Digitalady Blogs

Legacy Video by Digitalady: How will your time on this earth be remembered?

2011-04-25T17:23:00.001-07:00

How will your time on this earth be remembered? What beautiful and fond memories will your family and friends have of YOU? What wisdom will you impart to your loved ones? What will be your LEGACY?

The seniors and baby boomers are becoming more inclined to put their lives on a DVD. Amanda Mazzanti of Digitalady, LLC (digitalady.com) specializes in Legacy Videos and their completion through all phases of production. Amanda compiles various video and print footage from their lives, interviews loved ones and sets it to their favorite music thus compassionately creating a beautiful and vibrant synopsis of a life.

YOUR Legacy Video is a worthwhile way to put your life in a format that will be witnessed for years to come.

So, contact us by phone at (510) 316-8144, by email at Amanda@Digitalady.com or check out our website at www.Digitalady.com for more information.

We look forward to putting YOUR life and knowledge on video. After all: If life is worth living—it’s worth recording.

What is the benefit of having a Company Biography Web Video?

2011-01-29T10:06:00.001-08:00

Digitalady just completed the People Connect Staffing web video:

Q. What is the benefit of having a Company Biography Web Video?

A. Connect instantly and emotionally with your target market online!

6 Ways for Baby Boomers to Increase their Website Traffic!

2010-12-29T02:48:00.001-08:00

So, here I am, middle-aged, slightly overweight, and living with a “young” female entrepreneur—who is ALL about today’s technology. For many of us (middle-aged or of the baby-boomer generation), we can still remember very clearly the days of Pong, Space Invaders, cradles for modems, etc. However, my fellow “complainers”, technology is here to stay—and that’s a GOOD THING—no—that’s a GREAT THING!!!!

Marketing for ANY type of business in our world, is nothing like what it once was. Social Media can now reach audiences in the most obscure parts of the globe—in an instant. Here are just some of the ways Social Media Networking can take YOUR business to target markets never before reachable.

There are a variety of reasons—both simple and complex—to use Social Media Marketing to advance your business..Here are some of them:

1) Everyone ELSE is doing it…From DMV to United Airlines, if you’re in “the game”—you’re online and have a social media presence! Like those little icons on all the big boys websites? The F the IN and the T! Those are for Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter!

2) GET ONLINE! Once you begin utilizing the web to advertise your business, there are deliberate methods to increase your search engine ranking, therefore increasing your visibility.

3) TWEET! You can now connect instantly with a broad market or a very specific market—unique to your business model

4) BLOG! Giving information about your products or services. Writing a blog is a great way to generate interest in your industry.

5) FLIP! Shoot your own Webisodes: People love a good, quick video, especially if it’s humorous. If you have the money— hire a video editor that has web experience to take your footage and bring it to the forefront! Post these on your blog!

6) TEAM-UP! Write Articles: Partnering up with other similar businesses that you’re not in direct competition with and write “How To” articles. Turn these into ‘Blog’ titles.

After all, what’s the most valuable commodity on earth??? A) Information—which is why the web was created in the first place—so USE IT!!!!

DIY Green Screen: Make your Business Web Presence More Professional!

2010-12-17T02:15:00.001-08:00

Step 1: Pick Largest Room

When choosing a room-- I always use my downstairs living room because it is at least 20 feet in length.

Step 2: Clean the ROOM

OBVIOUSLY- you are now converting this room into a studio. In preparation remove personal items and create an open space.

Step 3: Place Green (Blue or White) Screen/Backdrop

1) Paint a wall in a room with green screen paint (Rosco Video Paint ) or a cheaper option (www.TubeTape.com) which I would do if I had a bedroom large enough to create enough space between my subject, the screen, and the camera. This would also be ideal if you want to convert your garage into a Green Screen Studio.

2) GREEN SCREEN KIT (Muslin Backdrop) The kit seen in this Digitalady video-- I bought online at Image West for $130. t comes with a travel bag, a stand, and choice of 2 color backdrops. **I would use Blue with a Blonde subject, Green with other subjects, and white is my preference to use for my videos- like on my website: http://www.digitalady.com

Step 4: Remove WRINKLES

TIP: to avoid having to iron or deal with wrinkles, purchase: Muslin Clips (bag of 6) purchased on Amazon for under $10

STEP 5: LIGHT SCREEN FLAT

Use a typical 3 point lighting set-up. Place one light close to the screen (one on the right side and one on the left)- if possible turn light to FLOOD- do not have a spotlight effect that creates a hot spot. You can buy workman lights at OSH or Home Depot for $20 if you do not yet have a light kit as seen in the video.

