I can't talk too much about this project without spoiling it, but it will probably be up in 2.5 months from now anyway, so not too long to wait.

Allucinari is casting Xiaoli, a surreal* web series.  Initial shoot is two days in West Los Angeles in late September.  Running time is ten 2 minute episodes.

Seeking: "Xiaoli": 18 to 28 Female, Asian-Chinese.  Must speak fluent Mandarin.   (English fluency is not required.)  The character is cute, lost, and dangerous.  LEAD.   

Seeking: "Doll", 18 to 22 Female.  (Open to any ethnicity.)  Small, thin, innocent, a spacey demeanor, a human doll.

Please submit head-shots to:    casting2010@allucinari.com

(While Non-Union is the intent - Since the series is based on one character primarily, Xiaoli, the production will consider the SAG internet agreement if the perfect match is a SAG actor.)

*To see what this "surreal" style is please view "Fallen" and "Discovery" at http://www.markdallen.com

Out of the blue two weeks ago while still working on some other projects for Carrie Underwood, American Idol, and my own film I got a crazy phone call.  Activision was doing a big concert and they needed screens for it.  IMMEDIATELY... and lots of them.  Plus game logo videos.

The line up:  Eminem, Usher, NERD, Pharrell, Soundgarden, Jane's Addiction, Rihanna, Dead Mau5, David Guetta, and a slew of others.

Now, that's just not a job you turn down.  So we jumped in and worked it.

New talent was being added up until the last hour.  We were still creating name-branded screens and sending them via internet until the audience was being let into the theater.

Crazy week, but the show by all accounts was a big success for them.  For myself I was only disappointed it seems they didn't have time to lock the playback sync... because it's not even close to locked.  Oh well.  But - as long as we do  our best work and everyone is happy and we enhance the experience for the audience - that's what counts.  Also I think a few of those artists will become new clients.

Here are a few samples.













I want to mention that the RHEA motorcycle logo was created by Heather Poon who I found on alivenotdead and hired!  Very talented artist.  This is the third artist I've employed after meeting them on alivenotdead.

Another alivenotdead artist working on these was Robert Morris (who I introduced to alivenotdead).  the David Guetta as well as Dead Mau5 (which was a group effort that he brought to the finish line).



Can't  find many good videos on youtube yet, but here are a few random ones:

Here are a few random clips I took off YouTube.   (Note that live shots are added live and were not part of the design... normally those live images are on other screens... grrrrr.)


Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8smQYWezPHE

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHOXDXL3whU

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIFG3_gUR8U

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F41gDR__poM

I really liked the logo we made for this artist at the start.  The rest of the video doesn't show up very well through all the compressions.


Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auofCh90HEI

A while back I posted a link to Applegirl because I thought she had a unique presence.  Probably not as unique as tinkerchel, but definitely had the beginning of an identity.  She was presumably signed or something - but it has resulted in a new single of which a few clips have begun to surface and I'm a little crushed.  But this is such a great example of "What happens" I had to share the comparison.

So, first off, if you've not seen the previous clip - this was what I saw a long time ago of Applegirl that made me take notice.

She's cute, seems smart and articulate and her well rehearsedness translates into a professionalism with a cute twist.  I like that she demo'd what she was doing, but in expanding her act, it would not have to always be demoing what she is doing, but I think the personality of someone who does that should definitely have come through in everything.  Cute and clever and underneath it all, quite talented.

More commentary below the video.



Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzh2UygPwDU

So - now that she is doing her first single.  What happens.  Well, 99% of the time exactly what you're about to see.  The artist has an image in her or his head about what it is to be a star - and they very much want to play that role.  People around the star-to-be have an idea in their head of  what they've seen before and associate with stardom.  So everyone starts trying to make her into a star by going for the external end result of what they associate with that.  It's like if I were to watch a few rap videos and associate success with a grill, lots of gold jewelry and a gun in my belt.  I'd look ridiculous, right?  Because it's not me at all.  It's external to my nature. 

But that's exactly what happens to nearly every artist because no one says "Wait - what is really working here.... what are people responding to.  What am I responding to?  How can we carry that story on?"  Nope - they just do this... (more commentary after the video)


Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyTmDOkbqz0

This is just  such a perfect example because it even looks cheap.  There is nothing glamorous and impressive about a bunch of sheets and gleamy things hanging.  It's just a bunch of sheets in what is probably someone's living room or a small stage.   I liked her better in a real living room.  I liked her better when she seemed like the girl who might be your neighbor that you meet one day and see her playing her contraption and just fall in love for life.   That's her magic.

