Cats Don't Dance - Go After What You Want

A story based on the determination of a young cat. Cats Don't Dance is a magnificent movie for kids that shows that if you want something really badly you have to go for it with all your heart.

Danny, the orange tabby, has always wanted to go to Hollywood to become a movie star. He decides to leave his home town Kokomo to become a magnificent star in Hollywood. He journeys there and as soon as he gets to the agent Farley Wink, he lands himself a part in a movie with Darla Dimple, a young girl with a giant servant. In the movie Darla acts as the 'ark angel' who loves animals whereas in real life she despises animals and strongly fights the urge to anihilate them.

During the first rehearsal Danny is annoyed that his only line is 'MEOW' and decides to jazz things up. After stealing Darla's spotlight he is picked up and nearly squashed by Darla's giant servant Max. He is laughed at by all all of his new friends: Tillie the hippo, Sawyer the cat, Cranston the goat, Frances the fish and T.W the turtle. He befriends Pudge, a young penguin who delivers ice. Together they discover Woolie Mammoth and find out that in Hollwood, the spotlight is only for talented humans. Here quoted:

Danny: But I thought Hollywood was always looking for new talent.

Woolie Mammoth: Ah, ah, talented *people*, not animals.

They also find out that all of Danny's friends were once magnificent actors, singers, musicians and dancers and were just broken by the people that treated them badly. Danny decides to cheer all the animals up and put some fun into them. Darla and Max find out and watch the party. At the party Danny offers Sawyer an interview with the head of Mammoth studios, L.B Mammoth and is invited to tea by Darla. Darla tells him that she can organise an interview with L.B and creates a plan to kill all the animals so they won't destroy her career and steal her spotlight.

The movie goes on with hilarious scenes, an artificial flood, (that according to me should actually be on the premiere) A one on one showdown between Danny and Max on a giant floating Darla baloon and a magnificent ending finishing with a big 'BANG'. This movie is very inspiring and as always happens in the greatest movies, the hero wins. There are no big, violent scenes or martial arts but instead, think of what the moral of the movie is and what you can take out of it. If you want something badly enough, you should go for it. It inspired me to write this review and to do many other things. So next time you are in a fix, stuck on the road to wherever you are trying to get to, think about what you can do to help yourself get the best out of the situation, and get you closer to where your dream lies.

This movie is fabulous and I loved it. I really recommend this movie and I hope that you use it to your advantage.

Tsoof and Eden love to watch movies. You too can download full movies from the Internet and enjoy watching.

The Importance Of GPS For Pilots

When Amelia Earhart made her attempt to fly 29,000 miles around the world, available technology only allowed her to complete about 22,000 of the miles. Had GPS (Global Positioning System) been available to her, it is likely she would have been able to find and land on Howland Island in the mid-Pacific Ocean in July of 1937.

GPS technology is available for widespread use by hikers, drivers, boaters, or flyers, and smart pilots know to take advantage of it. GPS is even being included in the latest versions of wireless phones.

GPS was developed by the US Department of Defense in the 1970's; at that time it was known as NAVSTAR GPS. The primary purpose was for military use. In 1983, a Soviet plane shot down a Korean Air Lines flight that had entered Soviet airspace. As a result, 269 passengers on board the flight were killed. President Ronald Reagan reacted by issuing a directive making the Global Positioning System available, upon completion, for worldwide civilian use at no charge to the user.

Three components make up the Global Positioning System: a series of 24 or more satellites that orbit the earth sending precise microwave signals, control and monitoring stations on the surface, and receivers. Longitude, latitude, and altitude are the three-dimensional location factors given to the receiver, plus time, when the signal is received. This signal makes available a reliable positioning navigation path and timing services for use by civilian operators.

GPS is utilized by both the military and civilian sectors. Because GPS guidance components can be used for military purposes, civilian exports of GPS receivers are controlled by the U.S. government.

