Adversity + Passion = Creativity

On one media interview, I was asked, "Can creativity really contribute to economic growth?

In fact, I've been asked many times of these types and many were challenging to expound.  I must admit I'm penchant for thought-provoking conversations.  I wish I have all the answers.  Sadly I don't.

But here's an AVP from the recently concluded Creative Industries Summit featuring yours truly with other sector chairmen of Creative Cebu and front liner DTI Provincial Director Nelia Navarro sharing their views as well.

Music bed are instrumental edits by Sheila and the Insects "The Disco Machine" and "Maude" courtesy of ICO Music Publishing and Merchandising.


Video directed by Zen Pastoriza (Camp Cebu).

A Creative Industries Summit in Cebu

I just got a number of photo document summary from the 1st Creative Industries Summit captioned by DTI-Cebu Provincial Office Hope Melgar.  The event was held in Cebu City Sports Complex in Cebu Business Park on June 21, 2011.

Photos courtesy of DTI Cebu.

Creative Cebu Council VP and ARTIST KO Chairman Ian Zafra delivering the Invocation (a Cebuano poem prayer written by Maam Linda Alburo) with guitar accompaniment by Gumer Entero Jr. of the ARTIST KO Cebu - Artists & Musicians Marketing Cooperative

Council President Zen Pastoriza speaking on the topic: Creative Cebu and the Creative Cebu Council

Council President Zen Pastoriza, Council Treasurer Buck Sia, DTI-Cebu Provincial Director Nelia Navarro, and Trustee Bien Fernandez., Jr. lounge on the centerstage sofa as they watch the video on Creative Cebu.  Shown on-screen is Maam Linda Alburo being interviewed on her thoughts about the Literary Arts sector in Cebu

Council President Pastoriza expounding on the value of creativity as the economic spark for Cebu, and introducing the Creative Cebu video put together by Campaigns Cebu

President Zen Pastoriza and Treasurer Buck Sia raffle off limited edition Creative Cebu T-shirts for the lucky members in the audience.

Left to Right:  Buck Sia (Treasurer, Creative Cebu Council), Lorenzo Templonuevo (Master of Ceremonies & Moderator of the Summit, and Knowledge Management Specialist, GIZ-SMEDSEP), Marivic Aguilar (DTI-Cebu), Miriam Bacalso (Senior Regional Coordinator for Central Visayas, GIZ), DTI-Cebu PD Nelia Navarro, CBM 2011 Chairman Nonoy Espeleta, Arkeofilms co-founder and resident producer/director Joel Ruiz (Summit speaker), Hope Melgar (DTI-Cebu), Zen Pastoriza (President, Creative Cebu Council)

Council Trustee Bien Fernandez Jr. poses with CCCI President Consul Sammy Chioson, former CCCI President Joe Ng, CBM Promo & Publicity Chairperson Lilu Alino, and some Summit participants

Joel Ruiz and the CAMP-Cebu team

Introducing CARTONATA

So yes sharing music is epidemic.

Since people are now sharing them, why not embrace it.  Then I thought a redesigned music business platform could do just that.

About two years ago, Artist Ko member Lucille (Palot) Umali at one time focused on helping me design a logo. The name's CARTONATA.

The logo and name was registered for trademark
in the Intellectual Property Office on Jan. 13, 2011 at 2:08PM
with application no. 42011710005.

What it does is to allow free music download whenever you buy something that is useful to you.  When that something bears the logo, it means you'll get a code with it.  And yesterday was a blessed day.  I got the approval notice from the Intellectual Property Office for its trademark.  Bless me.  Bless me.  Things are moving forward as planned.

But this is as far as I can say for now.  There's too many things CARTONATA in my hands

Cheers!  Music should be free.

Your worst foot is still your best foot

Everybody seemed to be more engaged in taking the good stuff in.  Like veering focus in putting your best foot forward.  On the other hand, most of us are appalled at the thought of failing... of getting our worst foot out.

