mo for ad based and 20/mo for high end ad free with extra baubles. And then to get the big 4 it's 40/mo with ads or 80/mo with no ads, and 60 for in between depending on how you use which, and pans about to old cable costs. That's about how this is gonna have to work out.

Some streamers may also consider tiers, such as; if Hulu is eaten by Disney main, there may be a Basic Subscription With Ads for just Hulu content, but save Exclusives for Plus, for example--your rerun library, if you will. And whatever other streamers for similar things that get partnered in, like wherever Fox shoves Tubi's ass. These will become the equivalent of channels. So in theory people could bring down their bill by getting a few basic level streamers to watch their fave reruns on but send exclusives up to the parent streamer.

So for example, let's say Disney will break into the Hulu package, the Plus package, and under Plus have the 21st Fox shows, and maybe Fox Sports stuff as "channels" or channel replacements you can file through. Max could have its CW equivalent, and its DC section, and put CNN here instead of on CNN+ that closed, and so on with higher packages

If handled like this, a big 4/5 could maintain competition while making streaming sustainable but offering wide varieties internally that are like mini-cable packages yourself. And then you can ask, do I really watch X provider shows, and if you are a Poor, then you can still optimize like--well I want the basic Disney package for all the marvel stuff, no ads tho... so I'll go premium. Am I really watching Netflix exclusives anymore? Nah. I don't need that dusty library. Amazon I use prime anyway so I'm good there- is black entertainment important to me? Yeah but I don't mind ads with my sitcoms, so a true basic ad package is fine. And then you're really only paying like 25 a month for a fairly broad "digital cable" package.

And by 2026 or so Big 4 should at least be approaching the 300M club, and we talked in another post the 15mo/avg/median, and be talking 4.5Billion per streamer, and then you break out my earlier math on shows, and costs, and 10/10/10 schema, and even 2 billion spent on shows per streamer + residuals paid to everyone that earns it makes it a sustainable profit while broadcast shuts down, and so on. [jazz hands] it truly isn't rocket science but like, paramount+ and peacock for example need to learn when to throw in the towel. It too late, pals.