Saturday, November 24, 2007

So This is Christmas ... What Have You Done?















So fast.

Another year past.

2007 gone.

2008 soon upon.

Questions

How did you do? What did you do?

What did you do that really mattered?

Have you even thought about it that way? Or …

Were You Just Too Busy?

Have you considered how precious and fleeting each moment is? How each breath is an amazing blessing extending our existence on this blue-green magical orb called earth?

An earth that travels through space at over 1,000 miles per hour and moves around the sun at 67,000 miles per hour?

Too Much to Do

Or did you have too much to do to wonder at that?

I did.

Have you considered that if the expansion rate of the universe was changed by one part in a trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion, faster or slower, life on earth would not exist?

Too Many E-mails

Or did you have too many e-mails to think about that?

My inbox was pretty much always full.

A Really Big InchThe image “http://www.ttrackusa.com/Assets/stickytape2.gif” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

Did you know that if a measuring tape were stretched across the universe and segmented in one-inch increments (billions upon indescribable gazillions of inches) representing the force strengths of nature (gravity, electromagnetism, weak and strong nuclear forces) and the tape was moved by just one inch in either direction, life on earth would not exist?

Too Many Meaningless Meetings

Or were you too busy to think about that because you had to prepare for another meaningless meeting?

Too busy here - too many meetings.

Do you know what would happen if the cosmological constant (the energy density of space) was not tuned to one-part in a hundred million billion billion billion billion billion (10 followed by 120 zeroes)?

Life on earth would not exist.

Too Many Petty Wars

Were you too embroiled in petty internecine political turf wars, in business and life, to consider that?

I was too embroiled.

A Light Year

is about 5,878,625,373,183.61 miles.

A Long Minute

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Globally, 21 children die every minute from poverty.

And, “they die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death.” - Unicef

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So Now This Is Christmas

So fast.

Another year past.

What Have You Done?

2007 gone.

2008 soon upon.

John Lennon wrote a song about this 36 years ago called “So This Is Christmas." The lyrics were both timely and timeless.

Timely

They were turbulent times. Times much like today. Differing only in the increased speed, ferocity and utter destructiveness with which things can happen.

Timeless

The lyrics transcend time. Race. Creed. Sex. Religion. Age. Not many do. The words are a calling to stop, reflect, consider, act, and hope ... hope for a better future.

2008, the road ahead, beckons

Many will come.

Many will go.

Best wishes.

Lyrics , audio and video link below. (WARNING ... Graphic)

SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS



And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun

And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

So this is Christmas
A very Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong

And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

A very Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
A new one just begun

And so happy Christmas
We hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over, if you want it
War is over now
War is over now


THANKS for being a reader in 2007.

Best to you for 2008.


Steve Kayser



Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Have a Little Faith in Me

By Steve Kayser

A good song is a story. Launches a movie in your mind. A great song ... well, it does that too. But it can also transcend space and time. Transport you to a world you once lived in -- long ago -- to a person you remember you were and still want to be. A song like that might be called ...

Have a Little Faith in Me

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

The World's First Multimedia Press Release by an Octogenarian!

By Steve Kayser










Okay. Maybe a slight fabulist prevarication ... but on a nano scale. A miniscule, dissimulated equivocation at most.










I MIGHT HAVE CHEATED!

Yes, I did help write and create the The World's First Social Media News Release by an Octogenarian!

I know Mark Miller, the writer, actor, producer and director of Christmas Mountain: The Story of a Cowboy Angel ... which the press release was about. I helped write the world's first Social Media News Release (SMNR) by an octogenarian -- for Mark Miller. We're friends, introduced through each other's writings. Mark is the consummate pro, his career spans from the 1950's until today in TV, film and print.

I wanted great things for him. To plant the "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" octogenarian flag of immortal conquest on the new lands of the Social Media News Release (SMNR). Mark Miller has earned the right.

What does that mean? Well, let's see.He went to film school with a lady named Grace Kelly.
She called him "Herbie" (don't ask). Grace later became known as ...

Princess Grace of Monaco - and still called him "Herbie" when she saw him.