GPS relies on three basic components to work: absolute location, relative movement, and time transfer. Navigation is done through the absolute location component. Traditional GPS has three dimensions, but a fourth dimension, time, is becoming an increasingly critical element to many industries. Each and every satellite carries more than one atomic clock which adds accurate time data to GPS signals. It is possible to accurately measure time within 100 billionths of a second. This precise calibration of time is used for communications systems, power grids, and financial networks. To enable complex multi-camera sequencing and to manage audio and video data, Hollywood movie studios make use of the time component of GPS.

GPS has greatly improved the operation of aircrafts. GPS can provide continuous and accurate positioning information in real time throughout a flight. It allows all aircraft to plot routes that are safe, flexible, and make best use of fuel. GPS allows for a reduction in the separation minimum between aircraft and has thereby reduced aircraft delays and increased the efficiency of air traffic management.

The cost of the GPS receiver is far outweighed by the advantages of having it onboard, so no pilot should ever fly without access to GPS. While you can get a good GPS deal from eBay, it isn't worth the risk of receiving a defective product, especially if the problems are not discovered until you are in flight. If you are shopping for a receiver, please ensure that you purchase this from a reputable company that has extensive knowledge of aircraft and the aviation industry.

James Bunter is almost constantly in the air, using his aviation GPS everyday as a way of life. He gets his aircraft avionics at TGH Aviation Supply, knowing that he will receive excellent products and good advice from their avionics experts. From altimeters to aviation gps, James always shops at TGH Aviation.

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Hip-Hop Uncovered Part II - An Inside Look at Hip-Hop's Newest Regime

In 2006, Hip-Hop's seemingly silent sub-genre, Holy Hip-Hop (Christian/Gospel/inspirational rap music), gained mainstream exposure as well as momentum. From Dr. Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California and Pastor Phil Jackson's Tha House on Chicago's West Side to Pastor Tommy Kyllonen's Hip-Hop infused community outreach in Tampa, Florida and Father Timothy Holder's e-Mass (a combination of Hip-Hop and Episcopalian ritual) in South Bronx, NY, emcees who specialize in Holy Hip-Hop music became widely recognized as did Hip-Hop themed youth groups, events, performances, and music ministries.

Although the Hip-Hop industry tends to balk at spiritual emcees and DJ's remain unsure about what to do with Hip-Hop's flourishing sub-genre, the influence of Holy Hip-Hop music in churches and even gospel infused lyrics in mainstream songs continues to grow in popularity. Entertainment marketing consultant and artist manager for The Diadem Group, LLC Treiva Williams explains the disparity, "Just like any other genre or sub-genre there are doses or levels of [Hip-Hop]. You just have to keep listening until you find your style and your appropriate dosage. Each kind serves its purpose [but] because [Holy Hip-Hop] is associated with the divine it [usually] gets a one shot deal."

Two of the most influential advocates of Holy Hip-Hop are rap pioneers Curtis "Kurtis Blow" Walker and Christopher "Play" Martin. Noted for their individual achievements and contributions to rap, Walker and Martin are proactively involved in advancing Holy Hip-Hop. Although their platforms differ, their goals are the same.

Hittin' the Breaks

With more than 25 years of industry experience, Walker has 10 albums to his credit and a host of accomplishments that won him music, film, and television acclaim in the 80's. Although Walker always "knew God as a kid," at the lowest point in his life, he succumbed to drug use. It was Walker's spiritual encounter at Church on the Way (Pastor Jack Hayford) in 1992 that changed his course and added another chapter in Hip-Hop's history book. Walker has since transitioned from entertainment magnate to co-founder of the Harlem-based, Hip-Hop Church America where the former break-dancer serves as a rapper, DJ, and worship leader.