And I'm not surprised to know that not many understands the essential benefits of doing or thinking the opposite.

Entrepreneurs have a different way of thinking.  They often take the opposite route.  If someone says this can't be done, they test it.  This is not to be confused with ego.  It's about learning and understanding why it is so.

Take for example Cebu Pacific's advanced promos.  The idea of cutting down the price of tickets translates to passing the ridiculously expensive cost of advertising to word-of-mouth on the consumers.

When the stocks are down, the wise investors buy more shares instead of retracting.

Wonggoys professed that 'Kalayan', a track from their album, was the least liked material.  Cattski braved in for the challenge, took it as the first song to work on.  Her goal was not really to prove them wrong but to improve the unappealing.

My point is that when you only focus on admiring the best foot, you're also missing out the opportunity to make a difference.  Yet if you take a little effort in seeing the worst foot in a good way, there is no reason why you cannot like the best side of it.  Like seeing a problem as an opportunity rather than a threat.

Risk is good.  Taking the opposite path is good.  And only a few can see it this way.  This is good too.

On music retail : free or fee?

It's been a long debate between big labels and indie artists since Napster days.  There should be a smart way to get this through.  I thought I'd pass this on to you.

Let me know what you think.

If music downloads were priced ridiculously cheap, would you opt to pay for it in support of the musicians/artists or would you still insist on free music download?

If you say you'd pay for the music, do you mean:

• supporting your favorite band? (yes or no)
• or supporting the musicians and artists in general? (yes or no)

If you say you'd pay for the music, how much would you pay for it?

If you say you'd still go for free music downloads, why do you prefer it this way?

I need your valuable honest opinion. Copy paste the questions and post it in the comment boxes with your replies. Or PM me. There are no right or wrong answers.

Go and make your music stand out

In November last year, I was invited to speak about music production, music publishing, and online music distribution.  The event was Ad Camp 11.0 : Social Media Marketing held in Davao City organized by the University of the Philippines Visayas, College of Management.

Photo taken at Eden Nature Park, Davao City by Sham Leonora

At the end of my presentation was the usual open forum where students are encouraged to throw in questions.  Many questions were raised and I had to muster every inch I know to throw the right answers back at them.  Because they asked the right questions.  I didn't expect them to be that accurate.  But they are intellectuals.

I recall one question was thrown in, "How do you make your music stand out?"

A very curious yet common theme in fact.  So common that for a moment I caught myself unable to dissect for the right ticket.

There are a thousand and one ways to skin a cat.

If one is patient enough to count the ways maybe success can just be right under one's nose. Unfortunately, cats according to some only have 9 lives, reducing the option from 1001 to 992 (okay I'm just trying to be funny).

Observing around, many bands almost sound the same. For a time, most of them scream in the middle of a song. This I can't seem to digest what they're trying to convey here.  And it didn't have anything to do with my age.

Many start with slow intros and builds up to heavy riffs and "powerful" drum beats. I can deal with this.  Then some vocalists sing on "forced voice quality" trying to sound like Vedder, Stapp, or Weiland - at least by how it sounded to me.

Nothing wrong with this. It's just that if you have a band and you hope to get people to listen to your music, consider these as symptoms to becoming like them.  You're not really making a difference and you're not telling a new story.  Ergo, you don't stand out.

See?  When Urbandub's music significantly gained massive attention, almost every band I know seemed like they wanted to sound like them. When the E-heads got hype, all of a sudden the rest of the band population sounded like "Pare Ko". When Slapshock was king, bands mimicked screaming at the top of their lungs.

Scary thing is that they probably were not aware of this.  You don't believe me?  Take some time to meet with them, interview them and ask them if they find their music comparable to the above mentioned.  Chances are they'd give you a defensive 'no' backed by a supporting background of how their music transpired.

Because it's easier to take the safer route and play what is deemed "acceptable."

But when you copy and your goal is to stand out, you fail.