He's acted in the "Twilight Zone," wrote screenplays such as "A Walk in the Clouds," starring Keanu Reeves, an award-winning family film called "Savannah Smiles," and many others. He's appeared in "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "General Hospital," "Barnaby Jones," "I Dream of Jeannie," "Gunsmoke," "Adam 12," "The Waltons," "Marcus Welby M.D.," and on and on and on.

On and On and On

When I say on and on and on, I don't just mean writing and acting. The on and on and on runs in the family.

Mark is also the father of

Penelope Ann Miller and Marisa Miller both noted actors as well. I'm not sure who that guy is in the picture with Penelope. His name was Carlito in the film though. I'll have to send this picture to Mark and tell him it looks like she is hanging out an unsavory looking fellow. Mark is still going strong at 82. Incredible huh? Mark Miller was an Indie film producer before the term was in vogue. In fact, Christmas Mountain: The Story of a Cowboy Angel was an Indie film. He wrote the story, raised the money, produced the film.

Shortly after Christmas Mountain was released he wrote, produced and starred in an award-winning, all-time family classic called Savannah Smiles.

A Really Hard-to-Believe But True Story

About 2 years ago someone introduced him to a screenplay called Acceptance Bridge. He loved the story and wrote by hand (yes, it is still possible to find someone who can actually write a letter - if they have the requisite technology - paper, pen or pencil) a letter to the author telling him what a great story Acceptance Bridge was.

Unaccustomed to Favorable Reviews

The writer, unaccustomed to favorable reviews ... waited for an accompanying solicitation from Nigeria telling him there was $10 million dollars just waiting to be deposited into his account for safekeeping ... if only the writer send his social security number, license number, bank and checking account numbers asap and all other applicable private financial data to a PO Box number in Nigeria.

SCAM

But the scam email never came. Why? Because it wasn't a scam. Mark Miller had taken the time to hand-write a note to the author because he truly loves "stories" with heart, spirit, soul and a positive message.

SIT DOWN

Well, that writer was me.

Even a blind chipmunk gets a nut every once in a while.

I was sure, at that point, however, that Mark was off his rocker. Why would anyone write a note of thanks wanting nothing in return? Weird.

But, after speaking on-and-off for months with Mark and watching a lot of his work, I came to know him as a genuine classic. A humanistic populist grounded in real-life. A prolific storyteller for our times. A great person whose word in business was a life and death bond. Whose heart was soft ... but strong. Quite incredible person actually. Didn't know his type still existed. I was blessed to meet him.

This "Internet" Thing

Anyway, we became friends. One day he said he didn't know much about this "Internet" thing but had heard that he might be able to make one of his out of print films available for sale using this "Internet" thing. "Hmm", I said, I knew a little bit about this "Internet" thing and would see what might be possible.

Almost Certain Doom

In short order I worked with a graphic arts person to design a DVD cover (all we had was a very worn, old VHS cover). We created a new image for the cover. I wrote the jacket synopsis and helped with the design ... thereby almost certainly dooming the project.

The Only Thing That Could Save It?

The only thing that could save the film was the story itself.

It did.

And does.

It really is a timeless classic, beautiful scenery, imagery and evokes a heartfelt stirring of a bygone time. A bygone place. A bygone people.

I found an on-demand video distribution vendor called CreateSpace. Worked the niggly details out and shortly thereafter "Christmas Mountain: The Story of a Cowboy Angel," was available again.

This "Internet" Thing Again

But how to promote it? I started messing around with this 'Internet" thing again and soon became aware of a new Press Release format being designed and tested. A Social Media News Release (SMNR) ... or a press release incorporating bookmarking capabilities, audio, visual elements. It also utilized a fundamentally different format and structure from the traditionally BORING press release. I liked it. But then the next question became ... how to create, distribute and test the effectiveness of it?

Eureka

I stumbled upon PRX Builder.

http://www.nevillehobson.com/wp-content/uploads/prxbuilder.gif

It's a tool and service offered by Shannon Whitley. The PRX Builder enables PR & marketing professionals to easily create Social Media news releases through a series of guided steps.