STEP 6: Place chair for SUBJECT

Pick a chair with no back, or a back that will be covered by the subject and place it at least 4 feet in front of the screen or painted wall. The subject should be far enough away where they are sitting in the dark - until you light them with a soft light from the front.

STEP 7: Safety

Secure stands with Sand Bags and or Gaffer Tape and all wires- tape down so that you or your client does not trip, get hurt, and/or sue you.

Step 8: Reflector - Beauty Shot

Have a PA or Friend/Family member hold a reflector to fill in the light on your face and give you that "sparkle" in your eye. If you are alone- strap it top a chair or object using Gaffer Tape or Duck Tape.

Step 9: Audio

I use a lavaliere on my subject. I have a wireless UHF Sennheiser Mic System. I use it way more than my shotgun mic. for these types of interviews of course. In the field: when I have multiple subjects I use both ( a lav on primary subject and a boom on everyone else the cam shoots). I purchased my audio equipment from B&H here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=lavalier+microphones&N=4291226455 I know that there are cheaper brands like AUDIO TECHNICA that also deliver a clear sound.

Step 10: Shoot Your Interview

All of my work is very doc u style. I do not use scripts. I will prep my clients with a questionnaire and ask them to think of stories that I will ask them to recall on camera. I find the best interviews and footage are impromptu questions and when the client does not know what is coming. It is very important to be confident and GUIDE your interviewee. Many times my clients will come knowing what they what to say. I will direct them for part of the video and then let them say their rehearsed piece at another portion. I use 1 TAPE and/or 1 hour with continuous rolling when I interview for my product: Face to Face Video Biography. It is later edited with B-roll of them on the job or footage that we shoot the same day at my home studio.

Please comment and SHARE YOUR TIPS and/or BEST BUYS!!

Digitalady can be your Social Media Manager!

2010-12-10T11:04:00.001-08:00

Digitalady can be your Social Media Manager!

Benefits of hiring Digitalady to be your Social Media Manager:

• Improve your visibility on the web (increase traffic!)

• Connect instantly and emotionally with your market
• Tell a compelling story about your business
• Share the value you offer
• Develop and sustain a Social Media Marketing Program to connect instantly and emotionally with your Target Audience (TA) online by publishing relative content on social media platforms: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Blogger, and LinkedIn. Improve visibility on the web by utilizing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Social Media.
• Share the value your business or organization offers by broadcasting webisodes highlighting your unique approach.
• Join the conversation in your industry online: Creating dialogue online with your target market.

Digitalady Objectives:

Develop and sustain a Social Media Marketing Program to connect instantly and emotionally with your Target Audience (TA) online by publishing relative content on social media platforms: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Blogger, Posterous, and LinkedIn.
Improve visibility on the web by utilizing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Social Media.
Share the value your company/organization offers by broadcasting your unique approach in mini webisodes.
Join the conversation with your industry online: Creating dialogue online with your target market.

Amplify your Brand:

Shama Hyder Kabani, author of The Zen of Social Media Marketing, reminds us that it is important to have everything established prior to utilizing social marketing:

Social media marketing comes last. It comes after you have an established brand. It comes after you really know what your business model is. It comes after you have a really good website in place. It's the last step when you're ready to amplify what you're already doing.

How we DO IT:

Update Website to Current Brand + SEO
Connect with your ‘Target Audience’ Online
Research Target Audience
Join the Conversation
Establish Top Ranking with Search Engines!
Maintenance: Keeping the conversation going
Publish Weekly or Monthly [HD] Educational Videos + Articles (Blog)
Coach a representative of your company how to film using a FLIP camera "Theme Videos" and option to Coach a representative how to maintain your social media presence-- after 3 months of DIgitalady Set-up and Community Development.
Your Business "In the Field:
1. - Train Staff: To utilize our “Field Package” to produce video and upload to Digitalady’s Server
  - Field Package: Includes a Branded HD FLIP and Microphone.
  - Digitalady Edits: Your footage into brand consistent videos to upload on all platforms to increase TGHC’s visibility on the WEB, keep the community informed, and to INSPIRE newcomers to join

This blog was inspired by a Cool Article:

"Just because you already have social media platforms in place, that doesn't mean you are using them correctly. If you have a Facebook business fan page or Twitter account that gets updated once "every now and then" (when you find the time) ... your in trouble. It actually looks worse for your business to have inactive pages than not having any at all. Also, you want them all integrated together so they are working for you, and not the other way around."