Making your music stand out is a bit challenging especially if you're part of a band or musical group yourself. I suppose it's because one has to be "vain" somewhat to make things work - of course not in all instances.

So how do you make your band's music stand out?

If all other bands are doing emo, rehash - do something else.  A derivative perhaps.  If all other bands are doing reggae and you dig "the joint" too, experiment under this blend but mix it with other music types. Death reggae perhaps (trying to be funny again)?

Do not do what other bands are doing. If you can, do not listen to any music in the radio.  Instead listen to anything off your comfort zone.  Play from your heart.  Music is an extension of one's personality - see if you can bring that creative character in you.

This may not be an absolute advise but it's worth considering and trying out.

Midweek Music Plus FAQs

We've updated.  Here it is.

1. What is Midweek Music Plus?
Midweek Music Plus is a derivative project that was originally conceived as Midweek Sessions and launched at the Artist's Dais Music Gallery, Manros Plaza on May 10, 2000.  Its incidental purpose was to sign up local bands in the light of building a community of musicians writing original music.  Its impact inspired and motivated more bands to pursue in the same direction.

2. Who can play at Midweek Music Plus?
Musicians/artists, solo or group, are always welcome at Midweek Music Plus. Just prepare at least 5 original songs.

3. How can my band audition for Midweek Music Plus?
Auditions are not necessary. Artist Ko has a research team to check on bands that are active both offline and online. We watch you gigs and we check your websites.  Simply upload at least 3 original tracks online, post a good band photo, and write a good profile of yourself or your band.  We will contact you.

4. Who to contact?
For now, you may get in touch with us at Facebook.

4. Does Midweek Music Plus have any preferred music genre?
No we don't.

5. Why is Midweek Music Plus advocating more on original music?
We believe that ideas and personal stories are what make things move.  Music being an effective marketing tool in storytelling is a good way to do it because original songs say a lot about you and me.

6. Does my band get paid performing?
Yes we have honorariums for the regular performers. In a bigger picture, Midweek Music Plus is managed by Artist Ko and its members.  Click here for more details about the us.

What to say and what not to say

This is cliche but we all want to start the new year right.  In my self-proclaimed obligation to continuously reset stubborn thinkers, my first blog entry for 2011 are three basic guidelines in communication.

Using the word "problem".
Instead of saying "the problem is..." or "I have a problem with..." and so on, practice using "issue" or "concern".  It gives a better perspective for ease in challenges.  There's a significant impact between saying "the project is problematic and that it's buggy" and "the project still has bug issues."  While the first example gives you that heavy feeling that it cannot be solved, the latter feels like you're getting closer to a solution.

"We are not doing this for the money."
 C'mon.  Get real.  Even charity institutions do things for the money.  Saying this only makes you sound arrogant, funny, and stupid (pardon me for saying this but it's true).  I'd rather believe you when you say, "we're not doing this for profit".  But if you can avoid saying both, better.  Be cautious about what you should say because whether your business is non-profit or not, money is essential for its sustainability.

"I don't expect to get rich with this."
I heard this once and I heard it again so many times.  This is another statement that needs to be corrected.  Getting rich is about getting more than what you need.  Making money is about sustainability.  If you make more than what you need, treat it as a bonus for doing things right.  You deserve it.

Bottomline is don't be defensive about what you do or what you wish to achieve.  Be clear about your goals.  If you need to make money then declare it.  But say it appropriately - this is art too.  Chances are you will get better respect from people around your circle for simply stating clearly what's in your head.

Be honest but don't be angry.

Happy New Year Artist Ko!

Dearest members,

Here's to say farewell to 2010 and a warm welcome to 2011, another promising new year ahead of us.  I'd like to say a heartfelt thanks to all of you who have contributed in making this organization strong and cohesive despite the odds.  I'm sure there will be another set of challenges to embark.

Allow me to recount the blessings and the good works we have set for this year.

