Talking to Strangers

Last night the class was taken to a NARIP (National Association of Record Industry Professionals) discussion of licensing for film and television. This is why it feels entirely appropriate that on our way back to the subway we came into contact with a big television guy - Dan Gasby.

While searching for a cheap burger joint we found ourselves crossing the street with a really tall and really well-dressed man who asked where we were heading. I told him we were looking for a good place to eat and to our surprise he said, "Well, how 'bout you guy come to my restaurant and I'll buy you a round of drinks."

A round of drinks turned into a round of appetizers and desserts like Bono's favorite bread pudding.

Want to be really jealous of our good luck? Click here to visit the B-Smith website.

The photo is of us at the restaurant.

I love New York.
-tori

Rock of Ages // Owl City

Hey everybody!

So last night Patrick and I went to see Rock of Ages, the musical featuring all 80s rock songs. I admit it is not the most intricate or moving plot, but it sure is one of the most enjoyable shows on Broadway. Excellent singing and choreography and it keeps you constantly laughing. We noticed how the audience was made up of mostly middle-aged women who quite enjoyed singing along and swooning over Constantine Maroulis. Overall, a very entertaining show leaving you with several songs stuck in your head.

Also, since we all love to discuss Owl City - this week I found out about their ground-breaking deal with Universal. Normally artists receive bonuses when they hit a given benchmark of album sales. And since albums simply aren't selling like they used to, very few artists ever receive these bonuses. However, Owl City's lawyer negotiated that their benchmark be counted in downloads of the album's single. I believe the details are that at 1,000,000 downloads, Owl City gets a $100,000 bonus from Universal. Their single "Fireflies" has already been downloaded over 400,000 times and we expect them to hit the 1 million benchmark by Christmas. As we've discussed in class, everything is negotiable, so here's an example of how an artist can actually put their leverage to use.

Until next week -
izh

N-Y-C! N-Y-C!

So, we're approaching the one month mark of being here and oh how time has flown. One second it feels like I've been here for a day and the next it feels like a lifetime. Either way, the time has been amazing. It feels great to be able to say I love living in New York, considering it has been my dream since the first time I visited in June of 2002. Plus, my internship is everything I ever wanted and everything I have been working toward since I decided to come to Belmont all those years ago. In addition to the magical feeling of being a resident of NY and the incredible internship, one of my best friends, Jess Reuter-BU Class of '09-is going to school in Chelsea. Basically I have to pinch myself on a daily basis because it all is just too good to be true! I once heard that you have to be very lucky to come to New York and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Since Owl City always ends up coming up in our Wednesday discussions, I thought I'd include this photo I took from his show at Bowery Ballroom. Adam was working the crowd with that hand clap. Taylor Swift was a dancing fool in the balcony. I was cracking up at the ridiculous awesomeness of the whole sitauation. Hardcore Nashville meets New York moment.

Anyway, my friend Alex (Wendkos, a belmont east alum!) is here this week, my mom and her best friend Carla, also know as my second mother, are coming this weekend with Carla's mom, sister and another friend. AND Jess' golden birthday, 22 on the 22nd, is Tuesday. Needless to say, living it up with great friends and family in Manhattan will undoubtedly take up most of my time for the next six days. As soon as I put in a hard day's work at my internship tomorrow, of course :)

A little more local.

When I arrived in NYC, I felt like I was walking around with words on my forehead announcing the fact that I was a newbie and completely out of my comfort zone.

Now, I walk around with a little more confidence. I think I've cut back on the number of times I apologize for being in some one's way each day. (I've come to realize no one really cares that your sorry for bumping into them.) I even have mustered up the strength to shove people out of my way in certain situations, which really makes me feel like a New Yorker.

As for life in the City... It's pretty much Best Case Scenario. My internship is actually exactly what I wanted, even though I sometimes complain about its intensity. I wanted to come and work hard, to learn a work ethic. My intern experience in Nashville was way to low key to equip for a real-life, big-girl job. With graduation just around the corner, I wanted to be challenged... And that is definitely what life at Atlantic is providing me.

Now, I just need to work on my stamina... these 14 hour days of work then straight to classes are KILLING me!

Peace and Love.
Amy

Feeling like a New Yorker

Well, New York is starting to feel like home. My room is a mess, laundry is overflowing, and I have down daily routines. I am also learning what my favorite places are around the city. Park Slope, Brooklyn is one of them. I am sure everyone has gotten off at the 7th Ave stop on the F train at least once since we have been here. The area is so peaceful and full of new shops and restaurants to explore. Amy and I discovered Dizzy's Diner. If you come up from the subway by 8th Ave and 9th Street it's right there on the corner. The food is amazing. It is a "finer diner" so they have non-diner food at reasonable prices ($10-$15 meals). The atmosphere is cool. At night, all the tables are covered in brown paper for you to draw on and have flowers and candles on them. Sometimes they even have live music. One night we decided to write notes on the table to send to our family and friends on our phones...

We need to take a BE group trip there soon. What are everyone else's favorite places to eat here?!

Shannon

East Side!

It's week 3 in New York City and it feels like it's been a semester!

The group's done and seen so many things already. I thought when first arriving that this trip would be mostly composed of school work and my internship with limited time in the city - but I could not have been more wrong!

Ben and Jake goofing off at the Hershey Store in Time Square.

A late night stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge after our Wednesday night class

When the subway gets too crowded, it's good to know we'll make room for each other

Though most of my day is spent at my internship or studying for class, we have a lot of time here to really immerse ourselves in the city. Not only do I spent a lot of time with my Belmont East classmates, but we've also made friends with some characters who live in our apartment complex. Together, a whole bunch of us find ourselves staying up late for regular "explorer" nights were we find new places to eat, new areas to tour and new shows to see.

I've never had more fun in my entire life. For the first time school doesn't feel like school - it feels like life - and a good one at that!

-Tori

A Steady Rain

Hey Belmont East!

So I got this really cool opportunity this past Wednesday night that explains my absence from class. My internship at the Hartman Group PR secured a third-row seat for me to see the final dress rehearsal of A Steady Rain. The drama is about two gritty Chicago cops played by Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig. Apart from the occasional vulgar joke, it’s a very serious show with an ever-escalating plot.

Both Daniel and Hugh pull off incredible Chicago accents, considering they are from the UK and Australia, respectively. Daniel Craig was not very Bond-esque – his voice was higher and completely unrecognizable, plus he was sporting a creeper mustache with a comb-over. I probably wouldn’t have recognized him if I didn’t see his name in the playbill. Daniel and Hugh exhibit great chemistry onstage. Both men are amazing actors and put on a very heavy and moving performance.

Now A Steady Rain is in previews at the Schoenfeld Theatre on 45th Street. It is set to open on Broadway September 29th and will run until December 6th. I would definitely recommend seeing the show – student rush tickets are only $31.50. And it’s Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig!

izh

Classes have started!

Well, the first week has gone by and everyone has moved in and started their internships, which seem to be going great so far. It's finally feeling more like fall here in NY and I am once again reminded of why this is the greatest city on earth! There's nothing better than walking outside with a great cup of coffee when the air is a bit chilly :) We (Ben and I) are very excited about this semester.....everyone seems very excited and optimistic, which is EXACTLY what this industry needs! We'll be posting blogs and pictures a lot this semester so everyone can see how much fun we are having....oops, or should I say, how much we are learning!!

Looking forward to a great semester and a beautiful fall!~
Beka