Like the Hip-Hop Church in Harlem, sanctuaries in Dallas, Los Angles, New Jersey, Philadelphia and 15 other U.S. cities duplicate efforts to bring families together through lively church services garnished with Hip-Hop themes and Holy Hip-Hop music. "That's the thing about the Hip-Hop Church--we don't target the 18 to 34 year old [demographic]. We target entire families. When the kids come to church, they come in with their parents. They are not dropped off in another room," Walker advised.

In addition to his role with Hip-Hop Church America, speaking engagements, and tours, Walker is actively involved in community initiatives. He is an advocate for social justice and speaks empathetically against racism, drugs, and alcohol. His current film credits include a two-hour documentary titled, "The History of Rap." Remaining true to his first love Walker also deejays on Backspin 43, Sirius Satellite Radio's Classic Old School Hip-Hop station.

Fully embracing the Holy Hip-Hop movement, Walker believes that Holy Hip-Hop will "get [rappers] back on track so that God can do good through [Hip-Hop]." "When Hip-Hop first began it was the voice of the people doing and saying the right thing. Teaching was important. It was fun and wholesome... There was a code of ethics and integrity," Walker said. "[Today] Hip-Hop for many is a way out of the hood," Walker commented. In order for Hip-Hop to thrive, Walker says that people who like Hip-Hop must have a "different mindset about how to use it."

Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody

Like Walker, Martin has also amassed his share of music, film, and television credits. The 90's Hip-Hop icon is best known for his role in the Kid'n Play rap duo and as an actor in the House Party trilogy. Always a price to pay, the glamorous life that fueled Martin's claim to fame eventually lost its luster. What Martin worked so hard to obtain fell short of the happiness he sought. Predicated by many disappointments and later, a failed marriage, Martin attempted to commit suicide. It was hearing Ron Kenoly's single, "Use Me" that interrupted the attempt.

Describing Hip-Hop music as a language that everyone can relate to, Martin queries, "What won't God use to save somebody?"

Today, Martin serves as the executive director for Amen Films--the distribution arm of HP4 (House Party 4). As the founder and CEO of HP4, Martin helps "bring to fruition a dream or vision of an individual with an idea." Martin's first film under the Amen umbrella, Holy Hip-Hop: The Movie was released on DVD in March 2006. The film features the efforts of Holy Hip-Hop artists and their impact in communities across the nation. Martin has since completed video projects for Holy Hip-Hop artists, Platinum Souls, Infinity, and former trio, Ziklag Boyz. Simultaneously, Martin lent his musical talent to create three Holy Hip-Hop compilation CDs titled, "Taking the Gospel to the Streets (Volumes 1, 2, and 3)."

Although Martin's love for Hip-Hop remains, he prefers to be more of a fan and a producer-director. "I love Hip-Hop and am a product of Hip-Hop...I am just focused on looking at ways to keep [Hip-Hop] alive, advance it, innovate it, and develop it," he advised.

Expanding his reach to the academic arena, Martin serves as a professor at North Carolina Central University. Teaming up with 9th Wonder (Patrick Douthit) formerly of the rap group Little Brother, Martin teaches the school's inaugural Hip-Hop 101 course.

Trading Spaces

Together, Martin and Walker are forging full speed ahead to impact the lives of youth and young adults in a positive way. Martin's film endeavor, "Welcome to Durham USA," is geared towards gang reform in the U.S. The documentary exposes the gang problem, qualms about gangs, and addresses the "unspoken hope" of gang members. Prior to their reunion last year, Walker also completed a documentary centered on gang activity in the California region.

Among their collaborative efforts, Martin and Walker support the Annual Holy Hip-Hop Artist Showcase and Music Awards in Atlanta. The two also joined forces with notable Hip-Hop R&P artist, Canton Jones, to create a 24-track CD. "Tha Block Iz Hot," features Holy Hip-Hop artists from each region in the U.S. Atlanta-based, Ifeanyi of Ifeanyi Music and Love International's upcoming reality show, "The Streets Need Us," carries the album's lead single.

Currently, Walker is on a nationwide tour with his group, The Trinity. Martin is scheduled to make guest appearances on selective tour dates.