Digitalady can be your Social Media Manager!

2010-12-10T10:41:00.000-08:00

Digitalady can be your Social Media Manager!

Digitalady will help you to:

• Improve your visibility on the web (increase traffic!)

Victory Video 2010 + Top 10 reasons to be a GAINTS FAN

2010-12-01T01:56:00.001-08:00

Top 3 reasons to be a GAINTS FAN

#1 They are the current World Series champions!

They are the current World Serieschampions, having defeated the Texas Rangers in the 2010 World Series four games to one.

As one of the oldest baseball teams, the Giants have won the most games of any team in the history of American baseball, and any North American professional sports team

They have won 21 National League pennants and appeared in 18 World Series competitions (winning it six times in all), both tied with rivals Los Angeles Dodgers for most in the league. The Giants have been invited to the World Series an NL record 19 times, but boycotted the event in 1904. (Source)

#2 Giants Pitching Staff

As unexciting as a pitching staff as a whole sounds, the sheer success of the Giants on the mound makes 2010 seems even more exciting than usual. Top to bottom, their pitchers have been some of the best in the league over the last couple years.

Lincecum is simply only the headliner on a staff that includes an All-Star closer in Brian Wilson, a former Cy Young Award winner in Barry Zito, 2009 Minor League Pitcher of the Year Dan Runzler, and last year's holds leader Jeremy Affeldt.

Not to mention Matt "Big Sugar" Cain, Jonathan "No-Hitter" Sanchez, and Madison "Top Prospect" Bumgarner, who will most likely round out the starting rotation for the G's.

The Giants will once again be the pitching staff to beat in the NL West, and possibly in the league, so look forward to another year of impressive stats from the AT&T mound. (Source)

#3 Willie Mays

If you know baseball, you know the Say-Hey Kid. If you haven't seen the picture above before, then you don't know baseball.

"The Catch" is one of the most iconic baseball pictures ever, but Mays catching the ball off the big bat of Cleveland's Vic Wertz is only a slice of one of the most illustrious careers in baseball history.

Willie Mays is seen by many to be the greatest baseball player ever.

He was a defensive whiz in center field, as Wertz and all Indians fans know. He could run, stealing 338 bases in his career while leading the league four times.

And boy, could he hit, holding a lifetime average of .302, mashing 660 career home runs, driving in 1903 runs, and knocking out an impressive 3283 hits.

Mays made a record-tying 24 All-Star appearances, won two MVP awards, had eight consecutive 100-RBI seasons, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Mays is still hanging around the Giants clubhouse to this day, as represented by his presence at this year's Spring Training, teaching young outfielders proper throwing technique.

He's a Giants legend, and there's a reason that AT&T Park is located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza. (Source)

Top 4 ways Moms can be Eco-Friendly!

2010-12-01T01:22:00.001-08:00

#1 The Big Picture: Join communities and donate to projects!

Support The documentary film: SEEDS OF INSPIRATION produced by Digitalady LLC. BY:

A. Liking it on FACEBOOK,

B. Making a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE Donation (Mail to: DIGITALADY LLC, 1500 TRAILSIDE CIRCLE, CONCORD, CA 94518 *make check payable to: THE EQUILIBRIUM FUND)

C.sharing the film with friends!

# 1 Eco-Friendly Households

When making eco-friendly household renovations or repairs, Green Moms opt for natural insulation products, solar units on the roof, low-VOC paints and environmentally safe sealers. They shop for recycled or naturally organic materials, and install low-flow water fixtures throughout the house. When they have questions, they consult with expert contractors, or knowledgeable, “green” home improvement service people, about how to utilize eco-friendly products within the family home. (Read More Here)

# 2 Raising Green-Minded Children

The children of Green Moms come to know about recycling, conservationism and eco-friendly living through value-reinforcing parent-child communication. These moms hope that by the time their children have their own families, the eco-movement will have become a routine part of every day life. Green Moms know full well that to make that future a reality, the time to start planting the seeds and educating children about the evils of over-consumption and environmental waste is when they are at their youngest and most eager to learn. (Read more at Suite101)