1. January - Matahum nga Cebu Sinulog Concert
2. March - Cattski Ten
3. June - MOVE! A Marketing & Financial Education Seminar
4. July - Shoot Up : A Video Production Workshop;  Artist Ko's CDA Registration approved
5. October - Artist Ko's BIR Registration approved
6. November - Artist Ko's BIR Tax Exemption approved
7. December - RCTV Anniversary featuring 'Matahum Nga Cebu'

And today marks the date of Artist Ko's domain name approval www.artistko.com.

You are the driving force in setting achievements for Cebu's arts and music community.  With that said, I'm proud to have you in this group.  May we have more good things to achieve next year.  See you on the 2nd of January, 2011.

HAPPY NEW YEAR and God bless :)


Sincerely,

Ian Zafra
Chairman, Artist Ko

Ideas more becoming an important core of the new age

This statement is not new.  In fact, it's been in our lives for ages.  Ideas, even the bad ones, are the reason, if not the only reason why we continually thrive to exist.

If an idea is good, people talk and it spreads bringing other people in.  If an idea is bad, people still talk about it and wait... some would wait until a solution is out.  It's a vicious cycle. And it's wonderful.

Cebu on the other hand is relatively backward in terms of ideas for progress and developments.  Solutions to traffic are always directed to widening of roads instead of improving the public transport systems.  Architecture is unchallenged and boring.  And we have a culture of young English speaking wannabes impressing people with their broken twangs (I'm actually one of them but I'm not young).

My partial theory of this "stoneage" culture is this:

Between the 14th and 17th century, the Renaissance era, Europe produced the world's great philosophers, scientists, artists, and artisans giving birth to concepts on humanism, art, science, religion, and self-awareness.  The Catholic Church on the other hand was busy stopping this cultural movement from propagating.  Of all the countries in Europe, it was only in Spain that the Church succeeded, preventing people from presenting ideas - impeding them to think.

Translating how the Church's political influence and its insecurity impacted the world, countries colonized by Spain had no global recognition up until recently.  The Philippines was colonized in the 16th century.  We are in this roster.

But we can still change that.  We now know that ideas are valuable and therefore important.  Intellectual property is important too not only because it's obligatory to one's brand in business but because it protects the creation and gives the creator a reason to build a reputation around it.  Not many fully understands its value and merits.

To disclose and discuss an idea is one thing.  To put it into action is a totally different shift.  At this point in time, only a few can get it done.  And then fewer can make it through.  Certainly it won't be the cynics.

It won't work

Who said so?

I heard it from a station manager whose radio program was supposed to promote original songs from local bands.  At that time, I was encouraging local bands to write and play original songs in gigs.  Today if you're a band in Cebu without original songs, you don't matter and you don't exist.  And guess what?  The radio station closed down.  Original music thrived.

My insurance agent discouraged me from investing in stock trading.  It's either she lost an investment in stock trading (which I doubt she even tried it once) or she just wants my money to fatten up her sales portfolio.  Show me your track record first before you tell me what to do.

A businessman who owns and runs a shop of Apple products told me my new idea won't work.  Just recently I presented the same idea to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) and they liked it so much they want to get me started quick.

Many times more often I hear skeptics say things I think they don't even know much about. I don't claim to know so much but at least I try to encourage instead.  If there's any new idea brought on the table, I'd ask questions.  Answers lead to more questions that lead better and clearer answers.

The next time you hear someone tell you it won't work, cover your ears, shut him up, and risk it.  I know for a fact that risk takers always learn and they always win.

Collaborative ideas : music + fashion + photo + multimedia

This banner is placed strategically in a webpage and links to its action page.