Individually, the two still work to progress Holy Hip-Hop. In May, Walker will cross-promote a series of Holy Hip-Hop tracks titled, Hip-Hop Ministry in conjunction with Pastor Kyllonen's Unorthodox project, which includes a Hip-Hop themed book, CD, and DVD. In addition to championing independent film and television ventures and corresponding soundtracks, Martin is also working on a music video with Holy Hip-Hop recording artist, Blessed.

Hip-Hop Heroes

Martin and Walker are not the only mainstream rap converts to the Christian faith. Nor are they the only Hip-Hop artists to merge their passion for Hip-Hop with their faith. Cheryl "Salt" James, Fabo of D4L, and Diddy's former personal assistant, Fonzworth Bentley are among a growing list of rap personalities who embrace Hip-Hop and Christianity--a trend popularized six years ago by Bad Boy recording artist, MA$E (Mason Betha). Included in the count are mainstream artists who publicly express their faith in God: Diddy, LL Cool J, Trina, Ludacris, Marques Houston, Ciara, and Crime Mob's Diamond and Princess and rap converts to ministry.

Former Three 6 Mafia member, Mr. Del continues to rap on his Holy South label while he pastors City of Refuge in Memphis, Tennessee. Currently, Betha maintains his position as a Hip-Hop artist while pastoring S.A.N.E. Church International in Atlanta. Though he does not formally pastor a church, Reverend Run of Run DMC fame is an ordained minister whose latest album was released June 2006.

Walker, who became an ordained minister in April, attributes the spiritual revival in the Hip-Hop community to purpose. "I always knew that Hip-Hop was very spiritual--something about the rapper's popularity and their mystic. [Rappers] have the potential to become the hero of their communities. That's what they are..."

Even though the influence of Hip-Hop in the church is clear as is the viability of Holy Hip-Hop artists, less evident is if the diversity and cultural influences of Hip-Hop will be transformed by churches through Holy Hip-Hop artists or by the heroes who lead Hip-Hop today.

For more on Martin and Walker's projects, visit the following web sites: http://www.hp4digitalworks.com, http://www.hiphopministry.com, and http://www.myspace.com/thablockizhot.

7 Insights from an Austin Internet Marketing Company for Reaching Customers Online

On a recent Sunday morning I had the distinct and unique pleasure of touring my home city of Austin, Texas on a Segway motorized vehicle with my visiting father and some other tourists. Besides the fun of riding this new machine which I have for years wanted to try, participating in the tour reminded me of the uniqueness of the city of Austin and why it is not quite like anyplace else. Austin somehow manages to maintain the right balance of the cutting edge of high-tech companies, the edginess of a vibrant youth culture, and the traditions of Texas.

As an Internet marketer, I could not help but link certain aspects of this new-found appreciation for my city with what I believe are some key insights about how my clients can better connect with customers online:

Insight #1: Project your own style: Austin represents an eclectic mix of conservative Texas tradition, successful young professionals, and a postmodern hippy culture of artists and bohemians. People who visit from elsewhere for even a day or a week leave feeling like they have experienced something that is not quite like anywhere else they have experienced before. If you look closely, you will see on every 50^th car or so bumper stickers that say "Keep Austin Weird," representing a quiet rallying cry of support for Austin's unique brand of quirkiness. Similarly, your Web site needs to project who and what you are. Your goal should NOT be to attract hordes of prospects to your site. Your goal should be to attract a steady stream of prospects who have a high probability of converting into paying customers.

Insight #2: Honor your brand:

Austin has its own version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame called, aptly, the Texas Walk of Fame. Sidewalk stars engraved with the names of famous Austinites from authors to entertainers can be seen downtown. Austin is proud of its favorite sons and daughters. Even while Austin tries to change with the 21st Century, it remembers those that helped make it great. Taking a cue from the Texas Walk of Fame, your company needs to develop a clear brand strategy. Who your company is and what it stands for comes across on your Web site in ways you cannot even imagine. The brains of your visitors take in thousands of visual cues per second, and those visitors are making judgments about your company based upon what they see there. Again, the goal is not to please every visitor. Rather, the goal is to honor your brand and to let the "star" of your brand shine through on your site.