# 3 Daily Routine

Moms can turn off the tap rather than running the water needlessly during tooth-brushing or dishwashing, turn off lights when a room is unoccupied, and unplugg or turn off electronic devices when not in use. Kids could play a game of “Energy Cop” and alert their parents’ attention to incidences of waste throughout the household.
Prepare kids’ lunches with recyclable or reusable items. Pack meals in containers that are fully bio-degradable, or in stainless steel packaging that is free of lead, PVCs and phthalates. Eating utensils should be reusable, and washable, cloth napkins should be included so the kids can bring them home to be used over and over again.
Green values can be instilled in children by planting a small, family vegetable garden. Teach the kids eco-friendly gardening techniques such as how to use table scraps for composting, and help them understand the benefits of natural fertilizers and plant food. Use a rain barrel to educate children about reusing water for feeding plants (or, for simple cleansing needs).
Annual Earth Day activities are an excellent means of establishing a true commitment to saving the environment. Children can learn about pollution, landfills, deforestation, greenhouse gases, and a host of other environmental hazards and what to do about them. Children can also be encouraged to recycle batteries and ink cartridges, and to come up with new and creative uses for discarded items found in garbage bins. After all, one man’s trash is another’s treasure. (Read more at Suite101)

Adrenia Presents: Diamonds and Pearls

2010-10-06T13:46:00.000-07:00

Ladies that Network? Need an Uplifting Night for yourself?

December 18th, 2010 another Diamonds and Pearls Event is Coming! Get your tickets now.

AP Presents Diamonds and Pearls

AP Diamonds & Pearls Red Carpet Affair is a fabulous, classy and elegant event designed to empower women only with the Red Carpet rolled out. This event is held twice a year and designed for women from all walks of life to come together and have a wonderful and spiritual evening out.

The reasons for starting this organization publicly is to be of support and to give back especially during this economic crisis we are facing as people, and we want women from all walks of life to experience a wonderful evening out, and feel and know someone cares.

The event features pampering a woman in many ways such as, inspiring words, encouraging words, entertainment, raffles, free gifts, spiritual speakers, gospel singers, and a beautiful dinner. The event is totally spiritual based.

The unique purpose of this affair is to celebrate the Elegant Art of Womanhood.

In celebrating the overall picture tells each woman that she is unique.

In our program we have designed a special venue in this affair that presents show casing Book Writers, First Lady of Excellence Award , and the crowning of Miss Diamonds & Pearls for her inspiring life story.

The end result is for women to embrace their uniqueness, feel beautiful, honored, and recognize that they are the jewels of the earth that are to be cherished and respected regardless of whatever challenges they may have faced in life.

Often we see on television the Red Carpet rolled out for Hollywood celebrities, but this is the Red Carpet affair for all of god’s women.

Executive Director

Adrenia Despanie

Social Justice Documentary Filmmaking

2009-08-28T03:52:00.000-07:00

Why The Maya Nut Movie?

The Digitalady (Digital-lady) film team (crew and sponsors) are two years deep now. Our mission is simple: to utilize new media for social justice. Erika Vohman started a grass roots movement to save the Maya Nut Tree (Ramon) from extinction in 2001 when she founded The Equilibrium Fund.

Until we came along- there was nothing to document Erika Vohman, a heroine, and her fight to empower the women of Central America and Mexico.

Our aim is to provide a personal, before and after look at how the Maya Nut Program has impacted the lives these women and children. Focusing on the mother/daughter relationships, the film will show how the Maya Nut revolution is impacting the next generation of women.

We will explore recent developments of the Maya Nut Program such as, the Healthy Kids, Healthy Forests initiative that has recently been implemented in Guatemalan schools, providing children with regular nutritional lunches. This initiative is integral to the growth of the Maya Nut movement, reinforcing the Maya nut as a part of the lives and nutrition of the people.

The mothers who are now modeling a new behavior represent a paradigm shift for women in rural communities. This underlying and powerful theme will be explored through the relationship of mothers who teach and inspire their daughters, passing along the torch to the next generation of young women who will perpetuate this movement.

We plan to return to Guatemala and Nicaragua to document the "Healthy kids and Healthy forests" initiative to capture the next generation. Ideally, this will transpire in fall of 2009, however we must secure $15,000 prior to departure.

Who do we want to see this movie?

Women! Primarily, those living in impoverished countries with ecosystems that can support Maya Nut, such as Central America, Mexico, Haiti, Jamaica, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. These are women who can immediately benefit from the knowledge spread by Seeds of Inspiration. Along with the women who’s lives can be changed for the better, we also wish to target women in the US to inspire them to support the Maya Nut Program and women across the globe.

More information: http://www.seedsofinspirationmovie.com/