The action page displays (in flash) a stream of artists and one of its pages would look like this:


Video has been watched by clicking on "interview image". After the video (45-60 sec), viral marketing page appears:


Promotions and marketing pitch:
1. Artists wear designer clothes and this line is sold in the band's webpage.
2. Viral marketing
3. iTunes

Standing up for what we believe in

It's been a while since my last blog.  And while everybody's having fun, I was in my state of earnestness (I still am) - planning things out on what I'm supposed to do next.  Part of this was an email I sent to all the members of Artist Ko.  I'm publishing it here.



Dear members,

Word has it that some members are bothered by criticisms about the name Artist Ko.  That it is not appropriate.  That artists should not brag about being an artist and so on.

I'm not a bit surprised that criticisms happen.  Critics exist.

Whatever name was put out, we'd still get criticized.  We should not be concerned about this negative light.

Let us be open to criticisms, listen to them.  But let us be reminded also not to be concerned about what people think.  We all stood up for what we love doing - film, music, photography, or what have we.  We say we are film makers, musicians, photographers... even when we have not gone to school for it.  How is that any different from saying that what we do is art.  How is that any different from saying "artist ko".

Critics exist.  Let them.

Because the more they criticize, the more illuminated we become.  Then without them knowing it, they put us in a better position to be visible.

Criticizing our name is like criticizing your parents for the names they gave you.  So let us not be bothered by this trivial matter.  The name Sheila and the Insects used to get unfavorable comments from my friends back then but we believed in our music and stood up for it.  We believed that the name could work and it did work.  At the end it was the band's music that defined the name.

Critics exist.  Let them critics talk about us.  In fact, we need them.

While they do that (maybe it's their art too), let us focus our minds and efforts on the good and positive output we can achieve.  Let our works define what Artist Ko's name is about.  We are still in our baby steps so I seek everyone to be strong with our stand as we are definitely growing.  Critics cannot argue with that.

So dear members... let us remain proud of this and keep saying "Artist Ko".

 
Respectfully,

Ian Zafra
Chairman
Artist Ko

The professional and the amateur

A professional is patient.  He knows when to listen and when to speak.  He doesn't get angry.  He doesn't burst out in public if he does get angry.  He doesn't humiliate or embarass people in public.  He says and choose the right words when he opens his mouth.

An amateur is the exact opposite.

A professional believes in the skills of an accountant, a project manager, and researchers.  He hires them because he knows they can be an asset to his organization.  He could admit that he's afraid of this risk but takes it anyway because the results are more valuable.

An amateur is afraid and is always afraid.  He ends up doing everything by himself.  He ends up trying to be everything to everyone.

The professional reads contracts, understands it and asks questions, even the seemingly stupid ones, if there are things that needs clarification.  He believes in contracts because the agreement is clearly documented and sincerely binding.  Nevermind that it's legal - it's a given.

An amateur, if there is ever a contract issued, would probably just read it (lazily).  He could pretend he understands it.  More often he is skeptical for stipulations that confuse him, gets angry at open discussions all for the wrong reasons.  He may sign a contract but with trust issues.

A professional believes in the benefits of proper documentation and strong internal control.  He would always demand for copies of it to ensure transparency of the agreement between parties.

An amateur care less about the leverage paperworks can bring him.  He often has an aversion to procedures, guidelines, and policies.  He hates it.

An amateur hates information overload.  The pros love them.  No wait.  The pros do not think there is such a thing.

But good things have to start somewhere somehow.  Perhaps one of the good things amateurs offer is that they don't do the things they're good at and the things they love doing for the money.  They love their art so much that they do it for themselves and yes for art's sake.  This holds true as long as reality doesn't bite yet.

This attitude allows them to explore their craft at their own pace, style, and imagination... without having to worry about appreciation.  Good things happen from small passionate beginnings.

Art is...

How many times have we heard people say, "I'm not an artist" or "I don't know anything about art" or "I love art but art doesn't love me" or maybe just about anything to that effect.

Because art to many people is more often associated with aesthetics.  Not so much about passion and skills but more on visuals and graphics.  Sadly it's just a fraction of it.

The good news however is that art is just about anything and everything you do and see around you.