Insight #3: Shake things up once in a while:

A visit to many parts of downtown Austin indicates that the city is currently in the throes of change. Huge construction projects are underway to build the necessary residential and business infrastructure to accommodate shifting demographics. This is a bit painful to motorists (and we devoted Segway-ists!) trying to get around the city. But, the city planners are smart enough to know that by proactively changing they are growing. The alternative is to go toward stagnation. In the world of Web traffic, this insights calls for you to revisit your site on a regular basis. Add some RSS feeds. Change your skins. Start a blog and update it regularly. Install a widget. Freshen up your content. Do what you can to make visitors sit up and take notice: you will be perceived as fresh and cutting edge.

Insight #4: Be innovative:

On my tour I learned that the city of Austin has an extremely innovative car share program whose goal is to reduce downtown traffic and pollution while assisting residents to get around. The program has a number of designated parking spaces around the city for a handful of cars that can be rented by the hour. If a downtown resident has a doctor's appointment or other transportation need, they just show up to the car at the right time and off they go. Very cool! So (you guessed it), your Web site needs to be similarly innovative. Being innovative does not mean reinventing the (mouse) wheel: it just means doing something that you have not tried before that will make a positive difference in the lives of your visitors. They will thank you for it with more business than you can handle.

Insight #5: Proactively drive traffic to your site:

As cool as Austin is, the city is smart enough to know that they need to get the word out about Austin. So, in 1991 they invented the slogan "The Live Music Capital of the World" to boast that they actually had more live music venues per capita than even New York City and Nashville. By the same token, your Web site can be the best site in the world, but if you do not actively try to drive traffic to your site you are missing out on a huge opportunity. From pay-per-click (PPC) advertising to article and video marketing, there are countless legitimate ways to get people to your Web site. Avoid the "Build it and they will come" myth. The strategy should be to build a useful site with good content - and then intelligently drive traffic to your site.

Insight #6: Know your audience:

Austin has a clear vision of itself in 10 or 20 years from now. There are numerous projects underway to attract successful, young professionals to the city with innovative developments that put an emphasis on walking and accessibility rather than on automobiles. Similarly, everything you do to drive traffic to your Web site needs to have your target audience in mind. How do they think? What is important to them? Know this and you will attract the customers you need.

Insight #7: Be clear about what you want people to do on your site:

A final note: Austin is full of one-way streets. When I first moved to the city I found this a bit annoying, but I have to admit that once I got to know the streets it actually simplified life a bit. For example, oncoming traffic is unidirectional, which translated to less hesitating when merging into traffic or deciding which way to go. In a similar vein, design your Web site such that first-time visitors know exactly what you want them to do. You are the master of your (Web) domain and visitors to your site want to know where to go and what to do. What is of value on your site? You know best, now make sure that your visitors know, too.

Austinites and others looking to build their online businesses can get sound advice on Web site design, search engine optimization, and driving more traffic to their sites by visiting Austin-based Jed C. Jones Consulting, Inc. at: http://www.jedcjones.com/

Debilitating Anxiety

ANXIETY

Anxiety is both physical and mentally psychological. Physically the human body's reaction is to avoid danger. Psychologically the human mind anxiously worries. Anxiety is constant stage of tension and discomfort in search of a solution for relief. Keenly vigilantly on edge physically, mentally and emotionally.

Anxiety is obviously caused by worrying; we are taught that if we function without worry we may not be alert. However, habitually worrying to the point of illness is highly dysfunctional. Furthermore, this will stagnate your growth making you feel neurotic, without a clear mind of actual facts. It continuously clouds one's judgment and creates a vicious cycle of tremendous fear.