And this is why so many videos make me so sad.  This is an obvious example but it happens all - the - time. 

We have made a special event for

alivenotdead artists and members

in Los Angeles. 

Since the mission of the site is artists helping artists, we made a special attempt to address the issue that many of our talented artists face:  How to turn your art from a hobby into a career.  I think we've assembled a really valuable panel discussion which will be entertaining for artists and non-artists alike.

Also featured at this event is the artwork of Asia Eng!

I hope every member of alivenotdead in Los Angeles comes to join us and meet each other!

Click on the link to read more about the event and purchase your tickets:


Seating is very limited, please purchase your tickets soon to ensure a seat.

We are finally having  our second alivenotdead gathering in Los Angeles.

This one is focusing on artists and breaking through in today's world (transitioning from hobbyist to professional).   But it's not just for the artists, we hope all alivenotdead members will come and join us.

Here is the information - ticket sales will begin next week.  I think they will be as cheap as possible to pay just for the bare necessities like locations, so expect like $10 or so.


This is the alivenotdead announcement on facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=105388862840953


alivenotdead presents "EMERGING as an ARTIST in Today's Global New Media World"
in association with Giant Robot, The Japanese American National Museum, and Allucinari

If you are an artist, actor, musician, writer, director wondering how you can "break through" and make your passion your job and share your talents with a wider audience within today's global media market, then this event was designed for you.


June 19th, 2010 at the Japanese American National Museum, 7:30 pm

Featuring Panelists: Actress Kelly Hu, ABC's "V" Executive Producer Jace Hall, "Zaboo" from "The Guild" Sandeep Parikh, Top 10 hit song writer Mitch Allan, moderated by filmmaker Mark Allen.

Following the panel will be a unique live consulting session followed by a meet and greet. Seating is very limited and only purchased tickets will be valid RSVP's. (Ticket sales will begin next week.)


▱▱▱▱▱ EVENT DETAILS ▱▱▱▱▱▱

◯► About The Panelists and Moderator:

Kelly Hu - Actress (The Vampire Diaries, X-men 2, The Scorpion King)
http://www.kellyhu.com/
http://www.alivenotdead.com/kellyhu

Jace Hall - Executive Producer of ABC's "V," Host of "The Jace Hall Show", and Former Senior VP of Warner Brothers Interactive (Games Division)
http://www.jacehall.net/

Sandeep Parikh - "Zaboo" from the web's number one series "The Guild" and writer/director of "The Legend of Neil" (atom.com's highest rated show)
http://www.sandeepparikh.com/

Mitch Allan - Frontman of SR-71 and hit song writer and producer for artists like Bowling for Soup, Lindsay Lohan, Demi Lovato, The Jonas Brothers, Good Charlotte
http://www.myspace.com/mitchallan
http://www.alivenotdead.com/mitchallan

Mark Allen - Director of music videos, commercials, and television. Clients include: Michael Jackson, Carrie Underwood, The Jonas Brothers, Toni Braxton
http://www.markallen.net/demo
http://www.alivenotdead.com/markallen


◯► About The Panel, Consulting, and Discussion:

The panel topics include: How to reach the tipping point between your art being your hobby into your career. Networking. Fame. Planning for the 2nd act in your path. How to use the new media instead of being intimidated or simply lost in the expanded ocean of talent.

The event continues with a live consulting session by our panelists for select alivenotdead artists to put into practical application some of the ideas discussed during the panel so that everyone can generate ideas for their own paths.

The evening concludes with a chance to meet with the panelists as well as other artists while enjoying the art work of the talented alivenotdead member Asia Eng (http://www.alivenotdead.com/asiaeng).


◯► About Tickets:

There is limited seating and tickets will go on sale via paypal next week. Only paid reservations will hold seats.

While this event was designed as an opportunity for Los Angeles's alivenotdead members, we are extending a warm welcome to all those who wish to attend.

7:30pm doors open
7:50pm last call for seating
8:00pm panel starts
9:00pm consulting session
9:30pm reception
10:30pm event closes


◯► About The Sponsors:

http://www.alivenotdead.com/
http://www.giantrobot.com/
http://www.janm.org/
http://www.allucinari.com/