Video Production | Episode XI Studios

As time approaches the beginning of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, media reports quickly escalate, boasting of China’s preparation. How true are those reports?

During my 32 trips to China over the last several years, I have firsthand knowledge of just what the Chinese government Olympic preparation actually involves. In Beijing’s historic Qianmen, where Olympic marathon runners will pass, stand old grey-brick storefronts, however Olympic participants will not see the current Qianmen district, but a modern updated one. The old storefronts are being replaced by two and three-story commercial buildings,housing brands such as Prada, Rolex, and Starbucks. The surrounding property is prepared to build pricier residences, hotels, and high-end restaurants.The problem is, before now the property was home to 10,000 Chinese families.The government is now in the process of moving those families to make way for this highly visible Olympic background.

Sun Yunyu, 55 told reporters that she was forced out of her home and watched as police and security officials took furniture. Her home now stands half demolished, and her stone decorated door destroyed (Decorating in stone, the Chinese  people  display  the year in which they acquired their home).Receiving $100 per square foot for their homes, Sun and most of the other shave moved to cheaper properties.

Another method that the Chinese government uses to beautify the Olympic background is building “privacy” walls along some of the highways, blocking most of the view to nearby neighborhoods. I say most because visible just over the wall are perfectly constructed and maintained rooftops. One might say that, based on this view, the Chinese people live in very comfortable modern homes. However, the rooftops are only a façade. A look over the wall shows that the rooftops are just that-rooftops. Built on a wooden structure,the rooftops are meant to hide how the Chinese people really live.

Now, don’t misunderstand me, some of the Chinese people do live in nice homes, apartments, and bungalows. Factually, some of the wealthiest people in the world live in Hong Kong, now Chinese owned. Most, however, live within four concrete walls, without air-conditioning or heat.

Randy Davis
Episode XI Studios

It amazes me how little we (business owners) know about effective and efficient networking. I would like to offer my opinion on the subject and invite your feedback. I consider myself fairly well connected, with affiliations in numerous chambers, Masonic organizations, and The Good Fellows Club. I believe that networking is one of the very best ways of building relationships. Did you hear what I said? I said building relationships, not building business. If you go into networking thinking that you are building your business through those actions, you’re wrong.

Ask anyone who has been in a successful business for many years, and most will agree that relationships are what build empires. Chances are that the person whom you met at last night’s function will probably not do business with you; but if you take the time to get to know that person, do your best to help them with their needs, it will come back to you exponentially.

The old saying is do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I have a better solution and it says: do unto others as they would have you do unto them. The manner in which you like to be talked to, dealt with, and behaved toward is probably very different than those that you may be working with. Get to know each person in your network and genuinely build that relationship.

Five tips that I have learned:

1) Try very hard to remember those in your network. If someone introduces himself or herself to me more than twice, I take them out of my database, and because I do not exist to them, they don’t exist to me!

2) Never look beyond the person that you are speaking with to greet someone else. You may as well have told that person that they weren’t as important to you as the person behind them.

3) Never interrupt a conversation that someone is having. Remain just outside the circle and wait for an invitation.

4) Never, never, never give your business card to anyone that doesn’t ask for it. Nobody cares about you, your product, or service until they ask.

5) Networking is the purpose of getting to know someone that you don’t already know. If you know the person next to you fairly well, move on to someone you don’t. If you stay in your click you aren’t helping yourself or anyone else.

6) Offer to be the expert networker. If someone new comes to the group and you know someone else who may be a good contact for them, make the introduction.

Whatever your spiritual or religious preference, they all say the same thing-Help your fellow man/women. There is a reason that we should help each other, and helping each other is part of our purpose. The more you help other people get what they want, the more people will help you get what you want. It is one of the Universal truths. On the other hand, by believing in, and only working for the Me syndrome, your network will quickly see through your facade and within four years, you will be out of business and looking to that same network to help, but no help will be there.

In closing, build your network with the understanding that you are making life-long connections. Understand the need to keep in touch with those in your network and offer your help when needed. Be grateful that you are helping someone else obtain their goals, and they in turn will be grateful to help you obtain yours.

A professionally shot video for $600?

The Big-Box Store mentality comes to video. I don’t have to tell you the importance of video for business. If you don’t already know, you may soon be out of business. So, with that being said, what if a video company could look to the big-box store chains and copy their business model-Video production would be much more affordable.

Welcome to the wholesale of video production. One day per month, Episode 11 Studios will setup at a central, convenient location and video your company talking head or interview-style 2-minute video for only $600. This is $2000 less than market price if we were required to come to you.

We only set up one day per month and only accept the first 8 clients. Call today to setup your appointment. We can be reached at 704.998.3711 or by email at info@episodexistudios.com.

Episode XI Studios recently completed a video project for the Bed & Bike Inn in Gold Hill, North Carolina. We learned that there was yet another place in North Carolina that we had overlooked, and it is now our mission to educate Charlotteans about what is right here in our own backyards. If you have been looking for a weekend getaway that’s not really far away, this is a perfect spot.

The Inn has accommodations to suit every taste, from those who want to enjoy the rustic atmosphere of the log house, to the more modern and updated Grove House, or rough it in the cabin.

Only an hour from Charlotte, the Bed & Bike Inn is close to more entertainment options than we ever knew about. We highly recommend visiting Historic Gold Hill and enjoying a meal at Miss Ruby’s Restaurant (yummm).

Uwharrie Tours, owned and operated by the Inn’s owners, offers winery tours, moonlight kayaking, antique shopping tours, pottery tours, and much more.

We thought that the best part of the Inn was the quiet surroundings and the opportunity to just relax on the hammock and take a nap (when we weren’t shooting the video, of course).

Have a look: http://episodexistudios.com/images/Web_Media/BedBikeInn.html