Anxiety develops in one's psyche, from dormant thoughts. It's a duality dis-ease of fear and courage. Intellectually going beyond fear and courage with a clear mind will provide a developmental keen sense of the world. It will guide you to accept the things you can't change.

ANXIETY SYMPTOMS

You feel you can't breathe, heart is pounding, hear heart pulsating in your ears, mind is endlessly racing, hands and feet are numb sleeping, sweating with hot flashes, throat is closing, "I'm going to die ", I'm going crazy" thus in the mind.

Yes, I suffered with Panic Disorder for over 10 long years. These symptoms are symptoms of Panic Disorder, not of a crazy person or someone is going to die. I assure I have experience this at first hand. Anxiety, Panic Disorder is distinguished by prolonged and repeated attacks with debilitating anxiety between attacks. You begin to withdraw avoiding social encounters in fear of another attack.

An encounter with a panic attack does not mean you now have Panic Disorder, unless you experience countless times of anxiety in between. Panic attacks may last a few minutes or up to a few hours. Your body physically becomes exhausted from the emotional turmoil and restores itself to normal human behavior. It's important to feel safe in a secure atmosphere or environment, in-case depression sets in after the attack softly simmers. Furthermore, you need to be surrounded around someone who truly loves and understand you due to constant worry and fear. Unforeseen panic, leads to more panic, so stay calm. Panic can feel completely devastating with a force of doom. Panic may be managed with herbal treatment, therapy or medication.

In my experience, have a good support group system, confide in those closest to you, for you need not to worry about judgment. Many of us suffer with anxiety, if you or anyone you know suffers with any of these symptoms; help is beneficial to obtaining a normal productive healthy lifestyle. My life was a completely controlled lifestyle at one point.

My determination to overcome suffering from anxiety and panic disorder was an endless valuable journey of research, medication, herbal remedies, meditation, yoga and counseling. My journey has not ended so I can't say my anxiety and stress have completely disappeared; however, my perseverance and knowledge has intellectually given me just the medicine. Acceptance is the answer: it relieves symptoms of anxiety. I no longer fear any anxiety or panic coming upon, because I have a keen sense of exactly what is happening. Accepting this reduces what ifs: in turn, it no longer has room for growth, however, you do. Confronting your fears eliminates them, little by little. Currently I have so much control that when a thought windless in, I simply allow it, gracefully accepting it. For example: if I think I am crazy, I accept it, so what if I am crazy, many of us are, if I think I am dying, I say well if I do die I was fortunate to have lived, these techniques have brought great relief and comfort.

Anxiety symptoms are very frightening and real, do not tell someone to snap out of it, encourage and support the person suffering from panic. Imagine thinking your dying or going crazy it can be a very scary and confusing experience for someone suffering from panic. Medication may be helpful, but stagnates the problem in reality you need to talk to release anxiety; medication provides a hidden cover up illusion. Eventually it seeps out and depression set in, so take care of the situation at the root. Most important listen to your body it speaks silently, but if you don't listen watch it scream.

Author, Cice Rivera http://www.cicerivera.com

Hollywood Celebrity

Author Cice Rivera currently resides in Florida. Graduate from the Florida School Of Excellence In Hallendale Fl. Attended New York Institute of Photography, Unlimited, performing art schools, currently At the University of Metaphysical Science in progress of a Bachelor degree. I have been performing for 20 years as an actress, singer, and dancer. I started modeling with print and working in fashion shows. My last performance was at New York Comedy Club, and my last films were ARF, The Coffee Shop Robbery, It's Joe Time, Making The Movie Reality Show and Lying Beside You. Also a featured performer in Blue's Clues: The last video I performed in was Deuce. Also worked on many commercials, most recently for the supermarket ShopRite and the sports channel ESPN. Furthermore, recently finished the first issue "Bout Me Magazine Ink" based on the entertainment industry rising artist. Currently in progress of a self - improvement book named " The Unity Of One Split Power". By Cice Rivera

Shooting Your Own Music Video

Music videos can be expensive items. It hurts spending thirty, fifty or even a hundred grand of your hard-earned money on something you - basically - give away for free!