Wikipedia explains:

Art is the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way to affect the senses or emotions. It encompasses a diverse range of human activities, creations, and modes of expression, including music, literature, film, sculpture, and paintings.

Highlight on including music, literature, film, sculpture, and paintings.

I think art is the result of the ideas and passion done simply because of the love for doing something you care for.  I believe each of us has a thing or two or even more of those.  And I mean anything.

So if you love coffee, your art would probably be in making different types of coffee from flavors to colors to design and even to the way it is sipped and savored.  If you love sex your art might be to spice up your personal Kamasutra.  If you love ideas, you're probably an entrepreneur.  If you are a lawyer, your art could be in redesigning contracts to best fit the commoner.  Writers coin new words.  Bloggers blog to put life on uninteresting stories and make them interesting

And so...

We are all artists.

And therefore I don't believe artists are only for the skilled or the chosen few.  I believe we all have something we are passionate about.  We just don't see it or acknowledge it or refuse to believe it's right under our noses.

Art to me is more than just aesthetics and tangibility.

Because art works

At the end of an almost boring Saturday (yesterday), Artist KO's strategic planning intercourse (Alex did a great job for us) has set a clearer view of things to come for 2010.  Congratulations to the Board of Directors, officers and to all of Artist KO members.  We are moving forward simply because art works.

Dear Artist KO Directors and Officers

The Artist KO community will be holding its first strategic planning session on March 6, 2010 in Capitol Site, Cebu. The activity is aimed at laying the groundwork for the cooperative and setting its goals for this year and onwards, as well as determining the direction that our community wants to take.

What this activity means to us is a better understanding of Artist KO’s role in developing a community of musicians and artists. A community where each of one of us may participate and contribute to the best of his/her abilities and skills.

How can we develop this thrust of community-building? What is it that enables us to be the best at what we do? The answers to these questions are easy enough to guess: It takes our passion and our innate pursuit of perfection to make Artist KO work.

This pursuit of perfection is what allows us to rise above the crowd. Regular, average people would ignore details - the necessary work of getting into the nitty-gritty, of making sure that even the tiniest detail is perfect. Artists are not regular people.  We, at Artist KO, should be able to embrace details.

Yet we are often lulled by our own hubris and we often fail to see purpose in the details. Without purpose, the details become a dissonance; a distraction. The pursuit of perfection is in the details.

So, as we take this first step, we ask for your support and prayers. Artist KO is about us and the members. It’s taking all of our passion and our pursuit for that most perfect note and strokes, to allow our separate rhythms blend into a most beauteous canvas of harmony.

Moving forward.


Sincerely,

Ian Zafra

Chairman, Artist KO

Enter the dragons

Good friend Sarah Lumang sent me these links to YouTube.  It's a new reality show called Dragon's Den where budding entrepreneurs are set to lobby their cause for an investor's bid.  A must see for risk takers.

The idea of an umbrella vending machine was interesting.  This collection begins at the 3rd segment (1st video below) up until the 6th (3rd), the last being the most thrilling.

Jacqueline Novogratz on linchpin

Linchpins are people with good souls. Some if not most of them have already trudged to becoming essentially pure in their intentions.  Jacqueline Novogratz explains that in about a minute or so.  I thought this is useful to such organizations as Artist KO.  Enjoy the short vid.  I did.



Jacqueline Novogratz is founder and CEO of Acumen Fund (acumenfund.org) a fast-growing non-profit that is pioneering the idea of patient capital. Acumen funds entrepreneurs that build significant for-profit companies that do business with the poorest people in the world.

Matahum Nga Artist KO

It's a hectic time.  Whether it's a good thing or a bad one, all I care about is the growing friendship and community between creative individuals, business related or otherwise, and more importantly the fun ride.  Despite the hitches, I love every minute of it.

Yes I've been busy and almost half of it was (is) spent on Artist KO.  Here's an AVP of what has partially transpired during my blogging absence.