Easy to use. Easy to understand.

Really

It really is easy-to-use and easy-to-understand. And that doesn't mean just for technology geeks ... but for business users as well. PRX Builder is the tool I used to create "The World's First Social Media News Release by an Octogenarian!"

There may be mistakes in it - but if there are, it's purely operator error.

THANKS!

A hearty thanks to Shannon Whitley and PRX Builder.com. I'm not giving it near the accolades or full review it deserves. But it's a great and ongoing contribution to helping evolve business communications in a positive manner. And help banish the boring.

Go to his site to check it out.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Christmas Mountain: The Story of a Cowboy Angel Now Available On DVD

"This heartwarming Christmas tale contains a western twist as it tells the tale of a heavenly cowpoke who rides down to Earth to ride herd on a few people in need of some miracles." - NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW

Cincinnati, OH -- November 6, 2007 -

Key Facts:

• Christmas Mountain: The Story of a Cowboy Angel DVD now available on Amazon and CreateSpace.com
• Re-released for 26th anniversary of the timeless Christmas classic
• Octogenarian Mark Miller, writer, producer and star of Christmas Mountain and Savannah Smiles, is available for interviews (OPRAH -- You can call direct. See contact info below)
• This is the world's first social media news release by an octogenarian

What's it About?

Christmas Mountain: The Story of a Cowboy Angel is a heartwarming Christmas tale featuring American leading man Mark Miller - writer, producer and star of SAVANNAH SMILES - and his boisterous comic-sidekick, the immortal, eternally lovable, Slim Pickens.

Imprisoned, down-on-his-luck drifter, Gabe Sweet (Mark Miller) is forced to seek redemption by undertaking a Christmas charity mission on behalf of the town. There’s only one problem - the "charity" is as empty as the hearts of the townspeople themselves. But, with the help of a dearly-departed Angel wannabe (Slim Pickens), Gabe quickly learns that the ones truly in need are the ones who already have the most.

Why is it Important?

Christmas Mountain: The Story of a Cowboy Angel classically captures the timeless magic and spirit of Christmas. In the vein of "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It’s a Wonderful Life." It’s a journey of friendship, compassion and understanding - and along the way you learn what it means to be truly rich … in spirit.

How About a Decent Review?

"This heartwarming Christmas tale contains a western twist as it tells the tale of a heavenly cowpoke who rides down to Earth to ride herd on a few people in need of some miracles." - NEW YORK TIMES

Quote:

"What's all this talk about banning Christmas? We don't need to ban Chrsitmas ... we need Christmas films with heart, spirit and soul that the whole family can watch," said Mark Miller, writer, producer and starring actor of Christmas Mountain: The Story of a Cowboy Angel. "This film is about Christmas. The Christmas Spirit and an Angel trying to earn his wings."

Related Links

New York Times Review of "Christmas Mountain: The Story of a Cowboy Angel"
• New York Times - All About Mark Miller

For more information or media interview requests with Mark Miller please contact Steve Kayser.

OPRAH ONLY

Or, if you're name is OPRAH, call direct at 513-295-9090.

About Mark Miller:

Can you believe it? Mark is 82 and still going strong. Mark is a long-time writer, producer and leading man in both film and TV. He's currently working on three new film projects and a remake of his family classic Savannah Smiles. Mark has worked with the likes of …

• Keanu Reeves: A Walk in the Clouds
• Michelle Pfeiffer: Love Field
• William Devane: Nightmare in Columbia County
• Lara Flynn Boyle: Terror on Highway 91
• Keith Coogan: Under the Boardwalk

Filmography?

Too long to list. But the IMDB has an accurate list - click here.

Contact Info

Steve Kayser (Agency)
Kayser and Kayser Creative
Skbigm@gmail.com
782 Stone Harbor, Suite 1
Cincinnati, Ohio 45039
513.833.4755 (office)
513.295.9090 (cell)
Web site: http://skbigm.googlepages.com
Blog: http://www.writingriffs.blogspot.com




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