So, it can be very tempting to save some money by shooting your own music video. I mean, video cameras come on cell phones nowadays, and HDTV is becoming less expensive. Cameras are everywhere. They're ubiquitous. And, deep down, everyone really fancies themselves a director - sorry, an auteur, don't they?...

So, should you consider going it alone and shooting your own music video?

The short answer: NO.

Directors, producers, cinematographers and production designers are all artisans. It takes years of study and work experience to become a decent film-maker. You wouldn't leave your cd layout to some guy you passed on the street, would you? So why even consider doing something as important as your first music video all by yourself? It may look like simple work, but believe me, producing and directing ain't easy!

Can you tell the difference between a lower budget independent movie and a Hollywood summer blockbuster? Of course you can! That's exactly the difference between shooting the video yourself and hiring a professional. You don't know how to make the movie look that glossy and perfect - but the professionals do! The best you could hope for is a decent indie flick. Sure, every once in a while a home-made music video comes along and does well. But, can you even think of one (and, no, Fatboy Slim's "Praise You" was NOT an indie video, the budget was actually massive). So, stick with the professionals. Let them do it all for you.

However, the single biggest reason I would dissuade you from shooting your own music video is probably not one you would have guessed:

Insurance!

Film crews often contain twenty, thirty, or even hundreds of people. There's typically massive amounts of power being run through thick cables (often submerged in puddles) up to precariously hung lights with a virtual windmill of large, exposed, sharp metal edges (and all this at about 600 degrees celcius). A film set is literally an accident waiting to happen.

Plus, adding to the inherent dangers of a film set, music video shoots tend to be even more dangerous (music video productions don't tend to have very much money for things like saftey experts and safety harnesses). Maverick directors love to put their subjects into harm's way. And, on low-budget shoots, you can often hear things like: "We don't need an expensive car-mount - let's just throw the cameraman on the hood! Don't worry, we'll tie him down..."

So, if you do decide to shoot your video yourself, just make sure no one trips over a light stand! It could cost you your life savings.

Legitimate production companies will have production insurance that covers the workplace (this insurance would cost you around one or two thousand dollars - just for the one music video).

Professional producers and production managers will have access to much better crew members than you will. If you only have a thousand dollars to hire a director of photography (cinematographer), I guarantee you I'll be able to hire a MUCH better DoP than you will! So, unless you have contacts in the industry, you should probably consider hiring a production company to do all the producing for you. You'll get a much higher quality crew that way.

And, one final note...

If you're shooting on 35mm film (which I strongly recommend - unless there's a VERY good reason not to), you'll need to rent a camera that's worth around half a million bucks! And, that camera doesn't come with any lenses (or tripods, or dollies, or film magazines, etc...). You'll have to rent all that separately. So, unless you have a VERY high limit on your credit card, the camera house might not even be willing to rent to you. You might even have to mortgage your house to cover the deposit!

Established production companies rent camera packages all the time (a decent music video package will be at least one or two thousand dollars a day), and often receive significant discounts from the rental house that you wouldn't be able to get. So, by going with an established production company, you'll actually be getting a considerably better equipment package than if you had done it yourself (producers also know how to get film at about a quarter the price you'd be able to).

So, overall, you'll get a much better bang-for-your-buck by hiring a professional producer or production company to shoot your music video for you. It will also save you an unbelievable amount of time and effort. And, in the end, isn't that what you want for your first video: The abolute best music video possible?

Robert D. Brooks

About the author: Robert D. Brooks is a professional music video director from Vancouver, BC, Canada. He is webmaster of http://www.damnthe.com and is represented by music video production company Triton Films Inc.